Sir Henry at Ndidi's Kraal [Original recording remastered, Import]

Vivian Stanshall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Diablo Records UK
• ASIN: B00002MIBF
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,165 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sir Henry at Ndidi's Kraal

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered from the original master tapes, this is a reissue of the 1984 & fourth solo album by the 'court jester of the underground rockscene in the 1960s', Viv Stanshall (who was also the original tenor in the Bonzo Dog Band). The album consists of spoken word material recorded on eight track equipment during August Bank Holiday in 1983 at All Saints Road in London. Scans as one 51:42 long track. Also features the original cover art. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sir Henry At Ndidi's Kraal, December 22, 2002

By 

Alastair Robertson (Twickenham, London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sir Henry at Ndidi's Kraal (Audio CD)

I heard that Viv Stanshall never wanted this recording to be released ... I think his record company might have done well to have heeded his wish.
Although funny in a few places, it is not a patch on the previously released "Sir Henry at Rawlinson End".
If you loved "Sir Henry at Rawlinson End", then it is worth listening to "Sir Henry At Ndidi's Kraal", but don't expect it to be a patch on the first one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I know 4 stars seems excessive..., July 5, 2005

By 

Steven Cain (Temporal Quantum Pocket) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sir Henry at Ndidi's Kraal (Audio CD)

...and I agree with Alastair from my homeland, but I find myself psychologically incapable of giving it less.

This seems like a rush job, and given Viv's state of mind at the time, he probably wasn't feeling tip top on any level. Compared to the utter perfection of Rawlinson, this is like Viv larking about. If you can persevere with the album, it does actually get better as it progresses. It never reaches any of the heights that Sir Henry at Rawlinson End achieved and maintained throughout, but there are a few flashes of Vintage Viv in here.

Sadly, he was preparing to revisit Rawlinson territory at the time of his untimely death, and given his disappointment with this release (as Alastair indicated) I'm sure he would have given it his best shot.

Ndidi's Kraal was not his best shot, it was more like a stray round. Still, in the absence of any more Viv, I chose to, as Sting put it, make the best of what's still around.

By all means heed the cautions folks, but please give it a listen.