Customer Reviews

Modern Scream

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This album from 1975 was/is one of the most creative, inventive comedy albums ever. Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner conceived an ingenious way to use sound effects and editing to have Lily interact with her characters. The album goes back and forth between recordings of Lily live on stage and being "interviewed" by a magazine reporter for publicity. We, the listener, get to meet Lily's next-door neighbor, Lucille, who is a rubber freak. We meet the high-pitched voice reporter who comes to Lily's house to interview her. We hear Lily playing ping-pong ball, swimming, driving in a car all while talking to the interviewer. It is very funny and fun to listen to. Lily is brilliant in her characters as usual and this album was a wonderful concept. Finally it is on CD. It was nominated for a Grammy for best comedy recording. Buy this CD to enjoy the brilliance of Lily Tomlin. She is a comedy genious.

This is a rare album that is really worth owning--that is, if you are able to find it. Lily Tomlin is nothing short of a comedic GENIUS. The way she juxtaposes and layers the dialogues between her characters is HYSTERICAL and cutting edge. An example of her zany characters, being Lucille, the rubber freak. Though, she comes across as a modern day alcoholic, the woman has actually been covering an addiction to pencil erasers, the rubber backing on rugs and raincoats for YEARS. Does it sound weird? Well, it is, but it is weird in one of those delightfully authentic, ironic Lily Tomlin ways. What's more, this album shows off her talent for conveying the sadness of celebrity (when she plays herself, being interviewed by a journalist with a high pitched voice, also played by Tomlin), as well as a high octane sorority sister (amongst others).

Though, this album has been around for a few decades, at this point, it comes off as timeless and a current time capsule glimpse into the manic comic gifts of Lily Tomlin.

This is my favorite album! I had my vinyl copy stolen years ago and am great-full it's available on cd!

I don't know what it is about Laugh.com. Instead of using the original masters to create a CD they often use a vinyl disc of the recording complete with a few "pops" here and there. This is another one of those.

The album itself is a "scream"! (Pun intended)
Lily Tomlin is one the most entertaining comediennes whose characters take on a life of their own. This is an album I've enjoyed for years and I still laugh every time I play it. I highly recommend it despite the "pop or click" every so often.

I also highly recommend Lily Tomlin "On Stage". Definitely not your typical live album.