Arizona Bay [LIVE]

Bill Hicks

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 1997)
• Original Release Date: February 25, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0000009QH
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,100 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy & Spoken Word

Track Listings

1. Goodbye You Lizard Scum

2. Step on the Gas (L.A. Riots)

3. Hooligans

4. Officer Nigger Hater

5. As Long as We're Talking Shelf Life (Kennedy)

6. Elephant Is Dead (Bush)

7. Me & Saddam

8. Bullies of the World

9. Shane's Song

10. Dinosaurs in the Bible

11. Living God

12. Marketing & Advertising

13. Don't Talk for Me

14. Clam Lappers & Sonic the Hedgehog

15. She's Got a Broken Heart

16. Pussywhipped Satan

17. L.A. Falls

18. Elvis

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

Having already recorded two albums live on stage, Hicks developed a more complex plan for ARIZONA BAY. He composed music for the program, painting a sonic portrait of life on the beach after the "big one" dropped California into the Pacific Ocean. He constructed the album with alternating bits of music and comedy, so that while the comedy bits could be taken on their own, the tension the music provided was subversively adding up to a much greater undercurrent of unease. Bill wrote the following note about ARIZONA BAY shortly after finishing its rough edit and mix in the spring of 1993:"By the way, as far as I know this [mixing-in of music] has never been done before with a comedy album. (I hope there's not a reason for that!) The important thing to remember is that this idea for ARIZONA BAY extends beyond just this album. It is a philosophy about not wanting or having to go through the mainstream to have your work mangled and made mediocre. I believe there is a great deal of anti-LA (and all that LA stands for) out there. I believe people would proudly wear "Arizona Bay" t-shirts and this whole idea could help bring into focus people's antipathy for mainstream America, while also being a concept for those people to rally around."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to swim, see you down at Arizona Bay (Tool, "AEnema"), May 5, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Milford, CT) - See all my reviews

This is probably the best Bill Hicks album to start with - it'sthe one I heard first, anyway. CLASSIC bits about the Rodney Kingtrial / LA riots, plus a lot more. There's also some good little musical interludes in between the blistering comedy bits featuring Bill Hicks on guitar. It may sound wierd, but the music works. 'Relentless' and 'Rant In E-Minor' are exceptional as well. Bill Hicks was a comedian for the thinking man. If you buy one of his CD's, you will NOT be sorry.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rest In Peace Maestro, November 24, 2003

By	Rebecca Lyle (Garland, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is currently my only Bill Hicks album. My brother in law gave it to me. I guess he figured since I'm a pretty young and angry lad, that I'd probably be interested in it. I gave it a listen one night while I was cleaning up the house, and boy was I in for a treat! I pretty much fell in love with it immediately. Now, I haven't heard any of his other albums yet, but because of this one, I do have full intention on picking them up as well. Bill Hicks knew how to put energy and heart into his performances. He has a stance with every issue and he stupendously holds his ground for the most part. I must forewarn you, however, that this is not for everyone. Some of this leans way past the vulgar side of things, but that's what comedy is all about. Now, I will also warn you that this is not just a spoken comedy album. They incorporated music inbetween the tracks, so you get about of minute or so of music after every spoken bit. The music is okay. It's mostly just laid back guitar and drums, and sometimes there's some humming. Most of the time I skip through it. It was just something he was experimenting with. It's not that much of a nuisance in my opinion, just hit the 'next track' button and you'll be on the spoken bit. To sum this all up, Bill Hicks was a genius. He was considered "over the top" by most, and went out of his way to shatter the rules. His philosophies were set forth as aid for the free thinkers of the world. He was a great, and energetic speaker, and any fan of intelligent comedy should definately be familiar with Hicks and his material. Highly Recommended!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Scuse me, 'scuse me., February 27, 2005

By	Nathan Hatton "dispositioned" (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Comedians come and go with no real impact or lasting effect on the audience. This is not the case with Bill Hicks. Hicks' style is such that what he says will stick with you, whether it disturbed you, made you laugh, or had some other effect, you will remember Bill Hicks once you've heard him.

What makes Arizona Bay so great is the manner in which it is carried out. The type of speech that Bill uses for different types of people is hilarious. Even though they are not necessarily accurate, it fits perfectly with how he is attemping to convey them. This is best portrayed in 'Hooligans.' That part in the show may very well be the highlight, even if it is at the beginning of the album.

The piece on the Rodney King trial is classic work as well. His views on the testimonies is some of the funniest commentary I've ever heard.

Anything and everything you'd want to know about Bill Hicks can be found on this record. Arizona Bay gives a great idea at his personal comedic style, as well as his personality. I highly recommend this to any fan of comedy.