CD Reviews of...
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah
By Sharon Chapman
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes has carved out an entertaining niche for itself by recording punk covers of songs that are anything but punk. They've tackled show tunes, Simon and Garfunkel, and even Barry Manilow -- nothing is sacred for this five man band.
And in the vein of nothing is sacred comes the group's newly released CD, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah. This live album simulates the awkward experience of being at an event where the band is not particularly thrilled about performing there. From Johnny's Blessing to Auld Lang Syne to Hava Nagila (both the traditional version as well as the group's Christmas arrangement), to the well meaning relative who thinks he can sing but really can't, the simultaneous spoof and homage to the Bar Mitzvah from Hell will have you groaning with familiarity while you're laughing out loud.
Even the liner notes are hilarious. Ostensibly written by a 12-year-old boy who was dragged to the fictional Bar Mitzvah by his father who "insisted that we go because he said there would be people there who would advance my career," the 16-page booklet contains many photos of the band in action as well as a narrative of the event.
The enhanced CD also contains seven and a half minutes of video of the Bar Mitzvah reception, starting out with O Sole Mio. The "guests" exhibit reactions ranging from amusement to horror—some dance, while others hold their hands over their ears.
Of course, the CD is complete with the type of music that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes does best. The punk renditions of songs like Stairway to
Heaven and Delta Dawn set old music to a new beat. It's fun stuff never meant to be taken seriously, but simply meant to be enjoyed.
If you're into offbeat music with edgy humor, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah is worth a listen.
For more about Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, check out their website at www.gimmegimmes.com