Customer Reviews

Stephen Lynch - Live at The El Rey

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you grew up with any sense of Christian or Catholic dogma you will surely need to repent after watching this one .. or risk going straight to hell in a handbasket! The fundamentalists surely think Lynch is the Anti-Christ.

Armed only with his acoustic guitar and boyish charm, Lynch articulates some of the silliest, crudest and creative stories you will ever hear recorded. The DVD "extra's" are also well worth the price of admission!

This is a great DVD for anyone not familiar with Stephen Lynch. Although those already familiar with him will find some of the material redundant, this DVD will still make you laugh as it captures all Lynch's characteristic facial grimacing and hysterical mannerisms which are missed on his audio CDs. Those who've seen him live will know what I'm talking about.

If you like to laugh, and sexual topics, vuglarity and "over the edge humor" don't offend you, join Lynch for an intimate night recorded live at the El Ray Theatre in Los Angeles.

If you like your musical humor with a dash of "Hell-in-a-handbasket," Mr. Lynch is The Man.

This DVD features selections from his two albums, as well as some new stuff. (But, not his newest. He and Mitch Hedberg are touring, and Stephen is STILL adding to the repertoire.)

Stephen is a quick-witted comedian and a talented musician. His vocal control is quite impressive, and his voice melds well with his guitar.

This material is NOT for the faint of heart. I wouldn't leave this one in teh DVD player when Grandma was coming to dinner. Unless, of course, Grandma was at Woodstock.

Favorite tracks:

SPECIAL: (An ode to a "special" childhood friend)
This one works better as video than on his first album.

PRIEST: (A lamentation)
Any altar boy who WASN'T permanently traumatized by his clergified loss of innocence will get a real kick outta THIS one.

GRANDFATHER: (Just plain evil)
This is one of my favorite Lynch tunes. Face it. We all have a little sociopath in us, screaming to get out.

SUPERHERO: (A lesson for the kiddies)
This song gives Stephen a chance to showcase how fast he can think. If you go see Lynch live, have one ready!

CRAIG: (A biblical chapter you may have missed)
It's tough living in the shadow of a celebrity relative. Pity poor Craig. Then, party with him.

FOR THE LADIES: (A tender bit of mortification)
The best part of this song is watching the reactions on the faces of the audience after Stephen sings the last line. Those few frames are worth the price of the DVD.

Stephen brings out pal Mark Teich for a few numbers, as well as his brother, Drew. These guys are having a lot of fun, and it shows.

Plenty of bonus goodies, too. If you believe that "Funny is funny," grab this one up.

This is certainly a must have for any Stephen Lynch fan. It is full of material, and all of his popular songs as well as a lot of bonus material. It is shot in an open setting, not heavily scripted and edited like the Comedy Central stuff I had seen him in previously. He laughs, jokes and interacts with the crowd.

But be warned, this is not the Stephen Lynch you have been introduced to on Comedy Central. The humor and content is exceptionally crude, more so even than I had anticipated. If you are alright with that, this is a great DVD and a very funny man, but otherwise you might want to look for something else because you are going to be offended, as well as finding yourself with a DVD you can't stand to watch.

I was at this show, and if the only thing you've seen is Stephen's edited TV special, you're in for a surprise - this guy is raw and even funnier than you'd know. He played a few new songs, that I don't think are on any CDs, either. So, highest reccomondation from me.

I first saw Stephen Lynch on his Comedy Central special and thought he was one of the funniest comedians I had ever seen. Not a guy that basically tells jokes, he is instead a musician and songwriter who writes some of the funniest original songs imaginable. So, when I saw his DVD, I thought I'd take a look.

It is, of course, very funny. Many of his best songs are here in some form or another. The performances of "Baby," "Special," "Gay," "Taxi Driver" and "D & D" were highlights for me.
But, to be honest, I was a little disappointed overall. "Lullaby," a personal favorite, was relegated to the bonus features and was a studio clip. The opening sequence in the green room started funny but went on way too long. And I just happen not to be a fan of venues in which the audience over-participates. I would rather just be able to enjoy the songs.

What I'd rather see on DVD is that Comedy Central special which I enjoyed a lot more. I love his CDs but, without his facial expressions, you're missing out. So, for now, I recommend this.

for those who loved his comedy central special this is a wonderful show that you shouldn't miss. it has all the songs you heard on tv but its not been edited like the tv specials were. I have since seen stephen lynch live, the dvd is well worth it if you dont have the 40+ dollars to see him live, the act is virtually identical.

I laughed, I cried, I may have pee'd a little in my pants. Stephen Lynch is hillarious. I have several audio CD's of his material, and have seen him live. This DVD recreates the small venue atmosphere where Stephen thrives. You will not stop laughing until the DVD is over. Beware, however, it starts out kind of slow. The "pre-show" ritual skit should have been replaced by the "Tour Diary" from the extra's part of the disc.

I have watched this DVD several times and it never gets old. The quality of the DVD is somewhat amature-ish, but the interaction with the audience and the ability to create lyrics on the spot is what he does so well. I particularly liked part of the video diary (bonus material) where Stephen and his friend are having a rap-off (if that's what it is called), you can just see his mind working. If you liked any of his prior CD's or shows, this is as good and just as messed-up.

Stepen Lynch is one of the brightest stars on the current stand up circuit. While he doesn't tell jokes in the traditional style, his guitar and angelic voice provide excellant cover for the sick, sick mind of Stephen Lynch. To see this disarming guy walk on stage and start playing and singing has got to be seen to be believed, an angelic voice with a demonic mind would be the most apt way to describe his performance. He was the 2003 Comedy central comedian of the year and has, I believe, at least 2 specials that have been run on Comedy Central, the dvd captures a great deal of his material, but nothing can ever really compare to his live shows. Add this one to your collection if your looking for pee your pants quality laughs, or if you just want to offend some unsuspecting tight-ass, then I say "Lynch his ass!"

Stephen Lynch is a comedian fueled by his acoustic guitar and penchant for raunchy humor. This DVD was my introduction to the man and I must tell you, hearing his music is not enough. You NEED to see the man in action. Outside of the studio, he drives his jokes home with his hilarious expressions and interactions with the audience. On this DVD he just goes crazy and it's so much fun to watch. He is joined by his friend Mark Teich and they sing masterful songs such as "Special," "Love Song," "She Gotta Smile," and of course, "D & D." And the live version of "Superhero," where Lynch calls on the audience to invent their own heroes, will make you laugh too hard to breathe. In addition to what you've heard of the albums, Lynch throws in a few new songs. The performance is 70 minutes long, plus there are 4 other songs you can watch in the bonus section (due to legal issues). There is commentary from Stephen, Mark, and Drew Lynch, some skits the three performed in high school, and a video tour diary of Stephen and Mark having fun on the road. It's a solid DVD that will keep you laughing with each subsequent view. Prepare to love it.