Amazon.com

As gleefully silly yet wickedly smart as the beloved British comedy troupe and their 1975 cinematic savaging of the Arthurian legend that inspired it, this adaptation ofMonty Python and the Holy Grail by MP's Eric Idle and longtime musical co-conspirator John Du Prez has much more on its feverish agenda than merely trashing King Arthur and firmly upending his Round Table. The film's plot remains largely intact, but its core songs ("Knights of the Round Table," "Brave Sir Robin") and comic thrust have been both expanded and satirically redirected, a musical comedy shotgun that takes dizzy aim at pop culture in general, and Broadway in particular. After typically Pythonesque distractions that somehow find us in "Finland..," stars David Hyde-Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria and company get busy conjuring the Lady of the Lake with the unlikely help of "Laker Girls..," while cast members Sara Ramirez and Christopher Sieber deliciously skewer contemporary Broadway cliches via the loopy showstopper "The Song That Goes Like This," a tune whose reprise also deliciously sends up every overwrought stage diva from Merman to Minelli. Idle has shrewdly ripped off--well, interpolated--Life of Brian's "Always Look On the Bright Side" for the new show, and even a snatch of "The Lumberjack Song" in "He Is Not Dead Yet." "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" reveals the frankly Semitic secret to stage success, and the French get can-canned on "Run Away!" Meanwhile, our bravest knight is de-closeted on the Manilow-mauling "His Name is Lancelot" before the familiar sound of clomping coconut shells brings down the curtain on the season's goofiest if satirically dead-on comic delight. --Jerry McCulley

Have Fun with More Irreverent Musicals

Urinetown	The Rocky Horror Picture Show	The Frogs
Zanna Don't	Hedwig and the Angry Inch	Avenue Q

... Read more

Reviews (29)

The review that goes like this
Once in every Amazon.com page there comes a review like this. It starts out with an intro and ends up with...um...an ending?

Anyway, "Spamalot" is an outstanding musical, complete with amazing singing, wonderful orchestration, and hilarious farce. My favorite songs are "The Song that Goes Like This" and "Diva's Lament." The former is a love song about singing love songs. I'm not sure that the Lady of the Lake and Galahad are in love, but they sure know how to sing love songs, and to tell the audience how to do it. In the latter (Diva's Lament), the Lady of the Lake has not been onstage since the first act, and she is not at all pleased about it. Another great one is the Laker Girls' Cheer. The Lady of the Lake's handmaidens suddenly turn into cheerleaders to welcome Galahad to King Arthur's army.

Purists who expect an exact retelling of the movie may be a bit disappointed, as several plot points have been changed. For example, it has been "politically corrected." As far as I can tell, references to God have been replaced by the Lady of the Lake. Considering the nature of the references to God in the movie, I'm OK with that. Instead of searching for the literal Holy Grail as they do in the movie, the grail has turned into a metaphor for the thing that each character wants the most and is seeking to find (thus removing references to Jesus).

Also, the ending has been changed. Since I don't want to spoil the suspense, I won't tell what happens, but I was happy about that. The movie, though great, is so anticlimactic.

My biggest problem with the musical is that two characters turn out to be gay, which is not at all in keeping with the legend. (But then, when has Monty Python stayed true to legend?)

Overall, I think this is a great musical, and it will be enjoyed for years to come.

"I can't believe there's more. It's far too long, I'm sure. That's the thing about this [review]. It goes on and on and on...

The [review] always ends like this!"

This is the show that goes like this
I bought this CD the day it came out and I wish it had come out sooner! This is a wonderful Broadway Score!! Eric Idle certainly has given the Python fans and the Broadway fans something to share. It has some of the catchiest music I have heard in along time. I'm acutally listening to it right now.
From the opening (Tuning) it starts out with a laugh. Then we move into the overture and Historian's Introduction to Act 1. That track sets the tone for the entire show. You know you are in for a laugh. I really admire people that can write songs like this. I wish I was that talented.
Now to the music istelf. My favorite track on this CD is "The Diva's Lament (Whatever Happened To My Part)." This really struck a cord with me because, being in theater, I know people like this. I can actually picture them singing this song and being serious about it. Especially the line "Call my agent dammit!" Then she complains about it again in "TWice In Every Show." I really enjoy shows that take the time to make fun of themselves and have a good time doing it. Like Urinetown. Some other songs of honorable mention are "The Song That Goes Like This," "Find Your Grail," "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" and "His Name Is Lancelot." These are humorous songs that (to me) really sell the show. It was also nice to see them use some of the Python songs. "Knights of the Round Table," "Brave Sir Robin," "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and "Finland." Of course some of the lyrics have been changed and others have been added, but they make the songs better in my opinion.
As for the performers... all do a great job. I LOVE Sarah Ramirez. That woman can belt a song. I truly hope she wins a Tony Award. As for the male cast, I was surprised at David Hyde Pierce. It was nice to see him cut loose and act crazy. Chris Seiber does very weel in his songs, especially The Song That Goes like This. I'd love to sing that song. Tim Curry is good, but sometimes I feel he overplays it a bit. I know this is comedy (and I might change my view when I actually see the show in June) but he really overdoes it on some of his songs. Hank Azaria doesn't do much solo singing but what he does do is great. He was quoted once saying that he was cast in the show for his voices and not his singing and dancing. Well, we shall see when the Tony Awards are announced.
All in all this is a great CD to add to your collection. It has comedy, great music and a great cast. Don't pass it up.

A Broadway show, as only Monty Python can make it
I saw this musical at The Shurbert Theater in Chicago. At I never laughed so hard at a show period. It combined the chaos of Python with the production values of Broadway. I think it cost more to make the musical than it did in the orginal movie in 1974. Anyway, it was treat because it was the most star studded show I had ever to date. Not including seeing Sally Ringwald in When Met Sally, and David Hasseloff in Chicago, both in London. This show starred Tim Curry as Graham Chapman's role of King Arthur. When he first stepped on stage the theater erupted. So did I, because I always admired Curry. He had an amazing performance which I excepted him to do. Since he was great in Rocky Horror Picture Show. He was well perpard to off the wall crazy. Another star was David Hyde Pierce, Miles of the great show Frasier. He played "Brave" Sir Robin, Eric Idles part, who also wrote the musical. He was also incredible including one number called You Won't Succeed On Broadway(If You Don't Have Any Jew) He did a whole number just spoofing Jewish Musicals. Including Fiddler On The Roof where did the bottle dance, which got him an ovation. The next big name was Hank Azaria. He does like half the voices on the Simpsons. He could definatly do this show, where he played Sir Lancelot, and the French Taunter. Played orginally of course by John Cleese. One note about the show was that Cleese was the voice of God. I'm surprised he wasn't credited. Oh well. THe most amazing thing about the show was that the supporting cast could keep up with the big three and many times stole scenes from them. One BIG example of that was Sarah Ramirez. OMG!!!!! She was commanding and was the typical Broadway diva, which was her all around character, but she played the Lady Of The Lake, The Witch and The Cow!! They gave the cow that the French threw at the knights had its own song! Other great performers like Christopher Sieber,(who played Sir Galahad) Micheal Mcgrath(Patsy) Steve Rosen(Sir Bedevere) and Christian Borle( who for the record was the singing clerk in Thats On E-bay commerical. The songs were great. Of course they took the "Knights OF The Round Table" song. But they also included the " Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, and Hole OF The Universe from different movies. They include most of the famous scenes from the movie. THe black knight, which got an ovation. THe killer rabit, Prince Herbert. The knights that say Nie. The show was amazing the alubm is too. But if you want the full experiance, you might want to see the show.

...AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...
Take it from a Monty Python fan who's planning a New York trip around this production, this is a must have for an self-respecting Pythonier. This album features the current and original Broadway cast of the new musical (opened March 17, 2005) basedon the infamous "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."Python member Eric Idle co-produces, lovingly ripping off moments and songs from the original. Although there are more than enough new material to make up for such indiscretions, like the inclusion of Life of Brian's "Bright Side of Life."In fact, any fear of redundancy is squished as if by a big Flying Circus foot, when stars like David Hyde-Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria lend their talents and voices to giving a fresh face to this much revered material. And speaking of fresh faces, with the introduction of the Lady of the Lake, played by Sara Ramirez, who is only referenced briefly in the movie, Spamalot achieves new levels of Broadway satire. For example, Ramirez is featured in the hilarious "The Song That Goes Like This," and "Whatever Happened To My Part?" a shot atstage and divas in general.
Tim Curry (of Rocky Horror and the recent CD readings of the Lemony Snicket series) sounds terrific, his voice is better now than ever.While this is no substitute for see the production, I think, along with all of its links (like the historian's intros) the albumn creates a great feel for the stage show's energy.So Runnn Awwway to buy this CD.

A WONDERFUL ENTERAINING CAST ALBUM
I just purchased the cast album of Spamalot. Unfortinatly I haven't seen the play, but judging by the cast album it must be a very entertaining musical. I haven't enjoyed a cast album like this in a long time. I've played it over and over and I enjoy it more every time I play it. It's fun, tuneful, and the cast is just wonderful. I guess if you see the play you can actually come out humming songs, especially Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. Listening to this song, it's like having Jerry Herman back on broadway. I highy recommend this CD. ... Read more

Reviews (113)

You may have seen Mitch at the store.
I like the previous reviewer, read at Mitch's Website that he reads these reviews. So I really hope he reads mine. It would be able to tell Mitch how awesome I think he is. Anyhow...

I love Mitch's comedy. I have to admit that I enjoyed the first disk more, primarily because of Mitch's delivery. It is very odd, and slow pace, which I think many people sounds inexperienced or timid, but that's not the case. It's just Mitch's relaxed style, which makes every joke just a little bit funnier. On this new disk he went away from that a bit, but I prefer the old delivery. That being said, its still awesome, and much funnier than any comic I have ever heard.

I listen to the albums all the time, and I laugh just as hard each time. Also, the DVD is great. The uncut version of the comedy central special is awesome. But damn, that crowd was harsh. I hope Mitch reads this and knows that he has made me, and all of my friends, laugh our asses of about a million times. I introduced Mitch's comedy to all of my friend, who all love him also, and tell their friends about him.

YOU RULE MITCH! I LOVE YOU. CAN WE BE FRIENDS?

End of transaction
As a point, I play this album for anyone who hasn't heard it. So far, every last one of those anyones has loved it. I wouldn't presume that Mitch's comedic style is for everybody, but I'd be shocked to meet someone who could sit stone-faced listening to Mitch say something like "I saw a wino eating grapes. It's like, Dude, you have to wait." In fact, I played the CD for my cousin while we were driving in his Jeep -- I had to take it out because he was laughing so hard that he was swerving off the road.
The first time I listened to Hedberg, a friend of mine loaned me Strategic Grill Locations for a road trip. Now that I've seen how other people react to his comedy (in person, and in the unedited Comedy Central special), my initial reaction makes so much more sense than it did then. I definitely had the "what the fu#k's up with this guy" vibe for about the first quarter of the album. So did the friend I was driving with. Then before I knew it, I had tears rolling down my cheeks.
I'd recommend Mitch Hedberg to anyone who likes comedy. There is nothing in here other than a little foul language to offend anyone -- well, unless you're watching the DVD and know anyone like I do who is missing fingers or a hand (you other fans know what I'm talking about). If you've actually read all of this review, you've already wasted time that could have been used laughing. Get off your ass!

One really funny hippie
This dude is pretty funny.... for a hippie. Atleast I think that he is a hippie. His laid-back delivery of the jokes does seem to remind me of Steven Wright, but this guy is much more funny than Wright. His material is all over the map and doesn't seem to follow any kind of format. It's like comedy spoken by some witty guy with a serious case of ADD. I think that this is a good buy.

MITCH!!!
You'll either love it or you'll hate it...or you'll think it's okay. Any way you slice it, Mitch Hedberg is one extremely funny man. His jokes tend to be really bad, but his delivery makes you laugh your a$$ off. I'm not really saying that his jokes are bad...what I mean is, they tend to sound like something a 7-year-old would say, but somehow Mitch makes you go "oh, yeah, I didn't realize that." Or at least, you'd be saying that if you weren't laughing so hard. I don't think that made any sense at all. But I do know this: Mitch likes Monster Magnet. Mitch likes sandwiches. And Mitch likes hotels. That's all good with me.

Oh, there's a CD and a DVD in here. They're different sets, so there's like twice as much laugh as you may think when you go to buy it.

on a...bun spaghetti and blankets
This guy has got to be the funniest mother f-----r on the planet. Not only do you get the CD, which is completely new stuff, but a dvd with the uncensored versions of his comedy central presents special and his debut on premium blend. What are you waiting for??!! Buy it you f---ing pr!ck ... Read more

Reviews (13)

one of the best comics i have heard
ive seen mitch all over comedy central and late night with david Letterman and i have been to one of his shows and bought this cd there. It is so funny. it is unedited and even the parts that didnt go well with the audience, mitch had something funny to say. His unique style and delivery sets him apart from most comics and his quick qit keeps you on your toes. there is no down moment and mitch keeps you asking "where does he come up with this stuff." i have yet to play this cd for someone who didnt enjoy it.

Six people isn't convincing...but...
Mitch is the man to watch for! Mitch's delivery is mellow/laid back on this cd not only is he funny, but he makes you see things in a different light. Not everyone can do comedy about everyday life instead of politcal views, etc. I have both of Mitch's cds, they're both great, but I like this one the best!

You'll need an oxygen tank.
He has an offbeat delivery that grows on you quickly. Good Lord, this guy is funny. I first saw him on a Comedy Central special and thought, why haven't I heard of him before? People compare him to Steven Wright because he does a lot of observational humor but he is more varied and interesting in demeanor. I'm thinking more like George Carlin re wordplay and intelligence. But this Mitch fellow is a treasure and I enjoyed 'discovering' him accidentally while channel surfing. I didn't think that sort of thing happened anymore in the heavily marketed and hyped world we live in. Five stars all the way.

Here comes the funny
Hands down, the funniest thing I've ever owned, heard or seen. Mitch has a mellow, laid-back delivery on this CD that's absolutely hysterical, and some off-the-wall one liners and jokes that catch you off-guard. Give the previews a listen, and if you find them remotely funny, pick up the CD. Soon, you will be sharing his CDs with all your friends, and quoting him daily.

fruit on the bottom... hope on top!
Mitch Hedberg is a comedy genius. I have been a serious comedy fan for most of my life, and in terms of the sheer creativity and inventiveness of his material, I'd easily put Mitch among the top five standup comics of all time. The material reminds me a lot of Steven Wright and (to a lesser extent) Woody Allen's standup comedy (yes, Woody Allen was a standup comedian once, and he was one of the best). The material is incredibly off-the-wall and absurd -- Mitch has a gift for taking even the most mundane things in life and finding the humor in them. Anyone who can make a screamingly funny joke out of the inside of the top of a yogurt container is seriously talented. In addition, Mitch's vocal style is unique. He talks as if he just learned to speak a few days ago, and continually puts the stress on the wrong syllables of words. It's weird but it's oddly charming, and you will find yourself talking like him if you listen to his jokes too much. This CD contains tons of really great material, and every comedy fan should own a copy of it. I hope that Mitch gets the recognition he deserves -- he's truly one of the shining stars of standup comedy. ... Read more

Album Description

Larry the Cable Guy's "Git-R-Done!" call-to-arms is sweeping the country. Now The Right To Bare Arms, recorded in Houston in January 2005, becomes his first solo effort to to be originally released on a major label. A blue-collar guy for the red states, Larry the Cable Guy reaches for the sky with The Right to Bare Arms. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

We laughed so hard we were in tears
My husband and I received our copy of "Right to Bare Arms" yesterday. We couldn't wait to here it. Every one of his stories had us laughing so hard that we were in tears. I didn't even know he had a new CD until last week so I ordered it immediately. We have just about wore out his other's. We love him. His stuff never gets old. We aren't even Red Necks!

PC is not Git'n R' Done!
Don't you dare call Larry a dummy.Beneath his bib overalls, giant hillbilly arms and thick accent could be one of the smartest guys out there right now doing standup.Why?Because he has common sense, and uses it in his act and he succeeds on many levels.Yes he resorts to some low blows here and there (wiggle worms in particular but it's still funny I admit), but the audience feels the resonance in his unPC ness you can almost here a revolution forming with their applause, casting off the slaven shackles.Larry doesn't stoop to church bashing to get a laugh (his analysis of the "exercise program" at the Catholic church was in good taste and spot on, I should know) endless drug humor which I think gets touched on only a smidge, nor use a lot of profanity either.I don't mind profanity but if you can be funny without it more power to you.Larry has skill and delivery to get him through the shows.

A great leap beyond his first CD LORD I APOLOGIZE since it's longer and has newer material (well stuff I haven't heard anyway).The bits of music are here, the toddler mail is here, but still no Christmas Carols and his analogies are severly cut down (ie I was as angry as a skinhead watchin' the Jeffersons!)It's okay though since the rest of the material hits a home run.To close, Larry rocks and I hope theres more to come.

gitrdone!

Once again a redneck masterpiece from Larry
# 11 is the best only because Larry talks about the preset hitting cripple people to heal them. The Toddler mail once again is great.
(My first review so it SUCKS)

GIT-R-DONE! ... Read more

Reviews (211)

I Laughed so Hard, I Cried
As an avid Dane Cook fan, I went out and bought this lovely cd/dvd combo the day it was released...and I wasn't at all disappointed. This cd is actually a re-release of a cd Dane had available to buy on it website (which I bought months ago). So despite being familiar with nearly all the material on the cd, with the exception of a hysterical bonus track, I still laughed my ... off. Tracks 18, 19, and 22 remain my favorites (Just Wanna Dance, Head, and Not So Kool-Aid, respectively) and the bonus track is a guaranteed knee-slapper. Dane is a very animated and physical comic and the dvd does a great job of showing this. The uneditted version of his Comedy Central Presents special is almost worth the price of whole set alone. This is when the tears started spurting from my eyes; it was just that funny. If his bits about Catholic mass, car accidents, board games, and his ex-girlfriends don't have you rollin' in the aisles, then you, my friend, don't have a soul. Harmful if Swallowed is perfect for any comedy fan. Dane is a comic genius. Plus, you get a cd AND a dvd for the price of just one cd. It's a great deal. You won't be disappointed.

Dane Cook Rocks My Skull!
Dane Cook is the hottest comic around that you may not know. This CD/DVD is hilarious. There are 24 tracks on the cd and I promise you'll be in tears by the end of it. The DVD is packed with almost 2 hours of video, including a full one-hour UNCUT stand-up performance that made it on Comedy Central. Dane gives 110% at every performance and does everything to make his fans laugh. I don't care if you have to beat up your nana that cheats at monopoly to get the $ for this CD/DVD, you need to hear this. The art on the actual cd's is worth the money...I laughed out loud when I saw it. Dane will have you rolling on the floor by the end of his performance. Forget Chris Rock, Forget Mitch Hedburg, Forget Jerry Seinfeld...Dane Cook is the comedian for a new generation...Check this out. You'll be quoting with your friends after the first time you listen to it.

-MFC

Whoever invented steam sucks!
This is good comedy. As with most recorded comedians, the delivery is funnier than the joke itself. I was wholly unimpressed with his delivery until I saw the DVD. Dane Cook is as animated and colorful as Pablo Fransisco and as random as Dave Attel, which makes for a fun show, but he has placed himself in a high competition zone. For the hilarity of his comedy he deserves five stars, although for both overall laughs and laughs-per-minute he falls behind such heavyweights as Lewis Black, Mitch Hedberg, and Robin Williams.

Hilarious
Can't say enough good things about this CD. Will make you cry from laughing so hard. If your a comedy CD afficianado as I am, this is a must own.

Orgasmic
By far the greatest comic performing today and the funniest CD ive ever heard. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Seussical: the Musical, which is based on Dr. Seuss's beloved characters, made the news even before its Broadway opening, as tales of disastrous out-of-town tryouts multiplied and creative turmoil abounded. But the show has its fans--Rosie O'Donnell, for one, likes it so much that she jumped in to play the Cat in the Hat for a month while Roger Bart was on vacation. And guess what? As conceived by Ragtime's Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Seussical isn't nearly as bad as its reputation would suggest. While Junior digs the familiar characters, Mom and Dad will notice that "A Day for the Cat in the Hat" could be an outtake from Cabaret--if that show had been rated G, of course--while "It's Possible" suddenly turns into an Elton John-type romp midway through. Easy on the ear and very pop, this is a kid-friendly cast album that won't insult an adult's intelligence. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Reviews (75)

Great music, Great show.
I personally love this CD mainly because over 4/5 of the songs are good. The tunes are catchy, the lyrics are good (although Seuss himself should have gotten more credit on the lyrics than was given to him.) The lyricist mainly does a pretty good job of sounding like Seuss, though there are some bad lyrics here and there. Some of my favorites are ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE, AMAYZING MAYZIE, ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE, HERE ON WHO, and HAVIN' A HUNCH. Oh, and you can't forget CHASING THE WHO'S. Horton is great for the part, nice softer voice, very sweet sounding. Gertrude is great, she deserves a tony. David Shiner is wonderful as the Cat in the Hat, although he sometimes sounds kind of strange, but i guess that is just the show. Jojo is great, and has a good voice for an 11 year old, he certainly sings better than I could when i was 11. If you love musical theatre, (and even if you don't) buy this CD!!!! It's well worth your 14 dollars, or however much it is.

Seussical- a plotless revue would have been better!
Despite the bad reviews the show got, the music from this show is outstanding! Being a music teacher and drama director, I can honestly say that this one of Broadway's best scores in years. I think the idea of a Dr. Seuss musical is wonderful but I think they did it wrong. It should have been a revue giving each Dr. Seuss character their own moment to shine. Instead, the musical weaves all of the stories together- many in which I forgot about. However, the main plot is "Horton Hears A Who." Even as an elementary school educator, I did not remember every detail of the story so it was hard to follow the cd. Why isn't the cat in the hat the main character? I can understand how people who are not that familiar with the stories dislike the show. I wish I could rewrite it for them as a revue using the genuine score which would fit! My favorite tracks are "Oh The Thinks You Can Think" -that's how you open a bway show!, "Green Eggs and Ham" -yet we have to wait for the curtain call to hear it and there's no Sam I Am?, Horton and JoJo's ballad "Alone In The Universe," "A Day For The Cat In The Hat," "McElligot's Pool," "Notice Me, Horton," "Here On Who," "How Lucky You Are," and that's it. The rest is ok but so related to the plot. The cast sings brilliantly especially Horton, Gertrude, JoJo and although I'm not a fan of the character , Sour Kangaroo is fantastic. Finally, David Shiner who plays the Cat in the Hat who got ripped to shreads by the critics is absolutely PERFECT!!!! He's sounds very giddy, bubbily, and priceless! The critics knocked his singing but the cat should alter singing, speaking, and word play- a la Seuss. Bravo Mr. Shiner and forget those critics- I think they wanted you to fail. *One more think: When I cast my school productions, I give the parts to the kids who deserve them whether male or female. However, I'm really glad Rosie O'Donnell, who I am a fan of, didn't sing the role on the cd- I think a male should play the cat . So listen Mr. and Mrs. Weissler (the producers,) I admire your talent and energy in bringing this production to the stage and making the cd possible, but I think the revue format would have worked better with many of the vocal selections. If you would like me to rewrite the show for you from an elementary educator's point of view, let me know!

THE SEUSSICAL!
This CD is INCREDIBLE! There are TONS of songs, GREAT songs. I can say not ONE thing bad about it!!! In the booklet at the front of the CD you they have all of the words to EVERY SONG except for reprises and i think there are only 2!!! I advise you to BUY IT NOW!!!!!

SEUSSICAL SOUNDTRACK is AMAZING
The Seussical soundtrack is amazing! The songs are great, the singing is great (especially Janine LaManna as Gertrude, Sharon Wilkins as the Sour Kangaroo and Anthony Blair Hall as Jojo - a great voice!) What mostly amazed me was the percussion by Warren Odze and Charles Descarfino in the orchestra. The percussion was fantastic! I can't stop listening too this cd! Seussical truly is amazing!

Great
I cant wait to be a part of this musical this summer. It is a very fun show. It is a breath of fresh air from lots of other musicals. Its not that I don't like depressing musicals, I DO! But it feels good to see a happy musical. ... Read more

Reviews (103)

The Funniest Comedy Album I've Heard in Years
Brian Regan is now one of my new favorite comedians. This CD is off the hook! It's so hillarious.....and it's CLEAN!! Who would've thought. I mean, sure, there are some funny clean comedians, but not like this guy! "Brian Regan Live" is one of the funniest comedy albums you will ever hear.

I can't even explain why this CD is funny. It's something your going to have to hear for yourself. Every track is hillarious, with Brian Regan never missing a beat. Some of the funniest tracks are, "you too and stuff," "crank calls," "stupid in school," "blasting zone," "kid's party games,"......aw forget it! THEY'RE ALL GOOD! EVERY TRACK IS FUNNY!!! Funniest line: "The big yellow one is the sun!"

What are you waiting for? Stop reading and BUY THIS CD NOW!! If you love comedy, then you will enjoy this album. Brian Regan is one of the best in the game. I hope that he comes out with another album. Even though he admits he's not that smart, he is a genius when it comes to comedy. "You too! Take luck...take care....of the luck....the luck that you bring with it...." Great album! I loved it, and I will continue to love it.

I got a Six!! I got a Six at the sun stare!
That's how many stars I would give this cd if it were possible; six. Brian Regan has taken the world by storm... At least the world that knows about him. Tell all of your friends to listen to this cd because it is the most hilarious comedy on the market. Brian uses everyday things that most of us don't even think about to propagate the most gut busting laughter that there ever was. If you like good clean jokes and can appretiate some really goofy humor, then by all means buy this cd. Even after listening to it eleventy billion times I still laugh at ever spin of the shiny disc. So you too should join me and my comedic friend, and turn your stereo into the jokester of the night, sure to please everyone at the party. Take luck.

Good clean fun!
First of all, the best thing about Brian Regan is the clean language. He doesn't need to shock you to be funny and our whole family, kids included, can safely listen to him. Secondly, he makes you laugh so hard you cry. His material is about everyday things looked at in an unusual way. Third, if you ever get the chance to SEE him perform, his facial and body expressions make him even more hilarious. I highly recommend Brian Regan to anyone and everyone!

The Funniest CD I've ever heard
It's amazing to me how not many people have heard of Brian Regan, he's a lot funnier than many comics who are extremely well known. Every time I listen to his CD I laugh, I enjoy the whole thing. The donut lady and stupid in school are especially hilarious. I highly recommend this CD, it will have you laughing the whole way through. It's also a great CD b/c you can listen to it w/ the whole family, he manages to be funny without having to be vulgar or profane. Get this CD!

Funniest stand-up you'll ever hear
I used to work in the box office of a comedy club, and I saw lots of great comedians. However, this guy was, by far, the funniest I ever saw come through there. Harsh language never bothered me (I heard plenty of it while working at the comedy club), but it was refreshing to see a comedian who made people laugh because he was funny, not because of his use of taboo words. The people who would come to see Brian Regan ranged from college frat guys to grandparents, and he'd have them all screaming with laughter with exactly these bits that are on this cd and more. I only hope more cd's follow this one to more fully capture the complete library of his stand up routines.

He is old-school, having the laugh-from-the-gut hilarity of Jerry Seinfeld, combined with the energy and expression of Jim Carrey. ... Read more

Album Description

From pop-culture icon William Shatner comes Has Been, an album unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Produced and arranged by Ben Folds and featuring numerous notable guest appearances, Has Been is the result of the collision of two great creative forces — a surprisingly pop-driven, lyrically potent collection of songs to enlighten and entertain.

Throughout Has Been, Shatner’s own insightful lyrics are masterfully woven into perfect pop melodies written and arranged by Ben Folds. Giving Shatner and Folds a hand on the project is an incredible lineup of singers and musicians, including Jon Auer, Adrian Belew, Matt Chamberlain, Joe Jackson, Lemon Jelly, Aimee Mann, Brad Paisley, Henry Rollins and Sebastian Steinberg.

Highlights include the poignant "That’s Me Trying," penned by Ben Folds with High Fidelity author Nick Hornby, a brilliant version of the Pulp Britpop classic "Common People," featuring vocals by Joe Jackson and closing track, "Real," a duet with country star Brad Paisley, written exclusively for this project. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

HILARIOUS CD
i first heard Ron White on BLUE COLLAR COMEDY TOUR and couldn't stop laughing this cd is great there are afew things from BLUE COLLAR COMEDY TOUR and here's my review

1 SUNGLASSES he talks about seeing some sunglasses he likes he don't love them he likes them and they're more than his 25inchtv

2 TRUTH IN ADVERTISING says there is something near truth"DIAMONDS THAT'LL SHUT HER UP"

3 PLANE CRASH joke from BCCT "IF ONE OF THESE ENGINES FAILS THE OTHER WILL TAKE US TO THE SCENE OF THE CRASH CAUSE THAT'S WHERE WERE HEADING"

4CINCINNATI CHILI this track is ok buy the cd to hear it

5 HURRICANE GEORGE tells of a stupid man who claims to withstand the wind of a category 3 hurricane

6 I DRINK TOO MUCH very short but very funny

7 10 DAYS IN LA says "IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO BE IN LA PASS"

8 OUTLAW VIDEO GAMES SAYS THEY SHOULD GIVE THE GUN GAMES TO THE POLICE"LAST YEAR ONE GUY SHOT 9 PEOPLE WITH 8 BULLETS POLICEWITH22 BULLETS COULDN'T HIT THE SUBURBAN"

9 COUSIN RAY says how his cousin worships hunting

10 MARRIED A WEALTHY WOMAN best track on cd tells of a sucky marriage to a rich woman

11 CHEATING IN COLUMBUS talks of how he divorced "IF YOU GO 3 MONTHS WITHOUT HAVING SEX WITH ME I'LL HAVESEX WITH SOMEONE ELSE IKNOW I'VE SEEN ME DOIT"

12 OSAMA BIN LADEN it couldn't be a comedycd without a bin laden joke

13LUG NUT DAY he tells of sears messing up his van "I PROMISED SEARS I'D TELL THIS ONE UNTIL THE LAWSUIT SETTLES"

14 CAR SALESMEN jokes of disliking carsalesmen "I WOULD'VE BOUGHT MY VAN FROM SOMEONE ELSE BUT CARSALESMEN ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SELL CARS"

15 THEY CALL ME "TATER SALAD" you've been on another planet if you haven't heard this one

"Can't ride home on a bowl of goat..." (4.5 stars)
Ron White is a very funny and talented comedian that has a lot of potential, and that potential is very well displayed on his first album, "Drunk in Public." While many were introduced to him through the comedy concert movie, "Blue Collar Comedy Tour," I first heard of him through some of my friends. So, I decided to purchase the CD without hearing the man do a single set. It is a decision that I'm happy I made, because Ron White knows how to show you a good time without breaking a sweat.

White talks about a variety of things on his album... most of them involve drinking. Hence the title of the album. Still, he talks about a lot of other things as well. He talks about being married to a "spoiled" wife with rich parents, and how she can't really do anything on her own. He talks about an experience on a small plane where they were uncertain if they would ever see home again... although, Ron didn't really care since he was drinking. A nervous passenger asks him if one of the engines burn out how far will the other one take them, and Ron casually replies, "Right to the crash site." He even bets the man that they'll beat the paramedics there by a half an hour. He talks about his cousin who loves to hunt, and he talks his loathing of Sears. There's many more on the album, but those are just some of the real headliners.

I really enjoyed listening to this album. Ron White is a very relaxed comic... so relaxed that he actually drinks and smokes during his routine. His set never feels forced or recycled. He's very subtle and confident about his material, and it really shows. His "relaxed" style really works for his routine and makes him a real standout.

The only problem I had with the album is that it's too short. The total running time is a little over 39 minutes long. Usually, comedy routines on albums run about an hour long (sometimes a little less, sometimes even a little more). I was kind of sad that the CD was so short. I remember saying to myself, "That's it?!" It is only a minor complaint, but I still feel that the album could've been a little longer. I'm sure he didn't run out of material.

My favorite tracks are "sunglasses," "truth in advertising," "plane crash," "ten days in los angeles," "outlaw video games," "married to a wealthy woman," "lug nut day," and "they call me 'tater salad.'" I like them all, but those are some of my favorites.

Ron White's "Drunk in Public" is a very funny first album, and it shows a lot of promise for future achievements. Despite it being a tad short, it's still a very worthy listen. I think that he will really go places if he keeps it up. If you're looking for a funny comedian that is subtle and hilarious, Ron White is your man. Don't forget to enjoy a nice cold one when you pop this bad boy into the stereo. -Michael Crane

"I was drunk in a bar! They threw me into PUBLIC!"
Ron White is an incredibly funny and original comedian. Anyone who saw him on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour should certainly attest to that. He rants and raves about all sorts of things in a very interesting fashion. Ron proves that he's not just another typical redneck comedian building off of redneck stereotypes, such as Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy. This is good because he doesn't end up alienating his audience by only telling jokes only Southerners can appreciate.

If you already have the "Tater Salad" DVD, don't bother buying this CD, since the DVD has basically all the same comedy and even more. Also, don't bother buying the Blue Collar Comedy Tour if you want to see "more" of Ron since his skit is basically an abridged version of his act with 1 or 2 new things thrown in.

He is rather crude at times, but if you're not offended by dirty language then you're bound to have fun. I would not recommend playing this for the first time while driving your car, because odds are you'll be laughing so hard that you're bound to be a driving hazard.

This guy is funnier than h---!
We keep trying to find an opportunity to see him live. This guy is the epitome of perfect timing, coupled with a down home delivery. Highly recommmended.

Ron White is great!! Excellent! The only problem...
....is that the crowd laughter at the comedy club is WAY too loud for this disc! You have to adjust the volume while listening because the crowd gets louder than Ron White! The comedy, though, is brilliant and I highly suggest getting this album! His delivery is great; catch him on the Blue collar comedy tour DVD!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Stephen Collins Foster is sometimes called America's first great songwriter, but you could make the case that he was also the country's first real pop star. Writing songs such as "Camptown Races" and "Oh! Susanna," Foster, a college dropout, was self-destructive, couldn't keep a marriage together, and ended tragically. Living on the Bowery, he gashed his throat in a fatal fall in 1864 at age 37, dying with only 38 cents in his pocket. The idea of a Foster tribute record may seem staid and archaic, particularly as his lesser known tunes are parlor and stylized minstrel songs. But minstrelsy was a lot like rock & roll, and the Pittsburgh native left behind an impressive body of work that draws upon the diverse branches of music brought to America by settlers and slaves from Europe and Africa. Beautiful Dreamer, on which 22 artists celebrate 18 of his compositions, surprises with its breadth of subject matter, tempo, and interpretation, including the use of the glass armonica and santour.Most of all, the album is uncommonly soulful--Mavis Staples's dignified but heartbreaking performance of "Hard Times Come Again No More," David Ball's elegiac "Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)," and the feathery rendition of "Slumber, My Darling" by Alison Krauss, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor resonate in both the heart and the head. If Foster, the pop star, were alive today, he'd likely sit at the piano in shades and gelled-up hair. But he'd be playing these same songs, timeless and achingly poignant. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (14)

chillin' out with Jolie Holland
Jolie Holland is an interesting character. Her last album delved into haunting old-country territory. "Escondida," however, pulls in elements of several different genres to create a uniquely "Jolie" sound.

To put the album's aura into musical terms, imagine a voice that lies somewhere between Cat Power and Billie Holliday, and a lyrical setting just off the back porch. There are several songs that break out of this description; "Sascha" reminds me of New York, reminiscent of the narrative stylings of a Dean Martin song. "Old-fashioned Morphine" absolutely effuses the back streets of 1920's Chicago, and "Mad Tom Bedlam" is a scat-inspired, interesting interpretation of an old English folk song.

Definitely worth picking up, it's like buying five or six different albums, as Jolie Holland runs up and down the musical spectrum leaving trails of southern charm behind her.

Good enough for Billy Burroughs, good enough for me
Jolie was a founding (now ex-) member of the Be-Good Tanyas, an all-female collective that made old-time country earn the alt. prefix. In her solo work, Jolie fieldtrips the listener even further back into history, slipping well past the Carter Family to conjure up a depressed Billie Holiday baring her soul for a disinterested crowd in a gloomy 1930s dinner club. Jolie's voice is wonderful, warm and emotionally charged, and her songs effortlessly mix subdued jazz with gothic country and folk. The production is so perfectly natural that it places Ms. Holland right smack dab in my living room - by the end of "Old Fashioned Morphine" I almost expect her to bum some smokes. There's other albums from this year that are more hip, more cutting edge, or more experimental - but greatness doesn't always have to be a cannon shot across the bow of tradition. This is the one album I already know I'll still be listening to in ten - or twenty - years time.

Phrases like a young Louis Armstrong...very cool vocalist!
Sure, the comparisons to Billie Holiday are accurate, but if you go back and listen to the Louis Armstrong of the 20's and 30's, you'll hear a musical style so beautifully mined and refined by both Holiday and Holland. I'll be listening to this one again and again.

Gimme that Old Fashioned Holland
This is a terrific CD, definately one of the best that I have bought in a long time. The style is evocative of Billy Holiday, Norah Jones and...dare I say- Ani DiFranco, all rolled into one package. Jolie Holland has her own ideas about music and how it should sound, though those ideas are clearly influenced by old sources...this is not a complaint. As G Love and Special Sauce takes old school jazz/R&B and reprocesses it for a new generation, so too does Jolie Holland. It comes as it should too, natural and easy, something that you can listen to over and over again, with the songs getting stuck in your head in an amiable, smooth way. From the jazzy 'Old Fashioned Morphine' to the more Patsy Cline-ish 'Amen', this CD has something that almost any fan of old-school jazz and blues music will appreciate.

Bottom Line: a must have for jazz/blues lovers.

Old Soul
From the alluringly grainy photograph on the cover (we'll guess that's Ms. Holland in the picture, but we may be way off), one pegs this young artist as an 'old soul'. The music here confirms it. With songs that seem to emanate from another time and place; from New Orleans, from the Mississippi Delta, from Chicago, they, at first, sound vaguely familiar and then they begin to creep up on you and nestle into your consciousness. But it's that voice-that muted trumpet of a voice-delivered with sensuous, scat-like, hypnotic phrasing, which captures the listener and elevates Holland's music to artistry. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Super effort from Lynch
I had no idea of what to expect when I watched Comedy Central Presents featuring Stephen Lynch. In hindsight, I realized that what I earned was an addiction. An addiction to a awesome singing comedian. Ever since watching that special, I have been a fan of Lynch. When I received the opportunity to borrow his latest CD from a friend, I took advantage of it.

Having listened to the CD at least a dozen times over in the three or four days I had it, I can say that this is truly a solid album from beginning to end. Every song generates at least a chuckle if not a full-blown laugh.

The biggest laughs for me came from "Superhero" (which is extended quite a bit from the Comedy Central version since Lynch asks fans for superhero suggestions with hilarious results). Yes, Stephen Lynch is offensive, as his song "For The Ladies" makes quite clear. However, there's no denying that he has a certain talent about him. It's enough that he can write very funny material. But the fact that he can sing most of his tunes with the voice of someone you'd expect fronting a rock band, it adds a certain dimension to it.

When it comes to the issue of "Bowling Song (Almighty Malachi, Professional Bowling God)," the truth is that the song is not the funniest thing that Lynch has produced. But the mere fact that he blasts himself for writing the song before and during his playing of the song allows for some laughs. You can understand why Lynch hates it, but if nothing else, it's a rockin' bowling song.

All in all, this is definitely worth a purchase. Yes, you may have heard him perform some of these songs on different radio shows or on Comedy Central specials, but you've never quite heard him like this unless you've seen him in person. Go out and get this now, it's an almost essential album to have if you love to laugh.

My Favorite Comedian!
I bought this cd purely on the basis of two songs I heard him sing on tv. Not only was is great to hear those two songs again, but every single song on this albumn are FAB! Not only are Mr. Lynch's songs extremely funny, they are also well-written and the lyrics are very clever. If he wasn't a comedian, I'm sure he'd have a successful career as a rock star! He has that star quality about him- super good looks, witty sense of humor and he knows how to really rock on the guitar!

I like this cd better than his first release primarily because is was recorded live and he has a wonderful rapport with audiences, an element that was sorely missing from his first CD "A Little Bit Special." (But, don't put that you off buying it because it also is very fun and entertaining!) Not a lot of comics can talk with people in the audience and work the conversation into their routines. Stephen Lynch does this so naturally! Especially in the song "Superhero," where some members of the crowd come up with their own superheros, with some pretty freaky results!

"Talk To Me" is another great song, which has a good beat, great guitar riffs and made me laugh so hard that milk came out my nose! (really) Who else could sing so beautifully about a subject so taboo! Same thing with the song "Grandfather," nothing more sacred than a loved one who leaves you money! (I don't want to say any more without giving anything away!)

I can not find a bad or mediocre song on the albumn, every one will keep you laughing and smiling. Even his self-proclaimed worst song he ever wrote "Bowling Song," which, in my opinion, still brings in the laughs.

I have made all my friends listen to this cd, and every single one of them loved it! If you enjoy stand-up comedy and/or great guitar music, buy this cd. Perfect gift for almost anybody (be warned, he may offend some people. Certainly none of my friends!)

Now all I can ask for is for Stephem Lynch to come tour the UK so I can see him live!!

Laughing Myself Numb
Like a modern, more foul-mouthed Loudon Wainright III, swooping out of the sky comes...Awesome Man? Drug Free Boy? No! It's Stephen Lynch!

Lynch is one of those unique comedians who can make the crassest, most politically incorrect jokes but still be funny. How? He sings them. With such songs as "Down to the Old Pub Instead" and "What If the Guy From Smashing Pumpkins Lost His Car Keys"(a personal favorite), it's hard not to laugh. All that is required is that the listener have a sense of humor about the subjects he approaches and the jokes he makes.

Off he flies, toting his guitar whilst singing about the problems posed by PMS and how he would burn druggies and their paraphanalia(if he were Drug Free Boy, that is!). There is no mistaking. This man is no superhero. He's just a freakin' hilarious comedian on a mission.

Brilliant, better then Bob Saget!
I was first exposed to Stephen Lynch, while watching his Comedy Central performance and found myself cracking up throughout it. When I heard he was releasing cds I immedietly went and bought them. I have to say that this cd is so much better then his first cd "Special." This cd is a taped live performance of his standup and it is easily the best comedy cd I have ever heard. All of the tracks will leave you laughing out of control, making it hard to focus on the road. While Stephen Lynch is a brilliant comedian you will often find yourself laughing at the crowd comments which Lynch rolls with and turns them into great jokes. This cd is great to put in while sitting in traffic or when your angry and tense. Making the mood lite is what Stephen Lynch does, and playing this cd anywhere will do just that. Fans of Stephen Lynch will remember titles like "Superhero" and "Almighty Malachi, Professional Bowling God," but there are a ton of new tracks as well. This cd is exceptional and really is a must for any fan of the genre. Just don't play this cd for your mom!

The funniest CD I've ever heard
I was first exposed to Stephen Lynch on a Comedy Central stand-up special, and he is one of the funniest comedians out there. This CD is awesome; I can think of only one song that didn't have me laughing myself to tears (and he admits in the beginning that it isn't funny). Lynch is a master at pushing the very limits of what is acceptable, and making it funny as hell. I would say, though, that this CD (especially the song "For the Ladies") is not for the prudes. Don't listen to it with your kids, and for God's sake, don't listen to it with your mom! ... Read more

Album Description

As "America's Foremost Commentator On Everything", Black is a weekly political commentator on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart", and has starred in four top-rated comedy specials for the network. He's one of the nation's top stand-up comics and has done numerous films and television appearances. Recently, he's been touring constantly to packed theaters on his "Rules Of Enragement" tour, having finished a series of dates with Dave Attell and Mitch Hedberg. This CD catches him live at the Luther Burbank PAC. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Great Show
I went to this show at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, here in Santa Rosa California. When I saw that they had made an album out of it, I immediatly went out and bought it.

Every single bit is a comedic gem here. One of the things I always love about Lewis Black is that he never repeats himself, I have never heard him do the same bit twice. All of the material here was new and fresh, with much of the subject matter having happened within a couple of months. this was by far the best time I ever had watching stand up comedy, and it is a must have for any Lewis Black fan and anyone who jsut wants to laugh.

I Love Lewis, But I Only Like This Album
You gotta love Lewis Black.Its very rare that you see someone who so gets so angry so easily.Not to mention he's one of the absolute funniest comics working today.

With that said, I was a bit disappointed in this album.I'm not saying that it isn't funny, its just that alot of the material here is pulled from his previous 3 albums.I'd say its about 40% old stuff, and 60% new stuff.His new riffs are great.Very funny stuff about mostly politics from his insane point of view.Its a very good cd.I couldn't not recommend it.But it was just disappointing that I had heard so much of it before.

Great Stuff
In this crazy, screwed up political world we are living in today, Lewis Black breathes serenity where there is only chaos. Okay, thats a bit much, but he is on target with his punchlines, and his sense of outrage is well placed.

Lewis Black at his best!
I have to say that Lewis Black never ceases to outdo himself with standup comedy, and this CD only proves my point. In this CD, Lewis Black touches mostly on subjects like the Super Bowl, and Janet Jackson's breast. He does of course touch on many political issues, but this CD seems to be a slightly different approach, which apparently works. Highly reccomended ... Read more

Reviews (173)

Music for strangers to receive great big hugs by
Stephen Lynch is the new and future voice of comedy. And oh what a voice. The man can sing. But what makes Stephen "A Little Bit Special" is his unerring ability to make any moment or situation ripe fodder for his humorous "taint." Yes, I said "taint." From the lovely melody and soft vocal stylings in "Lullaby" that explains exactly "why Mommy left us...", to the ruthless vigor of the chorus of "Altar Boy" this man sells his music. You can sense he enjoys singing his twisted tales as much as you will enjoy hearing them. Every song is good, at worst, and briliant at most. Seriously, how many CD's can you purchase that are 1 - hysterical; 2 - great to listen to; 3 - did I say funny? - 4 extremely "smart funny"; 5 - EVERY SONG IS GOOD? Everyone I have played the CD for (12) has purchased or at least downloaded songs from the web. But please, have a sense of humor, and a couple of hours...you won't want to turn this CD off.

Clever, funny, great music!
I saw a Comedy Central showcase of Stephen Lynch and went right out and ordered it on the web. Once I got it, I laughted my rear end off.

It is a great musical comedy album - and I've owned some great ones in my day. If you like black comedy, you'll love this album.

Afraid of laughing at something that "shouldn't" be laughed at? Then don't buy this CD - it isn't for you.

Not only are the lyrics hysterical, the music (and Stephen's voice) is fantastic. This CD angered my wife, but not because of the lyrics - it was because she finds herself singing the dimented songs over and over because they are so catchy.

I'm just sitting here in California waiting for Stephen to finally get his butt out here for a live show!

Pure Genious
When you hear this man's name, it is reminiscent of such masterful artists as Leonardo Davinci, MichaelAngelo, The Beatles. He is not only a masterful musician, but a top notch role model for the kids. I will leave you with a quote from his utterly scrumptulescent masterpiece entititled "gay".

"but if i were gay i would give you my heart
and if i were gay you'd be my work of art
and if i were gay we would swim in romance
but im not gay, so, get your hands out of my pants."

His music is so real to me, I can taste it, and believe me it tastes delicious. What a wonderful man, nay this is no man, he is one of gods infallible creations.

**I Love This CD**
This CD Is The Funniest CD Since Seinfeld's: I am telling you for the last time. I can't explain everything about this cd because you'll have to listen to it for yourself. What I can say is that Girbil Is the funniest song ever lol listen to the end of the song thats the greatest part of all download it or buy the album for your self to see what I am talking about. I can tell you this Stephen Lynch brings a laugh to your face with Jim Henson is Dead, he sings about how he wants another bite of Ms. Piggy and her tastey pork. Any ways this cd is the funniest so buy it if you dont have it all ready!

Hysterical, just not for the squeamish
If one had to list a fault of Stephen Lynch's unique style of music, it would have to be the lack of universality and the narrower audience he reaches with his ascerbic tunes. Don't get me wrong, I laughed my head off at songs like "Special," "Bitch," "Lullaby," and "Gay." There's just no way this album or even solitary songs could possibly appeal to a broader scope of listeners. Is that always important? No, definitely not, but sometimes it helps to at least throw a bone out there to the masses.

For example, if you are of the mindset that people cannot make jokes about necrophilia, homosexuality, divorce, gerbils, and stippers, this album is definitely not for you. I would avoid it like the plague. For those amongst us that understand a joke is a joke, nothing more, this one should truly belong on your shelves. I have to say even I was offended for one song, and laughed anyways! (It's the hidden track after Walken III; and keep listening for hidden outtakes and Walken IV.)

As for audio quality, the sound is crystal and the mixing was well done. Just shy of a 5-star comedy album. My one true complaint is a lack of intelligence in the jokes and jabs. Definitely a great listen (again, only if you can handle the acidic subject matter) and very very funny. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Go pick This CD up! you will Laugh!
Hey ya'll just wanting to let you know about some awesome comedy CD's and DVD's that I just reviewed. "Lord I Apologize" By the one and only Larry the Cable Guy is on sale now. You can also see or hear Larry on the successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour, CD or DVD along with tour mates Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Ron White . Lord I Apologize offers funny adult humor for all hitting on funny incidents about People Liking his Analogies, from the hilarious Larry the Cable Guy song. Laughter is the best medicine so get out there get the Cd and like he says "git -R- Done". I rate "Lord I Apologize" 8 outta 10.

Buy This CD, you'll be laughin' your @$$ off !
Larry is funny right there, I don't care who ya are !
Three big bikers, an' we had tears runnin' down our harry faces.
After you get this CD an' listen, check out the "Blue collar
Comedy Tour DVD or VHS...Order one of those too, Toooo Funny !
Russ (Slash) White, Tullahoma TN.

*yawn*
I went on a road trip recently and purchased about 5 or 6 comedy CD's. This was one of them and this was easily the worst of the lot. (Dave Attell's was the best and Dane Cook's is the funniest I own to date). I am rating it 2 stars because I am hoping to catch the attention of prospective buyers without seeming too extreme.

But it really was a one-star experience. Repetitive without being cleverly so, unsophisticated without guffaws, neither subtle nor over-the-top... I am amazed to find that 29 people before me actually enjoyed this. I wasn't offended, confused, or alienated by the content. I was bored. To give you an idea: If a joke like "I tried smoking mushrooms once but couldn't keep the pizza lit" followed by the non-infectious chuckling of the comedian himself... if hearing a comedian try to commiserate with you on how everybody's sisters just barge into the bathroom and put on makeup while you are taking a dump... If these are your cup of tea, then by all means drink this. You are in for a full CD of this kind of stuff. Very disappointing.

You'll laugh until you cry!
My husband and I have laughed so hard that we get tears in our eyes. His story telling is brilliant and funny. We have listened to it so many times that we will probably have to buy a second copy. Don't drive and listen because you will have to pull to the side of the road because you are laughing so hard. We can't wait and look forward to more from "Larry the Cable Guy".******"Git R Done"!*****

That's funny right there.
Larry kills me. Can't wait to see him live. Just buy this CD. very funny stuff ... Read more

Amazon.com

A good, inexpensive single-disc compilation of Rundgren singles may not be what the world's been waiting for, but it's a fine thing nonetheless. Largely avoiding the big pretensions of many of his post-Something/Anything? albums, this record distills 15 years of releases into a hits-just-keep-on-coming set which makes sense of the sensibility that produced the bemusedly soulful "Hello It's Me," the straightforwardly sweet "Dream Goes On Forever," and the outright goofy "Bang the Drum All Day." --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Fairly Good Compilation
As many Todd Rundgren fans know it is very difficult to make a BEST OF or GREATEST HITS album on all of Todd's music. As far as this one goes it is a decent start for people who are just getting interested in Rundgren's great wide variety of music. It contains all of his hits including "We Gotta Get You A Woman", "I Saw The Light", "Hello Its Me", "Couldn't I Just Tell You", "Can We Still Be Friends", and the never ending hit "Bang The Drum All Day". All of these songs are classics in the Rundgren mold, but I really wish there were some more songs from A Wizard, A True Star and Todd. All in all though it does contain some Utopia songs icluding the excellent rocker "Love In Action" from the album Ooops Wrong Planet. Todd Rundgren's major hits are all here making it an excellent addition to any music fans collection, but buyers beware of the last track with Bobby Womack called "The Want Of A Nail".

Great for the casual fan
For over three decades, Todd Rundgren has been one of the highest quality pop-rockers out there, Not many artists last that long, let alone have music that stands the test of thime. Todd's music more than stands the test of time - it's an infinite number of times better than the stuff that has been flooding the mainstream in recent years. To not love this guy's music is the ultimate sin! Okay, enough talk, let's get down to business. Read on for my review of The Very Best Of Todd Rundgren.

PROS:
-If you're a casual Todd Rundgren fan, and you like the songs of his that get played on the radio on a regular basis, this is the compilation for you. All his big hits are here, from the deep and meaningful early seventies tunes Hello Its Me and I Saw The Light, to the much more pop-oriented and keyboard-heavy eighties pop-rocker, Bang The Drum All Day.
-The compilation truly is a "best of" and not a "greatest hits", because it relies on a number of excellent songs that were never popular in any way.
-The album features tracks from Todd's Utopia days.
-The liner notes are very nice. They contain info on Todd's career, original release dates (to the month) for albums and singles.

CONS:
-The major problem with this compilation is its run time. It doesn't fill the eighty minutes you can fit on a compact disc. This is sad, because Todd has so many songs that could have been used to fill the time, and ultimately make the compilation more complete.
-As another review stated, the liner notes (while good) could have been better. I don't like it when an artist disses his or her own music.

OVERALL:
Minor flaws aside, this is an excellent compilation for any casual fan on Todd Rundgren. If you're just a casual fan, don't get a pricey, multi-disc anthology - this will do just fine.

Great for the bewildered fan
I owned and loved all of Todd Rundgren's albums until he formed Utopia and stepped off into outer space. I still stand by the two Runt albums, "Something/Anything," "A Wizard a True Star" and (especially) "Todd" as some of the most brilliant, creative pop-rock ever produced. If you like Todd Rundgren, before you buy this best-of, buy all of those. You also might want to get a couple of other winners from a little later in his career, "Faithful" and "Hermit of Mink Hollow." But after all those, you might want to get this, because it's the best way to get great tracks like "Real Man," "Love is the Answer," "Something to Fall Back On," and "Want of a Nail," without having to expose yourself to the maddeningly tedious side of Rundgren's music, his explorations into generic transcendentalism, accompanied by endless screaming guitar and synthesizer solos, with zero evidence of the humor and soul he shows at his best. None of that music is represented here, luckily. You can enjoy "Real Man" without ever having to listen to "A Treatise on Cosmic Fire," and that's the best favor anyone could do for this gifted, but sometimes self-indulgent, artist.

Can we still be friends?
Can we still be friends? is quite simply one of the most amazingly beautiful and moving and poignant songs this reviewer has ever had the good fortune and blessing to hear.

Good Starter, could have used a couple more tracks
This is a good starter CD for anyone who is learning about Todd's music, but it barely scratches the surface about who Todd is (and thats hard to explain because he kept trying to re-invent himself every LP during his 70's prime) Rhino has a few other 1-CD budget comps of Todds stuff but they are very skimpy - get this one instead to see if you like him or not. (I think you will)

My only gripe is the liner notes which someone should have re-edited, Todd complains a lot about his early music (which I adored).

All his well known "hits" are here, but I would have loved to also have had "Sometimes I Dont Know What To Feel", "Time Heals" and the underrated "Parallel Lines" from his last great CD, "Nearly Human". ... Read more

Album Description

The follow-up to 2000's highly successful, "The White Album."This album was recorded just before September 11, 2001, and as a result needed to be re-recorded.Lewis waxes eloquent about patriotism and airport security and needing to re-record an album.The rampage continues... ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Another classic comedy album...
Lewis Black is quickly becoming one of the most popular stand-up comedians in the U.S. today, and with this album, that should come as no surprise.

A small portion of this album has the same routine as his latest COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS special, but there is more than enough new material here to leave you in stitches. He doesn't even hesitate to verbally assault certain members of the audience who think he's going a little overboard. He tells it like it is, even if it's not things we necessarilly want to hear about ourselves. He sees all the things that are bad in the world in a completely different and hilarious way, and he will enlighten you just as much as he makes you laugh.

I always look forward to any performance by Mr. Black, whether on TV or CD, and I can't personally wait for his next one.

Don't ya think its time to buy a gun from Lou?
Another excellent observation-comedy CD from Lewis Black. This offering focuses on 'The War on Terrorism,' global warming, the Superbowl, taxes, and airport security. He raises both humorous and interesting points on each subject, especially on the war on terror.

The CD does contain several profanities, and it almost gets to the point of being excessive. But no more that The White Album or a David Cross CD.

I enjoyed it a great deal and I will continue to spread the word of Lewis... a starbucks next to a starbucks....

I've been to the end of the universe
this is a very funny CD. When I heard the joke about the two starbucks across the street from each other I crapped my pants, because I live around the corner from the end of the universe(the 2 starbucks). I have been to both starbucks and have always wondered why there were two of them, now I know.

Possibly his best album!
I say that "The End of the Universe" is 'possibly' his best album, as I'm tossed between this second opus from the angry genius and his first offering "The White Album." Lewis is back for another round and this time, he's ticked off. Okay, every time he's back he's ticked off. :-)

He takes on subject like the weather, Starbucks, Atlanta traffic and overpopulation, politics and politicians, the SuperBowl half-time show, religion, humor, and of course the occasional side-bar rant. He also touches a good deal on 9-11, but even considering his angry-comic reputation, he does this and all other bits with extraordinarily good taste and respect. He does not ever offend the audience for any lack of patriotism, but does point out the over-patriotic people who are making our anthems tired. Again, good taste is used and he makes some strong points about ourselves, our country, and our lifestyles.

Yes, he touched on the Weather Channel in the first album, but it's all new material this time. Every time I've heard him discuss the weather, each time it's fresh. I don't think he knows how to use old jokes anymore, as he's always topical and moving ahead with his act.

If you're a fan of comedy, angry or not, this album should definitely belong on your shelves. For those that have children or are offended by foul language, be warned, this album is full of banned public radio words, if you know what I mean. Just so I don't get blamed for recommending this and you happen to find out later. ;-) Otherwise, enjoy heartily!

The Smartest Man in the Universe
No doubt about it, Lewis is brilliant. He's the only guy out there who makes you laugh and think at the same time, and doesn't take himself seriously like lame-ass comics do. Clearly, this man is destined for greatness. Trouble is, we'd like to keep him to ourselves! Do yourself a favor and watch his DVD or catch him on Comedy Central -- his gestures and facial expressions are value-added and would easily garner him 10 stars if Amazon would allow an exception! I love you, Lew! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Biting, sometimes base satire and humor populates this 21-cut comedy-rock debut from actor-musician Jack Black and his band, Tenacious D. Sort of like a trashier, more casual and less musical Beck, vocalist-guitarist Black and guitarist-vocalist Kyle Gass, with help from Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, Redd Kross's Steve McDonald, and Page McConnell of Phish, deliver oddball musings that will appeal mostly to fans of the talented Black, whose earned a following thanks to memorable, frenetic turns in the films Hi Fidelity and Jesus' Son. The songs and "bits" include the wonderfully, intentionally melodramatic "Wonderboy," Black ordering "four Chicken McNuggets" on "Drive Thru," and the funny ode to vocalist Ronnie James Dio, where Black observes, "Dio has rocked for a very long time / Now it's time for him to pass the torch." With often intentionally droll and dumb humor smartly executed like a latter-day version of Bob & Doug McKenzie with a dash of Spinal Tap, this more-comedy-than-rock debut is likely to achieve cult status. --Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (135)

Stylish and radiant rock music
Even before this CD came out, I was a big fan of Jack Black as an actor. But when I heard about this comical rock album coming out, I was a bit reluctant about buying it. But I mustered up the courage to pay for it and was pleasantly surprised with the CD. In fact, it's one of the best CDs I own. JB and KG (Kyle Gass) are brilliant rock geniuses that sing songs of love, heroes, politics, and none other than; Satan. And although the two main guys are Black and Gass, other popular musicians do appear (i.e. Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, Phish's Page McConnell, Dust Brothers, and Steve McDonald). Here, for anyone who doesn't believe, is a short overview of the 21 tracks (14 songs, 7 skits).

1. Kielbasa - starts off the CD with the line 'dude we gotta fxckin write something here'; letting us know they're singing without a care in the world. The song is hilarious, and very catchy.

2. One Note Song - it's not really a song; it's more of a skit, as JB devises a plan for a song containing only one note (with a bendy).

3. Tribute - aka "the Greatest Song in the World". Here's an excellent tale of JB and KG on a hitchhiking trip in which they run into a demon who asks them to play a song for him. It was a single, and with good reason.

4. Wonderboy - this song kind of sounds like a comic book story. Two characters are introduced: Wonderboy and Young Nastyman, two enemies who later form the band Tenacious D. It was the first single, although not the best.

5. Hard Fxcking - here's a skit about hard fxcking. Pretty funny intro to...

6. Fxck Her Gently - this is a 21st century love song that talks about what women really want during sex. It's very good, and as JB says: 'fellas, listen closely'.

7. Explosivo - this one is a short song with some catchy lyrics and music. I don't really know what it's about; maybe girlfriends or a demon-Satan creature, I don't know. It's good, though.

8. Dio - a rhyme about Ronnie James Dio, in which the D lets us know they'll be taking over for Dio. No questions asked.

9. Inward Singing - JB again comes up with a brilliant plan for rock and roll in this hilarious skit. I believe "Inward Singing" has more swears than any other track. It's very witty, and leads us into...

10. Kyle Quit The Band - 'but now we're back together'. This is one of my favorite songs on the CD, and it tells us how Tenacious D plans to spend the money they'll be earning from becoming famous.

11. The Road - the start has a country-feel to it as Jack Black talks of the hardships being on the road brings him. It's one of the weak points of the album, though.

12. Cxck Pushups - funny, but too unbelievable to believe.

13. Lee - not about too much, it's mostly just words that rhyme with 'lee'.

14. Friendship Test - this skit is funny, as JB tells Kyle he loves him; only for him to realize it was a test. It's not that great, maybe worth an F+.

15. Friendship - 'as long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends', proving time and time again how real the love in Tenacious D really is.

16. Karate Schnitzel - Jack Black doing karate in a skit; hilarious.

17. Karate - this is probably the shortest song on the CD, but also the best. You'll find yourself singing along to the beautiful melodic harmony in this song over and over again.

18. Rock Your Socks - this song starts with a Dave Grohl shout of '1 2 3 4 5 6-6-6!' What more do you need to know? It's awesome.

19. Drive-Thru - this is the best skit on the CD, where JB and KG go through a fast-food drive-thru and order anything from a 4-piece 6-nugget meal to a jr. western bacon-chee.

20. Double Team - here's the best love song I've ever heard. Not really, but this song is so hilarious and pleasant-sounding you will certainly sing along. For some reason, though, they finish it off with a 'hail Satan' chant. Go figure.

21. City Hall - ahh, the epic ending. This is a 6½-minute ode to a new world ruled by two kings: Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who rewrite the rules of man, transportation, and politics with ground-breaking decrees.

Hiddens. "Malibu Nights" (as it's dubbed by JB) evens the score at 1 to 1, going back to the "One Note Song" skit. It's really a hidden gem.

***

As you can imagine, Tenacious D is not for everyone. They are not your average rock & roll band, and their lyrics might be beyond you if lack a sense of humor. But if you do have a sense of humor and you'd enjoy a new twist on rock, Tenacious D is for you. All the songs/skits are good, if not excellent. Jack Black has really taken his career to a new level; and he's taken us fans along with him. Don't overlook the D because they lack real-life lyrical value or because they may be sexist bastards (not really). Their music is very catchy and you will find yourself singing along to it; I guarantee it.

All Hail to the One Note Song! Pure Brilliance!!!!
Actually, all hail to the entire album, because everything about it is awesome. I love Jack Black, so of course I was going to get it. I'm glad I did. These guys are hillarious, as well as also being very musically talented.

Tenacious D combines humor with music. There are great songs along with some of the funniest skits you will ever hear on an album. These guys aren't very heavy. The songs are subtle, but brilliant none the less. You will crack up in laughter and be in awe at the same time. They are great singers and great guitar players. Jack Black really does have a great singing voice.

Favorite songs: tribute, wonderboy, city hall, lee, friendship, karate, kyle quit the band.

Favorite skits: one note song, hard ****ing, inward singing, **** pushups, drive-thru.

A very awesome album, it is. Don't let the humor fool you, these guys are very talented, and should come out with more great songs in the future. Tenacious D truly rock.

Now, stop reading this review and go get the CD!! What are you waiting for?? It's calling your name. (Well, it's not. But get it anyway!)

P.S. Jack Black ripped me off. I came up with the "one note song" years ago. Well....actually I didn't. Um.....Shut up! Leave me alone!

the mixture of comedy and music all in one cd case!!
this album is simply the best thing i have ever heard! Tenacious D really knows how to make music. they only have 2 members (jack black and kyle gass) but they definetly know how to make you laugh and enjoy the music at one time. as we all know, jack black just finished the school of rock and that just came out on dvd not too long ago, and you can watch the mtv cribs episode on there of jack black when him and KG (known as Tenacious D) are doing a song called the taco truck from hell (or at least that is what i think it's called). that song is funny for just the parts i heard from it. that song is funny just like tribute which, by the way, IS really the greatest song in the world! they were just joking about it but i really think it is the greatest song in the world! drive thru is also really funny and then there is that song called wonderboy it is about a story of wonderboy and young nasty man. friendship is funny too, and i guess you all know about jack black's new movie is gonna be king kong with the best director peter jackson!!! yeah!!! if you think jack black's movies are funny then wait till you hear Tenacious D! buy this cd from amazon today for less than $15 and you can also choose 1 day shipping and then you can get it the next day! listen to Tenacious D!

"You're always naysaying everything I create!"
This is a hilarious CD of skits and songs by two comedians who are musicians (or two musicians who are comedians). It includes some goofy songs and skits dealing with topics such as karate, friendship tests, and, of course, rocking. It's very funny, even after several listens, especially "inward singing" and the drive-thru.

\m/
city hall alone is worth the price of admission. those who score lower than 5 surely do not know the power of the d ... Read more

Amazon.com

This collection gathers 19 of Sherman's humorous story-songs. The comic uses original lyrics and pre-existing tunes to poke fun at television shows and consumer items, to send-up the kids and generally riff on early and mid-'60s American pop culture. On tracks like "Pop Hates the Beatles" and "Crazy Downtown," his subject is the generation gap. "Al 'n Yetta" portrays a TV-dependent couple while "Lotsa Luck" describes the complicated hassles of dealing with faulty TVs and new-fangled tape recorders. Sherman assumed his audience had a little knowledge of history, too. On "Good Advice" and "You Went the Wrong Way, Old King Louie," he sings about inventors and French history, respectively. It's hard to imagine contemporary comedians working the historical beat. "One Hippopatami" is a delightfully goofy festival of wordplay that requires only a love of language and a tolerance for schmaltz. --Fred Cisterna ... Read more

Reviews (47)

The ORIGINAL Weird Al Yankovik!
Long before Weird Al Yakovik started entertaining folks with spoofs of famous songs, Allan Sherman had already retired. And yes, Allan Sherman sits along side Weird Al on Dr. Demento's Greatest Hits!

I remember being a kid and listening to my dad's "LP" of "My Son, The Comedian." Even as a young kid I remember laughing at many of the cuts. If only this entire album were on CD! Still, many of the best cuts have been assembled on "My Son, the Greatest."

Audiences of ALL ages will find humor in Allan Sherman's spoofs. Most of the tunes are universally familiar and the topics remain timeless. Add to this Sherman's Borscht Belt twist and you'll be holding your sides.

Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! What more do you need to know?
Before there was Weird Al Yankovic there was Allan Sherman, the Godfather of the Witty Musical Parody. This collection only skims most of the cream off of his Sixties comedy albums, starting with his infamous "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!" and ending with his poignant "Hail To Thee, Fat Person." In between you get "A Waste of Money," "Harvey And Sheila," "Pop Hates the Beatles" and "The Twelve Gifts of Christmas" and much, much more. You get the potpourri of "Shticks of One and Half a Dozen of the Other," and did you know that John F. Kennedy was once heard singing "Sarah Jackman"? If you have listened to any of Sherman's albums in the past ("My Son, The Folksinger," "My Son, The Celebrity," etc.), then you are going to notice that not all of your favorites are here. But this is the only CD available at this point in time in the history of the universe, so what are you going to do? We make do, people, and then we wait, patiently, for more of the same.

Ready for a new generation.
Allan Sherman was taken away from us much to soon. Even though he probably would have not been as popular as comedians became more vulgar and the times more permissive, I believe he still would have produced many more hilarious parodies like the ones you will find on MY SON, THE GREATEST.

My particular favorites on this good-natured and goofy collection are "Hello, Muddah, Hello, Faddah", "Pop Hates the Beatles", "Sarah Jackman" and "Crazy Downtown". It's good clean fun that I hope will find a home in the hearts of a new generation.

Camp Granada
Most people are familiar with his Camp Granada song "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah!". Even if they only saw the ad recently on TV and heard the new version sung by a dog thanking his parents for a flea collar. I grew up hearing and seeing Allan Sherman on radio and TV in the 1960s. My parents had a couple of his records. I scoured for them recently to no avail. I am so glad to see this come out on CD. Even those that did not grow up in the Sixties should find his style of comedy amusing. I thank the producers for having the foresight to re-release his hits if for none other than us baby boomers. For those unfamiliar with him he liked to parody just about anything. Fans of movies like "Airplane", "The Naked Gun", or "Hot Shots!" will probably find him amusing.

5 stars are not enough for this record!
I recently found this cd in the discount rack at a local store, and it immediately caused me to flashback 30+ years to my youth, listening to records (yes, records) in the basement while my parents entertained their company upstairs. Don't let era of Allan's comedy nor the Jewish flavor deter you. His comedy transcends time and culture. This cd is a must for all the forty and fifty-somethings out there. Share it with your children, and by all means, shake hands with your uncle Max! ... Read more

Amazon.com

These days, Bill Cosby is such an established showbiz presence that it's easy to forget what a deeply influential figure he was in the '60s, when he released a wildly successful series of standup comedy LPs. At the time, an amiable, apolitical African-American comedian sharing warmheartedly-barbed observations on childhood, parenting, and other rites of passage was a gently revolutionary act. Cosby's effortless ability to address universal experiences transcended boundaries of race and economic class, uniting diverse audiences during one of the most divisive periods in American history. Wonderfulness, originally released in 1966, is Cosby at his best, with such memorable bits as "Tonsils," "The Playground," and the classic childhood reminiscence "Chicken Heart." --Scott Schinder ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Laughter is TRULY the Best Medicine -- Thanks, Dr. Bill!
I first listened to "Wonderfulness" when I was in junior high school. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now; it really is a classic (if not THE classic) Bill Cosby album. But even more remarkable was how this album once cured me of a severe fever.

I hadn't listened to the album for a number of years when I came home after graduating from college and got the flu. I had a very high temperature, was extremely weak, lost my appetite, and (worst of all) couldn't sleep. I decided I was going to try and be entertained as long as I had to be awake, so I crawled over to my turntable and put this album on. Ironically, the first cut I listened to was "Tonsils" where Cos tells the story of when, as a child, HE was sick with a sore throat and ended up in the hospital to have his tonsils removed. Even though I had heard this and all the other stories many times in the past, they sounded fresh after so many years and I found myself laughing quite hard. By the time the album was done, I felt MUCH better ... I was actually able to stand up, walk around, and join the rest of my family for dinner!

This review is for the original vinyl copy of the album (LP) which I never intend to get rid of. One thing I noticed about CD versions of his other classic albums is that there are no silent pauses between the cuts (they just segue right into one another as if he were doing one very long stand-up session), a feature which I personally dislike. Still, I highly recommend this particular collection of his stories enough to say that if you have to own only one Bill Cosby CD, this is it (but do try to get as many of his others as you can, too ... one can never overdose on laughter)!

No One Tells Stories More Hilariously Real Than Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby may well be the country's most gifted storyteller. By taking the everyday and telling it in marginally satirized form, he captures the humor that the everyday has in abundance.

All of the stories Cosby tells are stories we can immediately identify with. Though not all of us have ever had tonsilechtomies, we've all gone to the hospital as kids and were told we'd get all the ice cream in the world once the operation was over.

Likewise, as kids we've entertained the notion of some kind of grownup conspiracy, regardless of whether the battleground is a playground. We've disagreeed about lumps in cream-o-wheat, raced or at least seen downhill go-karts, and ALWAYS saw or listened to the horror show our overbearing mothers forbade us from seeing.

Cosby's funniest routine is his retelling of an old Lights Out radio program about "a Chicken Heart that ate up NEW YORK CITY!"

To close out the album Cosby tells a hilarious tale about the honeymoon of TV producer Sheldon Leonard (who produced I Spy for Cosby and Robert Culp) and his wife at Niagra Falls, "when Niagra Falls was brand new." Cosby's riff of Sheldon Leonard's speech patterns is drop-dead funny.

You'll never imagine eating ice cream or driving a go-kart the same way again.

What an amazing individual
Growing up listening to Bill Cosby, to my recollection he was the first stand up comic with whom I became aware. Literally eating up every word from his albums, by the age of 10 I was reciting many of his routines annoying my parents (and teachers as well). Recently my 10 year old discovered "The Bill Cosby Show" in the form of reruns on Nickelodeon. So I introduced him to his earlier stuff, available now on CD. What a surprise to find him laughing hysterically at the same lines I loved as a kid. This stuff is timeless.

The Genius of Cosby.
When I was a wee tyke, I remember watching the last couple of seasons of the cartoon series FAT ALBERT. I didn't know at the time that the show was based upon characters created by Bill Cosby. I also remember watching Bill Cosby color Picture Pages on tv. Later in my youth we watched the Cosby Show as a family. However, it wasn't until the 8th grade that I really learned the genius of Bill Cosby. Our teacher was doing some lesson in audio theatre and played "Chicken Heart" for us on the record player (CD's had just come out). Our class was a laughing riot. "Chicken Heart" was one of the funniest things I had ever heard. That night I told my parents about it and things all came together, FAT ALBERT, PICTURE PAGES, THE COSBY SHOW, "Chicken Heart": it's all Bill Cosby. That's when I realized that Bill Cosby was a comic genius.

"Chicken Heart" is about the time that Cosby thought that a giant chicken heart was coming after him while watching late night television as a kid. It's just one of several sketches included on WONDERFULNESS. Two other longer tracks include "Tonsils", describing Cosby's experience of having his tonsils removed and "Go Carts" which tells in vivid details the events of the World Go Cart Championship that ended in a sort of tragedy. Other selections include "The Playground", "Lumps", "Shop", "Special Class", and "Niagra Falls". The best of the bunch, though is "Chicken Heart" and for less than $10 its more than worth the price of the album.

www.livejournal.com/users/tedlothropfan
Bill cosby is genius! he has a brand new cd coming out....go to this link to find out! WWW.livejournal.com/users/tedlothropfan ... Read more