Roger Ruskin Spear - "Electric Shocks" Vinyl, LP, Album, 1972 (United Artists)

Vivian Stanshall is the face of The Bonzo Dog Band, but in truth, there is also the musical talents of the late Neil Innes, and then someone called Roger Ruskin Spear.   Mr. Spear played sax in the band and wore silly outfits.  One wonders what a solo album would be like from this artist (visual as well as aural).  The music is very tightly arranged, humorous (of course), and a glance back to the music hall days of Britain, but with a straightforward approach to (kind of) 1950s rock.  The appeal for me is the intelligence behind his work.  Spear knows his music history, in the same sense as someone like Roy Wood.  The fact that he has Andy Newman (of Thunderclap Newman) on piano, and two music journalists serving here as musicians.  The main cut here is "Patrick Moore" which has this great Joe Meek tribute in the middle of the song, and serves as the chorus. 

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - "The History of the Bonzos" 2 x CD Compilation

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - The History Of The Bonzos

2 x CD, Compilation, Remastered, UK, 1998

BGO Records

On one level the musical roots to The Monty Python world and on another plane - total original artists playing in the field of commercial pop.   I first heard of them through the world of The Beatles.  They appeared in The Magical Mystery Tour, and of course they were the most interesting aspect of that film.   Satirists on one level, but also brilliant pop songwriters as well.  

A perfect storm of sorts, with the combination of theorist lead singer Vivian Stanshall, the musical pop talents of Neil Innes and the other eccentrics that make up this band.  As an introduction to their madness, The History of The Bonzos is a perfect introduction.  Not only does it have the hits, but also the obscure solo recordings as well by the key members of this band. 

Does the humor stand up?  I don’t know, I am not British, but I appreciate their scope and skill.  The musician skills are top-notch, and Vivian I  suspect was a genius, who should have last longer on this planet (he died in a fire).  Spike Jones aesthetic but mixed in a highly British way, and they’re seductive with their wit.  Comedy record or serious music playing?   In the end it doesn’t  really matter, it is rather enjoyable experience.