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OK, I am generally not a big fan of comedic holiday albums. Novelty CDs tend to have extremely limited utility, amusing perhaps one time through, but without lasting value. In addition, a great CD should reflect solid musicianship, as well as creative writing, and the funniest artists are often weak performers.

That being said, Joel Kopischke pulls off I Got Yule Babe with brilliant aplomb. If you are a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic, you will adore this album. Kopischke is a consummate professional. A Milwaukee native, this well-known cabaret performer is an exceptional singer and a very smart writer. His many talents gel perfectly on this hilarious holiday album.

I Got Yule Babe opens with the title track; Kopischke manages remarkable impressions of both Sonny Bono AND Cher singing their classic I Got You Babe duet. The parody lyrics are spot on, and I love the backing vocal (ho-hoing, listing the reindeer et al.). The execution is flawless.

From that notable opening, Kopischke moves through polka, klezmer, big band, pop, just about everything imaginable. It's a wild ride, and always fun. I especially enjoyed Kopischke's parodies of Bobby Darin (Mack the Knife/Santa's Back in Town, Beyond the Sea/Beneath the Tree), the Violent Femmes (Blister in the Sun/Christmas in the Sun), and the Barenaked Ladies (If I Had a $1,000,000/If I Had a Secret Santa). Kopischke nails them all (figuratively speaking), using instrumentation and vocal intonations that are perfection. And his Stupid Christmas Song (parody of the traditional German folk song Schnitzelbank) had me laughing out loud, which almost NEVER happens when I'm playing a comedy album.

Want to entertain your friends and family this holiday season with a CD that's funny, well-crafted, and perversely demented in the most positive way? Try Joel Kopischke's I Got Yule Babe and prepare to laugh.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Vocals: Joel Kopischke
Drums: Del Bennett 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,14,15; Steve Comeau 4,12
Bass: Chris Kringel (yes, that's his real name) 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,14,15; Noel (also his real name) Crowder 4,12
Keyboards: Larry Moore 1,3,5,8,9,10,11,13,14,15
Guitar: Mike Derose 1,3,5,8,13,14; Ralph Bruner 4,9,12
Accordion: Tom Kanack 2,5,7,9,11,16
Trumpet: Jeff Pietrangelo 3,8,13
Trombone: Mark Hoelscher 2,3,5,8,13
Sax, Flute, Clarinet: John Hibler 3,5,8,11,13
Fiddle: Jerry Loughney 5,9
Additional Vocals: Kelli Cramer 1; Mark Kindler 9
Backing Vocals:
The Cudahy Carolers: Paul Helm, Joel Kopischke, Christina Krasovich, and Christine O'Meally 2
The Musical Muggles: Rose Spice-Kopischke, Anya Kopischke, Ian, Zoe, Quincy & Teresa Drews 4
Shtupid Singers: Anne Heid, Rick Kieffer, Joel Poischke, John Tanner & Kerry Tanner 7
Also: Rick Kieffer 1,10; Ameerah Tatum 14

Parody Lyrics for 1,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13,16 by Joel Kopischke
Original music & lyrics for tracks 2,7,11,14,15 by Joel Kopischke
Arrangements by Larry Moore (Track 4 arranged by John Tanner)
Instrumentals Produced by Larry Moore (Tracks 4 &12 by Ralph Bruner)
Vocals Produced by John Tanner

Joel Kopischke

I Got Yule Babe

Artist link

Track List