Greatest Stories - Live

Never tire of this album, the silliness and fun, the serious and sober.

I grew up listening to this album which my parents played in regular rotation along with Simon&Garfunkel, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass and the Mamas & the Papas. Many fond memories of road trips listening to Chapin and his brothers sing, crack up and romance the audience as they played live.

If you were to own just one album by Harry Chapin, this is the one. Many live versions of his songs are superior to the studio efforts.

My older brother introduced me to this album 40+ years ago. I listened to over and over again. When my kids got old enough to appreciate his music, they loved the 30,000 pounds of banana’s song. It was our favorite and still is for me. A great storyteller in song.

Harry Chapin wrote the most interesting story's that he framed in music. This live recording captures his warmth, jovial stage presence, and impeccable band. As he takes you on a series of journeys, one song after another until you reach the end, and only want more. The world misses your presence Harry.

I've been a Harry Chapin fan for most of my life. My parents used to play this cassette in the car and the records (I think it was a three album set) at home. When I got my first CD player in 1991, this was one of the first CDs I got. Unfortunately, a CD has limited space, and they cut two songs from it: "She is Always Seventeen" and "Love is Just Another Word." The first later became available on the three disc set, but I have not been able to find a digitally remastered copy of "Love is Just Another Word" until now. (It is worth noting that the last three songs are mislabeled as being “Live” recordings—they clearly were recorded in a studio.) In short, this album is a masterpiece. While there are richer or more poignant songs in Harry Chapin's catalog, this collection pulls his "hits" (he did not get a whole lot of radio play because his songs were too long for radio) and captures some of the emotion he and his band brought to the stage. For anyone who likes the idea of songs telling stories, this collection is a great introduction to a true master storyteller. Highly recommended.

Before I decided to write anything I read all the reviews. It was most obvious that all were and forever will be lovers of Harry Chapin and his songs. I would just love to meet each and every one of you, because I already know that you are lovers of life. And when you listen to "The Cats in The Cradle," I would probably find more than a tear or two rolling down your cheeks. The ratings are not so much about the album as much as they are a tribute to Harry Chapin and all of his folksy music. And they affect each of us in such a personal way. Notice how many of us recall past times with such emotion. Only a few singer/songwriters in all my life are capable of creating the emotion that occurs when listening to his voice and his music. "Only the good die young!" My wife and I have four happily married children and 13 young grandchildren and we always hope that our children continue to find the time to spend more precious moments with our grandchildren. That is what Harry Chapin prayed for when composing his music! That is how powerful this album is on all who listen.

I bought this album back when a record was, as intended, vinyl. That being said I had the COMPLETE album, not what I hear is a shortened/abridged version available on iTunes. I also happened to see Harry perform in Portland just a few years before he was taken from this world far too early. Anyway, this album is great; a good representation of his concerts. I performed a number of his songs while doing a few wine and cheese parties in the early 80's and folks truly appreciated his stories. I just purchased the next "live" album on iTunes and look forward to hearing more songs by the greatest singer/songwriter from the last half of the 20th century.

The music is terrific and the lyrics said it all

The first time I heard this album was on a road trip. I have since listened to my cassette tape recording until it just doesn't work anymore and my new cars are equipped with CD players. This is a fantastic album especially suited for listening while driving on a long trip. I know most of the lyrics and I still sing along with Harry. Buy it, enjoy it and it will surprize you every time you listen to it. Tragically Harry's life was cut short, but he left us this marvelous musical tour de force.