Viv Stanshall

[Slenver]

Bit of a niche thread maybe (hey, it's General, right?), but I've just read an article about two new Stanshall albums being released next month.

I mention this for any fans that have missed this news, and maybe for any curious others who might want to experience something new.

Brief potted history: Stanshall was an eccentric genius who was most famously a musician and storyteller, but was also an author, playwright, potter, sculptor etc etc. He was one of the founders and lead singer of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and, as well as some solo music albums, also made two albums of spoken word and music about the fictional Sir Henry at Rawlinson End, that were a spin-off from a series he did for John Peel.

Even if you don't know any of those albums, you might still recognise his voice from being the MC on Tubular Bells, or from several TV ad voiceovers he did in the 80s and 90s.

As well as being a bona fide genius wit, he was also plagued by various mental health and addiction issues. Sadly he died in a house fire in 1995.

But, point being, various unreleased recordings were found and have finally been worked into a couple of new albums coming out next month. One of music, and the other being a third Sir Henry album.

I definitely recommend digging into some of his previous stuff if you've never experienced him... recommendations happily given if this thread doesn't sink without trace

[DefTrap]

I often run around the house singing Equestrian Statue to myself.

EDIT: was that Neil Innes though?

[DefTrap]

They (Bonzos) also embarked upon two poorly organised but well-received tours of the United States. (Neil Innes remembers that the band were reportedly stopped by a local sheriff and asked if they were carrying any firearms or drugs. When they denied both, the officer asked how they were going to defend themselves. Stanshall piped up from the back of the minibus, 'With good manners!') I

[Slenver]

I often run around the house singing Equestrian Statue to myself.

EDIT: was that Neil Innes though?

Yeah, Innes wrote that one. Very impressive Beatles pastiche!

[mangocrazy]

"If I had all the money I'd spent on beer, I'd spend it on beer."

"This is inedible muck and there's not enough of it."

I'm still hoping for a re-release of Sir Henry at Rawlinson End...

[Slenver]

"If I had all the money I'd spent on beer, I'd spend it on beer."

*drink

[Slenver]

I'm still hoping for a re-release of Sir Henry at Rawlinson End...

I've got a CD in the Cupboard of Doom somewhere, plus the files I ripped from it, but it's on my streaming service of choice, so I just listen to that these days.

Mind you, the second one isn't on there.

[mangocrazy]

"If I had all the money I'd spent on beer, I'd spend it on beer."

*drink

As I was writing that, I was wondering if I'd remembered it correctly... Evidently not

[Slenver]

As I was writing that, I was wondering if I'd remembered it correctly... Evidently not

I mean, I was being pretty pedantic

[cheb]

The sky is beginning to bruise, we shall forced to camp.

[Slenver]

The sky is beginning to bruise, we shall forced to camp.

Wrong cult classic

[cheb]

I might have known that Use the force Harry.

I like and use 'I don't know what I want but I want it now!'

[mangocrazy]

“Frankly, once I’ve eaten a thing, I don’t expect to see it again.”

“Do you know what a Palmist once said to me? She said: will you let go!”

[Slenver]

I might have known that Use the force Harry.

I like and use 'I don't know what I want but I want it now!'

Me too. Very useful in daily life. Often say it when the missus asks about making dinner, but I've never explained where it's from.

[Slenver]

“Do you know what a Palmist once said to me? She said: will you let go!”

[DefTrap]

Currently listening to this ...

[Slenver]

Currently listening to this ...

Nice!

I can also recommend this BBC2 documentary aired just after he died. I recorded this on VHS at the time and watched it loads. Sadly, this copy on YouTube looks like it was copied from my VHS, but quality aside, it's still a great watch and a good, brief intro.

[Phoenix]

Slenver. I thought you might like to know there is a very good article on Viv Stanshall in this month's copy of "Mojo".

This is the issue:

https://www.mojo4music.com/magazine/lat ... ringsteen/

Lots of other good articles too.

[Slenver]

Slenver. I thought you might like to know there is a very good article on Viv Stanshall in this month's copy of "Mojo".

This is the issue:

https://www.mojo4music.com/magazine/lat ... ringsteen/

Lots of other good articles too.

Thank you I did read it, and it was actually where I found out about the new releases.

[Slenver]

For the benefit of the (at least) one person that might be interested, the two albums are finally on streaming sites.

The music album's good but the Sir Henry album is amazing. Almost as good as the original.