Search - George Carlin :: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?

This is my passion

01/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I listen to tons of Comedy Albums, I have the Complete works of Carlin Seinfeld Cosby, and Newhart (and many others too) and I have to say Carlin is the King, Jerry is close behind but he just isn't as good as Carlin. Now about this CD in particular I think it is his best. I know that in other ones like Back in Town he does some funny S--T like Do you have your own words, Or his Seat belt bash in Jammin' In New York. But this is my favorite. As one who lives for comedy I think my opinion means something in this is The Real thing,"

The start of George Carlin's beautifully "angry" style

Bill M. | MA, USA | 09/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although Carlin has always flexed his incredible talent for wit, precise exaggeration and calculated delivery, his style has inevitably changed over the years. In fact, certain albums mark definite turning points. With "FM & AM" (1972), Carlin decided to stick to his guns and perform his material that just wasn't "PG" rated for the 1970s. With "A Place For My Stuff" (1981), he cut the mellow personal anecdotes and refined his delivery speed and observational humor for the 1980s. And with "What Am I Doing In New Jersey?", Carlin begins his relentless style which we'd see through the 1990s.Once you start listening to this CD, you'll realize that the man is not about to break into "Al Sleet, the Hippy-Dippy Weatherman" nor "Rice Krispies". The first track is an 11 minute long, angry social comentary. It's still very funny in places, however the material is quite dated. It wasn't until later albums (e.g. Parental Advisory, Back In Town) that he further honed and perfected this new cynical style. Since this track does take up 1/4 of the running time of the album, I begrudgingly don't give this album 5 stars.However, the rest of the album is down right hilarious, and makes it well worth buying. "Now we come to the practical poriton of our show..." says George, as he starts with suggestions on "Keeping People Alert". .... He continues in a purposely dead-pan voice with his list of "People I Can Do Without", showing his twisted imagination. The second half of the album is "More Stuff on Cars & Driving". (For those wondering, the first set of driving jokes were on his "Carlin on Campus" special.) At first glance 20 minutes might seem a bit long for nothing but driving jokes, but Carlin keeps it incredibly flowing and varied, talking about toll booths, license plate mottoes, bumper stickers, other cars, how you should (not!) deal with a speeding ticket, and more, never missing a step. Again, "What Am I Doing In New Jersey?" is most significant for marking a turning-point in Carlin's comedy style. But in and of itself, it remains a hilarious album."

17 year old from NJ loves Carlin, even if a bit dated

Richard C. Lurie | Paramus, NJ USA | 11/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is one of George's classics. Being a 17 year old New Jersean, I loved everything from the fourth track on. Favorite bites include, "you cant pull out of you driveway without some guy in a hat wants 50 cents!" and "when you pull up to a toll plaza, bargain with the guy!" However, the first track isn't funny unless you were alive and paying attention to politics in the 80's, and police bashing on a NJ themed album doesn't seem right after all the NJ state trooper controversies. But, all in all, its great Carlin."