Genre Folk Pop (if there is such a thing)
Evaluation I try to review albums that no one else has reviewed. However I was surprised to see that no one has reviewed this particular album. Harry Chapin died what seems like an eternity ago. You can still hear a couple of his songs on the radio, but most are just a memory. If you've never heard his music, in a nutshell, Harry Chapin is a story teller. His music is kept relatively simple so that his words can be understood and absorbed. Don't get me wrong. He has also written some pretty great music and some of it not so simple. This album contains all his hits plus a few songs that I am sure you have never heard. They are all wonderful. I will list the hi-lights here.
1) Taxi His first song and some say his best. It's hard to argue that as this is a great piece of story telling and music. The first time I heard it I thought it was one of the most unusual and haunting songs I had ever heard. It wasn't a huge hit (made it around number 8) but to this day it is the one song people most think of when they think of Harry Chapin. When you listen to this song just sit back and let the story take you away. It's wonderful.
2) WOLD Song about a guy who works as a morning DJ at WOLD. This was not a big hit but what a great story and musically very well done. After hearing this song I realized that this was indeed a very talented man and would probably go on to become a legend someday. Sadly his life was cut short by an auto accident.
3) Cat's In The Cradle His biggest hit. This is the most commercial Harry Chapin has ever sounded. It isn't my favorite song but the story is still so great. Musically I find it below his normal standards but I guess he wanted to do something that would put a little money in his pocket. Still, I am sure you will enjoy this tune as it is better than most of the junk on the radio today. The story is simple, about a man watching his son grow up. But oh how he tells it. A true classic in story telling.
4) Better Place To Be One of his longer songs (I think it runs about 9 minutes) This is a typical Harry Chapin epic. It's a story about a poor lonely old man who's just looking for a little companionship. He meets a waitress who's kind of fat and ugly but somehow, well I won't give away the whole plot. This song will just break your heart. I cry every time I hear it. Yes, it is my all time favorite Harry Chapin song.
Bottom Line: There are other songs on the album, most of them good. Harry Chapin is an acquired taste. Some people just don't get him. He's not overly hip. So if you're looking for something to get up and boogie to then this album is not for you. But if you're looking for something to make you reflect on your own life and really feel some real feelings then this is a must have album. Harry Chapin may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
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