Revisited

by Ken DrydenRevisited includes the same songs as the two separate studio dates called Songs by Tom Lehrer (one on Lehrer Records, reissued on a Rhino CD and the other on Reprise), except the versions heard here are taken from a concert at M.I.T. that was originally released only in England. The pianist/singer/comedian starts with a brief narrative autobiography that is as amusing as his lyrics. The songs are not significantly different from the studio versions other than minor changes in wording and the on-stage chatter between numbers, though he takes his time getting "The Irish Ballad" underway as he stops several times to add one more quip. Two bonus tracks are included featuring Lehrer with an orchestra performing songs written for the 1970s children's program The Electric Company. Not necessarily an essential CD for those who have either one of the studio versions of these songs, but it is still an enjoyable release.