Search - Richard Pryor :: Is It Something I Said

Body-Breakingly Hilarious and Insightful

Samhot | Star Land | 09/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the longest time, I have thought that observational truths were highly prone to being the most piercing of things: I have believed that the truth could either hurt (or disturb) you terribly, or make you laugh so hard, to the point of hysteria--or a combination of both extremes. There are many things to put this theory to the test, but to cut it all short, all one would need to do (if by chance it hasn't been done already) is experience the observational humor of Richard Pryor to possibly get a better understanding of what I am talking about. This classic comedy album from 1975 is a prime example.



Richard Pryor has been hailed as a genius by many, and I would have to agree: it takes plenty of intelligence and natural talent to be a comedian for starters, but to also turn many disturbing observational truths of everyday life into something painfully, body-breakingly hilarious takes a whole lot of something as well. From the very beginning, to the tail-end of this CD, 1975's _Is It Something I Said?_ is a non-stop laugh fest, that personally gets *me* laughing so loud and hard, I end up pretty much abusing almost every part of my body in the process: my throat, my lungs, my sides, my stomach--they all end up feeling beaten and worn-out. Richard's takes on drugs, sex, race & racism, relationships, and politics in general are every bit as painfully observational as they are profane--and did I mention HILARIOUS? The racy quality of the material found here makes so much of what's referred to as "cutting-edge" these days, seem so contrived and unaffecting; Richard's observations seem just as relevant now--if not more so--as they were 30 years ago. I couldn't be graphic in pointing out some of the sickeningly funny moments on this disc -- and there are MANY -- but I should say that the opening one-two punch of "Eulogy," and "Shortage of White People," and Richard's take on his own battle with cocaine addiction in the "Cocaine" bit get me cracking up SO hysterically, I sometimes need to be careful not to make myself sick. And again, those are just a few of the MANY hysterical blasts found here.



Richard Pryor is considered a comedic legend for a reason. This album here is a good example as to why he is considered as such. Just don't play it for the kids, and for the love of god *don't* play it during the middle of the night; you most certainly will disturb the beauty rest of your family, and your neighbors. And you know what could happen if you disturb one person's beauty rest: just imagine what would happen if you disturbed the beauty rest of many..."

Rest in peace, Richard

angelfly72 | Sacramento, CA United States | 12/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The year was 1976, and I was 17 going on 18. All of my friends knew a Richard Pryor routine. I had only heard a few jokes repeated while hanging out before and after school, but I had never heard Rich's entire stand up routine until my father made a tactical error--he bought the album and tried to hide it from us kids in the hall closet. Please. If you want to hide something from teenagers, don't use the hall closet. That's the first place we (myself, my sister and my brother) looked. It was on after that. Our friends gathered at our house after school for leftover meatloaf (or hot link) sandwiches, potato chips, Hostess Ding Dongs and "Is It Something I Said". We often choked on our food because we couldn't stop laughing. "New Niggers" was one of our favorites: "Okay troops, try it again!" "Niccuh, niccuh, niccuh!" "Well, that's close...if you get your a*s kicked you know you made it!" But my all time favorite was "Mudbone". I know some people on this page thought it was too long, but maybe it's one of those cultural things--I have relatives down South that talk and act like Mudbone. "Swear to God!" That's what the routine is so hysterically funny. I recognize the characters, and believe me, they aren't as far fetched as you might think. My aunt in Jacksonville, Florida is the physical manifestation of Miz Rudolph. All of my friends knew people like Mudbone and Miz Rudolph. And Rich had us falling off the couches in my parents' den, tears rolling down our faces as we laughed uncontrollably. Yes, this is an all time classic album. Thanks for the memories, Richard."

I was WALKING DOWN THE STREET....

Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 06/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you've heard the CD, (and the routine "Our Text For Today") you'll get the title of this. Clearly the best sendup of a Black preacher since Bert Williams' Elder Eatmore. The famous "Mudbone" routine is filled with hilarity as well as wise insight (all old folks ain't fools-you don't get old by being a fool). Overall, this is comedy's answer to the blues, entertaining while filled with poignant insight on both the Black expereince in particular and the human condition in general, which explains Pryor's widespread appeal. Too bad the overrated trash-talkers who have come since Pryor have not understood how to mix the profane with the profound."