Customer Reviews

Bicentennial Nigger

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This was recorded in the Bicentennial year of 1976 (NOTE-to those under 30, 1976 marked the 200th anniversary of the USA and the Bicentennial was the party America threw for itself) and Pryor was on a roll with albums like "That N----r's Crazy" and "Is it Something I Said" which revolutionized comedy (and not just "Black Comedy") with a mixute of the profane and the profound.

This is Pryor's look at what was happenning in Black America at the time. Pretty much a concept album and there is considerable harmony in the routines. A few off-putting bits, such as Pryor calling out some Black celebrities in the audience, some of whom are forgotten today. (His reference to Natalie Cole's fine derriere in her presence may still shock some in a funny way). And there is a bit about beastiality in the Our Gang piece that draws a gasp form the audience. Pryor quickly sees that they aren't going for this, so he moves on to other matters.

The best parts here are a wild sermon by a preacher who resembles the money-grubbing pastor that he would portray in THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW a year or so later, a bit about Hillbillies and racism that was recorded at a different venue form the rest of this album, Mudbone's adventures as he goes out west to Hollywood, and the title cut, perhaps the most profound thing Pryor ever recorded. He plays a 200 year old Black man who survived a slave ship reminiscing about his life in America to the then-present day. Quite chilling, especially with the playing of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" playing on in the background of it adding to the mood.

None of Pryor's imitators or successors have come close to anyhting like this. If you're thinking of trying your hand at Amateur Night at the comedy club, listen to this and go back to the woodshed.

this is the best comedy.
the album is older than me