Lewis Black Scores with New CD and DVD

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor


Artist: Lewis Black
DVD Title: Black on Broadway
CD Title: Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center Blues

I've been a fan of comedian Lewis Black since I first saw him perform on a 1998 episode of "Comedy Central Presents..." on cable. The act contained within that televised special was refreshingly orginal and funny on a level I had seldom experienced. Black was on par with the "big names" of the business; names like Carlin, Pryor and Bruce. His act was that strong. So strong, in fact, that I watched every televised appearance of his from there on out, bought all of his releases and saw him in concert four times.


But comedy is a strange business. Often, a comedian who displays great promise with his original, debut act comes up short when a new set of material is introduced. This can be seen with such big names as Andrew "Dice" Clay, Jerry Seinfeld and Robert Klein. All the aforementioned performers are icons of stand-up comedy, yet their recent material (while consistently very funny) never achieved the heights of the original act.



Such is not the case for Lewis Black, however. Seven years after that appearance on Comedy Central, the man is still on top of his game, with his current material perhaps even sharper and funnier than his genius original act. Proof of this can be found on each of his two new releases, the Black on Broadway DVD and the Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center Blues CD. Each captures a comedic master in top form and are well worth their retail purchase price.


Black On Broadway (HBO Films) documents a sold out New York City date on Black's "Rules of Enragement" tour. And enraged he is. Although some of hte material included on the DVD was featured on his last audio release (2003's Rules of Enragement), there is simply nothing better than having the visual to go along with the sound. There's nothing like seeing and hearing Black seconds away from a total meltdown. Plus, Black expands on the repeated bits and adds enough new material to make it a more than worthwhile viewing for the already-familiar.



Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center Blues (Comedy Central Records) is comprised of an entirely new act (save for an updated Super Bowl bit that incorporates only a few seconds of the original) and is hands-down Black's strongest set to date. Whether he's covering the Janet Jackson wardrobe debacle, gay marriage right or the continuing situation in Iraq, Black's commentary is razor-sharp and always dead on target. Comedians could only wish to have a set this strong.


Whether you opt for Black's latest CD or Black's latest DVD is immaterial, as both never fail to deliver. But the truth of the matter is that no fan of comedy should consider their collection complete without them both.




More Information on Lewis Black:
Lewis Black's Official Site