I see on Amazon.com that there’s a 3-CD import set out called Cornology. Here’s the album description:
“Import exclusive compilation for the British psychedelic act that combined elements of rock & comedy to great success. The Intro comprises the groups first two albums, Gorilla and The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse, and recounts their history up to 1968. The Outro combines Tadpoles and Keynsham and continues the story to 1970, when the band was dissolved. Dog Ends features their reunion album, Let’s Make Up And Be Friendly, as well as several non-album releases, some solo material and a text which brings their adventure up to date.”
I like this band quite a bit, and I’ve been making do with the Rhino compilation The Best of the Bonzo Dog Band. It’s got 24 cuts, including some of my favorites: “Ali Baba’s Camel,” “Hunting Tigers Out in Indiah,” “Rockaliser Baby,” “Beautiful Zelda,” “Mr. Apollo,” and “I’m the Urban Spaceman.”
It’s also got some spoken-comedy-heavy cuts that just get irritating after a while, like “Shirts,” and some embarrassing tease-the-pansies stuff like “Trouser Freak.”
So, fellow Bonzo Buffs, do I NEED three CDs encompassing their entire career? Do I need Cornology?
I’ve got Cornology. It’s kind of a mixed bag … but, on the whole, I think it’s worth it.
Do you NEED it, in capitals? Perhaps not. Is it a “nice to get if you happen to have the money”? Yes, definitely.
The Complete Works? No, you really don’t need it.
The Bonzo Dog Band was hilarious in small doses, but they just didn’t have enough great material to fill an entire album or CD.
In my opinion, of course.
I’d say go for it. You can’t really have too much Bonzo Dog Band. You don’t have to listen to it all at once, but the peace of mind you get from just knowing you could listen to it at any time… priceless.
I’d also suggest getting some of their solo works, i.e. Roger Ruskin Spear’s Electric Shocks and Vivian Stanshall’s Teddy Boys Don’t Knit.
And be sure to check out the Bonzo’s website so you don’t miss anything and explore all the links.
I don’t have Cornology, but I do have three of their CDs and all their albums. Cornology collects all their albums, plus adds a few unreleased cuts. If you’re a completist and don’t have any of their work, it’s probably a good deal. If you already have some, you’re going to get duplication.
The Rhino compilation you mention hits all the high spots, though “Trouser Freak,” “Big Shot,” and “Suspicion” was not on any of their original albums (though they were on CD reissues).
Personally, I’m a completist and have considered getting it. However, I’ve got their first three albums on CD, which makes it a bad deal for me. “Keynsham” and “Let’s Make Up and Be Friendly” both have their moments, but are not as good as the first three (the Rhino compilation has only one song from “Keynsham” and nothing from “LMUABF”).
Thanks for the input, guys. As it happens, I just blew the CD budget on Dick’s Picks Volumes 26 and 27, and Go to Nassau. All in all, seven full discs of live good ol’ Grateful Dead from, respectively, 1969, 1992, aand 1980.
Fifty-nine bucks, a few less than the three BDB discs would have been.
Maybe next month.
Ike’s a deadhead?
Maybe there’s hope for him after all …
Euty’s a deadhead?
Damn, you mean we spent all that time at the NY Dopefest discussing croquet strategy and playing four-hand arrangements on the grand piano and pouring out cups of Earl Grey for each other when we COULDA BEEN TRADIN’ TAPES???
I’m not really a deadhead … yet. But I know I could become one VERY easily. I’ve had a few of their live CDs in the past and have loved every single note of them. I’m currently obsessing on Mike Oldfield and Karlheinz Stockhausen, but if I had the time for another obsession, the Dead would probably be it.