To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With [LIVE]

Bill Cosby

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 28, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 1968
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B0000062TL
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,805 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This is one of his finest comedy discs, and it remains as fresh and funny as ever. Recorded at the height of his standup popularity, the master raconteur's 1968 album To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With is a fine example of the multi-talented veteran's effortless mastery. Cosby discusses "Baseball" and "Conflict" with his usual blend of impishly winsome insight and flat-out yuks. The 27-minute title track, a memorable meditation on the joys and terrors of childhood, is one of his most resonant achievements. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Title Routine: Bill Cosby at the Pinnacle of His Comic Craft, September 19, 2000

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Back when albums were records and not CDS, the title track of "To Russell, My Brother, With Whom I Slept" took up the entire second side of the disc, which makes it the "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" of comedy routines from the 1960s-70s. With this routine Bill Cosby clearly reaches the pinnacle of his craft as a stand-up comic. The other four bits on the album pale into insignificance, mere appetizers in preparation for this comic epic. Cosby had often used his family as a source of comic inspiration, but the depth (and length) of this piece is astounding. Certainly in his recent filmed performances Cosby has created other long comic gems, but this one is the first, and so it is cherisehd with a special fondness.

I recall with feelings of joy doing this routine on late night bus trips in high school. Years later I shared it with my students and for years we could get a laugh out of suddenly wailing, "The man came in through the window, Dad!" Even if you have not heard Cosby's other routines about growing up you can enjoy this timeless piece. If you own only one of these reissued albums of Cosby, this is the one.

Do you understand what I am saying? Or do you want me to get . . . THE BELT?

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hilarious, December 16, 2000

By	"saxjunkie" (Forest, VA) - See all my reviews

this cd predates the era of computer generated effects and high-tech comedic wizardry. Just a guy, a stool, a microphone, and a couple of spot lights. The title track of the cd is one of the funniest things i've ever heard. With his creative microphone sound effects and his unique take on his house and family, cosby sets the stage for one of the greatest bits of stand up comedy i've ever heard.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't make me get THE BELT!, November 12, 2004

By	Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is one of Bill Cosby's best albums. The first side of the album is good, but the real highlight is side two. This 27 minute routine is Bill's "magnum opus". He hilariously describes a night from his childhood, sharing a bed with his brother. Although this is Bill's funniest comedy routine, it isn't included on any of his "best of" albums, simply because it's so darn long. All the more reason to buy this CD. Highly recommended.