Living Room Suite

Harry Chapin

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1978
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H44
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,065 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Chapin album of a different flavor, July 6, 1999

By	[e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

Having worshipped Harry since I was nine years old, it pains me to say anything negative of the master storyteller. "Living Room Suite" is the only Chapin album released during his lifetime that I would rate anything less than excellent. It has a little different feel than his other albums. It is somber and laid back with a slight country feel and little dramatics. It's hard to get emotionally involved with this album in the way that his other albums inspired. "Flowers are Red" is the only stand-out story song, but "Dancin' Boy" is a great tribute to parenthood that always brings a crack to my voice. This was the only Chapin CD my brother liked because it "was more normal". I disagree. Chapin was the master and this disc only rates less than 'excellent' when compared against other Chapin work.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moved by all his music, November 4, 2000

By A Customer

I first heard Harry in 1972. I became an ardent fan. I saw Harry with his son (he was very young) on stage in concert soon after this album was recorded. He performed "Dancing Boy"; it was marvelous. I think of this as a stage in his life when he was really in touch with family and friends in a very loving way. I find this to be an exceptional album; lyrics, music and his feelings come through so strongly. It is different from most of his other recordings, I think that's what makes it so special.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry done grew up, October 31, 2001

By	Robert Rhode "poverty induced bargain hunter" (Yankton, SD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After all the stories of alienation, loss and heartbreak this album was an amazing change for Harry. It seemed he'd finally grown up, settled down and was truly enjoying his family. If you feel like you're doing any of that then this album is still a must have.

The pride and joy of parenthood in "Dancing Boy," the indictment of non-caring institutionalism in "Flowers are Red," these are all things that any parent can identify with. I got this album the first time when I was a young parent with small chidren.... and it was very shortly later that I heard of Harry's untimely death. It made the album feel even more special. I was so glad that Harry had finally seemed to find some peace near the end. Gone was the angry youngster who'd written "Sniper" and in his place was, as was the case of the woman in "Sequel," a man who finally liked himself. And isn't that the place at which we'd all really like to be when our own lives end?

Actually, although I do have this on disc now I can hardly play it anymore. As the song says, "There will come a day when your dancing days are done. When Daddy and his dancing boy have dwindled down to one." Time has flown by, it's happened in my life and the memories of that time are oh so bittersweet.