Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album

by Monty Python, Monty Python's Flying Circus

Overview

Like the title says, by the late '70s Monty Python was less interested in continuing under their group name, except for the occasional foray into film. John Cleese was busy with Fawlty Towers, while Michael Palin was branching out into film, Terry Gilliam was making a name for himself as a director, and the rest were involved in television and other projects. For all intents and purposes, this is almost an Eric Idle solo album, since a majority of the songs were written by him or with Neil Innes (the two had recently collaborated on the brilliant Beatles parody, The Rutles). Not that they aren't funny: "I Like Chinese," "Medical Love Song," and "Never Be Rude to an Arab" raise a smile, and "Decomposing Composers," (not by Idle) despite the obvious pun of the title, is actually quite affecting, delivered in a gentle Cockney drawl by Michael Palin. Yet the record suffers from many weak tracks, most of which are old standards with new dirty lyrics ("Sit on My Face") or experiments in repetition and boredom ("I Like Traffic Lights," "I'm So Worried"). What sound like new skits from Cleese and Graham Chapman ("String," "Bookshop") are actually pre-Python skits written for Cleese and Marty Feldman given a dusting off in lieu of any real writing. The only other track of note is "Rock Notes," a parody of rock journalism from where the future rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket got its name. A spotty finale for the Python's recording career. [The 2006 EMI edition included three bonus tracks.] ~ Ted Mills

Product Details

Release Date:	04/10/2007
Label:	Arista/Legacy
UPC:	0886970840927

Tracks

1. Sit on My Face
2. Announcement (Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album)
3. Henry Kissinger
4. String
5. Never Be Rude to an Arab
6. I Like Chinese
7. The Bishop
8. Medical Love Song
9. Finland
10. I'm So Worried
11. I Bet You They Won't Play This Song on the Radio
12. Martyrdom of St Victor
13. Here Comes Another One
14. Bookshop
15. Do What John
16. Rock Notes
17. Muddy Knees
18. Crocodile
19. Decomposing Composers
20. Bells
21. Traffic Lights
22. All Things Dull and Ugly
23. A Scottish Farewell
24. Contractual Obligation: Terry Jones and Graham Chapman Promotional Inte
25. Radio Ad Obligation Promo, Radio Ad Promo, Fanfare
26. Medical Love Song
27. I'm So Worried (Demo Version)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Monty Python   Primary Artist
Monty Python's Flying Circus   Primary Artist
Terry Jones   Vocals
Eric Idle   Vocals
Graham Chapman   Vocals
Michael Palin   Vocals
John Cleese   Vocals
Terry Gilliam   Vocals

Technical Credits

Terry Gilliam   Composer
Terry Jones   Composer
Kevin Hodge   Remastering
Eric Idle   Composer,Producer
Cedsing   Composer
Graham Chapman   Composer
Didier C. Deutsch   Producer
Michael Palin   Composer
Monty Python   Composer
Trevor Jones   Arranger,Producer
Andre Jacquemin   Engineer
John Cleese   Composer
John Denver   Composer
Anthony Harrison, Jr.   Design,Reissue Design
John Du Prez   Arranger,Composer
Harry Parr-Davies   Composer
Basil Pao   Design,Cover Design
Val Podlarsinski   Composer
Traditional   Composer