Grats, sir.

Honestly guys, it’s like none of you even wear berets.

Listen to “Do-Wacka-Do,” “You Can’t Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd” or “My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died.” Roger Miller was not just a Master of humor and nonsense, but he was also an innovator musically. He wrote many straight, very traditional Country tunes, sure. But he wasn’t afraid of breaking the mold, poking his fingers through the frame and climbing out of the box.

Jerry Reed’s song “Amos Moses” is just as much Funk as it is Country. “Amos Moses” sounds more like CCR or Parliament than the Carter Family.

The thing about Jerry Reed and Roger Miller is that their songs are lyrically DENSE. There are huge convoys of ideas that go whizzing by in every verse. This is where Run At the Dog stumbled. Their song is hilarious. Funnier than Jason’s or even Paul and Storm’s. But “Rufus the Buddha” was a verse and a chorus line and some yodeling. This story song had the least amount of story. I wish there had been more beef.

That said, all four songs are really good this round. It would not be a travesty of injustitude if any of them won this round and went on to win the title of “Master of Song Fu #2!” All four competitors have brought MASSIVE FU. I don’t need a blood sample to know that they are all filled with midichlorians! The Fu is strong within them all.

Each of these Ballads of Rufus is a much better song than I could write. And I hope to prove that in Masters of Fu #3!

Song Sung Fu, everybody knows one.

Remember, there are only a few more hours left to campaign for the Fu Masters of your choice on your blog and in bulk e-mailings! Good luck.

I hope Jason is having just as much fun as we are introducing others
to the underbelly of popular music. For this round, we took our inspiration straight from Roger Miller and Jerry Reed. Here are two of their great tunes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7GyLr7Cz2g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbJs_VAt-4Q

It just goes to show that if an array of musical artists is asked to interpret these country oddballs, there’s a 25% chance you’ll get a song about the
Buddha.

–Maureen of Run At the Dog

-Nate

Even though it was too repetetive (and too long), Jason Morris got my vote for being the best country-style song out of the whole bunch.

I don’t think this competition should be about who is the funniest. It’s a songwriting competition, nothing more. The people who bring the Fu should get the credit that’s Du!

Good work, everyone!

Paul and Storm’s “Rufus Amos Adams” is the definitive one for me. I’ve listened to it about 30 times. 31 now. And it just… keeps.. getting… better!

Wendy, I specifically suggest you listen to Reed’s “Amos Moses,” as I assume Reed’s recent passing may have inspired this particular contest. It may expand your basic understanding of the blurriness of genre distinction.