Barry Diamond is a stand-up comedian and actor who rose to some degree of prominence in the 1980s. He got a major career-boost after IRS head-honcho Miles Copeland III saw one of Diamond's shows and "...laughed his ass off." Copeland immediately signed the comedian to a recording contract and became his manager landing him bit parts in films like GET CRAZY and NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CLASS REUNION and eventually featured parts in two films, BACHELOR PARTY (1984) and GROSS JOKES (1985). (The Soundtrack to BACHELOR PARTY was an IRS release.)
Mr. Diamond is still doing stand-up but primarily works in television making infrequent guest appearances. He also has supported our troops by touring as part of the USO's travelling entertainment shows (a la Bob Hope). Mr Bill, being a Navy man himself, is proud and thankful to Mr. Diamond for such efforts!
FIGHTER PILOT
IRS SP 70035 (Released 7 Jun 1983)
Vinyl & Cassette.
Produced by Miles Copeland III
Directed by Stewart Copeland
Personal Appearances by Ian Copeland
Light Show by Derek Power
Engineered by Paul McKenna
Recorded Live At The Comedy Store on Sunset Strip
Mixed at Telstar, Burbank and A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA
Art Direction by Carl Grasso
Special Thanks to: Mitzi Shore, Harris Peet, Phil Singher, Rick Meyerwitz, Tom Leopold,
Bruce Springsteen and The Police
Track Listing:
Though much of the material here may sound dated, this LP delivers many a good laugh. Barry Diamond is a master of voice characterization and switches fluidly from South Bronxian African-American to West Hollywood Homosexual to Southern Redneck and back again. A few of the jokes may be "old," but it is Mr Diamond's delivery and use of character that gives them new life (as the aforementioned Bronxian, he asks an audience member, "My man, could I have a cigarette, please... I left mine in the machine.")
The best routines are "What Pisses Me Off" and "Gay Whale Hunting In Hawaii." "Everything Except The..." which closes out side one is a hoot, but don't let the kids listen! On side two he belts out an imitation of Springsteen that sounds so authentic you'll want to listen twice ("Tribute To The Boss").
The Album was recorded live at Mitzi Shore's Comedy Store On Sunset Strip, starting point of practically anyone who is anyone in the world of comedy.
This LP was the first to carry the moniker of the (then) newly founded film/television arm of Miles Copeland's media empire, "CCCP." "CCCP" stood for Copeland, Copeland, Copeland and Power. This production division was housed in the same building as Miles' Los Angeles-based management concern, LAPD (Los Angeles Personnel Direction).
HEARING AIDS (No #): Mr Diamond provides the Intro, Outro and two brief intermissions, each in
one of the many characters from his vast and wacky stable...