Customer Reviews

Live: At the Royal Albert Hall

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

 

 

Rhino Handmade has issued this limited edition CD, featuring Tiny Tim at Royal Albert Hall in 1968. Great care was given to this release, including replicating the original program that was given to the audience (albeit in a much smaller size). Unfortunately, the original tapes were not of the highest quality, and even feature a brief gap where the tapes were changed.
But that said, there are some great songs here, rendered in as good a quality as we can reasonably expect. "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" and "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime" are my favorite tracks, but there are lots of good, classic Tiny Tim here, including, of course, "Tip Toe Through the Tulips With Me." There's also some more modern material, including the work of Dylan and the Rolling Stones, which Tim introduces with amusing stories. He even sings a duet with himself, "I Got You, Babe." It's unique, to be sure.
I'll admit, I tend to admire Tiny Tim more than I really enjoy him. But the best of Tiny Tim can be a great thing, and there are some great tracks here. It's worth a try.

This CD features a previously unreleased concert by Tiny Tim, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 30 October 1968. It was such a major event, that even the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were in attendance. The concert was performed with a full orchestra, although sometimes Tiny sang here with no orchestral backing. This was during the height of Tiny's popularity, and was probably the biggest concert of his career. Tiny performs a lot of old songs, and a few new ones, in his trademark style. He usually will preface the song with some remarks about when the song was written and who originally sang it. Tiny was often made fun of for his singing, but he actually could carry a tune (albeit with a lot of tremolo). He often would perform songs in imitation of the style of the original singer. He can be heard here singing in the style of Bing Crosby, Rudy Vallee, Bob Dylan and other singers who have been forgotten nowadays. Unfortunately, the tape ran out before the concert was over, and had to be replaced by another tape, so about 90 seconds of the concert were not recorded (the remarks before "I Hold Your Hand in Mine" and the first line of the song). But that doesn't detract that much from the enjoyment of the concert, if you're a Tiny Tim fan. It is well recorded, for the time period, using a 4-Track recorder. The CD comes with a reproduction of the original concert program, albeit in a much smaller size.

I'm giving this CD a four star rating because Tiny Tim has always managed to hold my full attention through out any(including this archive release)of his CD's I've ever had,listened to and/or borrowed.'Live!At...' is pulled from a never-before-heard performance that took place in October,1968.Sound quality may not be the absolute best,but it's acceptable.Tunes that I got a kick out of were "On The Front Porch","Buddy,Can You Spare A Dime?",Sonny And Cher's "I Got You Babe","Frisco Flo" and Mr.Tim's signature gem,none other than "Tiptoe Through The Tulips With Me".Good novelty fun-time music here for the taking.

Flat-out great CD. Tiny is unique and even a tad strange, but the guy is also sweet and one terrific entertainer. This is a rare chance to go into his fun and unique world...and to hear some classic music performed with style and authenticity. Not quite as good as his "Girl" CD, but darn good!

While I am certain this is not the type of album that everyone would enjoy, I personally find his singing, his character, and his stories truly delightful. While I happened across this CD being played in a shop, I asked what it was. It was a nice mix of humorous, and charming. Listening to the full album really adds to the music, and the mood of the concert.
In any case, Tiny Tim + Orchestra = Amazing.

i am fascinated by early american and world music, and saddened that i did not realize tiny tims genius when he was alive, i had an oppertunity to see him lead a st patricks day parade in the 90s in jackson ms, and did not think it worth while. this album is a mix of vaudville, history, hilarity, and character, the character of tiny tim . all that said, i def like sum tracks way more than others, but in all, a great introduction to his music, and a fine listen for everyone.