Golden Throats


Golden Throats is Rhino Records' series of humorous compilations of critically lambasted cover versions of songs, performed mostly either by celebrities known for something other than musical talent or musicians not known for the genre from which the song they are covering comes.

Examples

For example, William Shatner sings "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," Leonard Nimoy sings "If I Had a Hammer," and Muhammad Ali sings "Stand by Me." Other examples include the Bing Crosby cover of the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and the Mel Tormé cover of Donovan's "Sunshine Superman," as both were rock songs being covered by musicians of an older generation. In most cases, the songs appear to be performed sincerely, rather than in a spirit of irony or intentional goofiness. In many respects, these albums were among the first to anthologize lounge music, with their focus on "light" versions of contemporary hits.

Inspiration

The series was created and produced by long-time Rhino staffer Gary Peterson and pop culture historian Pat Sierchio. Each release contained liner notes penned by acclaimed music historian Irwin Chusid, and most featured original art by Drew Friedman. The cover art parodied well-known albums. The notoriety of the series no doubt contributed to William Shatner's decision to relaunch his musical career.

Discography

There were a total of four albums in the series: They are:

''Golden Throats: The Great Celebrity Sing Off''

  1. "Proud Mary" - Leonard Nimoy
  2. "It Ain't Me, Babe" - Sebastian Cabot
  3. "Blowin' in the Wind" - Eddie Albert
  4. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - William Shatner
  5. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" - Noel Harrison
  6. "I Can See for Miles" - Frankie Randall
  7. "Try a Little Tenderness" - Jack Webb
  8. "Twist and Shout" - Mae West
  9. "House of the Rising Sun" - Andy Griffith
  10. "Mr. Tambourine Man" - William Shatner
  11. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" - Jim Nabors
  12. "Like a Rolling Stone" - Sebastian Cabot
  13. "White Room" - Joel Grey
  14. "If I Had a Hammer" - Leonard Nimoy

    ''Golden Throats 2: More Celebrity Rock Oddities''

  15. "John Shaft" - Sammy Davis, Jr.
  16. "Sunshine Superman" - Mel Tormé
  17. "Light My Fire" - Mae West
  18. "Hey Jude" - Bing Crosby
  19. "All I Really Want To Do" - Sebastian Cabot
  20. "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" - Leonard Nimoy
  21. "It Was A Very Good Year" - William Shatner
  22. "Dixie Chicken" - Jack Jones
  23. "In The Ghetto" - Sammy Davis, Jr.
  24. "Nights On Broadway" - Chad Everett
  25. "Stand By Me" - Cassius Clay
  26. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr.
  27. " Satisfaction" - Phyllis Diller
  28. "Give Peace A Chance" - Mitch Miller & The Gang

    ''Golden Throats 3: Sweethearts of Rodeo Drive''

  29. "I Walk the Line" - Leonard Nimoy
  30. "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" - Goldie Hawn
  31. "Hey, Good Lookin'" - John Davidson
  32. "The Green, Green Grass Of Home" - Jack Palance
  33. "Back Street Affair" - Carol Channing & Webb Pierce
  34. "San Antonio Rose" - Michael Parks
  35. "Almost Persuaded" - Louis Armstrong
  36. "Ringo " - Lorne Greene
  37. "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" - Merv Griffin
  38. "Your Cheatin' Heart" - Buddy Ebsen
  39. "Mule Train" - Rod McKuen
  40. "Cool Water" - Walter Brennan
  41. "Folsom Prison Blues" - Living Marimbas Plus Voices
  42. "Desperados Waiting for a Train" - Slim Pickens
  43. "I Walk the Line" - Telly Savalas
  44. "Peace In The Valley" - Wink Martindale
  45. "Games People Play" - Jim Nabors

    ''Golden Throats 4: Celebrities Butcher the Beatles''

  46. "In The Beginning/With A Little Help From My..." - George Burns
  47. "She's Leaving Home" - Joel Grey
  48. "Spleen/Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - William Shatner
  49. "Something" - Telly Savalas
  50. "Day Tripper" - Mae West
  51. "Hey Jude" - Bing Crosby
  52. "Michelle" - Xaviera Hollander
  53. "/Norwegian Wood" - Alan Copeland
  54. "Let It Be" - Tennessee Ernie Ford
  55. "Got to Get You into My Life" - Little Joe
  56. "Revolution" - The Brothers Four
  57. "She's A Woman" - Noel Harrison
  58. "Jealous Guy/Don't Let Me Down" - Claudine Longet
  59. "Piggies" - Theo Bikel
  60. "Norwegian Wood " - Jan & Dean
  61. "A Hard Day's Night" - George Maharis
  62. "Hidden Track #17" - Various Artists