COMEDY IS NOT PRETTY: Batten down the...

COMEDY IS NOT PRETTY: Batten down the hatches: Sam Kinison is coming back with a new comedy album. Due out early next year, it’ll feature a trio of new Kinison Kovers--he’s remaking (natch) the Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb,” Elvis’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and a rap-style version of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen,” with new lyrics about imprisoned evangelist Jim Bakker. (Here’s hoping that Sam gets together with Leslie West for a w-i-i-i-de screen video). . . . Kinison recently showed up for a Monday night wee-hours jam session at the China Club, but hasn’t everybody? This week, Voodoo X’s Jean Beauvoir and Uwe were on-stage jamming, with the likes of Sly Stallone on hand in the audience. By 1 a.m., none other than Elton John was on stage. With some help from the Who’s John Entwistle, John played for nearly 50 minutes, crooning “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Bennie & the Jets,” “Your Song” and a medley of other hits. . . . The always unpredictable ex-Smiths’ leader Morrissey has released a new single in England called “Ouija Board Ouija Board,” which will be backed with a cover of a Herman’s Hermits (!) tune called “East West.” . . . John Doe is finally in the studio, doing his debut solo album, with Davitt Sigerson at the production helm. . . . Al Kooper is hosting a pair of benefit concerts Dec. 5 at the Roxy called “Supersession ’89.” Promising a retinue of special R&B-oriented; guests, Kooper will play two sets, at 8 and 11 p.m. (Tickets are $15). Proceeds are earmarked for the Forte Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers medical assistance and counseling for abused children. . . . And Geffen Records has just released a three-record boxed set devoted to Tommy Bolin, the ‘70s guitar hero who died at age 25 in 1976 of a drug overdose. The collection, called “Tommy Bolin: The Ultimate . . . ,” features his solo material (including an unreleased demo track) as well as his work with Deep Purple, the James Gang and Billy Cobham.