Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers

by Firesign Theatre

Overview

Firesign Theatre's previous work had already proved that the troupe wasn't particularly interested in releasing conventional comedy albums. While earlier albums had longer pieces, Don't Crush That Dwarf is the first time they dedicated an entire album to a single theme. Although initially it sounds like a loose collection of semi-related items, it later becomes clear that the whole album is a look through the past of a single character, George Leroy Tirebiter, with a few flips of a television tuner knob taking you through his early days as a child star all the way up to a This Is Your Life-style reflection and beyond. Television and movie parodies still figure prominently throughout: "High School Madness" is a hilarious spoof on wholesome '40s boys' adventure films, but the group also takes on war films, televangelists, commercials, and more. In many ways, this is a comedy concept album. What's more, it moves past comedy in places, proving that you can be funny while remaining intelligent. The group even throws in a touch of poignancy at the very end. Masterful. ~ Sean Carruthers

Product Details

Release Date:	12/04/2001
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886976985929
Rank:	92804

Tracks

1. This Side
2. The Other Side

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Firesign Theatre   Primary Artist
Little Bubbles   Sax (Tenor)
Phil Proctor   Flute,Violin,Vocals
Oona Elliott   Vocals
Philip Austin   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Ambient's Noyes Choral   Choir/Chorus
John Fresno   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Saxophone
Annalee   Voices
Procmer   Director
Mindermast Mental Music Hall One-Man Sympathy Orchestra   Orchestra
David Ossman   Vocals,Percussion

Technical Credits

Jack   Engineer
Bill Driml   Engineer,Producer
James William Guercio   Producer
Jerry Hochman   Engineer
Phil Austin   Engineer
Firesign Theatre   Composer,Producer
Elizabeth Plumb   Photography
Ralph   Engineer
Eric ?   Engineer
A-Lex   Engineer
Alex   Engineer
Sy   Engineer
Philip Austin   Liner Notes
Bob Grossman   Artwork
William Malloch   Creative Consultant
Annalee   Stylist
George   Engineer
Willie   Engineer
Glen   Engineer
John Rose   Photography