Customer Reviews

FM & Am

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George Carlin's second album was released in 1972, and was recorded after Carlin made his public transformation from clean-cut, suit wearing comedian to the laid back, long-haired hippie who wasn't afraid to tackle things like drugs, sex in commercials, and exactly which word of the Seven Words that got him fired from a gig in Las Vegas. However, Carlin also stays true to his original routine, lengthy monologues while posing as a wacky disc jockey, news anchors, or slimeball game show hosts. Side one (the "FM" side) is the "new" Carlin, with well written and performed material like "Drugs", "Sex in Commercials", "Birth Control", and a bit justifying his long hair and new beard, "The Hair Peace". Side two (the "AM" side) is Carlin reprising some of his earliest routines, like "Son of WINO", the sequel to "Wonderful WINO" from his first album. "Divorce Game" and "Ed Sullivan Self Taught" are also fun. The best cut on the album is "The 11 O'Clock News", with the return of everyone's favorite hippy dippy weatherman Al Sleet, and his dead-on forecasts ("Tonight's forecast...DARK! And continued dark until scattered light in the morning, man..") A must own for Carlin fans, it marks the beginning of the Carlin era during the 70s, one that will always be a defining legacy in stand-up comedy.

George Carlin released this record in 1972, after going through a public metamorphosis from clean-cut comedian who relied primarily on silly newscasts, disc jockey personas and such to the long-haired cool cat who wasn't afraid to touch drugs, sex, or anything considered taboo. Regardless, we get to hear both sides of the early George Carlin, with the "FM" side covering the more risqué material ("Drugs, "Sex in Commercials"), and his amusing take on the S-word in "Shoot". The "AM" side is more reminiscent of his first album "Take-Offs and Put-Ons", with the sequel to his popular Wonderful WINO, "Son of WINO", observations on Ed Sullivan impersonations and TV game shows, and the return of "The 11 O'Clock News", complete with everyone's favorite hippy-dippy weatherman, Al Sleet. Be warned, the sound quality isn't the best (Carlin's voice is almost entirely in the right speaker, and kind of hard to hear at first), but don't let that scare you away. If you want to hear vintage George Carlin, get this album. Then compare it to the George Carlin of today, the ranting, angry old man. You'll be shocked, since it's almost like comparing two totally different comedians. Trust me, FM & AM is worth whatever money you spend on it!

FM & AM is another classic George Carlin album from the early 70's. The album is broken up into the FM side that contains his new, hippie side and the AM side is a throw back to his earlier comedy roots. Both sets of routines show that Mr. Carlin could be topical and cutting edge in his humor focusing on counterculture issues of the day like use of vulgar language, drugs and sex or could slide into universal routines like mocking radio station DJ's, newscasts & Ed Sullivan. His "11 O'Clock News" bit is an absolute scream as he mocks the typical talking heads of local newscasts who take themselves way more seriously than everyone else does. In "Sex In Commercials:, he skewers the supposed wholesome images of products that use a subliminal message sex to get you buy their stuff. His Ed Sullivan routine is great. FM & AM shows that George Carlin is a comic who can inhabit numerous comedy styles and make us laugh at all of them.

The obverse cover photo of George Carlin atop a tall stool on LITTLE DAVID's 1972 LP of FM & AM (LD-7214) is framed by one-liners in fine print-sized italics. This onslaught of random non-sequiturs, unrelated inanities all, as a whole say more about the strange mind of Mr. Carlin than any number of critiques, reviews or bios ever could.

His most famous character, Al Sleet the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, was created by Carlin before the hair and beard ever grew out. A 1967 film clip of well-groomed "Al" giving a weather report is available on one of the several Best of The Ed Sullivan Show videos.

Like other comedy albums of its era, a portion of FM & AM is dated material, but much remains relevant, amusing and thought-provoking to this day. Within these ancient tracks is one of the sharpest wits of his generation, George Carlin in top form. Highest recommendation.

PROGRAM--

F.M.
[5:57] Shoot
[2:58] The Hair Piece
[5:25] Sex In Commercials
[4:23] Drugs
[5:17] Birth Control

A.M.
[6:33] Son of WINO
[4:32] Divorce Game
]3:29] Ed Sullivan Self Taught
[4:52] Let's Make A Deal
[11:20] The 11 O'Clock News

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 54:46

The obverse cover photo of George Carlin atop a tall stool on LITTLE DAVID's 1972 LP of FM & AM (LD-7214) is framed by one-liners in fine print-sized italics. This onslaught of random non-sequiturs, unrelated inanities all, as a whole say more about the strange mind of Mr. Carlin than any number of critiques, reviews or bios ever could.

His most famous character, Al Sleet the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, was created by Carlin before the hair and beard ever grew out. A 1967 film clip of well-groomed "Al" giving a weather report is available on one of the several Best of The Ed Sullivan Show videos.

Like other comedy albums of its era, a portion of FM & AM is dated material, but much remains relevant, amusing and thought-provoking to this day. Within these ancient grooves is one of the sharpest wits of his generation, George Carlin in top form. Highest recommendation.

PROGRAM--

F.M.
[5:57] Shoot
[2:58] The Hair Piece
[5:25] Sex In Commercials
[4:23] Drugs
[5:17] Birth Control

A.M.
[6:33] Son of WINO
[4:32] Divorce Game
]3:29] Ed Sullivan Self Taught
[4:52] Let's Make A Deal
[11:20] The 11 O'Clock News

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 54:46

This disk was my introduction to Carlin and I was hooked. Full of classic hilarious lines "Tonight's forecast ... Dark," "Not anymore Monty" and introduced a lot of things our mothers would say. This was way before he became over political in his act and the majority of the material is gut-wrenching belly laugh humor at its best! George is definately the best comic genious of our time!

George Carlin is definitely the thinking person's comic. He's always been right on target with his observations and tackles topics that many comedians - then and now - wouldn't even think to discuss.

In the 1980's, the rise of unabashed hypocritical tele-evangelists, and their flock, screamed for a sane answer and George was it ... and then some. He always had a bad habit of touching nerves with the raw truth.

His comedy is like a fine wine, it improves with time. FM & AM was the start of a new phase in his career - completely casting aside the clean-cut image and started telling it like it is (he couldn't be The Hippy Dippy Weatherman forever).

Trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for some people is a major pain but Amazon helped find this obscure title to give to a friend to compliment his collection and he is EXTREMELY happy to have it! Well packed and shipped quickly, I had my purchases within 7 business days and have given this one as a gift for Christmas to my dear friend. Thanks again Amazon for coming to my rescue!

A laugh a minute, outstanding. A bit dated, but for those of us around in 1972 it is a piece of history that you just got to love!

The obverse cover photo of George Carlin atop a tall stool on LITTLE DAVID's 1972 LP of FM & AM (LD-7214) is framed by one-liners in fine print-sized italics. This onslaught of random non-sequiturs, unrelated inanities all, as a whole say more about the strange mind of Mr. Carlin than any number of critiques, reviews or bios ever could.

His most famous character, Al Sleet the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, was created by Carlin before the hair and beard ever grew out. A 1967 film clip of well-groomed "Al" giving a weather report is available on one of the several Best of The Ed Sullivan Show videos.

Like other comedy albums of its era, a portion of FM & AM is dated material, but much remains relevant, amusing and thought-provoking to this day. Within these ancient grooves is one of the sharpest wits of his generation, George Carlin in top form. Highest recommendation.

PROGRAM--

F.M.
[5:57] Shoot
[2:58] The Hair Piece
[5:25] Sex In Commercials
[4:23] Drugs
[5:17] Birth Control

A.M.
[6:33] Son of WINO
[4:32] Divorce Game
]3:29] Ed Sullivan Self Taught
[4:52] Let's Make A Deal
[11:20] The 11 O'Clock News

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 54:46