Tag Archives: Neil Innes

The Bonzo Dog Band: Let’s Make Up And Be Friendly

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In March 1972, “United Artists Records” label released “Let’s Make Up And Be Friendly”, the fifth Bonzo Dog Band (The) studio album. It was recorded in November 1971, at “The Manor” in Oxfordshire, England, and was produced by Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshal, “Legs” Larry Smith and Tony Kaye.

Personnel:

  • Vivian Stanshall – vocals, ukulele, liner notes
  • Neil Innes – vocals, piano, organ, heavenly sqwarking, tasteless guitar solo, arrangements, mixing
  • Anthony ‘Bubs’ White – electric Brainbiter guitar, spanish guitar
  • Andy Roberts – fiddle, mandolin, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, heavenly sqwarking
  • Dennis Cowan – voices, bass guitar, slide guitar
  • Dave Richards – bass guitar, empyreal screaming
  • Hughie Flint – drums, percussion
  • Dick Parry – saxophone, flutes
  • Roger Ruskin Spear – lead vocals, saxophones, xylophone
  • “Legs” Larry Smith – vocals, drums
  • Tony Kaye – piano, organ
  • Ian Wallace – laughter
  • Tom Newman – engineer
  • Phil Newell – engineer

Track listing:

  1. The Strain – Vivian Stanshall
  2. Turkeys – Neil Innes
  3. King of Scurf – Neil Innes
  4. Waiting for the Wardrobe – Roger Ruskin Spear
  5. Straight from My Heart – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  6. Rusty (Champion Thrust) – Tony Kaye, Legs Larry Smith
  7. Rawlinson End – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  8. Don’t Get Me Wrong – Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes
  9. Fresh Wound – Neil Innes
  10. Bad Blood – Vivian Stanshall
  11. Slush – Neil Innes

Mo Foster

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On July 3, 2023, Michael Ralph “Mo” Foster died aged 79. He was multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, author, and public speaker. In his career spanning over half a century, Foster recorded and performed with dozens of artists, including Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty, Brian May, Scott Walker, Frida (of ABBA), Cliff Richard, Van Morrison, Dr John, Hank Marvin, Heaven 17, the London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Green, Micheal Schenker, Gary Moore, Sting, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Elkie Brroks, Neil Innes, Judie Tzuke, Sheena Easton, Meat Loaf, Trevor Rabin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Luka Bloom, Tim Rice, Nigel Kennedy, Affinity, Mike d’Abo, Roger Glover, Jimmy Helms. Fancy, Veronique Sanson, Mike Smith, Cerrone, Ray Russell, Andy Bown, The Walker Brothers, Chris Rainbow, Dollar, Dennis Waterman, Eric Clapton, RMS, Bob Geldof, Joe Walsh, Tony Banks, Leo Sayer, Russ Ballard, Claudio Baglioni, Kenny Rogers, Howard Jones, Tanita Tikaram, Georger Martin, Nancy Griffith and Maggie Bell. As leader, Foster released several albums, and authored a humorous book on the history of British rock guitar. In 2014, he was awarded with the “BASCA Gold Badge Award”.  

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band: L’Amour Des Chiens

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On December 12, 2007, “Storming” label released “L’Amour Des Chiens”, the sixth Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (The) album, and the first one in 35 years. It was recorded in 2007, and was produced by Mickey Simmonds and Neil Innes.

Personnel:

  • Neil Innes – vocals, piano, guitar, banjo’
  • Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell – vocals, bass, banjo
  • Legs’ Larry Smith – drums
  • Martin ‘Sam Spoons’ Ash – percussion
  • Roger Ruskin Spear – brass
  • Rodney Slater – saxophone, clarinet
  • Bob Kerr – trumpet, cornet

New Millennium Bonzos 

  • Adrian Edmondson
  • Stephen Fry
  • Phill Jupitus
  • David Catlin-Birch – vocals, guitar
  • Steve Barnacle – bass, jazz guitar
  • Johnny Marter – drums, percussion
  • Mickey Simmonds – musical director 

Track listing:

  1. Pour l’Amour Des Chiens – Neil Innes
  2. Let’s All Go to Mary’s House – arranged by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
  3. Hawkeye the Gnu – arranged by Rodney Slater, Neil Innes
  4. Making Faces at the Man in the Moon – Rich, Smith, Hoffman
  5. Fiasco – Neil Innes
  6. Purple Sprouting Broccoli – Martin Ash
  7. Old Tige – Burke, Burke, Reeves
  8. Wire People – Martin Ash, Neil Innes
  9. Salmon Proust – Neil Innes
  10. Democracy – Neil Innes
  11. I Predict a Riot – Hodgson, Wilson, Rix, Baines, White
  12. Paws – Phill Jupitus
  13. And We’re Back – Neil Innes
  14. We Are Normal
  15. L’Essence d’Hooligan – Neil Innes
  16. Early Morning Train – Neil Innes
  17. My Friends Outside – Roger Ruskin Spear
  18. For the Benefit Of Mankind – Neil Innes
  19. Beautiful People – Adrian Edmondson
  20. Ego Warriors – Neil Innes
  21. Cockadoodle Tato – Neil Innes
  22. Tiptoe Through the Tulips – Burke, Dubin
  23. Sudoku Forecast – Phill Jupitus
  24. Now You’re Asleep – Stanshall, Catlin-Birch
  25. Jean Baudrillard – Neil Innes

Slade: Play It Loud

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On November 28, 1970, “Polydor” label released “Play It Loud”, the second Slade studio album. It was recorded in 1970 and was produced by Chas Chandler.

Personnel:

  • Noddy Holder- lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Dave Hill- lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jim Lea- bass, violin, backing vocals
  • Don Powell– drums
  • George Chkiantz– engineer
  • Anton Mathews – mixing
  • Hamish and Gustav – design
  • Gered Mankowitz– photography

Track listing:

  1. Raven – Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell
  2. See Us Here – Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell
  3. Dapple Rose – Jimmy Lea, Don Powell
  4. Could I – Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer
  5. One Way Hotel – Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell
  6. The Shape of Things to Come – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
  7. Know Who You Are – Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell, Dave Hill
  8. I Remember – Jimmy Lea, Don Powell
  9. Pouk Hill – Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder, Don Powell
  10. Angelina – Neil Innes
  11. Dirty Joker – Jimmy Lea, Don Powell
  12. Sweet Box – Jimmy Lea, Don Powell

Bonzo Dog Band: The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse

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In November 1968, “Liberty” label released “The Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse”, the second Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band album. By this time the band had changed their name to “The Bonzo Dog Band”. It was recorded in 1968, at “Morgan Studios” in London, and was produced by Gus Dudgeon and Terry Bron.

Personnel:

  • Vivian Stanshall– lead vocals, trumpet, tuba, wind instruments, design
  • Neil Innes– lead vocals, piano, guitar, sleeve notes
  • “Legs” Larry Smith– drums
  • Rodney “Rhino” Desborough Slater– saxophones
  • Roger Ruskin Spear- tenor sax, various contraptions
  • Terry Brown – engineer
  • Andy Johns – engineer
  • Phil Smee – design

Track listing:

  1. We Are Normal – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  2. Postcard – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  3. Beautiful Zelda – Neil Innes
  4. Can Blue Men Sing the Whites – Vivian Stanshall
  5. Hello Mabel – Neil Innes
  6. Kama Sutra – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  7. Humanoid Boogie – Neil Innes
  8. Trouser Press – Roger Ruskin Spear
  9. My Pink Half of the Drainpipe – Vivian Stanshall
  10. Rockaliser Baby – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  11. Rhinocratic Oaths – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  12. 11 Moustachioed Daughters – Vivian Stanshall

Bonzo Dog Band: Keynsham

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In November 1969, “Liberty” label released “Keynsham”, the fourth Bonzo Dog Band album. It was recorded in 1969, at “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by Neil Innes and Vivian Stanshall.

Personnel:

  • Vivian Stanshall – vocals, narrator, tuba, design, liner notes
  • Neil Innes – vocals, guitar, banjo, piano
  • Gerry Salisbury – cornet
  • Rodney Slater – saxophone, clarinet
  • “Legs” Larry Smith – drums
  • Roger Ruskin Spear – brass instruments
  • Dennis Cowan – narrator
  • Barry Sheffield – engineer

Track listing:

  1. You Done My Brain In – Neil Innes
  2. Keynsham – Neil Innes
  3. Quiet Talks & Summer Walks- Neil Innes
  4. Tent – Vivian Stanshall
  5. We Were Wrong – Vivian Stanshall
  6. Joke Shop Man – Neil Innes
  7. The Bride Stripped Bare (By Bachelors) – Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes
  8. Look at Me, I’m Wonderful – Vivian Stanshall
  9. What Do You Do – Neil Innes
  10. Slater’s Parrot – Vivian Stanshall
  11. Sport (The Odd Boy) – Vivian Stanshall
  12. I Want To Be With You – Neil Innes
  13. Noises for the Leg – Vivian Stanshall
  14. Busted – Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band: Gorilla

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In October 1967, “Liberty” label released “Gorilla”, the debut Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band album. It was recorded in 1967, and was produced by Gerry Bron and Lyn Birkbeck.

Personnel:

  • Vivian Stanshall– vocals, trumpet, euphonium, tuba, ukulele, cover design, liner notes
  • Neil Innes– piano, harpsichord, guitar, musical director
  • Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell – bass guitar, banjo, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, whistle
  • Rodney Slater– alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone, clarinet, trombone, bass clarinet
  • Sam Spoons – double bass, percussion, spoons
  • “Legs” Larry Smith– drums, tuba, tap dance
  • Roger Ruskin Spear– saxophone
  • Eric Clapton– ukulele
  • Roger Ruskin Spear – engineer

Track listing:

  1. Cool Britannia – Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes
  2. The Equestrian Statue – Neil Innes
  3. Jollity Farm – Leslie Sarony
  4. I Left My Heart in San Francisco – George Cory. Douglass Cross
  5. Look Out, There’s a Monster Coming – Vivian Stanshall
  6. Jazz (Delicious Hot, Disgusting Cold) – Bonzo Dog Band
  7. Death Cab for Cutie – Vivian Stanshall, Neil Innes
  8. Narcissus – Ethelbert Nevin
  9. The Intro and the Outro – Vivian Stanshall
  10. Mickey’s Son and Daughter – Eddie Lisbonna, Tommy Connor
  11. Big Shot – Vivian Stanshall
  12. Music for the Head Ballet – Neil Innes
  13. Piggy Bank Love – Neil Innes
  14. I’m Bored – Vivian Stanshall
  15. The Sound of Music – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers

John Entwistle: Smash Your Head Against the Wall

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In May 1971, “Track” label released “Smash Your Head Against the Wall”, the debut John Entwistle solo album. It was recorded November 1970 – January 1971, at “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by John Entwistle. It was the first solo album by any Who member.

Personnel:

  • John Entwistle– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar,  brass,  percussion, piano, keyboards, organ, flugelhorn, art concept
  • Dave “Cyrano” Langston – acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Greg Ridley– bass
  • Keith Moon– percussion, backing vocals
  • Jerry Shirley– drums, percussion
  • Neil Innes– percussion, backing vocals
  • Vivian Stanshall– percussion
  • Graham Hughes – art concept, photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Entwistle.

  1. My Size
  2. Pick Me Up (Big Chicken)
  3. What Are We Doing Here?
  4. What Kind of People Are They?
  5. Heaven and Hell
  6. Ted End
  7. You’re Mine
  8. 29 (Eternal Youth)
  9. I Believe in Everything

Monty Pythons: Monty Pythons Sings

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MontyPython_Sings

On December 11, 1989, “Virgin” label released “Monty Python Sings”,album of comedy songs by the Monty Python’s. The album was released in memory of Graham Chapman.

Personnel:

  • Graham Chapman
  • John Cleese
  • Terry Gilliam
  • Eric Idle
  • Terry Jones
  • Michael Palin
  • Sonia Jones
  • Fred Tomlinson
  • John Du Prez
  • Neil Innes
  • Dave Howman
  • George Harrison
  • Andre Jacquemin
  • John Gould
  • John Altman
  • Mike McNaught
  • James Saunders
  • Kath James

Track listing:

  1. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
  2. Sit on My Face
  3. Lumberjack Song
  4. Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song)
  5. Oliver Cromwell
  6. Money Song
  7. Accountancy Shanty
  8. Finland
  9. Medical Love Song
  10. I’m So Worried
  11. Every Sperm Is Sacred
  12. Never Be Rude to an Arab
  13. I Like Chinese
  14. Eric the Half-a-Bee
  15. Brian Song
  16. Bruces’ Philosophers Song (Bruces’ Song)
  17. The Meaning of Life
  18. Knights of the Round Table (Camelot Song)
  19. All Things Dull and Ugly
  20. Decomposing Composers
  21. Henry Kissinger
  22. I’ve Got Two Legs
  23. Christmas in Heaven
  24. Galaxy Song
  25. Spam Song