4 comments about Bill Cosby Collection.

1. I loved this CD! I especially like the first track, 'english language' and 'chinese mustard' very accurate, we all have to try the mustard once! I definatly would reccomend this! You'll love it!



2. If I'm buying a two-disc CD set, I typically expect at least an hour and a half of material. Neither of these CDs stretches much longer than a half-hour, however, and just by removing one or two tracks, they probably could have fit the whole thing on one disc.

   That said, the stuff you get here is magnificent, classic Cos. Roland and the Rollercoaster, the Dentist, Puberty... some great routines that remind you of one of the great stand-up comics of all time, back in a day where they didn't throw in profanities every seven seconds in a routine. (In one bit Cosby even says that his favorite swear word was an innocent "Goooooood DANG!") This really is a lot of fun. I just wish there had been a bit more to it.




3. "The Bill Cosby Collection" is a double CD containing two Bill Cosby comedy records: "My Father Confused Me..." (1977) on the first CD and "Bill's Best Friend" (1978) on the other. Though it's not the best bunch of Bill Cosby routines I've heard, they're still pretty decent and the package is good value. I picked up my copy at a locally, here in Australia, and for a rock bottom price.
   
   Bill, in these stand-up routines talks about everything from intellectuals, languages, parents and parenthood, marriage, Chinese restaurants and cars, as well as a story or two from his childhood. He also speaks about puberty, drugs and alcoholism, which came as a surprise to me, though it's still funny stuff. Bill puts on voices, makes sound effects, and really gets you involved in the stories he's telling. The way he describes everyday activies (like going to the dentist) is really accurate too.
   
   I have a couple of minor quibbles to make about this collection. First of all is the presentation of the tracks. Every track fades out before the end, which kind of disturbs the flow and the rhythm of Bill's material. Sometimes (like in "Puberty" on the second disc) it fades out in the middle, suspiciously like it was two routines from two different nights stuck together. I don't know if that was the case, just bugs me is all.
   
   The CD booklet, though very thin, is rather interesting, as it has two covers to choose from, one on the front of the booklet (the purple one with a little cartoon Bill Cosby head and the title) and one on the back (an orange one with a big Bill Cosby head and no title). I prefer the orange version of the cover, so I keep it flipped that way on my CD rack.
   
   Overall, worth a listen, but if you're a newcomer to Bill Cosby, I'd recommend one of his earlier records, like "Revenge".



4. As has been stated by a previous reviewer, this CD set consists of two Cosby albums, one of which is kind of a throw away, but the other, is a GEM that deserves it's place in the pantheon of Cosby classics.
   
   The album in question is called, "Bill's Best Friend", and I prefer to think of it as Bill's, "Sound Effect", album, as it has the most vocal sound effects done by Bill, per routine, then any other of his albums (with, "Wonderfulness", being a close second).
   
   The fun starts with, "Roland and the Rollercoaster", were, on Bill's 11th birthday, armed only with his cool walk, eyelid-turning-inside-out, soap chip carrying (to put in his mouth, to make people think that he's got, "The Rabies") buddy Roland, and the grand sum of $2 (one dollar for each one, of his 11 years) the Cos' sets out to ride a rollercoaster for the first time, and of course, all manner of silliness ensues (not to mention a plethora of very well done rollercoaster sound effects, done with nothing more then Bill's mouth and a microphone).
   
   Trust me on this one; if you're not laughing yourself silly by at least the middle of this skit, you'll need to check yourself for a pulse... :)
   
   The next big sound effect extravaganzas are, "Cars" and, "Illegal Drugs", with, Cars having the most sound effects per capita, but with, Illegal Drugs having one of the funniest and most complicated, mouth created, sound effect section, ever done.
   
   First Cosby shows you in sound, several sounds associated with a person smoking a joint, then he proceeds to show you in sound, what it would sound like if a bunch of ripped pot smokers, where attempting to share a joint, and all of the ensuing noises that this would entail.
   
   ***Now before anyone decides to take offence to Bill doing a routine on pot smoking, let me assure you that this is just Bill's crazy observations on the subject, and in no way glorifies the use of drugs, in fact, it does just the opposite, by showing people just how silly people are, who use them (no Cheech & Chong here, but funny as all get out :)
   
   Cars, on the other hand, is chock full of amazingly done car sounds (done again, with only Bill's mouth and a microphone) and pertains to Cosby's youth, driving around in his friends, crazily designed, hot rods.
   
   The highlight of this set, is his drivers test, where he uses his buddies car, which has a plane engine installed in it (Driving Instructor: "well how do you keep the engine cooled down?" Cosby: "you just gotta keep moving").
   
   Of course, even though I've only highlighted only a few of the tracks on this CD, all of the tracks are side splittingly funny (Bill trying Chinese mustard for the first time, is a riot) and are sure to have you laughing even after repeated listenings.
   
   Enjoy :)

5 comments about Revenge.

1. Bill Cosby has had a phenomenal career as one of America's best-loved comedians. This collection of his stand-up material from the late 60s shows why. Cosby is a talented storyteller who eschews jokes and one-liners for humorous tales (often drawn, as is the case with this album, from his childhood) full of rich, comic detail. In these routines, he introduces some of his best-known characters, such as Fat Albert and Old Weird Harold.



2. Revenge, Smoking, 9th Street Bridge and Buck Buck are my favorite tracks on this CD. The other tracks are OK. I grew up listening to Bill Cosby and his childhood stories are woven in with my own memories. Few things I remember as clearly as listening to Bill Cosby with my brother and sister. It was not too often that we would have fun together - but listening to Bill Cosby tell the stories of his childhood stopped our bickering and brought us together for a short time. And of course we could watch the stories come to life every Saturday morning on the cartoon FAT ALBERT.
   Revenge, has one of my favorites, "Smoking." As the oldest and first to try everything - Smoking - brings back my own memories of trying 'be cool' in the early 1970's and enables me to shake my head and laugh at myself.
   
   Don't miss out on this great live recording. Suitable for most ages.



3. "Revenge" is Bill Cosby's 1967 comedy record, and is filled with classic tracks about growing up in Philadelphia, his friends as a kid, his daughters, his brothers and the introduction of Fat Albert (who features in "Buck, Buck"). He captures his life pretty well with his stories, and it's funny too. I like the way the album is produced and paced, with themes runnning through the routines (like monsters and being scared, etc) and the steady flow of one routine to the next.
   
   Definitely worth a listen for fans of comedy.



4. I grew up listening to this album over 30 years ago. I hadn't heard it in years, but when I listened to it again a few weeks ago, I realized I remembered almost every line. I'm so glad this album is in CD form!



5. Cosby looks at his own childhood and laughs, and in so doing, lets us laugh at ourselves--which of us haven't been in the situations he uses for the humor here?--and to see ourselves as intensely, gratifyingly, hilariously human. Belly laughs and therapy in a single CD. What more could you want?

5 comments about 200 M.P.H..

1. This is how I remember Bill Cosby. He has a way of painting this picture in your mind when he's telling the stories. I love this and a host of his other albums. My favorite of this whole album is the title track "200 MPH" I've listened to it more times that I know and it still brings a smile to my face when I listen to it. And if you ever listen to this album's title track pay special attention to "Bob". As you go through life watch for it. You'll see it times than not.



2. It was great to hear the CD of this old record. Bill Cosby makes us laugh out loud. It is so good to hear comedy that is not crude. We remembered this from our youth and were not disappointed.



3. This is vintage Cosby; humor, designed to make us laugh at ourselves, and thus heal our wounds a little. The only thing about the whole recording that might be a challenge is understanding the reference to George Wallace in the title routine, but that in no way lessens the outrageous humor this represents.



4. While I love 200 MPH, my favorite routine is "The Grandfather", it reminded me of mine, who passed in 1967, and also of the candy store Bill would run off to after surviving his gramps request to, 'take this quarter...and put it in the bank' classic Cos'



5. Bill Cosby is always great and this is some of his classical best. Love the 200 mph section.

5 comments about Bill Cosby: Himself.

1. Great comedy by Bill Cosby, great material and clean, which is hard to find something that is so side splitenly (is that a word?) funny and yet you can listen to it with anyone and won't feel weird. CD is a little short and leaves you wanting more (around 40 minutes of material) But it's worth it to hear the chocolate cake story.. you'll be singing along with the kids... dad is great... gives us chocolate cake.. great great great!



2. I first heard this album (on vinyl!) when I was a teenager. I am very happy that it is available on CD so that my kids who are now young adults can enjoy it. The humor has lost nothing over the years, and it makes me laugh just as much now as it did then. "Noah" is still a classic; listen to this rather than see "Evan Almighty" if you really want to laugh!



3. The tracks on this album were taken from Bill Cosby's stand-up movie of the same name. Along with "Why Is There Air?", this is my favorite Cosby album. "Same Thing Happens Every Night" will leave you in fits of laughter. "Chocolate Cake For Breakfast" is another highlight. There is also "The Grandparents" where Bill's father tells him "I brought you into this world, I'll take you out." This is a fantastic album (even though it's not the full performance) and a highly recommended purchase.



4. There is a picture of the "Bill Cosby:Himself" on the cover of the DVD but the DVD is audio only....just sound, no images! Very dissapointing. Suggest the title be renamed to Bill Cosby: an Audio version only of "Himself". However, I was and remain very appreciative of the Amazon service level in my efforts to re-order a Visual and Audio version of the DVD. Thanks, Bern



5. Bill Cosby at his best. What more can you say. Bill is an expert at taking every day life and making it funny. Whether or not you are a Cosby fan or not, most people will enjoy this.

5 comments about I Started Out as a Child.

1. Recently my 16-yr-old son has been performing stand-up at school & local functions. It brought back to mind those heady days of of late 60s and early 70s when, as a kid, I would entertain my friends with routines stolen from the best. Upon reflection I realized they were all from Cosby. I immediately ordered all the items I had as a kid (whatever happend to those albums anyway?) and was entertained all over again. Cos's stories lose no humor over the years, and his lack of obsenities are a refreshing break from most of today's comedians.
   His childhood memories are classic and easily enjoyed by those younger. And eave it to Cos to find humor in the war in "Medic."



2. Another example of clean humor. With the exception of the Lone Ranger (due to the word "Hell" and the reference to getting drunk) this recording is more proof that clean stand-up comedy is suitable for all ages. The skit about Football at the end will have all teenage sports players in stitches!
   
   Bravo Bill!



3. In my opinion, Bill Cosby hits his full stride in "I STARTED OUT AS A CHILD," the album named for the hilarious opening line of the first track. While one could see his potential in his first album, BILL COSBY IS A VERY FUNNY FELLOW RIGHT?, it is in this album that Bill first begins to explore topics concerning his childhood. In fact, the first half of the album is dedicated to such exploration; the second half is largely observational humor in the same style as his first album. The album would eventually go on to win the Grammy award for Best Comedy Album in 1964. It was well deserved.
   
   The opening two tracks are my favorite tracks on the entire album: "Sneakers," in which Bill recalls the wonderful excitement of getting a pair of sneakers, and "Street Football," in which Bill describes a hilarious street football game and recalls the ridiculous plays a quarterback would call in the city. It still makes me laugh whenever I hear the line: "Cosby...you go down to third street...catch the "J" bus. Have them open the doors at thirteenth street...I'll fake it to you." Now, I can write out the line, but in order to do it justice, you just have to hear the absolutely perfect delivery that Cosby has. It is wonderful to listen to Bill develop his conversational style further, often leading into his bits with nothing more than "I remember when...". Bill Cosby is, perhaps, the best comedic storyteller of his generation.
   
   But beyond his storytelling, Bill's observational humor is particularly sharp and, as always, timeless. "Oops" is a hilarious sketch that tries to imagine what a doctor says when he makes a mistake like the rest of us. "The Lone Ranger," a hilarious montage about the old radio drama, makes me laugh even though I've never heard the original program! Bill manages to setup all of his jokes without my knowing anything about the show he is referring to! Another interesting thing to mention about this sketch is that it is his complete bit about the Lone Ranger. I had originally heard this sketch on a different collection, but this particular track contains two extra minutes of material. The rest of the bit is hilarious.
   
   "Medic" is one of the few bits inspired by his time in the Navy and explores the precarious life of a wartime medic. "T.V. Football" is an early rendition of a piece that would later appear on several live albums and collections. The piece is about when he was on the football team and was instructed not to touch "certain areas of your body" because the game was televised. Hilarity ensues after Bill takes a hard shot to a particularly sensitive area of the body. While the piece is undeveloped here, it is interesting to listen to how Bill massages the bit over time, eventually arriving at a hilarious routine.
   
   All in all, Bill's second attempt in "I STARTED OUT AS A CHILD" is much stronger than his first. The audience appeal is much wider, ensuring that there is something for everyone. One only wishes that the album were longer so that Bill could develop his work even further. His next two albums would increase in length, from the thirty short minutes of this album, to forty minutes on his next attempt, all the way up to forty seven minutes by his fourth album. As the album length grew, Bill's style really began to shine. No longer did a bit have to be squeezed into a one to two minute window. Still, it is interesting to see the doctor of comedy at work in this shortened format. I highly recommend "I STARTED OUT AS A CHILD" to any fan of Bill's work or to anyone that enjoys stand-up albums. If you like good storytelling, you can't get better than this.



4. One of the all-time classics. Masterful.



5. When I was a kid (I'm only 25), I played by Mom's copy of this on LP over and over and over to the point that I knew every single word of every bit, and my mom had to take the LP away from me and hide it. I'm oh so glad to have this again, on CD. Now I can play it over and over again until my fiancee takes it away from me...
   
   
   P.S. I put "2nd-Favorite" because, to me, Bill's greatest stand-up moment is the hilarious "Bill Cosby: Himself".

5 comments about To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With.

1. There is no better way to get to "know" someone than by listening to their "remember when..." and "did I tell about the time..." stories. The "Russell" track brings you right into Cosby's childhood room; its like 'spending the night at Bill's house.'
   Cosby is such a great storyteller, that after you listen to this CD, you will feel as if you know him and his brother personally. The other tracks, are good also but not as memorable as the Russell segment.
   
   Of course you will laugh your head off. Highly recommended. Appropriate for most ages.



2. "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With" (1968) was Bill Cosby's 6th live comedy album. From the 5 Bill Cosby discs I have, it's my least favorite. There are 5 tracks on it. Though it's interesting to hear Bill open a show, I don't really like "Baseball" or "Conflict" much. My favorite is "The Losers", which follows up on "Two Daughters" from Revenge (1967), about his baby daughters Erica and Erin. Adam and Eve's "The Apple" would be done as "It's the Women's Fault" on "It's True! It's True!" (1969) with more material about mothers, though "The Apple" version is a bit livelier. I don't listen much to the 27 minute "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With" story. Don't get why it's so popular, but it's okay. It's more atmospheric than anything. I'd recommend "Revenge" for newcomers to the CDs.



3. The funniest,truest narrative on sibling behavior I have ever heard. I loved it when it first released and was delighted to find it in cd. A gift to my nephews whose antics are mirrored in this album.
   Bill Cosby's sterling performance, comedy without profanity,great man.
   With laughter and Aloha Tracy McPherson



4. My mother gave me this album when I was two or three (because I inherited Dad's love of music, I was taught how to handle vinyl at a young age). Only years later did I appreciate how masterful the material was to draw out loud laughs from me as a preschooler, my friends and I as middle schoolers and me as an adult fussy about my comedy. That's multilevel genius, best demonstrated on the title track, which ranks among the greatest routines ever. But he also throws in The Losers, an account of early fatherhood I can't help thinking about and giggling at as I deal with my own perpetual motion two-year-old daughter (who has never seen the belt. But will hear about it.)



5. This was one of the hilarious routines that we loved long ago in LP record format. It is a classic and worth being heard by a new generation. Very much enjoyed.

5 comments about The Best of Bill Cosby.

1. I loved this as a kid growing up and a lot of people never heard the Noah's ark skit. I think its a scream. I would recamend it to anyone who loves to laugh out loud.



2. One of the happiest memories I have from my childhood, was when the whole family was still together, we just moved into a new house with a brand new Montgomery & Ward 8-track player with a record player on top. In the evenings, we would play our "The Best of Bill Cosby" record and laugh like we were insane. Comedy is much different now... still funny... some VERY funny, but nothing seems as funny as what I remember from that record about playing buck-buck, stories of Old Wierd Harold, etc... After decades of not having that record, I found it online and bought it for my mother. We played it and it and for just a litle while we were all back in the late 70's / early 80's laughing like we were insane, even though we already knew every word before he even said it. Good times.



3. Amazon didn't bother to let me know that the item didn't deliver until I made a inquiry.
   
   What a coincidence they "just" realized the item was returned....yeah it was returned 3 weeks earlier.
   
   Normally I like Amazon, but they dropped the ball on this one.



4. This CD is a collection of chestnuts, funny stories and situations described by Cosby in his prime. Strangely, the pace seems a bit slow, the humor genteel rather than hilarious. Comics have accelerated the pace since these days, it seems. This is best heard in a car, on a long trip, where you have time to live with Cosby's pace, his style.



5. This is a must have for anyone that loves comedy and especially Bill Cosby. The classic "Noah" skit is one of his all time best routines.

5 comments about Why Is There Air?.

1. My sister and brothers enjoyed this album (yes, it was an LP then) for the first time in the '60's. We have such fond memories of it that we still quote it at each other. ("Yeah, your mother must be pretty low-down. . . ." "Thank God for this break.") So my sister and I were overjoyed to find that somebody had put Bill Cosby's classic stand-up on CD.
   
   The quality of the recording is wonderful: we can hear Cosby's masterful use of his microphones, the response of the audience and, of course, our own laughter. Among my favorite sketches is the last one (I think): "Hofstra," the story about the televised college football game. When I was a kid, I thought this was a name Cosby had made up! Another is the very brief description of Lombard Street, the treacherous road in San Francisco. But what made me laugh till tears ran down my cheeks was the description of kindergarten and [...]. (I thought about Cosby, giggling, the last time I entered a school-supply store for parents and teachers.)
   
   If you liked any of the Cosby shows, this recording is a must-hear --a must-OWN, in fact.



2. I have a few of Bill Cosby's albums. This one and "Himself" are my two favorites. Every track on this album will give you at least one good belly laugh. "Kindergarten" is my favorite track. "Hofstra" is another good one where he discusses his days on the Temple football "nut squad" as he calls it. "Baby", where he discusses being an expectant father, will bring a smile to your face. Overall, this is one of the best comedy albums I've ever heard and the fact that it still very funny forty years after its release is a testament to Bill Cosby. A highly recommended purchase.



3. Bill Cosby's old comedy records were so funny and enjoyed that my husband quotes from them after 40 years! "Why Is There Air? Every athlete knows that--to blow up basketballs!" Clean laugh-out-loud entertainment.



4. I loved this album when I was a kid, and I STILL love it today. I STILL think it's absolutely hilarious! The best moments on the album are definately "Kindgergarten" and "Shop Class" and "Driving In San Francisco". Oh man, I love it. It's so funny. Highly recommended!



5. This is a new purchase for me, having grown up with Bill Cosby's record. This one in particular. If you haven't heard him, well, you're really missing out. To my recollection, he's the one that got this "tell it like it is" stand-up comedian thing going.
   
   Just pee first.

5 comments about Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow Right!.

1. Bill Cosby is a comedic genius! This and all of his earlier works are hilarious. I enjoyed this "album" as a child. My father had a great collection. I was excited to find that we could still enjoy them after all these years. If you love to laugh, buy it! The best part is, you can safely listen with the kids around and they'll love it, too. In my opinion, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!



2. BILL COSBY IS A VERY FUNNY FELLOW RIGHT? was Bill Cosby's debut album back in 1963. It immediately shot to the top of the charts and became a comedy classic. And Bill was just getting started. I can still remember listening to this album for the first time as a child. The father of one of my best friends loved Bill Cosby's stand-up work and we used to sit in front of the record player and listen to these old LP's for hours on end. I guess what is surprising about that is the fact that my friend and I started listening to them when we were [....] and that was in 1992. While most of my friends were watching MTV, my friend and I would fire up an old stereo receiver from the 1970s and work a phonograph.
   
   Now, I don't just mention these details in order to reminisce on my childhood. Rather, I can remember being captivated by Bill Cosby's comedy and story-telling at a very young age. I would listen to these records for hours on end until I reached the point that I could recite them from memory. And now, at the ripe old age of twenty four, I still enjoy these albums. What amazes me about Bill's work is the fact that it is, almost without exception, timeless. Not only does Bill work with themes that never go out of style, his comedy is so rich that it grows with you. When I was nine, I found certain things funny and loved it. But as I got older, I began to understand the routines more and more from an adult perspective. Thus, each time I listen to it, there is something new to discover and laugh at.
   
   BILL COSBY IS A VERY FUNNY FELLOW RIGHT? captures Bill Cosby's work at the beginning of his career, before he had become a household name. Like many first efforts, Cosby has not quite reached his full form. Many of the routines are a bit dated and do not focus on the themes that would later define Cosby's work: family life, raising children, marriage, and childhood. Many of the routines reminded me of the work of Bob Newhart: one-sided conversations, often historically located, intended to make history collide with modern conventions. For instance, track two considers what would happen if there had been a football-style coin toss at the beginning of the Revolutionary War and before the battle between General Custer and Chief Sitting Bull. I could not help but be reminded of Bob Newhart's album, THE BUTTON DOWN MIND OF BOB NEWHART, while listening to this track.
   
   Nevertheless, BILL COSBY IS A VERY FUNNY FELLOW RIGHT? does feature some of Bill's classic routines. Perhaps his most famous routine, "Noah," is captured here in its entirety (the entire trilogy). Many consider this to be his best routine. Though I think he later would reach greater heights, "Noah" is a classic and remains a staple of "Best of" collections. As mentioned before, "Toss of the Coin," is also a hilarious bit. Finally, the last two tracks are also of particular merit: "The Pep Talk" and "Karate." If you are a fan of Bill Cosby, you need to get this album. If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, you need to get this album.



3. This is classic Bill Cosby. I first heard it on an LP when I was a youngster, and still laugh at the routines today. The ones about Noah are hilarious.



4. Bill Cosby is indeed a very funny fellow! We truly enjoyed this CD of Bill Cosby's old record--a great comedy performance that shows that the best comedy is not crude or profane.



5. This was a cd that I had heard when I was a young girl. At that time it was an album. The quality of the cd was as good as the original album. I'm so thankful that Amazon had the cd.

5 comments about Wonderfulness.

1. It can be hard to remember when comedians could be funny without rude sexual humor or foul language. Not that that style of comedy isn't funny--it can be. Bill Cosby, however, is able to take regular types of events and relate them in a very humorous way. I can remember this album from junior high school. It made me laugh then and it still does today.



2. My very 1st Stand Up Comedy show I ever listened to. I got it on Cassette on clearence at a Gas Station by request of my grandmother. We popped it in the radio. From Tonsils to Go-Karts to Chicken Heart. Sadly my cassette died after so many uses. 3 of his best routines are on this CD. I now have every Bill Cosby CD,and some of his rare cassettes,and his Himself DVD and 49 VHS. But it all started RIGHT HERE. Buy it NOW!



3. This was one of my favorite albums as a child. It is great that it is now available today on compact disc. I still love the Chicken Heart and Tonsils. Bill Cosby is one of the greatest story tellers.



4. As some of my other reviews state. I love classic Cosby. This is one of if not the best album you could listen to. All of the skits are portrayed with a style the Bill alone has mastered. It makes me smile and laugh through the day as I remember his routines and the way he tells them.



5. I bought this CD because it features Bill's Chicken Heart comedy routine. The Chicken Heart has to be Bill Cosby's greatest comedy routine ever. I listened to the Chicken Heart over and over as a kid with my brother and cousins but I still laugh at it as an adult today. I play the Chicken Heart every year for my elementary library students. They love it as much as I do!
   Two other hilarious routines that are included on this CD are Tonsils and Go Carts. This is Bill Cosby at his best.