Ralphie May Girth Of A Nation CD

Back once again with the ill behavior, Ralphie May's sophomore release finds the hip-hop comedian sounding just as excited as he was on his debut, but twice as comfortable. In contrast, 2004's Just Correct was a full on attack on the listener with its routines and attitude stopping just short of grating. With Girth of a Nation, Ralphie's found his voice and casually strolls through his love of black movie theaters, the mentally challenged, and his former love of drugs ("You know you're getting older when you give up all your drugs") in way that draws the audience in. Besides his pacing, his material has improved also and his "equally opportunity offender" stance works better with some layered jokes offering relief from his more straight ahead, stereotype reliant material. He actually riffs on the tired topic of black movie theaters and pulls it off, thanks mostly to his love of the African-American culture and the "brotha card in my back pocket." Fans who fell for the bold comedian because of his Last Comic Standing and Celebrity Fit Club appearances are going to love his improved act, but if there's one complaint to be made it's that Girth of a Nation suffers from the same problem as plenty of other 21st century comedy albums. Long stretches of what must be visual humor are left unedited, making this a simple rip of the audio from the simultaneously released DVD, which is in turn the better deal. ~ David Jeffries

Audio Mixer: Emily McDonnell.

Recording information: The Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN.

Editors: Tomoyuki Asakawa; Dave Higby.

Photographer: Michael Gomez .