A Hoot From Hooterville, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                      One of my more campy acquaintances sent me a package of goodies, and in it was this CD, which I would not call a gem, but which merits being heard once......because once is about all you can stand of it.

                       During the heyday of prime time TV series, every young star, it seems put out an album or two--Paul Petersen, Shelley Fabares, Annette Funicello, Hayley Mills......to name a few. Some could sing, some just did not quite have it.  Which is why this 'Petticoat Junction' album was so disappointing. First, the song selections were not the greatest, and the best known one, "Up, Up And Away," just could not hold a candle to the Fifth Dimension.

                        Meredith Macrae, being related to Sheila, Gordon, and Heather, I am sure had some musical training. But you wouldn't know it from here. One girl's voice comes off as particularly strong, standing out when it should not; it sounds more like Linda Kaye Henning than Meredith.

                           The whole thing is capped by Paul Henning's great theme song, sung, as it was every Saturday night, it aired, by Curt Massey. That was the best part of this album.

                           "Lots of curves, you bet. Even more, when you get, to the Junction.
                             Petticoat Junciton!"