The Vinyl of the Day is ‘Is It Something I Said?” by Richard Pryor, 1975. This was actually Richard’s fourth album, but it’s the one that really broke him loose, introduced him to the country, and established him as a star. It brought his uncompromising and unapologetic commentary on race, inequality, and contemporary issues to mainstream America as the first political black superstar comedian. From the first cut to the last, this album is proof of Pryor’s immense talent and influence; his impression of a windy preacher (“Eulogy”) is the routine that launched a thousand black comics that came after. “Life is not the ultimate test. The ultimate test is whether your ass will survive Death. Nobody we know has passed this test, least of all this sorry motherfucker right here.” The record also introduces Pryor’s signature character “Mudbone,” who dominates the middle of the album. Those hysterical long-form routines would be enough to make this an essential work, but jolts of painful laughter like “Cocaine” and “Just Us” make ‘Is It Something I Said?’ not only a historic moment, but a great laugh. Whether poking fun at his own cocaine addiction or discussing the problem of racism that exists in America, Richard is able to be eloquent and ultimately insightful without alienating the audience by sounding preachy or overtly bitter. Probing and exploring the differences between the sexes and races with an understanding and wit that few have ever possessed, he emerges as an achingly funny, yet poignant, voice for his times. A terrific work by a groundbreaking genius at the height of his powers.
When I was a kid (about 15 at this album’s time) I bought all Richard Pryor’s comedy albums as he released them (along with Cheech & Chong), but of course never let my parents hear them. Richard was beginning to appear on television, but of course his humor was much sanitized. Although I grew up in a poor neighborhood of Los Angeles, Richard Pryor’s stories through these albums were the first real experience and knowledge I had of what life in poor black cities was like.
Video NSFW.