Conference mr1pst::music

    
    Harry died when his VW Rabbit was crushed by a Semi truck on the Long
    Island Expressway in 1983 or '84 can't remember which.
    
    I was a hardcore fan for most of my college years.  Albums I remember
    are:
    
    Short Stories
    Taxi
    Verities & Balderdash
    Living Room Suite
    Sequel (had "Son of Taxi" as John Wallace dubbed it)
    Road To Kingdom Come
    
    I don't know the titles of the two live albums he did.
    
    Even though Harry's shows were pretty stock (same old jokes most of the
    time) I never had a more delightful relaxing evening than I did at his
    shows.  
    
    I miss him.
    
    -Ed
    

    There is a 2 CD set call "the Gold Medal Collection" which is a
    greatest hits kind of deal, with some soundbites of Harry talking about
    his music, world hunger and other stuff. It's the best sampler that I
    can think of for Harry's music.
    
    Dennis Faust
    

    
    re. 0
    
    You probably have Greatest Stories Live - originally a 2 album set put
    onto one CD (with the *dreaded* "deleted these songs to fit onto one
    specially priced CD" disclaimer - UGH I *hate* that!  I'll pay the extra
    $$$$!!!).
    
    This is a real great CD, I think a better intro for newcomers than any
    greatest hits packages.  
    
    And I agree, the best songs are the non-hits!!!  "A Better Place To
    Be" and "Mr. Tanner" stick way way out.
    
    I saw him in Pawtucket at the defunct Leroy Theatre.  He had missed the
    first scheduled show due to a snowstorm, but he MORE than made up for
    it!  To this day, maybe the best and most vibrant concert I ever attended.
    
    - Sean

    Jodi:
    
    I am also a big Harry Chapin fan.  Had the pleasure of seeing him 4
    times:  Lowell Memorial, Worcester Auditorium, Hampton Club Casino 
    (where I got to meet him and have a great picture of him) and the Phoenix
    Auditorium in Arizona.  I also had tickets to see him the night after he 
    died.  He was supposed to be back at Hampton.  I can almost swear that he
    died in the summer '81 since I had just come back from living in Phoenix
    (John Lennon had just died the previous year).  When my friends and
    I got to talk to him, he was very nice and genuinely interested in
    what we had to say.
    
    If you want to find out more about Harry then I suggest you get
    his biography which is a wonderful book.  I also have an album by
    his brother Tom that came out about 15 years ago.  I have heard
    that his brother Steven and Tom occassionly do some singing together but
    I have never heard about them coming here.
    
    There recently has been a show on PBS celebrating his songs with other
    artists singing them like Bruce Springstein and his brothers.  There is
    also a video out of one of his last concerts in Canada which has also
    been shown on PBS.
    
    Another album that was missed on the previous notes is "Dance Band on
    the Titanic".  One of my favorite songs is sung by his brother Steven
    "I Let Time Go Lightly" which is also on the 2 album Greatest Stories.
    Another one of my favorites is "Corey's Coming" from his "Road to
    Kingdom Come Album".
    
    If you would like me to give you more information on his bio or
    video I would be happy to.  Just let me know.  Always interested in
    talking to another Harry fan.
    
    Monique
                        

    Tom Chapin has a relatively active career, he comes to the NE area at
    least once a year.  His recordings are mostly of children's music, in
    fact I don't recall ever seeing an album of his that *wasn't*
    children's music.
    
    Oh and don't confuse Harry's brother with the *other* Tom Chapin, a guy
    who plays free jazz on the cello!
    
    							Brian

    Thanks for all the info so far. It's terribly sad that he died
    in the middle of a promising career. I could slap myself for
    not checking him out before now. It was pretty strange enjoying
    the CD and them finding out it was 18 years old.  So much lost
    enjoyment on my part.  
    
    The CD I have is the "Greatest-Stories-Live" and it does have the
    disclaimer about a couple songs that weren't included. I thought 
    it was for copyright reasons.  
    
    I'll keep an eye out for Tom Chapin as well. The kids may enjoy
    his music.
    
    Thanks Monique, for the heads up on the PBS show celebrating his songs.
    Let Time Go Lightly is on my CD and I do like it.
    
    I might check out the Harry's bio but first I have to finish the three
    I'm currently reading.
    
    Is the singer Mary Chapin Carpenter Harry's daughter?
    
    Jodi-

    I think I might go berzerk if I ever have to listen to that Taxi song
    again, though.  God, talk about over played!!  
    
    Lorna
    

    Tom Chapin did 2 albums that had no children's songs on it - the
    one I mentioned earlier that I had bought in the 70's (its very
    good) and I had seen an article in People Magazine about 4 years
    ago with a very good review on his latest album but was never able
    to find it in the local stores.
    
    re:  Mary Chapin-Carpenter - I don't think it's Harry's daughter
         but I always wondered if they were related somehow.
    
    Monique
    

	Harry Chapin was special. he sure could write and sing a song.

	I can remember his death well. At the time we were building our house
	and it also coincided with the introduction of FM radio here in 
	Australia. At the time the deal was rise early, go to the house site,
	turn on the 'brand new FM station' and work until dusk.

	This one day they were playing, of all people, Harry Chapin. Lots of
	songs and then I found out why - he had been killed on the way to a
	charity show in an automobile accident. Made for a sad day. The thing
	that narks me over it all is that until Ugly Kid Joe came along they
	never played another song of Harry's that I heard.

	I picked up a couple of recent CD's in teh Us recently (1991):

	Harry Chapin tribute (CBS 467726 2) which has a bunch of people doing
	his songs (Springsteen, Judy Collins, Pat Benatar, the Hooters, ...)
	It was recorded at a concert to honor his 45th birthday and also the
	awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his work
	against hunger. 

	Harry Chapin The last Protest Singer (Dunhill Compact Classics DZS 041)
	Its a bunch of studio recording that were done around the time of his
	death. 


	pete

    re .9, I remember his death because I had a VW Rabbit at the time!!
    
    Lorna
    

    you might want to check out Steve (Harry's other brother). Steve and
    Big John have been doing shows over the past few years (saw two so far
    at the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro) they put on a great show of
    Harry hits and their own material (I guess it the same stuff as Harry
    hits huh)
    
    Chris

    From what I can tell Steve sound *alot* like Harry when he sings.
    He sings a verse in "Circles" and if it weren't for the fact that
    Harry intros him, I wouldn't have known it wasn't Harry singing.
    
    From a previous reply...what is the name of Harry's bio book?
    
    
    Jodi-

    Hi Jodi:
    
    I forgot to look at Harry's bio last night.  I will try to
    remember tonite and get you all the details.
    
    Monique
    

    Thanks Monique.
    
    Jodi-who is also trying to find the childrens' album with the
    Chapin brothers.
    

    Hi Jodi:
    
    Harry's bio is:
    
    Taxi - The Harry Chapin Story by Peter M. Coan.
    
    Great Book - hope you enjoy it.
    
    Monique
    

    Thanks Monique.
    
    Jodi-

    RE: .5  Brian...
    
    >Oh and don't confuse Harry's brother with the *other* Tom Chapin, a guy
    >who plays free jazz on the cello!
    
    OK but could he possibly be the Tom Chapin on the National Geographic
    show called "On Assignment"?
    
    Jodi-
    

    My wife and I used to go see Harry play every year about this time. 
    Every December, Harry would come to Flint, Michigan to do a solo
    benefit show for the local free newspaper.  He'd use the opportunity to
    try out some of his new material as well as to play many of his hits. 
    After the concert, he would hang out at the souvenir stand to talk to
    the fans, maybe sign a few autographs.
    
    Since his untimely death, we have followed the work of his brothers
    Tom and Steve.  They tour separately and have both had the occasion to
    play at the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro.  Not as good as the
    original but good fun nonetheless.
    
    The tribute concert (on video and CD) was heartwarming in terms of the
    diversity of artists who turned out to recognize a truly amazing
    person.
    
    Denny
    

    Tom will be at the OVK in Westboro Saturday nite and I think he is also
    doing a kids show saturday afternoon at the High school in Westboro...
    
    
    Chris

    Does he ever leave New England?  Like for sunny southern Calif?
    If anyone knows how to contact him, let me know.
    
    
    Thanks,
    Jodi-

    
    
    
    And doesn't the guy deserve his own note???