Conference marvin::uk_music

    Does anyone know if the record of 'rawlinson end' is still available,
    or how I can get a tape of it. I can't find it in any of the record
    shops.
       Mike

    I was in Virgin Megastore (Oxford St.,London) the other day and
    saw a couple of Vivian Stanshall LPs there. But there are quite
    a few specialist shops around that will keep their eye open for
    you and try and obtain it if you give them a list of required LPs
    and your telephone number. Suprisingly they dont rip you off for
    this level of service. I've tried "Rubber Records" of Bath and "Beanos"
    of Croydon (which claims to be the largest 2nd hand record dealer
    in the UK.
    

    The LPs are on the Chrysalis label
    (from what I can remember) and both the "Sir Henry.."  ones are
    good.
    

    An article appeared in the January '89 issue of "Q" magazine. I
    never realized the poor bloke suffered so much, he could do with
    a bit of good fortune. Too much hanging out with Moon the Loon?
    

    I've not read the article, or realized that Viv had gone through
    so much (without actually knowing what). I knew he had a drink problem,
    and I saw him on a documentary (TV) where he & his American wife
    had converted a ship in Bristol docks to a restaurant/arts centre.
    That flopped. But more worrying was the fact that Viv was so far
    gone, the BBC only filmed him for an incoherent 1 minute out of
    what must have been an hour long programme.
    
    Incidentally John Peel, has broadcast 2 of the new Eating at Rawlinson
    End sessions, and they've been great! A third is to be broadcast
    this monday on his show 19Dec88. The musical interludes  are also
    very good with people like Dave Swarbrick on violin, playing very
    intricate arrangements.
    
    Can you enlarge on that article please, I will look out for it,
    anyway.
    
    Thanks
    		Alex.
    
    
    

    Quite an insight into the man, tracing his history from early art
    student days (he certainly wasn't the only one to make that move)
    through the career of the Bonzos to the later, more patchy work
    accompanied by his own personal problems. The first of several nervous
    breakdowns, two divorces, and having to take something like
    300 tranquillisers a day resulting in a virtual loss of memory
    throughout the '70s. 
    Until recently, he lived on a houseboat together with his library,
    recording studio and collection of turtles. It sunk!! He's now living
    in a bedsit in Muswell Hill, and claims that had the Bonzos appeared
    on the "Magical Mystery Tour" record, he wouldn't be in a bedsit
    now.
    Two alternative names for the band were considered, prior to deciding
    on the "Bonzo Dog Dada Band" (I didn't know about this) they were
    "The Army Surplus Stuntmen" & "The Invented Window Smellers"!
    Quite a surprise is the fact that he has provided lyrics for Steve
    Winwood, so royalties from this project should help the "old bean"
    to come good again, he's even hoping that next year he'll be well
    enough to perform.
    
                         Julian.
    

    Thanks Julian,
    
    300 tranqs a day!! I'm suprised he's still alive!
    He actually did appear on the Magical Mystery Tour film, where he
    was the singer in the strip club doing an Elvis impersonation. Whether
    he was backed by the other Bonzos, I dont know. He also did the
    "vocals"/talkover on Oldfield's Tubular Bells, and also a talkover
    on the Damned's "LOvely MOney" record. Talking of other Bonzos,
    when I was a student, I took a road-sweeping job in Kingston-on-thames.
    during the holidays. THis round would take me past ROger Ruskin
    Spear's house in Arthur Road. I could tell it was his house, because
    the windows were stuffed full with his Giant Kinetic Wardrobe. I
    think I saw him out in the front with presumably one of his young
    boys (a bit precocious- I thought!)
    
    Happy Xmas
    
    Alex.
    

    Any one know the latest on any of the Vivian Stanshall recordings ?
    
    I wonder if any of these are either still available or even transferred
    to CD.
    
    I saw a program about him on the late show a few months back, where is
    performed a kind of musical biog of himself. very interesting and very
    talented. I think he is still living in the bedsit.
    
    A firend got me a CD of the BESTiality of Bonzo Dog , which I play once
    in a while. Still makes me laugh.
    
    trivia note: 'shirt' was one of Stephen Frys desert island discs

    Well I ordered the CD of 'Sir Henry at rawlinsons End' from my local
    'Our Profit' records. I also noted that in the big book was listed a
    the 'Sir henry at Niddis Krall' and another album I think called '
    teddy boys don't knit'
    
    the entry for 'kraal' had a note under it , saying 
    
    "TRACK LISTING NOT RECCOMENDED"
    
    Rawlinson End is very funny, time will tell if it stands up to much
    repeating but I find it very funny. Best news was that it cost 8.99 on
    CD, though it's all one long track with no access points.
    
    Yours Truly
    
    Old Scrotum - the wrinkled retainer

    
    The lyrics that Viv Stanshall wrote for Traffic (not only Steve
    Winwood) that was mentioned a few notes back was a track called 'Dream
    Gerard' on the album 'When the Eagle Flies'.
    
    An excellent album anyway but I really like the track and then again, I
    really like Stanshall anyway.
    
    The name of his boat/restaurant in Bristol was the Thesla, (if I
    remember correctly.) I went there a couple of times and it was a real
    shame to see Stanshall just sitting behind the bar, drinking the
    profits while Mrs. Viv did the donkey work. Not a happy marriage.
    
    I haven't heard any of the later 'Sir Henry' stuff but his first
    dialogue appeared on the Bonzo's album 'Keynsham'. Another good album
    and one I don't have. I never saw the Bonzo's live but I loved their
    music. I don't know if they are still in print but 'Gorilla' and 'The
    Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse' are brilliant.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Mark.

    The lad himself can be seen (briefly) in a TV ad thats currently
    showing on Meridian (at least) for Ruddles Ale. The ad appears to show
    the rawlinsons, though does'nt mention them by name. Full of Stanshall
    absurdity, and all rather silly really, but good to know the old geezer
    is still around.
    
    he's the one with the very long beard.

    Knowing that this ad has Viv 'Look at me I'm wonderful' Stanshall on it
    doesn't change my opinion of it one jot, tittle, iota, or scintilla...
    
    It's THE MOST aggravating ad on at the moment.
    
    Bob

    Viv stanshall's autobiography is on BBC2 tonight at 10:10 pm. I think
    it may be a repeat of the biography mentioned in earlier notes although
    it doesn't say it is a repeat in my Radio Times.
    
    Barry.

Viv Stanshall died yesterday in a fire at
his house. He was 52.


+Mark+

    bummer.  I didn't hear anything about it on the news last night.
    
    mikef

    
    Ditto, I'm surprised it didn't make the news - or perhaps it did and I
    missed it...
    
    Graham

    Being as git of little brain...I just read the article on the back page
    of todays Gruniad.  Its not sure yet what caused the fire.
    
    m

    
    mike, you have the advantage of a Newspaper then ! If it doesn't jump
    out of the car radio (Radio 1, newsbeat that is) or appear in LiveWire
    then I don't get to hear about it....
    
    Graham

    Yup - thats why I'm a git of little brain, I hadn't bothered to read my
    paper...
    
    Wasn't mentioned on the Today prog on R4 tho...Peelie may have some
    words on the subject this weekend.
    
    mikef

    It was mentioned on all three news reports between 6am and 7am on
    Essex FM.

         <<< Note 237.21 by ARRODS::WHITEHEADJ "Shades of Scarlett" >>>

>    It was mentioned on all three news reports between 6am and 7am on
>    Essex FM.


Can Essex F.M. ( the mind boggles ), be received in Warrington?


Stuart

    
>> Can Essex F.M. ( the mind boggles ), be received in Warrington?
    
    ...I'm not sure, *and* I'm not getting up half an hour early just to
    listen to the news!
    
    G

    Interesting Obit (and appreciation by Neil Innes) in todays Grauniad.
    
    Wonder if they will do anything on radio?  Its been years since I last
    heard 'Sir Henry...'
    
    mikef