Customer Reviews

Pecos Bill

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

 

 

This is an absolute hoot, classic Robin Williams. His characterization and improvisation sends everyone rolling around the floor laughing. And Ry Cooder's score is just perfect - creating atmosphere, creating tension, almost painting the backdrop of the story with the music. You can imagine the blazing hot country, rugged mountains, cactus and fat cowboys perched loosely on their horses saddles .. just from the music. But of course, the star is Williams. His voice over of Pecos Bill's dad - "I can't stand being cramped by squatters", the toothless Sourdough and general comments "wiped his face with a hunk of cactus", " Coyotes didn't care for humans too much, for fear of ending up around the shoulders of a woman called Thelma in New York" and this gem - loosing his dentures halfway through the narrative "storebought ones don't stay on so good" Ha! Ha! Cautionary notes - it's not that effective for bedtime listening - the kids will be chortleing right through and won't go to bed till it's finished. Secondly, trying to drive safely whilst listening is also challenging. It's not easy to keep the car straight when you're bent over laughing.

Robin Williams and Ry Cooder collaborate for an enjoyable rendition of the Tall Tale of Pecos Bill. My little boy who's 2 1/2 enjoys the howling of the coyote-raised Bill and Mom and Dad haven't tired of hearing it even after the 30th play with Williams humorous tone. Cooder's music sets a fine West Texas tone (if dry dusty brush covered land has a tone). Kids learn by repetition, and since our little one is learning to converse its a good purchase for us since we can listen over and over again. If Mr. Williams sees this, my son approves of this CD with all the howl a little boy can muster, AWOOOWOWWOOWWW!

I bought this for my three year old daughter, but I must admit it's as enjoyable for adults as it is for children, if not more. This is big laughter material!

After reading the Amazon reviews and seeing that this recording won a Grammy, I was expecting much better. I love Robin Williams but he speaks to fast for children 10 and under. The story was boring for my children and for me and I like audiobooks. The background music was EXTREMELY loud and takes away from the story. You can barely hear the story.

I do NOT recommend. Try and find another version about Pecos bill.

This work by the world's funniest actor/comedian and the doyen of slide guitar gives both participants the opportunity to display their considerable talents. Robin Williams spins the ultimate cowboy fireside tale of the old west with his quick witted delivery consisting of scripted and ad lib humour, while Ry Cooder intersperses this spellbinding tale with his deft insertion of music that is so "old west" it adds a really delightful depth to William's narration. Ry also gives dedicated collectors of his music four instances of his prowess as a slide guitarist for their collections.

Kids and adults alike will love this tale of cowboys and the wild west.

James H BARNES

"Pecos Bill" transcends itself in this telling by Robin Williams. The Ry Cooder soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment as Williams takes us on a roller coaster ride through Pecos Bill's story as only Williams can. Funny, fast, and fascinating, it's a gem and worth every penny no matter what the price.

I used to listen to this when I was back in first or maybe second grade. It's a fantastic and hillarious telling of the story. Robin Williams is great, and Ry Cooder's music really adds a lot to the tale. My youngest sister and I listened to this a couple of weeks ago, and we both had a lot of fun. Buy the book too. The artwork is great.