Greatest Stories Live is a 1976 live album by the American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin. It was recorded over three nights at three California venues in November 1975. Certain elements had to be re-recorded in the studio due to technical problems with the live recordings. The original LP release featured three new studio tracks, two of which ("She Is Always Seventeen" and "Love Is Just Another Word") were excluded from the CD release. "A Better Place to Be" was released as a single which peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1976.
The album is notable for its extended version of "30,000 Pounds of Bananas", infamous for Chapin's recounting of his brothers' remarks after hearing the original ending: "Harry...it sucks." The quote became so popular with Harry Chapin fans that concert shirts were sold with the quotation on it.
Track listing (CD release)
"She Is Always Seventeen" and "Love Is Just Another Word" appear between "30,000 Pounds of Bananas" and "The Shortest Story" on side 4 of the original 1976 vinyl release.
Personnel Harry Chapin – guitar, vocals Ron Bacchiocchi – synthesizer, percussion, clavinet Ed Bednarski – clarinet Stephen Chapin – synthesizer, piano, vocals Tom Chapin – guitar, banjo, vocals Christine Faith – vocals Cheryl Ferrio – vocals Howie Fields – drums David Kondziela – vocals Paul Leka – piano, clavinet Michael Masters – cello Tim Moore – piano Mark Mundy – vocals Ronald Palmer – guitar, vocals Don Payne – bass Kathy Ramos – vocals Tim Scott – cello Allan Schwartzberg – drums Frank Simms – vocals George Simms – vocals Ken Smith – percussion Bob Springer – percussion John Tropea – guitar Betsy Wager – vocals Doug Walker – bass, guitar, vocals John Wallace – bass, vocals Sue White – vocals Christopher von Koschembahr – vocals
Charts and certifications Charts YearChartPosition1976Billboard 20048Canadian Albums Chart71
Certifications RegionCertificationSalesUnited States2× Platinum2,000,000CanadaPlatinum100,000
References