The Final Rip Off

Monty Python

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Virgin Records America
• ASIN: B000000WG8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,372 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #33 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy > Classic Comedy
  #55 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy > Comedic Music > Comedy Rock

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Introduction

2. Constitutional Peasant

3. Fish Licence

4. Eric the Half-A-Bee Song

5. Finland Song

6. Travel Agent

7. Are You Embarrassed Easily?

8. Australian Table Wines

9. Argument

10. Henry Kissinger Song

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. I Like Chinese

2. Spanish Inquisition, Pt. 1

3. Cheese Shop

4. Cherry Orchard

5. Architect's Sketch

6. Spanish Inquisition, Pt. 2

7. Spam

8. Spanish Inquisition, Pt. 3

9. Comfy Chair

10. Famous Person Quiz

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This is it--the one Monty Python album that you must have. A compilation drawn from various films, TV series, and performance sketches, The Final Rip Off consists of two CDs of absolute classics. One of the very first tracks is the famous "Constitutional Peasant" scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Also included are "Spanish Inquisition," "Argument," "Lumberjack Song," and several other sketches that have achieved much-deserved pride of place in popular culture. The members of Monty Python are quite aware of this--the much-loved dead-parrot sketch is listed here as "Parrot (Oh, Not Again)." It's a testimony to the artistry, not to mention timing, of the group that the great majority of this stuff is still funny after decades of wear. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five ounces of your best Python, if you would, stout yeoman, August 12, 2000

By	tropic_of_criticism - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Python fans argue constantly about the best performances of particular sketches precisely because the boys performed (and recorded) them at so many different venues. The only thing fans all agree on is the fact that the performances ARE different depending upon the recording. Every fan who loves Python's studio sessions has a counterpart who prefers the raw edge of the live theatricals. RIP OFF has a mixture of both, with probably the best balance of any Python album. To be sure, it's the most exhaustive collection, because it was released well after the group's demise. I don't believe you'll find a compilation with as much material from as many different phases of the group's history.

As such, RIP OFF is a particularly good place to start a Python collection. This is not the same thing as saying it's the best Python album. To be sure, other records, most obviously those recorded while the group was still together, are better in the way that any original album is better than a "best of" compilation. It's hard to top, for instance, the quality of the sketches on MONTY PYTHON'S PREVIOUS RECORD, or the overall coherence of MATCHING TIE AND HANDKERCHIEF--a work so brilliant that it actually had two Side Twos on vinyl. Still, even if it doesn't match the brilliance of any of the original albums, it's easily the best thing the group has put on CD after their breakup. If you're getting to know the group retrospectively, choose this over any other compilation album.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great 2-CD set, it's funny, and a good buy., July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This is probably the best Monty Python CD or CD's there is. It's jammed packed full of funny sketches and songs from all of their previous albums. It's basically a 2-CD compilation for the price of 1-CD. Get it. It's good!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Python Goodness, February 11, 2004

By	Blake Petit "Novelist, Comixtreme.com columni... (Ama, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a long-time Python fan, I jumped at this CD when I saw it at a pretty good price. It's loaded with nearly two hours of goodies on two discs -- tons of classic sketches, sound bits from the movies and the lot. The Spam song? It's here. The Lumberjack song? Got it. Sit On My Face? Fear not. The only notable absence is "Every Sperm is Sacred" from "The Meaning of Life," which would have been nice to have, but isn't a requirement for me to fully enjoy this CD, especially since we've got greats like the Parrot sketch and the cheese shop.

Just one caveat, though... what on Earth is that picture on the cover supposed to be? Ew. Gross.