Private Eye (Recordings)
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Private Eye, the British fortnightly satirical magazine, has issued several sound recordings.
These recordings were issued on thin floppy vinyl (sometimes known as "flexi-discs"), and were played at either 33⅓ or 45 rpm in common with pop music discs of the time. They were attached to the front cover of the magazine, which carried a nominal price increase. The original inspiration was The Beatles and the annual Christmas records issued by their fan club to members, which contained a specially-recorded humorous seasonal message from the "Fab Four".
Contributors included John Bird, Eleanor Bron, Peter Cook, Barry Fantoni, Barry Humphries, Richard Ingrams, Dudley Moore, William Rushton and John Wells.
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[edit] Discography
[edit] His Master's Vass
(His Master's Voice is a leading record label, Baillie Vass was the magazine's long-standing nickname for Sir Alec Douglas-Home)
The people's views from Vass country from Sweden and from Africa. "When Jesus was alive..... he voted Conservative". A Police Massage from Knacker of the Yard. Baillie Vass addresses the Nation.
[edit] I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus
Issued - 18 December 1964
(I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a well-known song recorded by many artistes on Christmas albums)
The Palm Court of King's College, Cambridge. The Lesson. "How Beautiful are the Feet..." A Christmas Message from the Common Poverty — from Australia and from H.W islon. Hello fans from the Queen.
[edit] The Rites of Spring
(The Rite of Spring is a ballet score written by Igor Stravinsky)
David Frost. Not so much a Record, more a shower of Shit. Eamonn Andrews talks to Spiggy Topes. "I'm a Red Hot Swinging Perve".
[edit] BBC Gnome Service
Issued - 23 December 1966
(The BBC Home Service was the speech-based BBC radio network until 1967, when it was superseded by Radio 4; Lord Gnome is the mythical proprietor of Private Eye)
A Message from H. Wislon. Whispering Jim Narg sings "Psychedelic Baby". J. Betjeman and Arthur Negus at Henry Hall. Fyfe Robertson in Witherington St. Parva. George Brown.
[edit] Abominable Radio Gnome
Issued - 8 December 1967
(Pirate radio station Radio London, which had a jingle "wunnerful - Radio - London", was closed down under the controversial Marine Broadcasting Offences Act in August 1967, a move seen at the time as an effort inspired by Prime Minister Harold Wilson to placate the BBC.)
"The one-eyed trouser snake". (c. Barry Humphries). Sir Francis Chichester. David Frost meets the Pope. George Brown - "Frog 'em all". "Good King Wenceslaus got pissed"
[edit] The Loneliness of the Long Playing Record
Issued - 14 February 1969
(The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is a 1962 film by Tony Richardson starring Tom Courtenay)
Knacker, Frost meets Ustinov. Concorde. Conservation Corner - The Duke of Edinburgh. Aboard Morning Cloud. The Grocer Fugue. "God help you Merry Working Men."
[edit] Dear Sir, is this a Record
Issued - 5 December 1969
The Lord Gnome Show. Sex for Children with Auntie Mac, heavy petting music from Serge Forward and Jane Ferkin. The Rev. Ian Palsy. Mary Quant '69'. The Queen. Sir Herbert Gussett. Poor Cold Ted (Kennedy). Blixing.
[edit] Just for the Record
Issued - 4 December 1970
John Peel talks to John and Yoko. Afternoon Operating Theatre with Christian Barnard. The Pope. Gospel '69 with Bernard Miles. Stuart Henry talks to Kenneth Tynan. Enoch P. peers into his crystal balls. Harold W. looks in the future.
[edit] The Sound of Talbot
Issue date and contents unknown
[edit] Record Damages
Issue date and contents unknown
[edit] Compact Disc
[edit] CD Romp
Issued - 2001
Full title 40 Glorious Minutes, Private Eye's CD-ROMP, All New Comedy CD (CD ROMP is the sole name on the disc and production credits) this was issued to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of Private Eye. The first two tracks are titled The Today Programme, parts 1 and 2 respectively, with a third bonus track entitled Special Message from Dame Edna Everage. Peformed by Eleanor Bron, Jon Culshaw, Harry Enfield, Ian Hislop, Barry Humphries, Lewis MacLeod, Kate Robbins, John Sessions, and written by regular contributors to the magazine.
[edit] Other recordings
Other records issued by Private Eye included a conventional 7" single disc entitled Neasden, a song about the North London suburb by William Rushton. The B-side of the single was an arrangement of Schubert's "The Trout" by John Wells. A 12" compilation album was issued privately in 1973 entitled "Golden Years of Sound" which included the contents of eight of the flexi-disk records. In 1981, comedy producer Martin Lewis compiled the first ten recordings onto an album titled Private Eye's Golden Satiricals released on his Springtime Records comedy label distributed by Island Records. The album was released to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Private Eye and featured a newly written sleeve note by edior Richard Ingrams.
