Legendary Laughs
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Born singin’ kum ba yaaaaah! That’s the way the song should have been sung to begin with - ala Bruce Springsteen.
Humor that is truly funny without being raunchy is hard to come by these days. Paul Aldrich’s Mock ‘n’ Roll is a gem and I am delighted that this cd is the focus of my first Mind and Media Review! Not since Ken Davis have I laughed so freely without having to guard my heart at the same time. Let’s face it, its hard to relax and enjoy yourself with your finger on the mute button - just in case. But the trouble with too much “Christian” comedy is that it’s simplistic and sometimes downright cheesy. Eschewing all cheddar, Aldrich goes straight for the edge (and some would say right over). Humor has a way of popping our bubbles of pride and there are no sacred cows with Aldrich - either inside or outside the Church. Gilligan’s PC Island and Denomination Blues are case in point.
Therefore, keep in mind that although his material is clean, it is not juvenile. I would caution that it is for families with teens, not for *all* ages. My kids are avid Gilligan’s Island fans, so of course, that was the track my kids (ages 6, 9, and 11) noticed right away. They will have to wait a few years to listen to it again, though, so that I don’t have to explain what a “lesbian and her wife” is before their time. Other topics include dating, marriage, transgender issues, other religions, therapy, Rogaine - all over their heads, but great fodder for any one familiar with America’s last 40 years and Time Life’s latest offer: Legends: Ultimate Rock Collection.
Consequently, Paul’s material will appeal to a variety of audiences, and not just church groups. Wild with the electric guitar, Aldrich revels in classic rock and vintage TV sitcoms. Some would have a problem with that, but I liked it. I’m tired of the Cheesianity that keeps Christians separated from the rest of the world in a way that shuts down any dialogue or deeper thought. Aldrich does a great job of finding the funny in a variety of venues, not just the “Christian” label. But he doesn’t do the “I’m ok, you’re ok” seeker sensitive crap either. Far from it. At the close of this cd, the whole point of the live performance was to challenge the audience (a church group in this case) to change - to grow up in Christ - not just “get saved and live happily ever after.”
With the cd, I also received a promotional dvd with a selection of live performance clips. He has got to be even funnier in person. Aldrich’s facial expressions had me in stitches. He does great impressions of Jimi Hendrix, Bono, and others. His parody of Adam Sandler is priceless. He even has appearances on Showtime and The Improv to his credit. Rumor has it, Paul Aldrich is coming to my backyard in September! See him live if ever you can, but until then, you can buy all his cds and dvds at www.paulaldrich.com!
Disclaimer: The cd and promotional dvd were given to me from Mind & Media as a gift from the publisher who donated the stuff so I could review it. Cool, huh?
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