Red Ingle, like the
Hoosier Hot Shots and
Spike Jones (
Ingle was a City Slicker for a couple of years), performed novelties and song parodies with inventive, over-the-top arrangements, and a wicked sense of humor. A duet with
Jo Stafford, "Tim Tay-Shun (Temptation)," became a smash hit for Capitol in 1947, and
Ingle kept cranking out similar material for the label for several years afterwards. Some of his creations are still hilarious and simply brilliant; others, particularly those from the early '50s, are forced and uninspired. Overall, there are more stunners than duds, and the packaging and fidelity is excellent. This is sophisticated, witty music in the guise of hillbilly stupidity.