The Best Stand Up Comedy Albums Ever
Rumor’s Comedy Club is always a top choice on lists of things to do in Winnipeg — right up there with Cruise Night and Purple City. We’ve been the hotspot for comedy in Winnipeg since 1984. But, we’re closed for renovations until August 29th, so we thought we’d leave you with our list of the greatest comedy albums of all-time, so you can still laugh while we’re busy making the best comedy club in Winnipeg even better.
Now, choosing the Top 10 Comedy Albums of all-time is not easy. A lot of best the album lists out there include classics like The Buttoned Down Mind of Bob Newhart or Class Clown by George Carlin. These classics have their place in history for sure, but they don’t necessarily hold up for today’s listener.
But, we think our list does. So, with no further ado, here are the top 10 comedy albums out there.
Me Doing Standup - Norm MacDonald
This is the master at his best — Norm MacDonald at his most Norm. Me Doing Standup features long meandering meditations on sex, how to get away with murder, and, of course, OJ Simpson.
Norm’s genius was always in the fact that he was the smartest guy in the room, masquerading as the dumbest guy in the room, and this album is the perfect example. What a legend.
I Have a Pony - Steven Wright
Absurd and lethargic, Steven Wright remains one of the most unique voices in stand-up. His low-energy one-liners and preposterous stories have made him a favorite among comedians and comedy fans alike for decades.
Good One (Secretly Canadian) - Tig Notaro
The best way to describe Tig Notaro’s comedy is methodical. She gets almost as many laughs from her well timed silences as she does from her surgical punchlines. Good One is her first album and features her first iconic bit, “No Moleste”.
No Respect - Rodney Dangerfield
A lot of older albums can be appreciated for what they represented at the time, but No Respect holds up to this day. Dangerfield’s rapidfire style leaves the audience and listener gasping for air.
When it came to joke writing, Dangerfield never left any fat on the bone. There’s so much in every joke that you can easily listen to this album again and again and still get something out of it.
Problem Child - Leslie Jones (AKA Big Les)
If you’re looking for perfection, so is Leslie Jones… so she can kick its ass. Big Les doesn’t need Oprah’s wishy-washy vision boards to look at the bright side of life. She’s fine with herself and she’s not putting up with anybody who’ll tell her or anybody else different.
Baby Skeletons - Adrienne Iapalucci
Dark and indifferent, Adrienne Iapalucci is a New Yorker through and through. Her sardonic approach to human interaction betrays her weak attempts at civility, and Adrienne is eternally trapped between doing what she knows is right and just getting on with her day.
My Name is Hannibal - Hannibal Buress
This album introduced the world to the Great Hannibal Buress. With an overabundance of confidence, Hannibal demystifies the lives of others and passes off his own shortcomings as choices, like his empty pickle jars in the fridge.
Bigger and Blacker - Chris Rock
Possibly the most iconic album from one of the most iconic stand-ups of all time, Bigger and Blacker is as good today as it was back in 1999. Many of the ideas that Rock explores on the album are relevant today, and his solutions are as elegant as they are hilarious. Please, can we get some bullet control up in here!?
What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? - Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is what it would be like if Rodney Dangerfield was attractive and had respect. Her lightning fast mind and her filthy mouth stood in sharp contrast to her glamorous facade. This album came out in 1983 and it’s still great.
Nice Lady - Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wolf is the black ops of the feminist movement. She sneaks past all the tired anti-feminist arguments and neutralizes the problem, not with the typical, equally tired retorts, but with a garrote wire of logic and an explosion of laughter. She's got the crack shot of an assassin gone rogue, taking aim at feminism as often as she defends it. Truly, Michelle Wolf is the hero we deserve.
More: Best Comedy Recordings From Winnipeg Comedians
Rumor’s is back and better than ever on August 29th
We hope that our Top 10 list of comedy albums holds you over until August 29th when Rumor’s reopens, starting with a weekend with Ian Fidance.
Of course our kitchen will be in full effect pumping out all the food from our awesome menu, and our weekly deals will be back, too.
And don’t forget to join us for the Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job contest final on September 5, featuring eight of this city’s up-and-coming comics. Book your tickets online or by calling 204-488-4520.
See you in two weeks!