The soundtrack to the film version of Sid & Marty Kroffts gigantic children's TV hit HR Pufnstuf, the program that introduced psychedelia into the diet of English and American children in the late 60's early 70's. The soundtrack, written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel (Barbarella, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley) is a remarkable amalgam of bubblegum, psychedelic instrumentation and joyful knockabout songs including 'Zap The World', and the fine cass solo number 'Different' which is exclusive to this record. Punfstuf is full of great, clever, funny songs sung by Jack Wild, Cass Elliot, Witchiepoo and the cast. El. 2006.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Poop n Stuff
Comment: For those of my generation who might be seeking a blast from the past, warm and fuzzy childhood nostolgia trip, don't bother!!! If it were possible to give this cd no stars, I would. There is only one song with Cass Elliot, that is marginal at best!! Save Your money for the DVD of the original series! Now I can see why I never saw this film, when it came out!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Original soundtrack altered
Comment: I was happy to recently discover that the soundtrack of the 1970 film "Pufnstuf" had been released on CD. I was a huge fan of the show as a kid, and this was the first soundtrack LP I ever bought. Purchasing the CD allowed me to relive a bit of my childhood, without the pops and clicks from the scratches on my old vinyl album.

But I'm a bit puzzled by the fact that this CD release has altered tracks. Most of the tracks include passages where a bar or two of the music has been looped, adding a few seconds of repeated music for no apparent reason. The result is jarring for anyone that is already familiar with the music, and seems quite unnecessary. I've written to El Records to ask why this was done. Legal reasons?

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Customer Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTE "MUST" FOR FANS OF 70's TV, KROFFT, CASS, KITSCH AND TERRIFIC MUSIC!
Comment: You don't have to be a fan of the TV show "H.R. Pufnstuf" to appreciate this gem of an album, though fans of the series will enjoy it. It does not offer the catchy, peppy little ditties you heard on the TV show, but instead a rich, large, very 70's sound.

It's almost as if you're hearing the 70's careers of composer Charles Fox and lyricist Norman Gimbel in one sitting, because even though they had not yet written all of their signature theme yet, the styles and phrasing were already there in "Pufnstuf."

Just a few examples: the trumpet work in "Zap the World" is reminiscent of WONDER WOMAN; the lilting back-and-forth tone of "A Friend in You" is very much like THE LOVE BOAT; "Living Island" suggests LOVE AMERICAN STYLE; and the middle part of "If I Could" has elements of LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY.

The sound quality is very good, since the original vinyl album sounded pretty powerful to begin with, but I have a quibble with the producers of the CD because they decided to lengthen some of the tracks by repeating phrases. This is the case in "Living Island," "Witchiepoo's Lament," "Angel Raid," "How Lucky I Am," and "Charge." I'm sure their intentions were good, but it wasn't really necessary. However, the album is so good I gave it five stars for the being on CD at all.

Thanks very much to all who made this CD happen!

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