Phonetically Speaking - and Don't Forget the Piano

His comedy, however, is timeless, and this CD not only offers some of his most famous routines, it also demonstrates his comic technique - verbal swordplay with the audience, teasing them, lulling them into false expectations before pulling the carpet from under them. You can hear how much the audience loved this man ... and you can hear how much he loved performing.

The jokes are timeless. I've heard them all before, so many times, but they never fail to make me laugh. Oh, there's an element of nostalgia, here - the jokes trigger happy memories, put me in a good mood, a good frame, but they are funny nonetheless. Borge dissects Mozart. He strips opera of its pretensions. He makes music fun. You have to guess at some of the things he's doing - Borge had a very visual act, his deadpan face capable of so much expression, his casual, hesitant moves underscoring the timing of his humour. And his timing is superb! But you have to marvel at the imagination - listen to him inflate language, or add punctuation to the spoken word.

Sophisticated, humane, surreal in places, a comic genius and a personality which makes you feel warm and secure. Introduce someone to Borge and watch their face light up!