Laughter

by Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Ian Dury

Overview

Working with lead guitarist Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood), Ian Dury gradually moves away from disco with his third album, Laughter. The steady dance pulse is still apparent, but it's balanced by rockers and pub singalongs that give the album more depth. That doesn't necessarily make it a better album, however. Dury's humor is at its most basic, as the titles of "Uncoolohol," "(Take Your Elbow out of the Soup) You're Sitting on the Chicken," "Oh Mr. Peanut," and "Fucking Ada" indicate, and his lyrics aren't quite as stunningly fluid as before. Still, the record is fun, and "Superman's Big Sister," "Yes & No (Paula)," and "Over the Points" are pretty infectious, but the record can't help but illustrate that Dury's peak period is over. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/14/2025
Label:	Demon/Edsel
UPC:	5014797913097

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ian Dury   Primary Artist,Vocals
Ian Dury & the Blockheads   Primary Artist
Norman Watt-Roy   Bass
Mick Gallagher   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Davey Payne   Flute,Harmonica,Saxophone
Don Cherry   Trumpet,Trumpet (Pocket)
Wilko Johnson   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dave Payne   Flute,Harmonica,Saxophone
Ivor Raymonde   Synthesizer,Strings
John Turnbull   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Ray Cooper   Percussion
Charlie Charles   Drums
Carlos Charles   Drums

Technical Credits

Norman Watt-Roy   Composer,Lyricist
Mick Gallagher   Composer,Lyricist
Ian Horne   Mixing,Sounds,Engineer,Remixing
Chris Warwick   Sounds
Davey Payne   Composer,Lyricist
Philip Chapman   Mixing,Remixing
Wilco Johnson   Composer,Lyricist
Wilko Johnson   Composer
John Turnbull   Composer,Lyricist
Charley Charles   Composer,Lyricist
Ian Dury & the Blockheads   Performer
Ian Dury   Composer,Lyricist
William Gaines   Dance
Brian Love   Design
Chris Killip   Photography
Rick Wernham   Assistant Engineer