Customer Reviews

The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief

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3 star:		(4)
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Because the material on the records was produced after the original sketches aired, very often the writers had cleaned up or altered the material significantly--as in the famous "Bruces" sketch, which on video does NOT include the infamous philosopher's song ("Immanuel Kant was a real pissant who was very rarely stable / Heidegger Heidegger was a drunken bugger who could drink you under the table," etc.).

There are also some terrific audio-only pieces, like the marvelous sports-broadcasting parody "Novel Writing" and Cleese's unimaginably brilliant "Word Association," one of the finest pieces of free-association writing ever created. If you like Pythonian wordplay this one may be the best of them all, and it can only be found on this disc.

As for the disc, yes, it's a terrible shame to lose the double-groove of side 2 (I still remember the delicious confusion the first time I stumbled upon the second groove, years ago). One of the rare cases where the features of a CD are blatantly inferior to those of the original LP (setting aside the eternal arguments over sound quality, which don't really mean much on a Python recording anyway, so there).

"I think all right-thinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people are fed in this country with being sick and tired." For some reason, I just love the way Graham Chapman's incredibly long-winded, mock-conservative bit of radio double-talk starts off this album. And while "Matching Tie..." is not as consistently hilarious as say "Monty Python's Previous Record", it does have it's moments. Highlights include "Cheese Shop", "Oscar Wilde and Friends" and "Bruces", but you'll find more witty, bizarre, and genuinely funny stuff all over "Matching Tie and Handkerchief".

And now for something completely different......Monty Python's Matching Tie and Handkerchief album!This is by far the best Monty Python album! From "The church police" to "The cheese shop" to "The Oscar Wilde skecth" it is absolutly packed with true genuine Python brilliance! You can safely say that this legendary 1973 album is not a senseless waste of human life!

Take the good from the comments below. The third side *was* brilliant (on lp), and the audio-only tracks *are* up there with the best of their work. Leave aside the classics on this (like the philosopher's drinking song) and appreciate the brilliance of the pieces no one knows. Want the best Python line nobody ever quotes? Try: "Ah yes, his head's been ripped off." Nobody could combine smart and stupid as well as these blokes.

Once again, here is a example of entertainment that is way over the head of most people. And thank God for that - if this fell in the groove for most people, the world would probably up end and sink, and I mean that in a good way since I would not want to "offend" anyone of a certain "way" who might disagree with this statement (and I certainly don't want the world to "up end" and sink). You are the "way" you are, and that's it, so bless you and have a nice day.

Monty Python should need no introduction. Created by a team of guys who pretty much all went on to have further successes in a range of areas, they originally started on British TV and over the course of four series and a few movies they were hugely influential not only on British comedy but also were one of the few occasions where Britcomedy was able to cross the Atlantic and find success in the US of A.

During the early 70's a range of LP's were released that have since been converted over the CD. Some of the earlier ones didn't have many tracks on them - only two in fact due to lazy transfer (each track equalled a side of the old LP). However on my copy of this CD that isn't an issued so once you find your favourite skits you can home in on them.

This album is, on the whole, pretty darn hilarious. Acolytes of this comedy troupe will instantly recognise some of the product here, from Cheese Shop, Bruces and Oscar Wilde and Friends. It should be pointed out however that the good times aren't comfined to those skits, others such as Word Association are hilarious, The Background to History is just plain weird and Novel Writing is, indeed, a novel look at ...well.. novel writing. Though it helps if you know what the sport of cricket is for the latter one.

All up a very highly recommended release from this famous comedy group.

This has to be the greatest Python album ever! Made and released in 1973, when they were at their best! Only problem with this re-issue is the sound quality. Way to much noise reduction has been used, the bass is non-existant and, worst of all, a few new sound effects have been added, which doesn't make it good listening to those who like good quality and the original sound of the album!

The bonus tracks, which were meant for the 'Contractual Obligation Album', sound great mind you!

All in all, a bit disappointing sound wise. If you can get your hand on a copy, go for the 1997 Arista release! Remastered, but not too much, from the original master tapes. Yes, there is more hiss on this version, but it sounds much more natural, it also contains the original linear notes and artwork (apart from the front cover), which this version doesn't. When you think about it, the album was recorded in 1973 at Radio Luxembourg Studio, London, so the tapes are old and you are never going to get a crystal clear sounding version.

Go for the 1997 Arista version!

Once again the word "NEW" is bandied about...sadly,that's WRONG. The "NEW" liner notes are from "The Monty Python Encyclopedia" (1999),and are more opinions than facts. The artwork is not "NEW",it's re-arranged Terry Gilliam art. What is "NEW" is the lack of proper credits! Musician Neil Innes ( with help from members of "Grimms" ),originally credited for his rock songs for "A Background To History Part IV",is now disavowed.

The original artwork joke,is also missing. Originally when you removed the inner sleeve,you find that the Matching Tie & Handkerchief are those of a man whom has hung himself by the tie. There was also originally a lyric sheet for the songs.( Also not re-produced here.).

Even more difficult to reproduce here,would be the 3-Sided disc. Original vinyl versions would play alternate material depending on where your needle landed - thus creating a Side 3.

That aside... the original material is still funny as ever. The Bonus material is Hit & Miss. I'd suggest listening to the samples first,before re-purchasing this version with a skimpy 4 extra tracks.

This is just great. I copied what Thomas Hardy writes for his novel, and the bruces club rules, and put it in the cd case. This is a great album. On the original album, two grooves were on one side, so it would randomly pick one side. It's fun to experiment with, and it's one of those album jokes, that just isn't the same on cd. One of my favorite's is the world war noises skit. Very funny. You can pick this up pretty cheap, so why not do it right now?

When is a dog like a pair of women's knickers? Well, never. It seems kind of obvious, but the question itself makes you believe that a sensible answer (or one worth a good larf, anyway) will be proffered. Not as such. No matter, there are plenty of knickers, dogs, elephants that used to be people, tigers, wasps...a very animalistic record, indeed. My favourite thing about it is, the majority of bits were not used in the TV series or the stage shows, so they tend to "Stay fresh" a while longer. So please give this LP a spin won't you, and do let the milkmaid take your hat and leave your logic at the counter. Thank you.