Search - Eddie Lawrence :: Jazzy Old Philosopher

Never give up

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 03/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie Lawrence is a comedian/actor/author/playwright who is most famous for his "Old Philosopher" routine, which was a hit single back in 1956. In that classic routine, he asks "What is troubling you?", and then says a list of bizarre and hilarious misfortunes that could not possibly happen to you. This CD features seven variations on that routine, most of which are based around the music industry. (You go to a record store in Topeka and ask for something by "Bird" and they hand you a Sesame Street six pack.) There are also three "Stay Away" routines, where he lists people that you should avoid. (Anyone who'd frame a Christmas card from a bank.) This is pretty funny stuff, but some people may find it repetive. Personally, I dig it."

The old philosopher is never old

B. J Robbins | La Quinta, CA United States | 07/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie is a friend of the family's. My father and he were in "This is the Army" during World War II. However, I can objectively say that Eddie is one of the most original and certainly funniest people of the last 50 years. He rates right up there with Cosby, Newhart, Bruce, Sahl. Classic bits (not on this CD) include "Fix that Watch ("You need a new watch! Nobody wears all the numbers anymore!"), "Panhandling on Madison Avenue", "Golden Boskos" (a satire of the Oscars), "Calling All Dogs" (A police show, but the suspects are dogs), "That There Hamlet", "Apartment Hunting", are all as funny today as they were 50 years ago ("one more person clicks his ballpoint in the theater, I croak him" -- just substitute cell phone for ball point. As another reviewer observed, he never got the recognition he so richly deserved. He wasn't just a stand up comedian ... he used multiple voices to create a variety of uproariously funny characters. His early recordings for Coral Records are priceless; unfortunately I don't think Coral Records exists anymore and I don't know what they did with their acetates. But certainly Eddie deserves to have all of his LPs on CD. He is a true comic genius (as well as a helluva painter)."

The Old Philosopher

carriegrayce | Bradenton, Florida | 09/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I used to LOVE this guy on the old Steve Allen show and would LOVE to find some of his other material...you know the general stuff like - "My wife went out for a corned beef sandwich a week ago. the sandwich came back but she didnt.Is that whats bothering you, bunkie?"...."keep your head up and never give up that ship" kind of routine rather than the one on musicians. Anyone have any of this older stuff?"