Disapointing Bonus Tracks
voodoochild | long island,us | 03/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The album itself is classic Python, and it's good that the Cdwas reiussed in it's original ordered, with more breaks for the different tracks. Also, the originaltitle and album art have been restored properly, calling it "Another MontyPython Record", and not "Another Monty Python CD."
However, some off the bonus tracks have been available already (to me anyway.) They go something like this:
Treadmill Lager - This is the same sketch from Contractual Obligation album, only this is an earlier and more rushed version. Usually when a Python sketch is given more room to breathe it becomes funnier. Take for example the journey of "Nudge, Nudge." On the first album it's like a punk version (fast and sloppy) but subsiquent live versoins, it became funnier when the audience had more time to hear and laugh at the jokes.
Bishop at Home - This is a little extra sketch that follows the Bishop to his home, with his wife. The sketch is short and not particularly funny, so one could see why it was left off.
Court Room Sketch - Python has had many court room sketches over the years, but this one here is another new one. It was first included as an easter egg on the Meaning of Life Pc game (which I never bothered to get.) This one isn't that funny either, although the ending goes on longer than the last time I heard it.
Undertaker - This isn't related to the othe Undertaker stuff on the album's end, but completely different. It's quick but hilarious. This sketch first appeared on a compilation* with the last line and sound effects cut off.
Only a few extra tracks don't make this an essential buy for hardcore fans such as myself, but if you haven't bought it yet, this is the version to buy, dear friends.
*The Hastily Cobbeled Together For A Fast Buck Album
Go on SOTCAA's site about Python to find out more. It's a great album, with many classic unheard tracks, that will hopefully one day be relaesed to everyone else. With this new realese out there, it just might happen."
"Another Monty Python Re-Issue!"
Harvey J.Satan | Among The Garden Gnome,Friar Park | 05/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As with many of the "NEW" re-issues of Python materials,most of the so-called "NEWNESS" is "OLD".
Firstly,the so called "NEW",liner notes,are nothing more than a reprint from "The Monty Python Encyclopedia" ( Circa 1999 ). There is no "NEW" information...say,"Who wrote what sketch?","Who's Voice Is Who?". Nothing like that. Although they do manage to credit Andre Jacquemin & David Howman by identifying their musical contributions.The "NEW" Terry Gilliam artwork is nothing more than someone taking his old artwork,and re-arranging it a little.(Sorry...doesn't count as "NEW",anymore than re-arranging a greatest hits package.). They didn't even attempt to reproduce the original album inserts! ( i.e.The script & props cut-outs for the "Be A Great Actor Sketch".That would've been a great joke in "CD-size".)
The Bonus tracks are okay. Nothing really stands out. And owing to the lack of proper crediting,it's impossible to tell if the Bonus material is even from this era. Specifically "Treadmill Lager" sounds like an alternate take from 1980's "Contractual Obligation". If you're a Python fan,you probably already own this on CD,so choose wisely in your decision to re-purchase this one.
I would've given this 5 stars,save for the "NEW" material,which is the real bait for re-purchasing this C.D.
"
A few classics and some little known gems
Jean E. Pouliot | Newburyport, MA United States | 06/30/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD captures the Pythons at the height of their absurdist greatness. But this album, released in 1971, is only their second, so much great material still lies ahead. For casual fans, I'd recommend getting one of the longer compilation CDs like "The Final Rip off" which contains the more well-known material from this CD: Spam and ever-popular "The Spanish Inquisition."
More hardcore fans will enjoy the less popular but still daffy pieces here, like Gumby Theatre, The Piranha Brothers, Death of Mary, Queen of Scots Penguin on the TV, Be A Great Actor/Theatre Critic, Still No Sign of Land (Lifeboat).
Still, if you're that hard core, consider dropping $40 for "The Instant Monty Python CD Collection" which contains this entire CD plus 7 more."