Neil Innes – Those That Didn't Make It Here

Although they are great, I did not include the following in this series (but provide links for those who feel they are okay with them) for these reasons...

• City of the Angels – excluded because of (brief) imagery of unclothed females;
• Humanoid Boogie – I'm not sure if those mannequin torsos are really appropriate for my 'blog; but perhaps I'm simply erring on the side of caution;
• Amoeba Boogie – videos featuring children in leotards aren't really approved of these days, rightly or wrongly;
• Front Loader – because of the petite (young-looking but actually but 23-year-old) lady undressing in the launderette. This was controversial at the time, and the story was covered in the national media.

There are lots of others I could include, but I am saving those for another day....

Godfrey Daniel – Neil Innes

How could I have a run of even just some of Neil Innes' numerous memorable themes without including this Elton John pastiche, Godfrey Daniel?

The answer is that I really can't, so here's the Innes Book of Records version, which – especially in the context of that programme – is truly superb, despite this video being a bit low on clarity, for some reason...

Slaves of Freedom – Neil Innes

We are in a funny mood...

Stoned on Rock – Neil Innes

The Alice in Wonderland motif for this works well enough, though the young lady doesn't seem to be wearing an Alice Band, which seems a surprising omission (I learnt about these when the Waybuloo one, featuring De Li, was released).

I do wonder whether the hippie with the 'cello case was the inspiration for how Stargate: SG-1's Dr Daniel Jackson turned out – that character does look very much like him in both the (original) James Spader and (subsequent) Michael G Shanks versions.

My favourite lines from the song are, perhaps predictably (knowing my penchant for word-play)

Though life is hard to take
I shan't quake or shake
I've got the rock to make me bo[u]lder!

Here we go...

Human Race – Neil Innes

This is a quite striking song in its way, aided by one of those superb John Altman orchestrations that were characteristic of The Innes Book of Records...

Rock of Ages – Neil Innes

Innes' hen-pecked travelling salesman – one of his regular characters – here has an unexpected encounter with a mermaid. Well, anything can happen, no matter how surreal, in The Innes Book of Records!

The song itself is delightful, performed by another of Innes' regulars (of the Cabaret / Max Quordlepleen type), and is an obviously Lennon-esque pastiche...

Two Songs – Neil Innes

A double treat this time, again from The Innes Book of Records: first we have Shangri-La, which despite its lighter moments also holds some quite powerful messages in the other passages, so do take notice of the words. You might be surprised and even moved...

Then we have The Early Morning Train, featuring Innes' regular moustachioed character again, this time as a seemingly somewhat frustrated commuter. If you are quick enough, you might notice as the train pulls away that it was being hauled by a Hymek locomotive, long since gone from our railways though there are a couple (I think) preserved...

Anyway, enjoy the ride...

Plenty of Time – Neil Innes

We've got plenty of time – if you want it!

Concrete Jungle Boy – Neil Innes

This is one I have put on this 'blog before; but its sheer brilliance visually, the clever wording and the top-notch arrangement make it a must-have in this series of items from The Innes Book of Records...

Eurovision Song – Neil Innes

The ultimate in collections of song clichés: Hey Mr Eurovision Song Contest Man just has to be the best in the world, ever! The children and other performers are great here too.

Neil always used talents out and around to add to his work in The Innes Book of Records, and showcased them very well, such as the kazoo band, the brass band and the majorettes here, and many others elsewhere as we shall see...

Kenny and Liza – Neil Innes

That last post reminds me that it's about time we had some more of the brilliant Neil Innes on here, especially the catchier themes (some of his work pursued other, sometimes darker moods), so let's start with Kenny and Liza, running away together and spending the night on the motorway...

Boring!

Gosh, Batman! Specially for local political types Vince Maple and Dr Keevil, who have apparently been debating the merits of Adam West's TV Batman from years ago, here's Neil Innes' spoof of that very series, from The Innes Book of Records...