Boogity-Boogity:A Tribute to the Comic Genius of Ray Stevens
Artist:Cledus T. Judd
Label:Curb
Time:12 cuts/

Both Ray Stevens and Cledus T. Judd (nee' Barry Poole) have histories crossing mixing funny music with feel-good gospel sentiments, sometimes in the same song. Judd's mission of continuing Stevens' country novelty music legacy becomes obvious with Boogity-Boogity, wherein a sizable cast of Music City luminaries join in to salute Stevens.

The title, as Stevens fans will know, derives from "The Streak," his paean to the mid-'70s fad of running around in the buff in public. Stevens joins Judd for a slightly updated rendition wherein the streaker's footware of choice is now Air Jordans. In the set's first instance of strangeness, this number comes directly after a snippet of the Albert Brumley number Stevens adopted as his own, "Turn Your Radio On." The listener goes from a plea to switch to the AM band to get in touch with God to a tale of public indecency.Okaaay...

Judd offers a representative selection of his hero's bountiful catalog, some of the best of it going back to the early '60s golden age of the novelty 45. He sounds slyly gleeful tackling Stevens' first hit, "Jeremiah Peabody's Polyunsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast-Acting Pleasant Tasting Green And Purple Pills" (whew!). This, however, is about the extent of Judd's "straight" singing on the project.

But why should he do any more than that with so many guests aboard to share the load? Generally the collaborations work, too. Most natural of the lot may be Phil Vassar's chorus (and piano) contributions to "Ahab the Arab." And Trace Adkin's deadpan addition to the obscene phonecaller saga that is "It's Me Again, Margaret" provides as much of a hoot as former Trick Pony vocalist Heidi Newfield adds sexiness to "Gitarzan" (with Keith Urban on "gitar"). Joe Diffe strikes the right note of incredulity on the sadly still-appropriate "Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?," too.

There are a couple of times, however, where it sounds like Judd is nowhere to be heard. Gospel bluegrass gal Sonya Isaacs, whom I'm hoping makes another run at a general market commercial country career, reaches giddy heights on her Vince Gill duet on Stevens' appropriation of Homer & Jethro's rendition of the jazz standard "Misty." But where's Cledus? The same question can be asked of the album-closing treatment of "Everything Is Beautiful," as it sounds like the star of the show is lost amid Vassar, Michael English, Nashville Star finalist Erika Jo, Dobie Gray, Andy Griggs, Rascal Flatts, Julie Roberts, SheDaisy, Darryl Worley and Wynnona Judd (no relation). Yes, the "Jesus Loves The Little Children" prologue to that tune remains in tact with a fresh group of school kids.

As is likely be the case with many tribute albums, admirers of the artist being feted may wish for remakes of songs that didn't make the cut. On my mind in that regard are Stevens'  late '70s spoof "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow" and the current decade's "Osma Yo' Mana." Can't you just hear Toby Keith chiming in on the latter from the title alone?

Lastly, as a fan since his first album, I'm encouraged to see Judd trimmer and healthier after his stint on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, it's a tad odd hearing "Hairy The Harry Ape" and "The Mississippi Squirrel Revival" from a guy who looks that toned and tattooed.

That's the least of the weirdness on this more-hits-than misses collection celebrating the humorous and serious sides of an artist who was overdie for it.

Jamie Lee Rake