Search - Bob Mckenzie & Doug :: Great White North

B. Jason O. (panicBoy) from MANCHESTER, NH
Reviewed on 7/10/2007...

For a brief moment in the early 1980's, the common parlance was littered with words like "hoser," "hosehead," and "eh?," thanks to SCTV spin-off stars Bob and Doug McKenzie, played with scary accuracy and ease by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. With toques on heads, cold ones in hand, and more stashed in the Coleman, it seemed these "characters" were actually channeled spirits, talking extemporaneously on a number of subjects, mainly beer, hockey, Rush, doughnuts and science fiction. Were these scripted bits? Were they completely winged?

Whatever, eh? The 1996 CD release of "The Great White North" gave welcome relief to many who were either straining to hear, or struggling to find, the original and out-of-print LPs.

But do not expect to hear another corny comedy record. Yes, there are "bits," or at least improvised dialogues within preset scenarios. And, of course, there are the mega-hits "12 Days of Christmas," and "Take Off," featuring fellow Canuck Geddy Lee on those unmistakeable vocals.

No, what makes this CD special is the graceful play between two skilled improvisateurs, and the way a listener will easily forget that he is listening to two actors playing parts. The overall conversational intimacy and faux-amateurish goofiness of Rick and Dave's flanneled alter-egos is transporting. It brings to mind the records of Derek & Clive, the heart-stoppingly foul-mouthed creation of actors Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (and another huge recommendation, if you can find them). In both cases, it is relatively easy to assume that while they may have arrived to the studios with a few odd ideas, the bulk of the really best stuff was created straight to tape, warts and all.

Coo-roo-coo-coo, coo-coo-coo-coo.