Private Eye recordings

"Private Eye", the British fortnightly satirical magazine, has issued a number of sound recordings.

Most of 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.

Discography

His Master's Vass

Issued - 2 October, 1964

(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.

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.

The Rites of Spring

Issued - 1 April 1965

("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".

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(The BBC Home Service was the speech-based BBC radio network until 1967, when it was superseded by Radio 4; Lord Gnome is the mythical proprietor of "Private Eye")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.

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 jingle was reused by BBC Radio 1, which called itself "Wonderful Radio 1".)

"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"

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."

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.

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.

Hullo Sailor

Issued - 1 December 1972

Prepare to enter Europe. Neasden FC's Ron Knee speaks. Idi Amin alias God. Andre Previn and The Previnettes: "Air on a Neasden". Lord Longford - "Save Us Lord From All This Porn". Sir John Betjeman on The Queen's Silver Anniversary. The Works Canteen at Heathco.

Farginson

Issued - 21 March 1975

Grocer "Mr Piano" Heath plays ragtime. Lord Goodman. Irish bomb threat. Brian Thing speaks his mind to Michael Parkinson about Muhammed Ali. Energy Crisis Corner. Recycling records into contraceptives. Andre Previn interviews Harold Wilson (real leaked footage of Wilson losing his temper with a David Dimbleby, intercut with Cook impersonating Previn).

The Sound of Talbot

Issued - 5 December 1980

A parody of Sir James Goldsmith's short lived 'Now' Magazine. Includes appearances by Pamela Stephenson, Spike Milligan and Peter Cook.

=Record Da

Issued - 11 December 1987

Peter Cook plays the judge at the Jeffrey Archer libel trial. SAS prepare their shoot to kill policy. Sid Yobbo speaks (parody of Derek Jameson). Includes appearances by John Sessions and Ian Hislop.

keye Flexi-Dish

Issued - 1 April 1989

Parody of Rupert Murdoch's recently launched Sky TV service.

Compact Disc

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". Performed 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.

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.

External links

* [http://stabbers.truth.posiweb.net/stabbers/html/discography/singles.htm Peter Cook discography with links and downloads of Private Eye flexi-discs]