LP SEALED HARRY CHAPIN SHORT STORIES 1973 ELEKTRA EKS-75065 NOT CUTOUT W*O*L*D

$

60

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The Album: Short Stories (1973)

Released as Harry Chapin's third studio album on Elektra Records (Catalog # EKS-75065), Short Stories solidified his reputation as the "storyteller of rock." It is an essential folk-rock record that captures the "ordinary" struggles, regrets, and bittersweet irony of American life in the early 70s.

• The Concept: As the title suggests, each track functions as a self-contained narrative. Chapin focused on characters—often aging or disillusioned—who are grappling with the distance between their youthful dreams and their current reality.

• The Success: The album was a major hit, eventually selling over a million copies and featuring one of his most enduring radio staples, "WOL*D."

The Music: Track-by-Track Narrative

The album is legendary for its cinematic lyrics and the distinctive, warm arrangements by Paul Leka, often featuring John Wallace’s deep bass vocals as a counterpoint to Harry’s earnest delivery.

Standout Tracks:

• "WOL*D": The album’s biggest hit. It tells the story of an aging, balding disc jockey reaching out to the wife he left years ago to pursue his career. It’s a poignant look at the loneliness of a life spent chasing "the top of the charts" while getting older in a young man's game.

• "Mr. Tanner": Based on a true story Harry read in a newspaper. It follows a Midwest dry cleaner with a beautiful voice who risks everything to perform in New York, only to be crushed by a cold critic. The song famously weaves in fragments of "O Holy Night."

• "Mail Order Annie": A tragic, historical narrative about a man awaiting a mail-order bride, touching on themes of isolation and the fragile hope for connection.

• "30,000 Pounds of Bananas": A fan-favorite (though often associated with live versions, its studio origins are rooted here). It is a semi-fictional, darkly comedic account of a real-life truck crash in Scranton, PA.

LP Tracklist (EKS-75065):

LISTEN   “W.O.L.D.”

• 1973 LP Released on Elektra Records # EKS-75065 (Stereo).    .
• This is a Sealed Gatefold Album and will Provide you with Brilliant Sound Quality from your Player. No cut out marks.