CHEECH & CHONG’S GREATEST HIT (1981 Warner)
Even if you’re not into comedy albums, Cheech & Chong’s Greatest Hit compilation should be considered for your collection. For one, it can be found in any format for cheap. And that justifies buying it for their classic song “Earache My Eye”. Classic song? It’s been covered and homaged by bands such as Soundgarden, Korn, and even Rush. So listen up!
Cheech & Chong’s original “Earache My Eye” is heavy metal and horns gone wild. Cheech sings as his persona “Alice Bowie”. The song was featured in the group’s first movie, Up In Smoke. There is also a lesser song on the album called “Basketball Jones”, but it too is noteworthy because there’s a Beatle on it: George Harrison! And a slew of others including Billy Preston, Carole King and Nicky Hopkins.
Everyone in the world should know Cheech & Chong’s comedy sketch “Dave”. If you don’t, shame on you and go hear it immediately. “Dave” is here in edited form so you’ll get the gist. Other popular bits include “Sister Mary Elephant” (remember the teacher screaming “SHUUUT UPPP!” to the rowdy classroom?) and “Sargent Stadanko”. Most sketches focus on (gasp) drugs! “Let’s Make a Drug Deal” is a spoof of a popular TV show. “Cruising With Pedro De Pacas” is a paranoid drive with a Latino stoner. Pedro and his sidekick Man take up most of side two.
Listening to this is a real throwback. Sneaking people into a drive-in movie back when a drive-in movie was just 50 cents per person! It’s good stuff but it may only appeal to people who remember those times. Cheech & Chong’s laid back style of comedy makes this album (almost 55 minutes long) difficult to finish in one sitting. Take a break between sides if it’s too slow for you.
The most important life lesson contained within is don’t try to sneak friends into a drive-in movie in the trunk of your car. Especially if you’re with two guys named Pedro and Man.
3.5/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Fun post! I love “Sister Mary Elephant” and “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” but “Earache My Eye” is still the most insane.
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Earache my Eye is remarkable! Thanks for the comment!
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I heard one of them being interviewed on Q semi-recently and they played a clip & discussed the origins of ‘Dave’ – so thankfully I’m now familiar, no longer need to be ashamed!
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Right on, good for you Geoff!
Geoff’s not here, man.
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OMG! Love it. This was something my brothers listened to when I was really young and I wasn’t supposed to listen to it. They greatest hits is definitely worth getting. It was one of the CDs in that big box of CDs I got a few months back.
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Nice! So you are well taken care of!
I don’t have a large comedy collection, but I’ll buy any George Carlin. Cheech & Chong, I think I could use a couple more.
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Yas! I remember Earache My Eye from Up In Smoke! All sorts of goodness… though I’m not familiar with the Greatest Hit album. I dare say I’d like it enough to drop some cashpennies if it’s cheap enough.
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Oh absolutely. It’s just a nice well rounded collection. It’s probably a requisite is some circles. I’m sure my buddy Peter had it, and that’s where I first heard it.
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Never heard the Soundgarden cover, I may need to look for that.. :)
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HERE YOU GO DUDE!
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Pretty awesome actually, wish they played that when I saw them. :)
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Manthis is definitely a throwback. I used to have a cassette of Born In East LA as a kid, we used to laugh hysterically. “… and as soon as we get Dave out of jail, man, then we’ll have our drummer, and we can go back on the road, man…” Hahaha
There’s one very important cover of Earache left to mention (which will crush your skull, natch)… ROLLINS!
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Shit, ROLLINS? I didn’t know he did it too. WOW. Gonna listen to this now. I can only imagine!
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Yup, ROLLINS! Get in there and CRANK IT, DUDE!
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Heck! I didn’t know that George Harrison played on Basketball Jones. I used to go around the house singing it, much to the annoyance of my family. This is a great comedy album.
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I didn’t either, but fortunately Wikipedia knew!
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Thank God for Wilipedia.
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Use it daily, bro!
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