Customer Reviews

Taking Off: The Innes Book of Records

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The transfer from the source material is not the best. As has been noted, it is particularly noticeable on "Taking Off". However, the quality is about as good as the versions on Innes' "Recollections" series and I never found those to be unworthy of a listen.

The key point is that the music on these two albums represent Innes at the height of his powers and they are must-haves for any fan of his, the Bonzos, Python or electic music in general.

Particular highlights are "Catch Phrase", the pre-Rutles version of "Shangri-La", "Three Piece Suite", "Spontaneous" and IBOR's quirky "Theme".

So the recording is not the best. That's true. The music, however, is. (And since I can't give a 4.5, I'm erring on the side of the music, which is perfection.)

This is probably the best deal you can get for one of Neil Innes' CDs because it contains two albums for the price of one. These two albums contain some of his best music. Everyone should give Neil Innes a listen. He is a fantastic songwriter, considered one of the best of the 20th century. If you thought his voice was high and smooth in the Bonzo days, wait until you hear him on these two albums. Sounds like an angel.

Taking Off is just a poor transfer from vinyl. The surface noise is particularly bad during "Dreams Shine Through." Didn't bother to listen to the Book of Records songs. Very disappointing.