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List Price: $31.98 | | Label: Kilmarnock
Salesrank: 172955
Released: December 23, 1997 |
| Our Price: $29.95 |
| Used Price: $17.99 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Human Comedy Reviews:
Not Even "Of It's Time" 
2007-08-10 - Disappointing. A "rock opera" that would have sounded dated if it were written in 1965. it is unsatisfying and totally out of keeping with the tenor of the libretto. I wish somebody would take Saroyan's novel and write a score that will endure the test of time.
Actually a question...not a review. 
2007-07-11 - I can't tell from the CD desciption so if someone could fill me in, I'd appreciate it. Is this a live or studio recording? To me, live recordings are a real mixed bag, especially for shows, and I tend to avoid them. If someone could let me know, thank you!
The great American pop opera
2003-09-02 - I purchased this CD on a whim, after reading a book about Broadway flops. This was one of the few shows picked out for praise, so I thought I'd give it a try. With some trepidation, I popped it into the CD player.
What emerged from the speakers is undenaibly one of the great, if mostly unheard, scores from American theater. This is definately in the "pop opera" vein, such as Les Miserables, etc., but this sounds nothing like the British scores that seemed to take over Broadway during the mid-80s.
This was written by the same man who gave us the music for the 60s musical "Hair," and the careful listener can make this connection. However, the blend of distinctly American styles of music -- country, gospel, "bubblegum pop," etc -- mesh into an exquisite experience.
The cast was in fine form. The mother's voice sounds amazingly like Joan Baez to me, though the liner notes assures me it's not. The young boy playing a 4 year old has an amazingly powerful voice -- one wonders whatever happened to him. The ensemble, in general, is exceptional.
True, the lyrics are sometimes heavy-handed, and there is the occasional grating passage in the music. However, with 2 full-length CDs to fill, these minor and rare occasions are no reason to lower my rating.
If you can get your hands on this, I highly urge you give it a listen. It is well worth it.
A Forgotten Gem
2002-01-21 - When I first heard this recording I was blown away. It is one of the most exciting musical pieces that I have stumbled upon in recent years. MacDermot has managed to create his own and very unique musical landscape. This musical, if you can call it that, deserves a much wider audience and, perhaps, one day to be a hit.
Excellent Buy!
2000-06-17 - This CD was wonderful! I am currently in the H2H Productions cast of Human Comedy (in the children's chorus) and decided to purcase the Broadway recording to get to know the songs better, and it was a great help! The songs are great, and although the singing isn't excellent all of the time, it's still great. I reccommend it!
