“Lord Buckley was indeed a hip aristocrat, so hip that the aristocracy of rock music—[SLY STONE,] George Harrison, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia among many others—became besotted with his off-the-wall raps. Another fan was Frank Zappa, who edited this collection of 1956 performances for release on his own Straight Records label. But don’t take their word for it; pick up this ‘Collectors’ Choice Music’ exclusive and find out why “His Lordship” is nowadays considered the original rapper, and a huge influence on Lenny Bruce, Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams! Includes ‘The Bad Rapping of the Marquis De Sade/The King of the Bad Cats; Governor Slugwell; The Raven’ (even Edgar Allan Poe never could have imagined this version!); ‘The Train’, and ‘The Hip Einie’.”

Reissue liner notes by Richie Unterberger