Customer Reviews

It's a Slippery Slope

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just got the new Spalding Gray CD, "It's a Slippery Slope." I had been waiting patiently for weeks for it to come out. Having been a longtime fan, I knew I must own it. I have seen Mr. Gray perform live a few times, and own all his books and videos.

This release is a bit different from his normal monologues. It was recorded in in a house on Martha's Vineyard with singer James Taylor producing. Mr. Gray's voice is more relaxed and intimate than in a live performance. The 73 minute piece also contains sparse music, sounds and occasional live performance clips for effect.

It is clear that this cd was a new challenge for the artist. I must say, I still prefer the videos of his performances, but its interesting to just listen to his voice. The lack of audience laughter makes it seem like he's speaking directly to the listener.

A touching tale of yet another mid-life crisis for Spalding Gray (how many can this man fit into one lifetime?).
An interesting concept - mainly a studio recording of the monologue with some parts recorded from a live performance and some musical interludes and sound effects.
The trouble is the studio parts pale in comparison to the live performance where Gray has an audience to react to and puts more energy into the reading. The studio recorded parts lack energy and although Gray's tones are soothing you wish they'd simply used the live performance.
However this is the only recording available of the monologue and it's always good to hear his intonation (the CD made me appreciate the book version one hell of a lot more).
Ultimately it's all in the details - the variations of the metaphor of skiing Gray uses are, subtle, intelligent, unsettling and amusing (sometimes all at once).
The final sections leave you touched and hopeful.
I'd fully recommend this, but with some reservations.

Saw this monologue live in Pittsburgh and could barely stay in my seat. Major epiphanies & hilariously sad.

The recording does a great job of maintaining Gray's drive, stream-of-consciousness, and vulnerability.

I recommend it most for a 100 mile drive. Pulled into my destination just as he summed it all up so beautifully.

I wanted to crash...

If you are searching for a decent Spaulding Gray recording, try "Monster in a Box". "It's a Slippery Slope" is recorded mostly in a studio. At some points in the dialogue, Mr. Gray inserts the live version of the monologue. You realize when this occurs that his cadence of speech actually changes in front of a live audience. He leaves spaces to allow for the audience laughter and reaction and the effect is noticeable. He is much more interesting playing to an audience. "Monster in a Box" was recorded entirely in front of an audience and it is excellent. Mr. Gray's new material is interesting, but the delivery of the audio in a studio makes it somewhat boring.

I tried to keep an open mind about this, waiting to see where it was going. It didn't. You must have to be a true fan to like this crap. Perhaps live would be something else, but I was under the impression that this wold be funny. It wasn't.