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Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:08 pm
by 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
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:41 pm
by DefTrap
I often run around the house singing Equestrian Statue to myself.
EDIT: was that Neil Innes though?
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:48 pm
by DefTrap
wikipedia wrote:
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
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:48 pm
by Slenver
DefTrap wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:41 pm
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!
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:50 pm
by 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...
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:54 pm
by Slenver
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:50 pm
"If I had all the money I'd spent on beer, I'd spend it on beer."
*drink
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:56 pm
by Slenver
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:50 pm
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.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:05 pm
by mangocrazy
Slenver wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:54 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:50 pm
"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
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:08 pm
by Slenver
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:05 pm
As I was writing that, I was wondering if I'd remembered it correctly... Evidently not
I mean, I was being pretty pedantic
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:26 pm
by cheb
The sky is beginning to bruise, we shall forced to camp.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:29 pm
by Slenver
cheb wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:26 pm
The sky is beginning to bruise, we shall forced to camp.
Wrong cult classic
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:57 pm
by 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!'
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:09 pm
by 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!”
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:32 pm
by Slenver
cheb wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:57 pm
I might have known that
Use the force Harry.
cheb wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:57 pmI 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.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:33 pm
by Slenver
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:09 pm
“Do you know what a Palmist once said to me? She said: will you let go!”
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:44 pm
by DefTrap
Currently listening to this ...
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:51 pm
by Slenver
DefTrap wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:44 pm
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.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 8:49 pm
by 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.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:01 am
by Slenver
Thank you
I did read it, and it was actually where I found out about the new releases.
Re: Viv Stanshall
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 8:58 pm
by 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.