h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Harry Chapin - A14535696
Author: gavinorr - U3235914

I reckon Harry deserves a mention.

We certainly could do with an Entry in the Edited Guide on Harry Chapin, but this is not the place for a personal list of favourite songs - it should list the songs that were popular with the general public, not the ones you like. It's a rule in writing for the Edited Guide that you don't mention yourself, because this is supposed to be a collaborative guide, and other people may add to or update your Entry later.

Thanks for that - I'll give it a rework tomorrow (off to bed, it's 22:45 in Sydney)

RE-worked

Could you please remove the long URLs from the end of the entry? We don't require sources to be cited with URL on h2g2, and the long addresses cause 'wide page syndrome', making the entry difficult to read.

Once you've done that, you may be able to attract more reviewers.

You should also mention that it was a car crash that killed him.

On a personal note, as a Chapin fan, I'd like to see a few quotes from his work.

I don't think the list at the end really gives us anything.

Keep plugging away.

I confess I'd never heard of this guy beforehand. As a complete neophyte, what I would like to know is:
* What kind of music he produced
* What he wrote/performed that I might have heard
* The social context in which he performed and why his music was important
* Any famous collaborations
.
.etc

You see what I'm getting at? You haven't told me why this man is important or what difference he made. This is the bare bones of an entry and could really do with some fleshing-out.

One thing that struck me was the list of his greatest hits. I haven't heard of Harry Chapin either. Consequently I was wondering if these hits were global or specific to one country? Also, the year they were released would give the section more authority.

I'll keep working at it - thanks for the advices.

He did have one hit in the UK 'Cat's in the cradle' I remember it being around in the early 70's and a very nice song it was too

I have made some more updates, and will add the year of release to the list of greatest hits, plus perhaps the non-music tracks on the album, or even write those tracks up as "quotes".

Remember that you can't quote tracks in their entirety - that's considered a violation of copyright. However, you can certainly include memorable lines from different songs.

Something I'd like to hear more about is critical and fan reception to Chapin's songs over the years. Also, if you feel inclined, you might want to find out about who's done covers of his songs - I first became familiar with Chapin after seeing a cover of 'Cat's in the Cradle' on TV.

Just a couple things to think about.

I am researching the covers now - there weren't many; although until I started to search the 'net I didn't know that Johnny Cash recorded "Cat's In The Cradle", so there might be more than I thought. I'll also mention the CD recorded to commemorate his mefal of honour, which includes covers by various artists including Bruce Springsteen and Pat Benatar.

I think most of the younger generation will know the name from the cover of 'Cats in the cradle', by Ugly Kid Joe

Guns N Roses did a cover (it's lacklustre in my opinion) and I've heard that Cat Stevens did too, though I haven't been able to find a recording of it.

I am trying to find the albums which have covers of Harry's work and am having a bit of difficulty. although wilkipedia indicates that Simon & Garfunkel, Finn Kalvik and Ricky Scaggs all did covers of "Cat's In The Cradle", but I can't find any album listings to confirm this, although I can find solid references for the Ugly Kid Joe, Johnny Cash and Judy Collins' covers. I can also find references for a cover of "Circle" from the New Seekers and "Shooting Star" from Pat Benatar, but nothing for the other three.

The only other covers I can find are on the Harry Chapin Tribute album, which I have.

Once I've covered the covers and found a couple of quotes, I think I'm done.

O.k. and I've got to cover the Critics view (to keep the balance).

Well people, I think that's it just about done . It is now probably far too long and may have too many quotes, but I'll await the advice of my peers before making any more changes.

As much as to find a place to put it where it won't get lost as to advertise the page, if you are a Harry Chapin fan, and like the muppets, check this out


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCRZveEz7vs&mode=related&search=

I think this is very good now; just giving it a bump in the hope it will get a few more comments