Bob Newhart Albums (4)
'The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back'
Release Date 4/28/1998
Tracks 6
Label Warner Bros.
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What The Critics Say
With his debut comedy album riding high on the album charts, Bob Newhart was quick to follow up with The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back, which was released later the same year. For the most part, it follows the patented Newhart style, being one half of a conversation or someone addressing a crowd. On this second collection, there is only one historical speculation, with Newhart wondering what a griper in George Washington's army might have complained about. Otherwise, it deals with more up-to-the-minute concerns, such as budget airlines, just how they train bus drivers, talking people off of ledges, retirement, and the monkey's role in the creation of great literature. The majority of this album is still reasonably fresh decades later and, even if the material isn't quite up to the standards set by the first album, it's still brilliant by any other measure. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Newhart reprises his classic 1960 comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart on this concert set recorded in late 1995. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart'
Release Date 1/24/1995
Tracks 6
Label Warner Bros.
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What The Critics Say
Though not the first standup comedian to release a live recording, Bob Newhart was probably the first to really capture the public's attention, thanks to this debut. Of the six pieces included on this album, five of them are set up as part of a conversation (usually by phone), something that became Newhart's trademark. The material here would have been novel in any age, and very little of it has dated substantially ("The Kruschev Landing Rehearsal" being the main exception, though it would still be funny even if you had no clue what the sketch was referring to). Though "Abe Lincoln Vs. Madison Avenue" and "Merchandising the Wright Brothers" are both top-shelf Newhart bits, "Driving Instructor" rises to the top of the heap. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
'Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart'
Release Date 1/1/1961
Tracks 7
Label Reprise
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What The Critics Say
What worked twice is bound to work again, right? Bob Newhart's third comedy album doesn't deviate too far from the usual formula: Newhart adopts a persona and voices half of a conversation or gives a speech. There are a few exceptions, including the leadoff track, "Rocket Scientist," where he voices both sides of an interview, and part of the second side. It's all reasonably solid, but there aren't as many belly laughs on this one and it occasionally gets a bit more mean-spirited than properly fits Newhart's generally genial style -- in other words, it's not really an oversight that none of these tracks made it to the early best-of album. ~ Sean Carruthers, All Music Guide
