Music Review: Harry "The Hipster" Gibson - Who Put The Benzedrine In Mrs. Murphy's Ovaltine? - Page 3

"Dig what I'm saying/It's all in the brain/When you don't have nobody else/You always got your higher self" is delivered in a tone of voice that invites you to laugh, but at the same you're not quite sure if the old "Hipster" isn't quite taken with the idea of never being alone again, or the fact that he could have been here before and loved you since 1448.

The live cuts on the disc aren't of the greatest sound quality, but what they're really good for is giving you a glimpse of the easy rapport he enjoyed with audiences throughout his career, and his amazing abilities on the piano. He is able to seamlessly blend his ragtime piano to fit into a rock band format so that when they do the old standards "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" it sounds like that's the way those songs were always played.

Harry "The Hipster" Gibson never failed to entertain his audiences, whether a contemporary one that was thrilled by his references to drug use, or his original audience back in pre-war New York City with his wit and barrelhouse piano. But he was more than just another novelty song singer; he was an exemplary piano player with a passion for his music and life that shines through on all his songs.

You might listen to his songs for amusement's sake initially, but almost in spite of your self you'll come away inspired and moved. Who Put The Benzedrine In Mrs. Murphy's Ovaltine? is more then just a piece of nostalgic fluff, its a fitting tribute to a consummate artist.

Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the recently published What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and has had his work published in print and on line all over the world. The not so long-haired Canadian iconoclast writes reviews and opines on the world as he sees …

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