The Trials and Tribulations of Russell Jones [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Ol Dirty Bastard

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: March 19, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Riviera
• ASIN: B0000630DP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,791 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #50 in

  Music > Indie Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > East Coast

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Trials and Tribulations of Russell Jones, Ol' Dirty Bastard's third album, was largely recorded while he was evading the authorities and finished just before he was arrested in a McDonald's in Philadelphia. Suffice it to say, this is not his best work. Despite the title (Russell Jones is ODB's real name), this is not a confessional record in which the Wu-Tang Clan man returns to sanity. Insanity is, in fact, a key part of his act and personality; the man who raps about "stinking like doo-doo" has a song entitled "I Wanna F**k" and is now spending two to four years in a New York prison.

If ODB's excellent Nigga Please explored his party side, then Tribulations delves into his dark depths, confirming his position as the Screamin' Jay Hawkins of hip-hop. The record brightens occasionally on tracks like "Caught Up," which takes off from where ODB left Kelis on "Got Ya Money," but while ODB's creative mania remains intact, the album's production feels rushed, with many of the beats sounding cheap and flat. Clan members such as the Rza and Raekwon are noticeably absent, wisely deciding to skip this one until their Shaolin colleague is free again. You best do the same. --Jake Barnes

Product Description
Long hailed as the most unpredictable and eccentric member of the Wu Tang Clan ODB (Ol’ Dirty Bastard) can also be called unstoppable. Incarcerated since July of this year, ODB has not ceased to continue his illustrious career. Shortly after his sentencing, he signed a record deal with the Los Angeles based independent label D3 Entertainment. The album THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF RUSSELL JONES will be released March 19th.

While ODB’s antics offstage have, in recent times, drawn more publicity than his musical output, he has enjoyed astounding success with the Wu-Tang Clan as well as with his solo efforts. It was almost ten years ago that ODB, along with cousins RZA and the Genius, formed the Staten Island-based hip-hop supergroup Wu-Tang Clan. Along with several other core rappers, they hit the underground with their debut release, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) to critical acclaim and worldwide success. ODB’s solo effort Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version was released in 1995, and showcased his unique, maniacal, left of center style. N**** Please, was released in 1999 and achieved him legendary status.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Review of ODB's third solo effort, July 21, 2003

By	Crazy Jim (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

I have always been a fan of Ol' Dirty Bastard. His first two albums were both highly enjoyable. His vocal talent, which is so awful that it's brilliant (i.e. Biz Markie) and his drugged-out flow are truly one of a kind. That being said, D3 has done his fans wrong.

Despite what any album summary might tell you, ODB did not record this album while on the run from the law. In fact, none of these songs were even recorded by him. Almost half of the tracks on the album are skits taken from MTV interviews. Of the remaining, more than half are old vocals over awful beats. They actually take a well-known track from his first solo album and put another beat behind it. Even the lead single featuring cult rap group, Insane Clown Posse has recycled ODB lyrics. There are only about three tracks that have unreleased vocals on them and none of them are worth it.

This album contains no production or guest appearances from any member of the Wu-Tang Clan and in fact would be better served to call itself a "remix" album than try to pawn itself off as a brand new ODB album, which it is not.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If You Love ODB, Don't Buy This Album!, June 26, 2002

By	MikeGibbons "Mike" (Orleans, MA) - See all my reviews

This album is a sheisty industry money making move! ODB had nothing to do with the production of this album! Russel Jones didn't even know that it was coming out! All it is is old ODB verses put over wack new beats with guest MCees. This album is horrid, and if you love and respect ODB like myself, don't pick it up. Go get Nigga Please and Return to the 36, those are albums that ODB actually had input on. This album sucks. ODB doesn't suck though. Damn the sheisty jerks at D3 records. They are doing their best to destroy ODB's reputation as a great MC, which he most definitely is.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ODB's worst album ever, April 4, 2002

By A Customer

How can anybody really seriously consider this album to be his best album ever? Half the songs are just old vocal tracks featuring new lame beats (Dirty N' Stinkin feature the EXACT same vocal tracks from his version of "Susudio" from the Phil Collins tribute album). One song also takes the vocal tracks from C'Mon from Return of the 36 Chambers, and another takes the vocal tracks from "Dog****", off the Wu-Tang Forever album. Best tracks are by far the Intro track and the hilarious "Takin a ****", ... Brought a tape recorder into the stall and went to town. Masterpiece. They should have just released that as a single and left it at that. In the words of the Simpsons comic book store owner....."Worst album ever!"