Harry Chapin - Greatest Stories Live

Recorded in November 1975, Greatest Stories Live showcases the legendary live performance styles of acoustic troubadour and noted activist Harry Chapin. Recorded over three nights on-stage in California, the double-LP set features all the hits as well as a few notable album cuts that put the musician's musical and personal skills out on the line for all to see. There are the obvious inclusions of touching hits, like "W*O*L*D," "Taxi," and of course the father-son anthem "Cats in the Cradle." "Mr. Tanner" and the heartfelt "I Wanna Learn a Love Song" also come across great in the live environment, a setting that was clearly the singer/songwriter's forte. Chapin has a fantastic rapport with the audience throughout the set, and it comes through with incredible results on his humorous banter before and during the rousing and set-highlighting "30,000 Pounds of Bananas," a great track about Scranton, PA, and a runaway fruit truck. Sure it may sound a little hokey, but Chapin is a true showman and the fun he has on-stage transfers directly into the joy of listening to the record. A fine musician and individual, Chapin's Greatest Stories Live comes close to living up to its name and is a fitting document of a man whose boundless joy and insight shined through in his music. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allan Schwartzberg Drums Allen Schwarzberg Drums Betsy Wager Vocals, Vocals (Background) Bob Smith ?, Handclapping, Handclapping Bob Springer Percussion, Chimes, Handclapping, Castanets, Conga Bruce Morgan Mixing Cheryl Ferrio Vocals, Handclapping Christine Faith Vocals, Vocals (Background) David Kondziela Vocals (Background) Don Payne Bass Doug Walker Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background), Bass, Guitar Ed Bednarski Clarinet Frank Simms Vocals (Background) Fred Kewley Producer George Simms Vocals, Vocals (Background) Glen Christensen Art Direction Greg Calbi Engineer, Mastering Harry Chapin Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Liner Notes, Guitar Howie Fields Drums Jimmy Keyes Handclapping, ? John Stewart Mixing John Tropea Guitar (Electric), Guitar John Wallace Vocals (Background), Vocals, Bass Kathy Ramos Vocals (Background), Vocals Ken Caillat Engineer Ken Smith Handclapping, Percussion Mark Mundy Vocals Michael Masters Cello Micky Erbe Mixing Supervision, ? Mike Solomon Mixing Paul Gabriel ?, Handclapping Paul Leka Producer, Keyboards, Clavinet, Arranger, Piano Raeanne Rubenstein Photography Ron Bacchiocchi Percussion, Handclapping, Clavinet, Synthesizer Ronald Palmer Guitar, Vocals Scott Spray Handclapping, ? Stephen Chapin Piano, Producer, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Strings, Vocals (Background) Steve Chapin Producer, Vocals, Piano Sue White Vocals (Background) Susan Graham White Vocals Terry Dunavan Assistant Engineer Tim Bryant Design Tim Moore Keyboards, Piano Tim Scott Cello Tom Chapin Guitar, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Electric), Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic) Tom Smith ?, Handclapping