Let's Get Small Burlington VT

Let's Get Small

Steve Martin

Warner Brothers, 1977

REVIEW BY: Benjamin Ray

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 10/18/2005

Who knew Steve Martin used to be so funny?

I was not familiar with the man's work before Bowfinger, and I've only seen him in a few bit parts ( Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Novocaine and Cheaper By The Dozen. Or maybe it was Bringing Down The House.)

On a chance, I came across the novelty '70s Martin single "KingTut" and borrowed a copy of A Wild And Crazy Guy from a friend. What greeted my ears wasa wry, ironic, postmodern comedian who was intellectual, goofy andentertaining, all while mocking the conventions of showbusiness.

That was his second relase; Let's Get Small is his debut and best release. I'm a fan ofmusical comedy, and Martin doesn't disappoint here, throwing in theoccasional banjo song and solo and creating some of the album'sfunniest parts in the process. The musical highlight, aside fromthe ludicrous singalong "Grandmother's Song," is a snippet in the15-minute title track where Martin plays an upbeat tune and tellsthe crowd it's impossible to be in a bad mood when you're playingthe banjo.