And now we're losing our humanity even further and faster with AI... Very saddened to hear of Tommy's passing. My condolences to Dick and to their families. What a profound loss - to all of us.
I remember hearing all these bits on vinyl when I was a kid... my folks had a few of their albums. I listened to them over and over, had them pretty much memorized. When I got a little older, I became a professional bassist, which is still my profession today. I moved here to Maui in 1985, and there was a lot of commercial work. I worked with a whole bunch of major acts. One of my very first gigs here was with the Smothers Brothers. Dick is a very competent bassist, but they had a pit trio that included a second bassist so he could do the routines without having to lay down all the bass lines for ninety minutes. Their book contained charts for all these classics... but I barely needed them, because I'd heard them all as a child. 😁 good fun.
Ha!! Same here! When I was about 6 my dad showed me "The Ballad of John Henry" from one of their comedy albums and man alive - I never forgot how much I loved it!!!
No wonder CBS threw them out the window. These two were the funniest act in the 70's and we never missed their show. Thanks for posting this Paul Brownstein!
They actually started their career not far from where I lived for over 60 years but recently moved. They started thier career as a serious act, Tommy kept flubbing his lines, which got laughs and the rest is history. To me they still remain one of the best sources of 'clean' comedy.
@@geerterri Yes......How did you know that? For over 60 years, I lived in Watsonville (50 miles south of San Jose...but have just recently moved) and became aware of the Smothers Brothers quite early in their career. While I have never seen them in person, (but friends of mine have) I have loved their 'clean' comedy for decades....and still have at least four of their LPs (which 'dates' me) NOT that I'm a 'squeaky clean' person, but they just so elloquently prove comedy doesn't have to 'sink low and be vulgar' to be hilarius. I don't know if you are aware of this....they actually started out being a serious comedy act, supported by their music, but Tommy kept honestly flubbing his lines, which they soon discovered brought laughs, and the rest, as they say, is history. BHE
Tommy sure did wonderful things with his face and they had a terrific vocal/musical blend. I hope they are well and in possession of their 'evil, wicked, mean, and bad, and nasty' but not malicious humor that celebrates absurdity!
This is the best version I have heard of this song by the Smothers Brothers. I will have to admit, though, as a child during their original comedy hour, I thought Tommy doing John Henry as a baby was hilarious.
When I was a teenager we were lucky enough for the BBC to show The Smothers Brothers Show on a Sunday evening. I really loved them and it’s so very good to be able to see them again on here. Social Media can be so bad these days but seeing stuff from your childhood makes up for everything
My parents used to let us watch this show when there was nothing else on tv they wanted to see. I guess they weren't old enough to appreciate their humor.
I remember watching this show on Sunday evenings. I was in 7th grade and I don't think I really understood the controversial comments. But I enjoyed the show watching with my parents. Pat Paulson and Lee French were my favorites.
These fellas cracks me up. But the end of the song about the john henry not beating that steam drill. Well that just ain't true he died all right but not after winning that race and beating that dang steam drill by 16 feet
Tommy was a very clever Boy...slicing and dicing what is meant to be metaphorical humor! Leadbelly's ( gone way too soon ) ode to and remembrance of...what it was like before ' civilized ' Man ? in Song...no less!
Happy Birthday Tom Smothers born on February 2, 1937. He is an American comedian, composer and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Smothers
They do a version where: "When John Henry was a little baby, sitt'in on his Daddies knee. They gave him a hammer and a little piece of steel and he drove it in his Daddie's knee." ALSO: "When John Henry was a little baby, sitt'in on his Daddies knee. His Daddy picked him up and he threw him on the floor and said Baby don't wet on me." Really funny.
Thanx Paul ,because my husband is the last of the boomers and I am the first of the X'ers and we didn't remember them this way.He is a Portland boy and I am a Midwest small town girl.We are cerebral people and needed a fabulous distraction right now.
They actually started out as a serious act not too far from where I lived at the time. Tommy kept flubbing his lines, it got laughs, and so that set them off down the path which has brought them so much fame.
The Smothers Brothers! The magical combination of harmony and musical talent and zny humor created by the wittiest team ever to stand on a stage.. Ony Tom Lehrer can compare.
I chatted with Dick Smothers before he went into a performance in Spokane about 20 years ago. He said he thought the stuff they did during the CBS shows in the late 1980s were some of the best stuff the brothers ever did. He was hoping ... then ... that those shows could get out on DVD at some point.
I surely do remember watching these 2 guys on the tube. Thought they were funny back then & still do today. Their voices harmonize beautifully. After the censors, being the arse wipes that they were, studied them awhile, they decided to cancel their show. Imo, they just couldn't handle the truth. Would love to see them doing some sort of "Special". 🙏💓😡
they left out the part about him being born a slave in the 1850’s and took the job laying railroads for pennies after the slaves were freed. he dies of exhaustion when being overworked in the hot summer days is the moral of this story.
I'm glad you shared this. I expect Tom and Dick Smothers know well, know more than most, this American folk hero perhaps best known in the South; in their ballad of John Henry they do well to remember, to publicize this man's accomplishment. I see the choice they made to be one of inclusion, not omission. Comedy - such as theirs, comments - such as yours, educate, inspiring others (like me) to find out more.
rest in peace tommy. thanks for all the laughs,and for being there when the world needed you the most.
It's so easy to let the musicianship slip by as the comedy rolls. Both of them are outrageously good musicians.
Tommy Smothers is certainly one of the funniest men who ever lived.
Absolutely agreed.
An act that will never be replicated. RIP, Tommy Smothers.
So sad that we lost Tom. I hope Dick is holding up and in good health.
And now we're losing our humanity even further and faster with AI... Very saddened to hear of Tommy's passing. My condolences to Dick and to their families. What a profound loss - to all of us.
I was lucky enough to see them live. The stuff that went on during a comercial would make you cry with laughter.
As funny today as it was in the 60s -- maybe even FUNNIER due to the present lack of such sophisticated humorists today.
I agree.
❤️
There are many sophisticated comedians today you just don't know where they are and if you only watch what the tv feeds you you are lost.
I loved the Smothers Brothers as a young teenager and every one of the adult jokes sailed right over my head
Entertainment that one doesn't see on TV these days. I truly miss these guys.
Brilliant. The music as much as the lyrics as much as the delivery of those lyrics - great harmonies, great music, great story! An absolute classic!
Oh, hell yeah. Smothers Bros had more talent, more guts, more heart and more smarts than anyone on TV at the time...or anytime. Thanks, Brothers!
"I'm not going to bore you with the details of 'race'..." (such a great sarcastic double entendre).
RIP, Tommy. Thanks for the laughs.
I remember hearing all these bits on vinyl when I was a kid... my folks had a few of their albums. I listened to them over and over, had them pretty much memorized. When I got a little older, I became a professional bassist, which is still my profession today. I moved here to Maui in 1985, and there was a lot of commercial work. I worked with a whole bunch of major acts. One of my very first gigs here was with the Smothers Brothers. Dick is a very competent bassist, but they had a pit trio that included a second bassist so he could do the routines without having to lay down all the bass lines for ninety minutes. Their book contained charts for all these classics... but I barely needed them, because I'd heard them all as a child. 😁 good fun.
Ha!! Same here! When I was about 6 my dad showed me "The Ballad of John Henry" from one of their comedy albums and man alive - I never forgot how much I loved it!!!
Keep in mind that Dickie is actually left handed. Tommy got him to play the bass right handed.
No wonder CBS threw them out the window. These two were the funniest act in the 70's and we never missed their show. Thanks for posting this Paul Brownstein!
RIP Tommy, I think their version on the Think Ethnic album is better.
What a superb and creative version of this most classic folk tune! Bravo and cheers, brothers Somthers.
The most perfect duo with so much talent I first saw them on TV in 1961 and laughed so hard I am still laughing at their amazing talent.
They actually started their career not far from where I lived for over 60 years but recently moved. They started thier career as a serious act, Tommy kept flubbing his lines, which got laughs and the rest is history. To me they still remain one of the best sources of 'clean' comedy.
@@blackholeentry3489 San Jose?
@@geerterri Yes......How did you know that?
For over 60 years, I lived in Watsonville (50 miles south of San Jose...but have just recently moved) and became aware of the Smothers Brothers quite early in their career. While I have never seen them in person, (but friends of mine have) I have loved their 'clean' comedy for decades....and still have at least four of their LPs (which 'dates' me) NOT that I'm a 'squeaky clean' person, but they just so elloquently prove comedy doesn't have to 'sink low and be vulgar' to be hilarius.
I don't know if you are aware of this....they actually started out being a serious comedy act, supported by their music, but Tommy kept honestly flubbing his lines, which they soon discovered brought laughs, and the rest, as they say, is history.
BHE
Tommy sure did wonderful things with his face and they had a terrific vocal/musical blend. I hope they are well and in possession of their 'evil, wicked, mean, and bad, and nasty' but not malicious humor that celebrates absurdity!
Rest in Peace Tom Smothers. Great entertainer.
Shear creative, comic genius.
This is the best version I have heard of this song by the Smothers Brothers. I will have to admit, though, as a child during their original comedy hour, I thought Tommy doing John Henry as a baby was hilarious.
RIP Tommy. You really made me laugh over the years.
When I was a teenager we were lucky enough for the BBC to show The Smothers Brothers Show on a Sunday evening. I really loved them and it’s so very good to be able to see them again on here. Social Media can be so bad these days but seeing stuff from your childhood makes up for everything
You speak the truth.
When I was a teenager we were lucky enough to see Monty Pythons Flying Circus on PBS!!
I agree. Glad to hear the Smothers Brothers crossed the pond. I've wondered how far their reach beyond continental U.S.
Here I am at 4:55 AM laughing, trying to avoid doing it loud and not waking up my mother. These guys kill me, God bless them !!!!
RIP Tom Smothers.
So funny!🤣 I faithfully watched there show back in the 60's, Was sad when it was cancelled! Only because Tommy spoke his mind. ❤❤
Tommy loved to push the envelope. 🤣
My parents used to let us watch this show when there was nothing else on tv they wanted to see. I guess they weren't old enough to appreciate their humor.
Goodbye Yo-Yo Man. I loved you on so many levels, (the high ones mostly) >S
I remember watching this show on Sunday evenings. I was in 7th grade and I don't think I really understood the controversial comments. But I enjoyed the show watching with my parents. Pat Paulson and Lee French were my favorites.
Loved these guys
I wish these variety shows would come back. Too much politics, and racism are hammered to us every time you turn on tbe TV.
Agreed - sans rap, though...
These fellas cracks me up. But the end of the song about the john henry not beating that steam drill. Well that just ain't true he died all right but not after winning that race and beating that dang steam drill by 16 feet
So funny. Dickie can hardly hide his laughter.
Nothing like a history lesson from Prof. Tom Smothers, however factually questionable. 😅
Oh God I love it! Thank you Grampy for your sense of humor. Robert Doucette 1930-2021.
They had a wonderful way of honoring our history and bringing to life the shoulders upon which we stand.
When Dick was asked how he never broke up no matter what Tommy did he said he was thinking the worst stuff 🤔 😕 🤣
My mom loved these guys. She was so mad when they got canceled. I remember this song from one of their albums that she had.
It's not hard to see why they had so much trouble w/ the network censors back in those days 🤭
RIP, Tommy! :(
Tommy was a very clever Boy...slicing and dicing what is meant to be metaphorical humor! Leadbelly's ( gone way too soon ) ode to and remembrance of...what it was like before ' civilized ' Man ? in Song...no less!
Happy Birthday Tom Smothers born on February 2, 1937. He is an American comedian, composer and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Smothers
I want Tommy's beautiful Guild guitar.
They do a version where: "When John Henry was a little baby, sitt'in on his Daddies knee. They gave him a hammer and a little piece of steel and he drove it in his Daddie's knee." ALSO: "When John Henry was a little baby, sitt'in on his Daddies knee. His Daddy picked him up and he threw him on the floor and said Baby don't wet on me." Really funny.
This baby done wet all over me was the one I remember. Was young and yeah, I laughed.
I remember that version too!
The good old days. Thanks 🙏
Thanx Paul ,because my husband is the last of the boomers and I am the first of the X'ers and we didn't remember them this way.He is a Portland boy and I am a Midwest small town girl.We are cerebral people and needed a fabulous distraction right now.
don’t make em like this anymore
These two were stupendous, I have an even greater appreciation for them now than as a kid. Genius.
They actually started out as a serious act not too far from where I lived at the time. Tommy kept flubbing his lines, it got laughs, and so that set them off down the path which has brought them so much fame.
I forgot just how good Tommy was...not to mention being the Yo-Yo Man!!
before I die with a hammer in my hand, gonna get me a steam drill too, lord lord, get me a steam drill too
Well done, I've heard that song many times even my father sang it, but this is the best version. Thanks.
RIP, Tom. Thanks for the smailes and laughs.
The Smothers Brothers! The magical combination of harmony and musical talent and zny humor created by the wittiest team ever to stand on a stage.. Ony Tom Lehrer can compare.
And Allan Sherman. Those three acts were the holy trinity of comedy music in the 60s.
They are brilliant.
Happy Birthday, Tommy. 2/2/2022.
RIP Tom. Your shows with your brother are unequaled in entertainment.
I chatted with Dick Smothers before he went into a performance in Spokane about 20 years ago. He said he thought the stuff they did during the CBS shows in the late 1980s were some of the best stuff the brothers ever did. He was hoping ... then ... that those shows could get out on DVD at some point.
Are they on DVD?
Rock in roll heaven
They were and are so talented. They weave these wonderful comedic stories and dialogues. They deserved better.
My dying highlight will be to have seen them in concert.
Now That's Good shit!
Great music to hear and then laugh out loud!,
Funny natural talent.
I surely do remember watching these 2 guys on the tube. Thought they were funny back then & still do today. Their voices harmonize beautifully. After the censors, being the arse wipes that they were, studied them awhile, they decided to cancel their show. Imo, they just couldn't handle the truth. Would love to see them doing some sort of "Special". 🙏💓😡
Very cool tune and so funny as only the smothers brothers could ... thank goodness for modern tech that captured them for future ppl to enjoy
And the steam drill only made 9 lord, lord the steam drill only made 9
Incredible.
RIP what a blessing to know about them. Today offers garbage. 😊
My how times have changed.
I remember when I use to watch these guys with my folks at night, and they didn't seem so corny then... but time moves on, doesn't it.
I still crack up watching the Smothers Brothers. They had such a wonderful show.
You forgot to say that John Hennery was a black free slave.
Tjose were the days of real entertsinment!
I remember these guys.
Eternally thankful
What a yo-yo
Wow these guys r funny
These guys and Laugh In…f*ck me I’m old…😂😂😂. Omg classic TV, brilliant.
Can anyone please tell me the night that this first aired? I'd be so appreciative!
I think that this might be one of their
only opening acts from the Smother's Brothers Show that didn't end up in an argument...
This is humorous but the album version is funnier. JMO.
I was waiting for the 'hammering trees, people's fences,....fire hydrants"
@@Marjax all the dogs in town hated John Henry
Spit on the steam drill. Spit on the captain.
Man, these guys were good… Hard to believe that CBS fired them pretty much out of spite - and at the top of their popularity!
"He hammered the girl next door." Got that one by the censors!
Material changes as times change, and they certainly did between this performance, 1988/89 and the 1960s.
The best!
This is awesome stuff,,,,
Sorry we lost Tom, but I wonder if we really appreciated him and Dick. Thanks to you, both.
Thanks!
Rest Easy Tommy....
l was just a kid when this show was on, l watched it every weak, back then l didn't understand the jokes about the girl next door, but l do now.
Fabulous
They were great TV entertainers.
they left out the part about him being born a slave in the 1850’s and took the job laying railroads for pennies after the slaves were freed. he dies of exhaustion when being overworked in the hot summer days is the moral of this story.
I'm glad you shared this. I expect Tom and Dick Smothers know well, know more than most, this American folk hero perhaps best known in the South; in their ballad of John Henry they do well to remember, to publicize this man's accomplishment. I see the choice they made to be one of inclusion, not omission. Comedy - such as theirs, comments - such as yours, educate, inspiring others (like me) to find out more.
And he nailed this lil girl next door! Hahah so funby
I’m surprised they got away with that, lol
I so remember watching this on TV when it came out & we recorded it on good ole VHS. 👍
How to entertain a crowd while singing only 2% of the song.
Sexism is one of the last vestiges of bigotry to be called out.
This was hilariously perfect!
They were a lot of fun ! RIP ! You two !
They're still alive as of February 2023.
They are still alive as of June 2023.