The Monty Python Instant Record Collection Explained

The Monty Python Instant Record Collection
Type:Compilation album
Artist:Monty Python
Cover:THE_MONTY_PYTHON_INSTANT_RECORD_COLLECTION.jpg
Released:2 December 1977 (UK/Canada Version)
7 December 1981 (US Version)
Recorded:1971–1977 (UK Version)
1973–1980 (US Version)
Genre:Comedy
Length:52:05 (UK/Canada) 58:15 (US)
Label:Charisma (UK) Arista (US)
Compiler:Andre Jacquemin (UK/Canada)
Dennis Fine (US)
Prev Title:Monty Python Live at City Center
Prev Year:1976
Next Title:Monty Python's Life of Brian
Next Year:1979

The Monty Python Instant Record Collection is the title of two compilation albums by the Monty Python troupe. The first was released in the UK and Canada in 1977 and drew from the group's first three studio albums, first live album, and first soundtrack album on the Charisma label, while the second was released in the US in 1981 and comprised tracks from their four albums released on the Arista label. Billed as "the pick of the best of some recently repeated Python hits again, Vol. II", the record sleeve was designed by Terry Gilliam. The UK/Canadian version originally featured packaging that folded out into a cardboard box resembling a large stack of record albums (all containing spoofs of popular album names). An inner sleeve featured a spoof "Where Are They Now?" update on the members of the Python team.

As ever, the original vinyl release of the UK version had messages from George Peckham on the runout grooves. The first side read: "DEAR MUM, CUTTING ANOTHER PYTHON RECORD. I'LL BE HOME LATE TONIGHT, LUV PORKY", while the second side read: "SPECIAL RECORD NO. 471. RING CHARISMA FOR YOUR PRIZE NOW!".

The only new sketch (on the UK/Canadian versions) is "Summarise Proust Competition" which was originally performed on the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus and was re-recorded for Monty Python's Previous Record but never used, while the Alistair Cooke sketch is preceded by a brief, newly recorded introduction by Michael Palin. Many of the sketches are edited from their original versions.

Track listing (UK/Canada Version)

Side one

  1. Introductions
  2. Alistair Cooke
  3. Nudge, Nudge
  4. Mrs. Nigger-Baiter
  5. Constitutional Peasants
    1. Fish Licence Eric the Half a Bee
  6. Australian Table Wines
  7. Silly Noises
  8. Novel Writing
  9. Elephantoplasty
  10. How To Do It
  11. Gumby Cherry Orchard
  12. Oscar Wilde

Side two

  1. Introduction
  2. Argument
  3. French Taunter
  4. Summarise Proust Competition
  5. Cheese Emporium
  6. Funerals at Prestatyn
  7. Camelot
  8. Word Association
  9. Bruces
  10. Parrot
  11. Monty Python Theme

(note that, like many of the Python albums, the CD version of the album contains only two tracks "Side One" and "Side Two". The individual sketches are not selectable).

Track listing (US Version)

Side one

  1. The Executive Intro
  2. Pet Shop
  3. Nudge Nudge
  4. Premiere of Film - Live Broadcast From London
  5. Bring Out Your Dead
  6. How do you Tell a Witch
  7. Camelot
  8. Argument Clinic
  9. Crunchy Frog
  10. The Cheese Shop
  11. The Phone-In
  12. Sit On My Face

Side two

  1. Another Executive Announcement
  2. Bishop on the Landing
  3. Elephantoplasty
  4. The Lumberjack Song
  5. Bookshop
  6. Blackmail
  7. Farewell to John Denver
  8. World Forum
  9. String
  10. Wide World of Novel Writing
  11. Death of Mary Queen of Scots
  12. Never Be Rude to an Arab

Distribution Information

Faux album titles listed on packaging

As mentioned above, the record jacket packaging folds out into the shape of a box, with the actual record sleeve being the lid of the box. The remainder of the box appears as a stack of records (the "instant record collection") with one face of the box displaying all the album titles, as listed here:

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Monty Python Instant Record Collection".

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