The 1970s produced a peculiar school of singer-songwriters whose narrative-driven lyrics set them apart from their self-reflective peers. Think of David Ackles and Randy Newman on the fringes, and far nearer the mainstream... more », the "Captain Jack"-era Billy Joel and earnest-to-the-core Harry Chapin. Chapin first made a splash in 1972 with "Taxi," a claustrophobic little melodrama set in a cab. He made the top 20 two years later with the familial "Cat's in the Cradle." Though he'd never climb so high again, songs such as "W*O*L*D" and "Dance Band on the Titanic," and albums like Verities & Balderdash kept the folk crooner in the spotlight. From there, he championed a variety of social causes until he was killed in a 1981 auto accident. Story of a Life packages three discs of Chapin recordings in one attractive box. Given the singer's excesses (he wasn't the subtlest of artists, either as a writer or singer), that's a lot of Chapin. But fans will appreciate the loving liner essays from family members and, of course, the cinematic songs from a performer whose heart was always in the right place. --Steven Stolder« less
The 1970s produced a peculiar school of singer-songwriters whose narrative-driven lyrics set them apart from their self-reflective peers. Think of David Ackles and Randy Newman on the fringes, and far nearer the mainstream, the "Captain Jack"-era Billy Joel and earnest-to-the-core Harry Chapin. Chapin first made a splash in 1972 with "Taxi," a claustrophobic little melodrama set in a cab. He made the top 20 two years later with the familial "Cat's in the Cradle." Though he'd never climb so high again, songs such as "W*O*L*D" and "Dance Band on the Titanic," and albums like Verities & Balderdash kept the folk crooner in the spotlight. From there, he championed a variety of social causes until he was killed in a 1981 auto accident. Story of a Life packages three discs of Chapin recordings in one attractive box. Given the singer's excesses (he wasn't the subtlest of artists, either as a writer or singer), that's a lot of Chapin. But fans will appreciate the loving liner essays from family members and, of course, the cinematic songs from a performer whose heart was always in the right place. --Steven Stolder
"This isn't a collection for someone who is trying to get to know Harry Chapin and his music. It is, however, a collection for people who already love Harry Chapin and are collecting his works.Die-hard fans know that Harry had a few different versions of some of his songs (i.e. Circle)and this set offers a few new ones.The recordings between the songs are super, and show a bit of Harry's great sense of humor and his sense of concern for those who are going hungry.If you don't know Harry Chapin, don't make this the first album of his that you buy. But if you love Harry, this is a must-have for your collection."
An Excellent Compilation
Steven K. Szmutko | EWING, NJ USA | 02/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a lifelong Harry Chapin fan, I have been frustrated for many years at the absence of his best work from CD. This collection captures the essence of his work from his best known songs such as Taxi and Cats in the Cradle to lesser known (but better) works as well. Of particular note is the excellent sound quality as compared with earlier collections. This should easily have been a 4-CD collection. One can only hope that this collection is a success so that Harry's other albums, such as Short Stories, Sequel and Legends of the Lost and Found (in my opinion, the superior "live album)are released. However, for those wanting a rounded collection of Harry Chapin's work, this is it."
The Day The Music Died
J. Leonhard | South Bend, Indiana USA | 08/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this compilation of Harry Chapin songs, but other than for the convenience of having the music in one nicely compiled set of three CDs and accompanying book, I love it no more and no less than I love every Harry Chapin album, CD, book, video, and DVD that I already own. Unfortunately, it doesn't include his complete body of work. I'll never understand why the Chapin family doesn't compile Harry Chapin's complete body of work into one "life works" collection for Harry's many fans to purchase, with net proceeds supporting the causes for which Harry lived. The day that Harry died is "the day that the music died" for me, as well as for other fans of his, not only because we were fans of his music, but because we were also fans of Harry and everything that he stood for, and contributed to putting an end to world hunger. If you would like the lyrics of the songs included in this wonderful compilation of songs, check out this web site: http://www.littlejason.com/chapin/albums/storyofalife.html"
Harry was strictly 5star, this collection only gets 4
Chris Fredbeck | Illinois | 03/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was raised with the music of Harry Chapin. At first listen, the songs entertain and delight. By the tenth listen, the characters are old friends. So is Harry. When I first learned of this release, I was thrilled. I still am to an extent- it's a great cross section of Harry's music, and the sound quality, as mentioned in several other reviews, is excellent. My only complaint is that I had hoped to see more of my old friends. With almost half of Harry's albums still not available on CD, I would have liked to see more tracks from those albums. I know this is a complaint of a fan who is already hooked, but isn't that really who box sets are for? The 70 page book is informative, and the pieces written by Harry's loved ones are really moving; but a complete track listing of each of Harry's albums would have been great and would have only taken an extra page or two. Overall, a good collection, and even with my complaints, I still strongly recommend you buy this today."
Finally, Harry in all his glory!
J. Leonhard | 11/13/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's somehow fitting that the box set has a book to read in the middle. It's just 1 more reminder that Harry wasn't just about the music--often the music was the medium for Harry's message. But what a medium! This is what was meant to be for those wonderful stories. Yes, I'm still hoping they release the rest of his albums on CD, but this is such a treat by itself. Songs I'd not heard in ages, sounding better than ever. This is not some maudlin trip down memory lane, though. "Short Stories" is as applicable today as when it was written, and it still blasts you out of the chair. and "Old Folkie"--one of my favorites--is a fantastic tribute to Pete Seeger. Oddly, now you could almost apply it to Harry himself. words won't cover it. All you people from the cheap seats, go get this set--because YOU CAN **ALWAYS** COUNT ON THE CHEAP SEATS! :>)"