BY MIKEY MIGO
I've always been a huge fan of comedy. With all the randomness humans have to deal with, a little laughter goes a long way. If you take things too seriously you're only living with only one perspective. Alan Alda said it best in "Crimes and Misdemeanors"- "Comedy is tragedy plus time. If it bends it's funny". In the movie, the other characters think he's being a pretentious know-nothing. In reality, it makes perfect sense. In that regard comedy is expression.
Another form of expression is music. It's why I have a column space on this site and why I would hope you're here. I know some people consider this "cheating" or "impure" when it comes to stand up comedy, but I'd lump it with the wide world of "expression". If you've followed the greats, you'll notice they all have a certain swagger and way of wording their routines to be poetic in a sense. There are plenty of parody artists out there. You have "Weird Al" and a slew of others out there that have cornered the niche' of this market. Then there are some comedians who incorporate music into their stand up routine. What I want to focus on today is not the musicians who use comedy within their music, but rather the comedians who use music to help express their comedy.
I'm ruling "Spinal Tap" and "Blues Brothers" out of the equation. Both are GREAT and I'm a huge fan, but they're more comedic bands than comedians using music for their routine. Also, I can't include Andy Samberg into this equation. He's easily my favorite cast member of Saturday Night Live and I've loved just about every "Digital Short" thus far. Still, due to my own rules, I can't put him on my list because it's not technically "stand up" comedy.
But yeah, I'm surely going to have a different list than the next guy. There are some comedians who use music in their routine that I don't like AT ALL. Steven Lynch's rock/comedy is lame and I really think he ripped off Voltaire. If not, then he's still not as good as Voltaire. That's enough of that rant. Let's get into the list…
7.) Craig Robinson
I was going to do a Top 6, but I had to put this on the list. Craig Robinson has made quite a name for himself over the past few years with his Apatow connection, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", and of course "The Office". I honestly can't say I've seen his stand up really at all except for the clip I found. His delivery and simple use of music is GREAT and stands out like a sore thumb on Def Comedy Jam.
6.) Jamie Foxx
Yeah, this is an odd choice. We all know the guy can REALLY sing now a day. He's been involved with some of the biggest tracks in the past few years and has become one of the top leading men in Hollywood. We're forgetting the fact that the man got his start working on "In Living Color" and working the stand-up circuit. Long time fans of Mr. Foxx knows the man can hold a note. If you watch the clip above, once you get past his beat box segment you see what I sorta consider the point that took the man from Jamie Foxx the comedian to Jamie Foxx the entertainer.
5.) Sarah Silverman
Sure, she's a little too vulgar for the kids but her comedy is at least mean for 12 year olds. Really mature 12 year olds with mustaches and union jobs. She has songs about poop, porn (as seen above), old people dieing, and much more. I think I've even see her make her ass and vagina sing songs in different notes. That's not just funny, that's TRUE musical talent.
4.) Dana Carvey
The man most of the world knows as "Garth" is one of the best stand ups of the last quarter century. Not just flat out playing songs, which he does, but in the video I used from above, you can see that he deconstructs music the same way as someone else would deconstruct "airplane food" or the "differences between black people and white people". Except in Carvey's case, he's funny at it. I believe the video I used as my example is from a few years back, but the little stereotypes he mocks are sadly still true to this day. And Neil Young DOES still sound the same.
3.) Adam Sandler
Back when the Sandman was making great comedies like "Billy Madison", "Happy Gilmore", and the like, he was also rocking the stand-up world. I used to have this cassette when I was in junior high. It was one of the many comedy special tapes I had, but this one specifically had the musical arrangements. I remember taking to "Ode To My Car" more than the other more popular ones, but that's no slight to the others. Since Sandler broke with his music stuff on SNL and in the stand up world there have been tons of people to rip it off. Hell, even one unnamable talk show host has sorta ripped Adam's style off. I won't say who, but c'mon… It's obvious.
2.) Flight of the Conchords
They're way to new to be my number two favorite, but dammit I like them that much. I got in late with them and discovered them like many via their hilarious HBO series. Since then I've gotten my hands on their album, which has a lot of songs from the show, and have been checking out their live stuff on YouTube whenever I get a chance. If you're thinking "What the hell is he talking about?" then you should definitely check it out.
1.) Steve Martin
I could of posted the video for his famous song "King Tut", but I can't help myself with this one. Yes, a few months ago I put this as a "Random Video of the Week" and I'm reposting it now. Steve Martin is one of the best comedians of all time for sure, but you can't sleep on his banjo playing. The guy has more Grammys than most of your favorite musicians. Mr. Martin is easily my number one. I know, "but he's so old and lame". He may be old, but Navin Johnson will NEVER be lame. If you can jump off your high horse without breaking your ego, you should check out some of his more obscure works. The man eats, sleeps, and breaths expression.
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