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Summary: The Essential David Sedaris
Review: As good as his books are, David Sedaris is so much funnier when you hear him reading his work on the radio, and if you happen to have the opportunity of catching one of his live readings or book signings, then you will be in for a very special treat. This collection comes closest to that live experience and contains some of his very best work. DAVID SEDARIS LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL is an essential acquisition for any serious or casual fan of Sedaris's work.
Jeremy W. Forstadt
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Summary: Something to Tide You Over Until "Untitled Collection"
Review: As you would expect from David Sedaris, this disc is completely hilarious and should help tide you over until his forthcoming "Untitled Collection" is released in June. I imagine that many of the essays he reads on this disc (most were originally published by Esquire) will find their way into that book.As he proved with Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris is at his best when he's exposing cultural differences, as illustrated through language and tradition (especially religious customs, with all of the associated secular trimmings). From the questions he chooses to ask upon arriving in a new country (his first is always "what do your roosters say?") to his confusion with the languages that humans speak (the French use the same word for chef and boss), his unique perspective shines a different light on some very funny, if not always particularly significant, truths. If you were moved to tears by his attempt, in French, to describe the basic tenets of Easter, you'll certainly feel the same about his description of the practice of Christmas in the Netherlands. Evidently, though the Dutch think the idea of Santa employing elves is freakish and disgusting, they see nothing wrong with a Santa who is assisted on his yearly journey by "six to eight black men" (according to tradition, they were once slaves, but now they're just Santa's close friends). My only criticism is that two of the tracks are rereadings of excerpts from The David Sedaris Box Set (they're bonus tracks, originally taken from the Esquire article "Buddy, Can You Spare a Tie?," but they're on the Barrel Fever disc of the box set). Still, at least they're quite funny, so you don't mind hearing them again. You just might wish that the CD were longer and included only new material.
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Summary: Thanks for my new ABS OF STEEL!
Review: Forget workout videos. My abdominal muscles took a few days to recover from laughing so hard, but I am noticing a more toned look in my belly. That's because I listened to this CD over and over again. I didn't know I could laugh in great, gulping guffaws like that. I hope my neighbors didn't hear me, but I'm fairly certain that's why they have been giving me funny looks lately. David Sedaris is just that funny. Reading his stories will make you laugh out loud, but actually listening to him read his stories demands a soft place to roll around on the floor and at least 1 half hour in which you might be able to quiet your breath back to a normal rhythm. If you listen with a friend (I listnened with my boyfriend), expect to dissolve into giggles many weeks later when you catch that friend's eye over something that reminds you of a story. This is a 10-STAR cd.
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Summary: Listen with care while driving
Review: I have enjoyed Sedaris's writing for a number of years now, but I confess taht this is the first time I've listened to a recording of him reading them. My only regret after listening to the CD is that I've waited this long. His sense of timing and delivery were flawless. At one point I actually had to find a place to park as I was laughing so hard the tears were making it hard to see.
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Summary: 5 stars for white americans, 1 star for black americans = 3
Review: I laughed pretty hard at this CD the first time I listened to it, but one line of "6-8 black men" bothered me and made me realize that David Sedaris is aiming his humor at white America and people like me should not bother trying to enjoy it. It was the line where he said something to the effect of "most white americans would barricade the door if 6-8 black men tried to enter their house". well, duh, but I would think most americans would barricade their door if anyone tried to enter and here David Sedaris turns black people into a private joke among white people. Now I don't think he intended to do that, but I think you would have to put yourself in the shoes of a black person to realize how offensive this line was. I will not buy David Sedaris again because of this. obviously he is not writing for me. so, maybe it is unfair to ignore the rest of the CD. yes, it was funny. but that one line overshadowed the rest.
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Summary: I needed a Stadium Pal for this cd
Review: I listened to this cd while driving to San Francisco in a torrential rainstorm. It not only made the traffic bearable, but I was laughing so hard, I truly thought I might have to pull over.
I've been a fan of Sedaris for years, always enjoying his bits on NPR and This American Life. I've read all of his books and thought about purchasing the super $80 Sedaris boxset with readings from all his tomes. But this cd was a bargain and so hilarious. Several of the readings ended up in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, but I had not read or heard some of the pieces he did from Esquire.
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Summary: Car audio will never be the same.
Review: I love this cd. So much so that I've kept it in my car cd player since I received it, listening to it over and over while driving to and from work, or doing weekend errands. I'm at the point now where I don't want to listen to droning talk radio or FM stations anymore. All I want to do is listen to David Sedaris relate his stories in the unique way that he does. To hear the stories related by David, in the tone and delivery they were meant to be, is a true pleasure, one that stays with the listener long after the CD has ended. I wish the CD was longer, but I've already ordered the box set. I've read all the stories in the box set, but want to hear them straight from David himself. If there were 100 hours of David reading, I'd be a happy woman.
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Summary: David Sedaris is a national treasure.
Review: It is taking me forever to get through this CD! I listen to audio books on my daily 2-hour commute, so I have plenty of time to finish this CD off in one day, but here's the problem. After about 10 minutes of gut-wrenching, open-mouthed guffawing, in heavy traffic, I just have to turn it off and listen to Norah Jones until my fits of giggles subsides. I'm sure that anyone who has seen me in uncontrollable laughter--all by myself--in my car must think I'm insane. But I don't care. David Sedaris make me happier than a case of Paxil. This is his best writing, and you MUST experience him in audio version to get the full impact.
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Summary: Now I single-handedly have guilt!
Review: Just hilarious! David pulls you right into the story with his delivery. He is an astute observer and flavors his writing with keen perceptions. They are so dead on that when brought slowly up to the surface, everyone can find something to relate to. I know that now I feel remorse for the time I told my brother no one would notice him wearing girl's pants.
Thanks David! Thanks for all the laughs, they continue on long after listening.
Rating: 
Summary: David Sedaris is a gem!
Review: Quick note to D.Cousins...I am a Black American and I find Sedaris so very hilarious. I've read all his books and nothing about any of his writing can be characterized as negative towards Black people in particular. To dismiss the rest of this very well done collection based on one line in one story is unfortunate. Check out "SantaLand Diaries" and what Sedaris, while working as a Macy's elf, does when a parent asks for a "traditional" Santa. HILARIOUS!
I've loved David Sedaris since first hearing him on NPR (his impression of Billie Holiday is dead on). This CD is laugh-out-loud funny. His witty observations and unique view of the world are priceless. If you love sardonic wit and just plain 'ol good storytelling - buy this!
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