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Harry Chapin - The Bottom Line Encore Collection Audio CD

A fair review of the Harry Chapin "The Bottom Line Encore Collection" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Harry Chapin reviews here, or go back to the Harry Chapin tabs.

Harry Chapin Band: Harry Chapin
Title: The Bottom Line Encore Collection
Rating:
Release Date: 1998-03-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Taxi 2: Story of a Life 3: I Miss America 4: Mercenaries 5: Better Place to Be 6: I Wanna Learn a Love Song 7: Mr. Tanner 8: W*O*L*D 9: Cat's in the Cradle 10: Mismatch 11: Old Folkie 12: Let Time Go Lightly 13: Remember When the Music 14: 30,000 Pounds of Bananas 15: Sequel

Must have album
Like "Greatest Stories", his only other live album, what really makes this CD is the great interaction with the audience that he was known for. Harry Chapin's "Bottom Line Encore Collection", along with "Greatest Stories Live" and "The Gold Medal Collection" is one of the three must have albums from the king of storytelling. I sadly never got a chance to see him live, but you'll feel like it with this album. From the obscure "Mercenaries" and "Mismatch" to his great hits "Taxi" and "Cat's in the Cradle", to his best live song, "30,000 Pounds of Bananas" to a little bit of everything in between, "The Bottom Line Encore Collection" is one of his best albums. Sadly, this was also his last recorded concert as he died six months later. But he still lives on, thanks in part to these great albums. Enjoy!.


Recommended Highly
I have never seen a live show where the band was perfect, so the low points are understandable. While I can understand the low points that have been pointed out in the other reviews, I think that this is simply a great Chapin product. I saw him in a couple of small clubs in Massachusetts right after "Taxi" was released, and the venues were perfect for his story songs. He was not touring with a drummer, and the cello player was Tim Scott ("former cello player for Grand Funk Railroad" according to Harry), so any live recording by Harry brings back old and very fond memories.

"Taxi" and "Sequel" are superb, and I think that "Mr. Tanner" and "WOLD" are spectacular. One of the reviewers mentioned that this would be a good introduction to Harry Chapin, and he's correct, in my view. I've always marveled how Harry's lyrics cut to the heart of life, "Cat's in the Cradle" is an obvious example, so I guess this is part of why I rate this recording so high, unlike Bob Dylan, you can understand the words.

Buy it. I don't think that you will be sorry.


GREAT
THIS RELEASE GIVES YOU AN INSIDE VIEW OF HARRY CHAPIN AND HOW HIS MUSIC, LIFE, AND FAMILY EVOLVED.


A great addition to your Harry Chapin collection
This concert occured about 6 months prior to Harry's untimely death and is a poignant reminder that life can change in a heartbeat. While this may not be considered "the" best Harry Chapin CD (or collection), this is a wonderful addition to those you already may have. The songs featured on this CD are some of his finest, and the fact that it is a "live" album always adds to the charisma that was Harry. The stories about the story songs are always enjoyable, and the mood is light and fun.


sorry....
I am very happy to see that it touched so many folks though. I feel terrible to be the only non-5 star review so far, but this CD set was a let down to me. For me, "Greatest Hits Live" is much better. I have two Chapin videos, and the earlier one (Soundstage) is far better than "The Final Concert". Maybe I just prefer the earlier stuff, but on this 2 CD set there are problems with backing vocals, some ragged moments-but mostly what bothered me is that it seemed that the attempted humor was pushed and struggled with. Steve Chapin again seems to often want to share the spotlight as an equal, rather than a band member. His influences in new arrangements and more intricate backing vocals are admirable, but sometimes get in the way.

30,000 lbs of Bananas broke my heart. It was just too forced. The earlier live version is still fresh. This one was just. . . not right.

The CD does have some highlights-don't get me wrong. Taxi is spectacular, and Remember When the Music is THE verison to own. Certainly buy this one, but do not do so expecting the "greatest CD in the World"-you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.


You can see a complete list of all Harry Chapin discography, or go back to the Harry Chapin tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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