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Box of Danger: The Complete Nick Danger Casebook
Participated by Firesign Theatre
Studio : Shout Factory
by Shout Factory
Release Date : 2008-09-30
Publisher : Shout Factory
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN : 0826663107807
UPC : 826663107807
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 2 reviews)
List Price : $49.98
Our Price : $29.32
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Album Description |
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The Firesign Theatre's Box of Danger: The Complete Nick Danger Casebook turns the spotlight on the legendary comedy troupe's most famous creation: Nick Danger, Third Eye. This 4-CD box set assembles for the first time such legendary skits as "Cut 'Em Off at the Past," "The Case of the Missing Shoe," "The Three Faces of Al," plus a wealth of rare and unreleased items from Nick's tattered casebook. Danger is Firesign's take on the hard-boiled detective character, with firstperson narration and crazy adventures that often involve mistaken identity, and of course there's always a dangerous dame. The skits spoof the conventions of those old detective radio shows, right down to the special effects, the sponsors, the on-air host, the convoluted plots and just about anything else that one might have heard on a classic serial. Formed in 1967, the Firesign Theater revolutionized recorded comedy by introducing a surreal sensibility that endeared them to hippies of the `60s and `70s as well as stoners and slackers of the `80s, `90s and beyond. They have released more than 30 albums--for Columbia, Rhino, and other labels--and their 1994 reunion show was so successful that they renewed their partnership for a slew of new albums, taking them right into the 21st century. |
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Great collection of Firesign's most mainstream creation! |
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For the Firesign completist, this is an essential box. We finally get a re-issue of "Three Faces of Al" (the world's first comedy CD!), for starters! Besides that and the classic first piece from "How Can You Be In Two Places...," we get several live performances and pieces done for radio. For those who are new to this brilliant comedy troupe, this is a good place to start. The "Nick Danger" pieces were always a bit more accessible than the more surrealist longform pieces the group is also known for. A mish-mosh for classic radio detective serials and Goon Show-type surrealism filtered through a counter-culture sensibility, the bits are both silly and smart all at once. And, they're short, easily consumed pieces with a lightning pace. Very, very enjoyable. Nice way to discover America's most unsung comedy team! |
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A mixed bag |
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While there are gems in this box set, there is bit of so-so material. "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger" (aka "Cut 'em off at the Past!") is, of course, brilliant, but most Firesign fans already own that. "Three Faces of Al," which I had never heard before is quite enjoyable, though doesn't approach the genius of the original. "The Case of the Missing Shoe" has some great moments. The first three Parts of "Shack Out on the Alien Highway" are completely improvised and just don't work. But parts 4 through 7 are partially scripted and quite funny. If you're a hard core Firesign fan you have to have this, unless you have copies of all the tracks, including a bootlegged live performance. |
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