Does anyone remember the Monty Python album "Matching Tie & Handkerchief"?

[HopeHoops]

I of course mean the vinyl album, not the CD.

For those who never experienced it, or those who are too young to know what the hell I mean by "vinyl", I'll elaborate.

This album was a real mind-fuck, especially if you were already in the correctly altered state at the time. It had a side 1, as do most albums. But it ALSO had a "Sides 2 & 3". At first this makes no sense, until you notice that the flip side is TOTALLY DIFFERENT from the last time you played the album! Upon close inspection, you can see that the tracks are interwoven and offset by about 1/3 rotation, meaning that depending on where in the rotation the needle touches down, you will either end up with side 2 (2/3 of the time) or side 3 (1/3 of the time). Cool shit!

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Yes, I have a copy of it on vinyl! Also have it ripped to mp3, but it's not the same.

I also love, I think it was Python's Holy Grail album, that on side 2 has an announcer (Palin) saying "This is side TWO! If you want side ONE, please turn over! This is SIDE TWO!!!!" and then Cleese comes on with an apology to buyer's of the executive edition, because that announcement was meant only for the lower people who bought the cheaper version.

And I don't know if it's true or urban legend, but I heard that the record company did receive a number of complaints/WTF?s about Matching Tie and Handkerchief.

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Actually it was Graham Chapman who made the "apology"

"The brisk tone was intended for buyers of the cheaper version"

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Ah, yes - I hear it correctly now - thanks!

[HopeHoops]

3. I've heard of the complaints, and they are a "WTF" thing. It is called HUMOR, you idiots!

People who complained about that should definitely not watch "This Is Spinal Tap". Remember the amplifier? "Yeah, but this one goes up to eleven."

And no, an MP3 just isn't going to have the same fun factor as vinyl. I've got a Techniques turntable hooked into the stereo (right now) - the kind with the strobe for setting the speed. Then again, I've also got a LaserDisc player hooked up to the same system along with a dual cassette deck, two VCR players, two DVD players (although technically one of each is in the same unit - and it allows direct VCR to DVD copying), and a 6-disc CD player (magazine based). I can pump the output through the inside speakers, the garage speakers, or the outside speakers - or all at the same time.

Oh, did I mention, "FREEBIRD!!!!"

---------------
Constable Clitoris: "LARKS' vomit? I don't see anything about larks' vomit!"

"It's right there on the label under monosodium glutimate."

"Well that's not good enough. There should be a huge notice - 'WARNING: LARKS' VOMIT!"

"My sales would plummet!"

"FUCK your sales, I have the public to worry about!"

[Art_from_Ark]

5. I had Matching Tie and Handkerchief

but I don't remember Side 2 having two different tracks. But I only had a monaural record player at the time. I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

[pokerfan]

6. Still have it

Down in the basement with the rest of the vinyl.

Side One: Single-Groove

1. "Church Police"
2. "Elephantoplasty"
3. "Novel Writing"
4. "Word Association"
5. "Bruces/Philosopher's Song"
6. "The Adventures of Ralph Mellish"
7. "Cheese Shop sketch"
8. "Wasp Club/Tiger Talk"
9. "Great Actors"

Side Two: Groove One

One or the other of these two series of tracks will play, depending on which groove the stylus is cued on.

1. "The Background to History"
2. "First World War Noises"
3. "Boxing Tonight (Fight Of The Century)"

Side Two: Groove Two

The second series of tracks is referred to as "Side 3":

1. "Minister for Overseas Development (aka Mrs. Niggerbaiter explodes)"
2. "Oscar Wilde and Friends"
3. "Buying A Cat"
4. "Phone-In"

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I remember Novel Writing, Bruces, and Ralph Mellish

from side 1, and "The Background to History" ("The Renettes sing medieval agrarian tunes") and "First World War Noises" ("That''s your... dog? And THAT's your... WIFE?" and Oscar Wilde and Friends ("Your Majesty is like a stream of bat's piss") from the other side, but I must have forgotten about the trick with the tracks.

At any rate, I can't believe people were returning the record for that. After all, it's Monty Python, fer cryin' out loud!

[nolabear]

7. I worked a temp job in a distribution warehouse for a big record chain when that came out.

You would not BELIEVE the returns! We used to laugh like crazy until the boss started phoning stores and giving them hell about just taking them back. Btw we loved it. We had a big set-up in the warehouse and we'd play anything and everything and could do lip-synch to damn near everything.

[NoPasaran]

8. Just the other day I was thinking about that record

What a mindfuck it was!

[ProfessorGAC]

9. I Loved That Album

Used to be big a college dorm parties.
GAC