The middle-aged master of the neurotic, witty, perambulating monologue nearly makes his midlife crisis of jock-dude-ness interesting on Slippery Slope. It starts out interesting enough, with Gray turning 52 and meditating on his mortality, noting that his mother had killed herself at that age. Gray mixes such heavy meditations with the little funny details of life, keenly describing the speech patterns of Jamaican drug dealers in Washington Square Park or how the well-to-do dressed in their Aspen-ski-resort best resemble "expensive, brightly colored Easter eggs." But halfway through, Slippery Slope becomes like a Robert Bly special on ESPN starring Woody Allen, as Gray croons about the exhilarations of skiing. Perhaps, like dreams, other people's sports stories--even existential sports stories--are best shared only with diaries, close friends, and analysts. James Taylor's sound effects and crummy-music-laden production do nothing to elevate this work to the level of Gray's other fine pieces, which include Monster in a Box and Gray's Anatomy. --Mike McGonigal
It's A Slippery Slope,Spalding Gray,Polygram Records,Pop,Spoken / Comedy / Radio Shows,Spoken Word
Average customer rating: 
|
It's A Slippery Slope
Spalding Gray Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Spoken Word
| Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B000006Q11 Release Date: 1998-05-19 |
Tracks:
- It's A Slippery Slope
Amazon.com
The middle-aged master of the neurotic, witty, perambulating monologue nearly makes his midlife crisis of jock-dude-ness interesting on Slippery Slope. It starts out interesting enough, with Gray turning 52 and meditating on his mortality, noting that his mother had killed herself at that age. Gray mixes such heavy meditations with the little funny details of life, keenly describing the speech patterns of Jamaican drug dealers in Washington Square Park or how the well-to-do dressed in their Aspen-ski-resort best resemble "expensive, brightly colored Easter eggs." But halfway through, Slippery Slope becomes like a Robert Bly special on ESPN starring Woody Allen, as Gray croons about the exhilarations of skiing. Perhaps, like dreams, other people's sports stories--even existential sports stories--are best shared only with diaries, close friends, and analysts. James Taylor's sound effects and crummy-music-laden production do nothing to elevate this work to the level of Gray's other fine pieces, which include Monster in a Box and Gray's Anatomy. --Mike McGonigalCustomer Reviews:
what was this?.......2003-06-12
Intensity.......2003-01-31
The recording does a great job of maintaining Gray's drive, stream-of-consciousness, and vulnerability.
I recommend it most for a 100 mile drive. Pulled into my destination just as he summed it all up so beautifully.
I wanted to crash...
Making a right turn.......2002-06-12
An interesting concept - mainly a studio recording of the monologue with some parts recorded from a live performance and some musical interludes and sound effects.
The trouble is the studio parts pale in comparison to the live performance where Gray has an audience to react to and puts more energy into the reading. The studio recorded parts lack energy and although Gray's tones are soothing you wish they'd simply used the live performance.
However this is the only recording available of the monologue and it's always good to hear his intonation (the CD made me appreciate the book version one hell of a lot more).
Ultimately it's all in the details - the variations of the metaphor of skiing Gray uses are, subtle, intelligent, unsettling and amusing (sometimes all at once).
The final sections leave you touched and hopeful.
I'd fully recommend this, but with some reservations.
A must for any true fan of Spalding Gray!.......1998-06-12
This release is a bit different from his normal monologues. It was recorded in in a house on Martha's Vineyard with singer James Taylor producing. Mr. Gray's voice is more relaxed and intimate than in a live performance. The 73 minute piece also contains sparse music, sounds and occasional live performance clips for effect.
It is clear that this cd was a new challenge for the artist. I must say, I still prefer the videos of his performances, but its interesting to just listen to his voice. The lack of audience laughter makes it seem like he's speaking directly to the listener.
Mexican Music:
- It's Howdy Doody Time
- Jammin' in New York
- Jerry Clower's Greatest Hits
- Jim Bailey Voices
- Jim Florentine Is Terrorizing Telemarketers
- Laugh In [Soundtrack]
- Laughing with Jeb & Cousin Easy
- Learn To Play Harmonica: 10 Easy Lessons (Book, CD & Poster)
- Legends of the 20th Century [Import]
- Live [Live]
Mexican Music
The Sound of Wagner & Strauss/Leinsdorf
Tubeway Army [Import] [Original recording remastered]
This Land Is Your Land: An All American Children's Folk Classic
Then and Now/Two Days in November
WJMK: Great Ladies of Rock 'N' Roll 50's