Anyone familiar with cultish comedy series Flight of the Conchords will be aware of the wonderful songs that the hapless New Zealand duo Bret and Jemaine concoct for each episode. Tackling all genres, from hip hop and soul to glam rock, the duo create highly original and well-produced tracks that typically satirise the very genre they're imitating. This album collects together many of the show's best musical moments, many of them subtly revamped. "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" and "Boom" illustrate the pair's hilarious 'rap' skills. "Think About It" parodies socially minded soul visionaries such as Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, "Bowie" satirises the 70s icon (especially his prodigious drug use), while "Inner City Pressure" mimics the Pet Shop Boys. Two of the most memorable songs from the series--"The Prince of Parties" and "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)"--are also both present, making this the definitive FOTC compilation. The humour ranges from offbeat to downright daft, but there's nothing laughable about the production, which is mostly first class. It's true they could have given us a few new songs, but then how many comedy albums can you repeatedly rewind and find yourself not only laughing, but dancing too?--Paul Sullivan

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

pure, subtle and fragile song writing, 12 Oct 2006
this is musical and literary art. there is no other way to describe it. each track is a tiny masterpiece and Jake Thackray's performances are genuinely remarkable on each.

and that's the whole review. you've either heard this man and appreciated his brilliant talent or you haven't. there is no way to do justice to him in 1000 words so 66 will have to do.

Thanks a lot jake!, 04 Sep 2006
Well, thanks you jake Thackray.

I was on the second leg of a long sydney to london flight, about an hour away from landing. Bored with all the movies i had already seen, i spent a bit of time flicking through the in flight radio stations. I came across this slightly odd sounding northern chap singing a song called "Jolly Captain". Thank god it was a noisey flight, otherwise i think i may have got a few odd looks had anyone notice me burst into almost hysterical laughter at one particular line!

First thing upon my return, i bought this collection of Jake Thackray and i am very glad i did. These songs *always* cheer me up. If you have never heard of Jake Thackray you should give him a try. At first i simply found joy in the clever and very funny (and very English) wit in his lyrics. After i while, i realsied just how good some of the actual music is too; Lah-Di-Dah is very sweet, and Sophie is a beautiful, if rather odd, love song.

Pithy!, 07 Mar 2005
Jake Thackray is sadly no longer with us and there are only a few CD's around to remind us how good he was/is.
He was a fan of the Frnch singer/songwriter George Brassens and shares a lot in terms of bawdy humour and storytelling. Jakes' songs are full of observation, sly humour and tenderness. his love of words produces some extroadinary rhymes and often hilarious 'punchlines'.
If you like unpretentious, humourous and well-crafted songs then here are some of the best that England has to offer.
The musical backing varies from acoustic guitar with double bass to some orchestrated pieces and some jazz inflections here and there, always with jakes' plummy Yorkshire tones at the forefront.
This CD is one of the few available and contains many of his 'classics'.

The English Tom Lehrer?, 03 Nov 2003
I first encountered the songs of Jake Thackray through the covers by amateur singers at Unplugged:Leeds. The originals turned out, however, to be even better than even those excellent renditions. They positively sparkled with humour and hummable, catchy melodies.

Thackray's songs are a subtle blend of folk, blues 'light jazz' and the 'singer-songwriter' tradition, and they are an absolute delight. The comparison with Lehrer is apt, for he is as observant, wry, satirical and affectionate as his American counterpart.

All in all this is a life-affirming, heart-warming and hysterically funny album which you will want to play again and again. I can't wait until more of his material is transferred onto CD, and once you've heard these glorious songs, I guarantee that you'll feel the same way. Buy a copy today!

A secret talent, 25 Jun 2003
I'm listening to the cd as I type. What pleasure Jake Thackary has given over the years and this Cd is a worthy tribute to the man. His unique style has always meant he was an aquired taste but what a taste to aquire. The man was brilliant, his use of words fascinating and his humour eternal. I still laugh every time the bantam 'opens up his sly little eye' or when Sister Josephine shows 'her tenderness towards the younger nuns'
Highly recommended

R.I.P. Jake

A 4 CD set containing his 4 EMI studio albums, The Last Will & Testament, Jake's Progress, Bantam Cock and On Again! On Again! with previously unreleased studio recordings, a mono acoustic version of his first LP, singles (including one in French), demos and alternate versions.

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

pure, subtle and fragile song writing, 12 Oct 2006
this is musical and literary art. there is no other way to describe it. each track is a tiny masterpiece and Jake Thackray's performances are genuinely remarkable on each.

and that's the whole review. you've either heard this man and appreciated his brilliant talent or you haven't. there is no way to do justice to him in 1000 words so 66 will have to do.

Thanks a lot jake!, 04 Sep 2006
Well, thanks you jake Thackray.

I was on the second leg of a long sydney to london flight, about an hour away from landing. Bored with all the movies i had already seen, i spent a bit of time flicking through the in flight radio stations. I came across this slightly odd sounding northern chap singing a song called "Jolly Captain". Thank god it was a noisey flight, otherwise i think i may have got a few odd looks had anyone notice me burst into almost hysterical laughter at one particular line!

First thing upon my return, i bought this collection of Jake Thackray and i am very glad i did. These songs *always* cheer me up. If you have never heard of Jake Thackray you should give him a try. At first i simply found joy in the clever and very funny (and very English) wit in his lyrics. After i while, i realsied just how good some of the actual music is too; Lah-Di-Dah is very sweet, and Sophie is a beautiful, if rather odd, love song.

Pithy!, 07 Mar 2005
Jake Thackray is sadly no longer with us and there are only a few CD's around to remind us how good he was/is.
He was a fan of the Frnch singer/songwriter George Brassens and shares a lot in terms of bawdy humour and storytelling. Jakes' songs are full of observation, sly humour and tenderness. his love of words produces some extroadinary rhymes and often hilarious 'punchlines'.
If you like unpretentious, humourous and well-crafted songs then here are some of the best that England has to offer.
The musical backing varies from acoustic guitar with double bass to some orchestrated pieces and some jazz inflections here and there, always with jakes' plummy Yorkshire tones at the forefront.
This CD is one of the few available and contains many of his 'classics'.

The English Tom Lehrer?, 03 Nov 2003
I first encountered the songs of Jake Thackray through the covers by amateur singers at Unplugged:Leeds. The originals turned out, however, to be even better than even those excellent renditions. They positively sparkled with humour and hummable, catchy melodies.

Thackray's songs are a subtle blend of folk, blues 'light jazz' and the 'singer-songwriter' tradition, and they are an absolute delight. The comparison with Lehrer is apt, for he is as observant, wry, satirical and affectionate as his American counterpart.

All in all this is a life-affirming, heart-warming and hysterically funny album which you will want to play again and again. I can't wait until more of his material is transferred onto CD, and once you've heard these glorious songs, I guarantee that you'll feel the same way. Buy a copy today!

A secret talent, 25 Jun 2003
I'm listening to the cd as I type. What pleasure Jake Thackary has given over the years and this Cd is a worthy tribute to the man. His unique style has always meant he was an aquired taste but what a taste to aquire. The man was brilliant, his use of words fascinating and his humour eternal. I still laugh every time the bantam 'opens up his sly little eye' or when Sister Josephine shows 'her tenderness towards the younger nuns'
Highly recommended

R.I.P. Jake

Worth a listen, 15 Feb 2007
I bought this set largely on word-of-mouth recommendation after I heard and greatly enjoyed a cover-performance of one of Jake Thackray's songs.

The songs talk of love and life and are touching with an engaging boy-next-door earthiness. I can see why Jake Thackray has a cult following. Some of his songs are humourous in a mouth-twitching kind of way, although the meek melodies and sparsity of presentation lead the listener to lean heavily on the lyrics. However, to the uninitiated some of it may be a little inaccessible and, for someone so reliant on lyrics, dare I say it, on occasion pointless.

I feel that Jake Thackray's appeal would have lain especially within his live performances and unfortunately this is now no longer possible with his death a few years ago. As with many artists, this live spark often is very difficult to capture on record and with Jake Thackray, once that spark of presentation is expunged, the content is not quite strong enough to sustain the myth.

This is certainly worth a listen, although it would be wise not to listen to all four discs back-to-back. However, those who are unfamiliar with Jake Thackray ought to be aware that he is probably more of a religion than a listening experience.


pure genius, 16 Oct 2006
There is little I can add to the reviews already posted here, except to say that Jake thackray is largely forgotten, grossly under rated, and should be considered a national treasure! Why is there no statue of him in his home town of Leeds?

Jake was a genuinely intelligent writer of both comic and profoundly moving songs. His wordcraft is simply superb, and he never fails to entertain. unlike most reviewers, however, I like the orchestrated arrangements of his songs as well as the 'man and his guitar' approach. I have waited years for EMI to finally release a complete collection fo his works. At last I can enjoy the full range of his output. It knocks spots off the rubbish churned out today. Buy this - you won't be dissapointed.

An unqualified delight, 13 Jun 2006
If you're already familiar with Jake Thackray's work it's the final CD that will be the real delight: unadorned guitar-and-vocal versions which show that the songs and delivery are almost all fully formed at this early stage, and that the more elaborate arrangements on the first album are essentially unnecessary.

There's a real sense of intimacy with the occasional false start left in or Jake (needlessly) apologising in advance to the producer or engineer about making mistakes on Remember Bethlehem.

It has long been one of my big regrets that I never got to see Jake perform live in 1977; listening to this disc in one sitting feels like the nearest thing to doing so - and no distracting laughter from other people.

At last EMI does justice to a forgotten genius, 01 May 2006
This 4 CD set is every fan's dream. It contains Thackray's four studio albums, alternate versions, a host of previously unreleased songs and an entire CD of Thackray's early songs stripped of orchestras and jazz ensembles - just the man himself and his guitar, performing his songs much as he did in his thousands of live appearances in small clubs. There are gems too many to mention here, and humour and humanity in abundance. A pretty much definitive portrait of a late and greatly lamented genius, this set complements perfectly the new Live Performance CD.

Wanted to like this, 23 Apr 2006
Was hoping to be dazzled by wit, bawdiness, sophistication etc. I'm afraid I can't get into it. The singing is so mannered - the rolled 'r', the ingratiating vowel sounds (gratingly incongruous on the bossa nova tracks), the fact that the same vocal approach is taken on every single track.

The famed wit didn't reach me. It's coy and gentle, not remotely bawdy or daring. For example, Little Black Foal uses the hoary old 'joke' of encouraging the listener to think that a rude word (ooh, funny that) is going to occur in the next line, only to sidestep into a cop-out, clean rhyme.

I will persevere, but much here is too twee for me. Whatever the opposite of urbanity is, Jake had it in spades.

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

pure, subtle and fragile song writing, 12 Oct 2006
this is musical and literary art. there is no other way to describe it. each track is a tiny masterpiece and Jake Thackray's performances are genuinely remarkable on each.

and that's the whole review. you've either heard this man and appreciated his brilliant talent or you haven't. there is no way to do justice to him in 1000 words so 66 will have to do.

Thanks a lot jake!, 04 Sep 2006
Well, thanks you jake Thackray.

I was on the second leg of a long sydney to london flight, about an hour away from landing. Bored with all the movies i had already seen, i spent a bit of time flicking through the in flight radio stations. I came across this slightly odd sounding northern chap singing a song called "Jolly Captain". Thank god it was a noisey flight, otherwise i think i may have got a few odd looks had anyone notice me burst into almost hysterical laughter at one particular line!

First thing upon my return, i bought this collection of Jake Thackray and i am very glad i did. These songs *always* cheer me up. If you have never heard of Jake Thackray you should give him a try. At first i simply found joy in the clever and very funny (and very English) wit in his lyrics. After i while, i realsied just how good some of the actual music is too; Lah-Di-Dah is very sweet, and Sophie is a beautiful, if rather odd, love song.

Pithy!, 07 Mar 2005
Jake Thackray is sadly no longer with us and there are only a few CD's around to remind us how good he was/is.
He was a fan of the Frnch singer/songwriter George Brassens and shares a lot in terms of bawdy humour and storytelling. Jakes' songs are full of observation, sly humour and tenderness. his love of words produces some extroadinary rhymes and often hilarious 'punchlines'.
If you like unpretentious, humourous and well-crafted songs then here are some of the best that England has to offer.
The musical backing varies from acoustic guitar with double bass to some orchestrated pieces and some jazz inflections here and there, always with jakes' plummy Yorkshire tones at the forefront.
This CD is one of the few available and contains many of his 'classics'.

The English Tom Lehrer?, 03 Nov 2003
I first encountered the songs of Jake Thackray through the covers by amateur singers at Unplugged:Leeds. The originals turned out, however, to be even better than even those excellent renditions. They positively sparkled with humour and hummable, catchy melodies.

Thackray's songs are a subtle blend of folk, blues 'light jazz' and the 'singer-songwriter' tradition, and they are an absolute delight. The comparison with Lehrer is apt, for he is as observant, wry, satirical and affectionate as his American counterpart.

All in all this is a life-affirming, heart-warming and hysterically funny album which you will want to play again and again. I can't wait until more of his material is transferred onto CD, and once you've heard these glorious songs, I guarantee that you'll feel the same way. Buy a copy today!

A secret talent, 25 Jun 2003
I'm listening to the cd as I type. What pleasure Jake Thackary has given over the years and this Cd is a worthy tribute to the man. His unique style has always meant he was an aquired taste but what a taste to aquire. The man was brilliant, his use of words fascinating and his humour eternal. I still laugh every time the bantam 'opens up his sly little eye' or when Sister Josephine shows 'her tenderness towards the younger nuns'
Highly recommended

R.I.P. Jake

Worth a listen, 15 Feb 2007
I bought this set largely on word-of-mouth recommendation after I heard and greatly enjoyed a cover-performance of one of Jake Thackray's songs.

The songs talk of love and life and are touching with an engaging boy-next-door earthiness. I can see why Jake Thackray has a cult following. Some of his songs are humourous in a mouth-twitching kind of way, although the meek melodies and sparsity of presentation lead the listener to lean heavily on the lyrics. However, to the uninitiated some of it may be a little inaccessible and, for someone so reliant on lyrics, dare I say it, on occasion pointless.

I feel that Jake Thackray's appeal would have lain especially within his live performances and unfortunately this is now no longer possible with his death a few years ago. As with many artists, this live spark often is very difficult to capture on record and with Jake Thackray, once that spark of presentation is expunged, the content is not quite strong enough to sustain the myth.

This is certainly worth a listen, although it would be wise not to listen to all four discs back-to-back. However, those who are unfamiliar with Jake Thackray ought to be aware that he is probably more of a religion than a listening experience.


pure genius, 16 Oct 2006
There is little I can add to the reviews already posted here, except to say that Jake thackray is largely forgotten, grossly under rated, and should be considered a national treasure! Why is there no statue of him in his home town of Leeds?

Jake was a genuinely intelligent writer of both comic and profoundly moving songs. His wordcraft is simply superb, and he never fails to entertain. unlike most reviewers, however, I like the orchestrated arrangements of his songs as well as the 'man and his guitar' approach. I have waited years for EMI to finally release a complete collection fo his works. At last I can enjoy the full range of his output. It knocks spots off the rubbish churned out today. Buy this - you won't be dissapointed.

An unqualified delight, 13 Jun 2006
If you're already familiar with Jake Thackray's work it's the final CD that will be the real delight: unadorned guitar-and-vocal versions which show that the songs and delivery are almost all fully formed at this early stage, and that the more elaborate arrangements on the first album are essentially unnecessary.

There's a real sense of intimacy with the occasional false start left in or Jake (needlessly) apologising in advance to the producer or engineer about making mistakes on Remember Bethlehem.

It has long been one of my big regrets that I never got to see Jake perform live in 1977; listening to this disc in one sitting feels like the nearest thing to doing so - and no distracting laughter from other people.

At last EMI does justice to a forgotten genius, 01 May 2006
This 4 CD set is every fan's dream. It contains Thackray's four studio albums, alternate versions, a host of previously unreleased songs and an entire CD of Thackray's early songs stripped of orchestras and jazz ensembles - just the man himself and his guitar, performing his songs much as he did in his thousands of live appearances in small clubs. There are gems too many to mention here, and humour and humanity in abundance. A pretty much definitive portrait of a late and greatly lamented genius, this set complements perfectly the new Live Performance CD.

Wanted to like this, 23 Apr 2006
Was hoping to be dazzled by wit, bawdiness, sophistication etc. I'm afraid I can't get into it. The singing is so mannered - the rolled 'r', the ingratiating vowel sounds (gratingly incongruous on the bossa nova tracks), the fact that the same vocal approach is taken on every single track.

The famed wit didn't reach me. It's coy and gentle, not remotely bawdy or daring. For example, Little Black Foal uses the hoary old 'joke' of encouraging the listener to think that a rude word (ooh, funny that) is going to occur in the next line, only to sidestep into a cop-out, clean rhyme.

I will persevere, but much here is too twee for me. Whatever the opposite of urbanity is, Jake had it in spades.

At last!, 23 Apr 2006
I never thought I would hear this - the full 29 songs from Jake's Nov 1970 concert at the QEH. The original LP (long deleted) only had 14 tracks. This is Jake at his best - just him and his guitar. A brilliant performer and much missed.

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

pure, subtle and fragile song writing, 12 Oct 2006
this is musical and literary art. there is no other way to describe it. each track is a tiny masterpiece and Jake Thackray's performances are genuinely remarkable on each.

and that's the whole review. you've either heard this man and appreciated his brilliant talent or you haven't. there is no way to do justice to him in 1000 words so 66 will have to do.

Thanks a lot jake!, 04 Sep 2006
Well, thanks you jake Thackray.

I was on the second leg of a long sydney to london flight, about an hour away from landing. Bored with all the movies i had already seen, i spent a bit of time flicking through the in flight radio stations. I came across this slightly odd sounding northern chap singing a song called "Jolly Captain". Thank god it was a noisey flight, otherwise i think i may have got a few odd looks had anyone notice me burst into almost hysterical laughter at one particular line!

First thing upon my return, i bought this collection of Jake Thackray and i am very glad i did. These songs *always* cheer me up. If you have never heard of Jake Thackray you should give him a try. At first i simply found joy in the clever and very funny (and very English) wit in his lyrics. After i while, i realsied just how good some of the actual music is too; Lah-Di-Dah is very sweet, and Sophie is a beautiful, if rather odd, love song.

Pithy!, 07 Mar 2005
Jake Thackray is sadly no longer with us and there are only a few CD's around to remind us how good he was/is.
He was a fan of the Frnch singer/songwriter George Brassens and shares a lot in terms of bawdy humour and storytelling. Jakes' songs are full of observation, sly humour and tenderness. his love of words produces some extroadinary rhymes and often hilarious 'punchlines'.
If you like unpretentious, humourous and well-crafted songs then here are some of the best that England has to offer.
The musical backing varies from acoustic guitar with double bass to some orchestrated pieces and some jazz inflections here and there, always with jakes' plummy Yorkshire tones at the forefront.
This CD is one of the few available and contains many of his 'classics'.

The English Tom Lehrer?, 03 Nov 2003
I first encountered the songs of Jake Thackray through the covers by amateur singers at Unplugged:Leeds. The originals turned out, however, to be even better than even those excellent renditions. They positively sparkled with humour and hummable, catchy melodies.

Thackray's songs are a subtle blend of folk, blues 'light jazz' and the 'singer-songwriter' tradition, and they are an absolute delight. The comparison with Lehrer is apt, for he is as observant, wry, satirical and affectionate as his American counterpart.

All in all this is a life-affirming, heart-warming and hysterically funny album which you will want to play again and again. I can't wait until more of his material is transferred onto CD, and once you've heard these glorious songs, I guarantee that you'll feel the same way. Buy a copy today!

A secret talent, 25 Jun 2003
I'm listening to the cd as I type. What pleasure Jake Thackary has given over the years and this Cd is a worthy tribute to the man. His unique style has always meant he was an aquired taste but what a taste to aquire. The man was brilliant, his use of words fascinating and his humour eternal. I still laugh every time the bantam 'opens up his sly little eye' or when Sister Josephine shows 'her tenderness towards the younger nuns'
Highly recommended

R.I.P. Jake

Worth a listen, 15 Feb 2007
I bought this set largely on word-of-mouth recommendation after I heard and greatly enjoyed a cover-performance of one of Jake Thackray's songs.

The songs talk of love and life and are touching with an engaging boy-next-door earthiness. I can see why Jake Thackray has a cult following. Some of his songs are humourous in a mouth-twitching kind of way, although the meek melodies and sparsity of presentation lead the listener to lean heavily on the lyrics. However, to the uninitiated some of it may be a little inaccessible and, for someone so reliant on lyrics, dare I say it, on occasion pointless.

I feel that Jake Thackray's appeal would have lain especially within his live performances and unfortunately this is now no longer possible with his death a few years ago. As with many artists, this live spark often is very difficult to capture on record and with Jake Thackray, once that spark of presentation is expunged, the content is not quite strong enough to sustain the myth.

This is certainly worth a listen, although it would be wise not to listen to all four discs back-to-back. However, those who are unfamiliar with Jake Thackray ought to be aware that he is probably more of a religion than a listening experience.


pure genius, 16 Oct 2006
There is little I can add to the reviews already posted here, except to say that Jake thackray is largely forgotten, grossly under rated, and should be considered a national treasure! Why is there no statue of him in his home town of Leeds?

Jake was a genuinely intelligent writer of both comic and profoundly moving songs. His wordcraft is simply superb, and he never fails to entertain. unlike most reviewers, however, I like the orchestrated arrangements of his songs as well as the 'man and his guitar' approach. I have waited years for EMI to finally release a complete collection fo his works. At last I can enjoy the full range of his output. It knocks spots off the rubbish churned out today. Buy this - you won't be dissapointed.

An unqualified delight, 13 Jun 2006
If you're already familiar with Jake Thackray's work it's the final CD that will be the real delight: unadorned guitar-and-vocal versions which show that the songs and delivery are almost all fully formed at this early stage, and that the more elaborate arrangements on the first album are essentially unnecessary.

There's a real sense of intimacy with the occasional false start left in or Jake (needlessly) apologising in advance to the producer or engineer about making mistakes on Remember Bethlehem.

It has long been one of my big regrets that I never got to see Jake perform live in 1977; listening to this disc in one sitting feels like the nearest thing to doing so - and no distracting laughter from other people.

At last EMI does justice to a forgotten genius, 01 May 2006
This 4 CD set is every fan's dream. It contains Thackray's four studio albums, alternate versions, a host of previously unreleased songs and an entire CD of Thackray's early songs stripped of orchestras and jazz ensembles - just the man himself and his guitar, performing his songs much as he did in his thousands of live appearances in small clubs. There are gems too many to mention here, and humour and humanity in abundance. A pretty much definitive portrait of a late and greatly lamented genius, this set complements perfectly the new Live Performance CD.

Wanted to like this, 23 Apr 2006
Was hoping to be dazzled by wit, bawdiness, sophistication etc. I'm afraid I can't get into it. The singing is so mannered - the rolled 'r', the ingratiating vowel sounds (gratingly incongruous on the bossa nova tracks), the fact that the same vocal approach is taken on every single track.

The famed wit didn't reach me. It's coy and gentle, not remotely bawdy or daring. For example, Little Black Foal uses the hoary old 'joke' of encouraging the listener to think that a rude word (ooh, funny that) is going to occur in the next line, only to sidestep into a cop-out, clean rhyme.

I will persevere, but much here is too twee for me. Whatever the opposite of urbanity is, Jake had it in spades.

At last!, 23 Apr 2006
I never thought I would hear this - the full 29 songs from Jake's Nov 1970 concert at the QEH. The original LP (long deleted) only had 14 tracks. This is Jake at his best - just him and his guitar. A brilliant performer and much missed.

You may be a trifle concerned at the thought ..., 24 Dec 2007
... of buying three CDs of two men singing comic songs.

Don't be.

Flanders and Swann's "comic songs" are different from most. They have bite, wit, character, fire and - just below the surface - sometimes profound meaning. These are no "ordinary" comic songs.

Neither is Swann's accompaniment at the piano ordinary.

These are CDs that contain true gems. Buy them.

Witty, civilised, scintillating, 24 Nov 2005
Bliss! If you tire of entertainment aimed purely at the lowest common denominator then this is the welcome antithesis. The other reviews say it all really. The wordplay of Flanders is just fabulous, the wit perfect, Swann's music light but expertly arranged, and they're not afraid to make references that are, for want of a better word, "intellectual" - in other words, for all the fun and silliness (and they really are very funny), they treat their audience like grown-ups. The result is a box set that is highly original, utterly pleasurable, and often of a range and depth that one wouldn't have at first suspected. "Misalliance" is, at first glance a trivial piece of nonsense about a honeysuckle and a bindweed, but ends up as a surprisingly powerful piece about the freedom to love regardless of race, religion or any other restriction.

I too would place Flanders and Swann in the same corpus as Gilbert and Sullivan, Wilde, Jerome K Jerome, Chesterton and Wodehouse, but that doesn't mean this box set can't sit next to your Franz Ferdinand or Scissor Sisters albums - the criterion isn't whether something is modern bur whether its good. Listen to these three CDs and you realise you are in the presence of two massive talents. Sometimes you have to look to the past to find something new and Flanders and Swann are a breath of fresh air. Brilliant!

Timeless humour, 11 Jan 2005
I don't expect there are many 20-something year olds who enjoy Flanders and Swann but I am proud to be one of them. I learnt to sing the Hippopotamus Song at school and then my mum introduced me to this fine collection.

Nothing makes me giggle more that The Gas Man Cometh or playing the Song of Patriotic Prejudice at top volume with 'foreigners' in the house!

I am proud to say I once saw Donald Swann on stage about a year before his death (and, thanks to a kindly employee, even have his autograph). Together, Flanders and Swann were one of a kind - unmissable British humour at its best!

Comedy changes with the seasons, wit is timeless, 23 Mar 2004
Comedy changes with the seasons, but wit is timeless. Oscar Wilde never goes out of fashion, because he ignored fashion. In the same way, Flanders & Swann remain relevant because their material was selected with care to tap into the eternal concerns of middle-class audiences.

There is still much to surprise and delight as F&S take on public transport, hi-hi, parking, xenophobia, relationships, popular songs, animals fictional and real, even war (arguably, F&S were never more powerful and relevant than in the two very dark anti-war songs included on the third CD, perhaps inspired by Swann's Quaker sympathies), and much more besides.

True, many songs and commentaries by Flanders & Swann may seem dated because the personalities are long gone, but the veracity of Flanders' rapier wit in pricking inflated egos is just as relevant today as it has ever been, echoing the skills of WS Gilbert and others to transcend their time (just insert the names of your least favourite politicians!) While Flanders publically mocked satire ("It has rightly been said that the role of satire is to strip away the veneer from society. Our role as I see it is to put it back"), he was not averse to indulging in what for the time was fairly pungent satire (shame that the wonderful 'Hole in my Budget' is not included here.)

But overall, the mood is light and affectionately funny. Who could fail to enjoy Madeira M'dear, The Gasman Cometh or Ill Wind. Simple, light, refreshing and performed with consummate skill, and leaving the listener with a smile. What more could you want?

Two Gentlemen of Music, 09 Jan 2004
I was fortunate enough to see At The Drop of Another Hat in London. These CDs bring back the memory of that evening very clearly indeed. The gentle satire of Flanders' words combined with Swann's incomparable music epitomise that era. If in doubt, buy it. You won't regret it at all.

Something Like This... is a generous sampling of Bob Newhart's best stand-up bits. Part of what Bob Newhart mastered, earlier on stand-up albums like The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart and The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! and later on his long-running American television series The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, was capturing a brand of Everyman neuroses and heightening it, bringing mundane, common scenarios into the realm of the absurd--and the absurdly funny. Newhart also perfected playing a character involved in a conversation with the other party in absentia, as in one of his most famous routines, "King Kong", in which he plays the part of an Empire State Building security guard who calls his boss the night King Kong makes his famous ascent. ("Yes, sir, I looked in the handbook index under "unauthorized personnel" and "people without passes" and "apes", and "ape's toes", but it's not in there...."). While some of his topics--airplanes, hating to fly--have now been so overdone as to be comic faux pas, rather than making his material seem dated they often serve to demonstrate just how rare a talent he is simply because the routines still elicit involuntary snorts of laughter some 30 years later. --Mark Hunstman

hilarious!, 09 Aug 2008
I had never heard of these but my boyfriend put this onto my ipod. I just could not stop laughing. "Can someone please remove these cutleries from my knees?" I laughed out loud on the tube.

Conchords are genius, but..., 19 Jul 2008
I'm disappointed some of the best songs are missing:

Sellotape (Pencils In The Wind)
If You're Into It
Bret, You've Got It Going On

Superb, 26 Jun 2008
I have only seen glimpses of the TV series, but no matter. This a wonderfully silly album combining very witty lyrics, with accurately observed pastiches of every genre of music.

The standout track initially is "It's partytime", in which a self-delusional "luvvaman" serenades his "wo'man". It's the last time I'll ever try to seduce my wife wearing just my black socks!

The other tracks bear repeated listening, and the joys of the wonderfully crafted lyrics are soon to be relished and enjoyed.

BUY IT!

You don,t need to see the TV series to appreciate this albums brilliance, 31 May 2008
Confession time. I haven't seen one frame of the TV series this album is lifted from ( I mean to put that erroneous oversight right by the way) Consequently I come at this album from a completely fresh perspective and judge it just on the strength of the songs.
These are parodies done in various styles - rap, R & B , singer songwriter and so on and are not only spot on musically with fulsome melodies and erudite arrangements but brilliant lyrically . You will laugh ...a lot. I was painting the first time I listened to this album and one couplet made me laugh so hard I dripped paint over the carpet , missing the dustsheet I had meticulously laid down. Thanks a lot guys.
It's all quality stuff but the highlights for me include the Pet Shop Boys pastiche "Inner City Pressure " ( "The manager Bevan starts to abuse me , chill out man I just want some muesli ".The bass line , widescreen synths and the use of the line "You just stand there" are uncanny. The rap p**s take "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous" has priceless lines like "My lines are so potent they end this small segment and made all of the ladies in the area pregnant./Yeah sometimes my lyrics are sexist but all you lovely bitches should know I'm trying to correct this". It's "Motherflippin" ace.
On the earnest R&B overload of "Think About It" kids are killing each other with knifes and forks and getting disease from monkeys. "Ladies Of The World" is a flawless parody of smooth contemporary soul leading into the profane hard edged rap hilarity of "Mutha,uckas" . "The Prince Of Parties" is a wonderfully observed rip off of 60,s psychedelic music . I'm not entirely sure what "Leggy Blond" is pastiching - though over intense singer songwriters would be my guess. "Robot Boom " is a superb and blatant Kraftwerk caricature where it's the year 2000 and there are no more humans-"We used poisonous gases and poisoned their asses" -or elephants and "We no longer say yes we say affirmative/ Yes......I mean affir... affirmative " .
"Boom" rips the p*** out of ragga before the positively identified singer songwriter tones of "A Kiss Is Not A Contract" but it is "very nice". "Business Time" is an approximation of Outkast and 70,s loved up funk. "Bowie" not surprisingly extracts the urine out of the great man right down to the slightly warbly voice. It's actually, for me the funniest thing on here ."This is Bowie to Bowie" he intones " Does the cold of deep space make your nipples all pointy Bowie?" /Do you use your nipples as space antenna to transmit data Bowie?". The "Lets Dance" segue is fantastically done.
Flight Of The Conchords is extremely silly and out of context from the series might not have worked as a stand alone album . But speaking , again, as someone who has only heard this music out of context of the TV series I've got to say it does work , indeed it works superbly . It is meticulously observed and sounds ridiculously easy but probably isn't .These are gifted musicians with a forensic eye for the absurd. The Conchords really hit the heights .Just don,t listen to it while painting .



Sublime, 24 May 2008
The Flight of The Conchords TV series was perhaps the one thing since Peep Show that I simply had to watch every week. Of course I didn't actually watch it every week as my attention span simply doesn't extend that far; I did buy the DVD though and watched the entire series over a weekend.

I don't throw this word about with gay abandon, but on this occasion it's more than justified. Flight of The Conchords was/is GENIUS. Quite apart from it being the funniest thing on TV, it's musical parodies were so spot on that you couldn't help but laugh. This CD brings the best of them to your home CD player in crystal clear stereo.

Be it the Pet Shop Boys stylings of Inner City Pressure, the Barry White-aping Buisness Time, the French Bossanova of Foux du Fafa or the Kraftwerk-baiting Robots, virtually every song hits that sweet spot. It's funny AND musically accomplished.

Of course I would have to admit that it's not quite the same as watching it on TV or catching their side-splitting stage show but if it falls short from the genius on display there, its only by the merest of fractions. As funny as it is catchy, this is simply sublime.

The only reason it's four stars not five is that it can't quite match the TV series.

Spread the word: Jake's the greatest, 18 Jan 2008
As a tiny lad in the late 60s I used to love Jake's tv appearances - I loved the sound of his guitar playing and his deadpan delivery and his vocals used to have me in stitches, though I couldn't have understood 99% of the lyrics! Then last year, four decades later, I read an article on the release of Jake's boxed set in Mojo magazine. Straight onto Amazon I ordered myself a copy of the Very Best of Jake Thackray. What a fabulous delight. I have since ordered another five copies which I've sent out to various friends, and here I am on Amazon again, ordering another three copies for further friends. Spreading the word. Jake, you're fab, unique and wonderful. There will never be anyone else like you. Wishing you were here.

More than brilliant songs, 21 Feb 2006
It is impossible to know and hear the very best of Jake Thackray without hearing him speak as well as sing. I had the privilege of seeing Jake perform live on three seperate occasions during the late 70's and early 80's. Whilst his musical talent was (and still is) unique, this fine compilation is missing the vital ingredient that made him so special - his words. Occasionally you can get a little of the atmosphere with the live tracks when he introduces a song but to really appreciate how good he was you had to be there. For every song there was a story and these represented at least half of the show and were a major reason why people went to see him.
So come on Music Publishers lets try to find a recording of one of Jake's gigs and publish it without any editing - only then will you really get "the very best of Jake Thackray".

Beware Copy Protection, 26 Apr 2004
I can only echo the other comments, but would point out that the copyprotection prevents this disc from playing on at least one in-car CDplayer. Not so much a copy-protected product as one that is deliberatelybroken by the manufacturer.

jake the rave, 17 Mar 2004
Some classics which many will know, along with some hidden gems which stand up straight of their own accord and give you a proper Northern slap in the face as if to say, "give those pretentions a rest and try to digest this if you will." You will laugh and be touched in equal parts by these songs, from the blacksmith's happy end to the song for the river swale. Beautiful, try it.

A Unique Talent, 06 Jun 2003
Being a young lad of only 23 Years, I never knew Jake at the hight of his fame, goodness only knows why i had to accidentally stumble over his music to hear anything by him. He should be a national tresure. He manipulates the English language in a way words can't really do justice to describe. The more up tempo songs i particularly enjoy 'the lodger' 'billy kershaw' 'gypsy' & 'on again!' spring to mind, but they are all good, apart from 'molly metcalf' which shouldnt really be on a very best of collection.

Given the chance i would have put the 'castleford ladies magical circle' and 'family tree' on this collection.

RIP Jake

pure, subtle and fragile song writing, 12 Oct 2006
this is musical and literary art. there is no other way to describe it. each track is a tiny masterpiece and Jake Thackray's performances are genuinely remarkable on each.

and that's the whole review. you've either heard this man and appreciated his brilliant talent or you haven't. there is no way to do justice to him in 1000 words so 66 will have to do.

Thanks a lot jake!, 04 Sep 2006
Well, thanks you jake Thackray.

I was on the second leg of a long sydney to london flight, about an hour away from landing. Bored with all the movies i had already seen, i spent a bit of time flicking through the in flight radio stations. I came across this slightly odd sounding northern chap singing a song called "Jolly Captain". Thank god it was a noisey flight, otherwise i think i may have got a few odd looks had anyone notice me burst into almost hysterical laughter at one particular line!

First thing upon my return, i bought this collection of Jake Thackray and i am very glad i did. These songs *always* cheer me up. If you have never heard of Jake Thackray you should give him a try. At first i simply found joy in the clever and very funny (and very English) wit in his lyrics. After i while, i realsied just how good some of the actual music is too; Lah-Di-Dah is very sweet, and Sophie is a beautiful, if rather odd, love song.

Pithy!, 07 Mar 2005
Jake Thackray is sadly no longer with us and there are only a few CD's around to remind us how good he was/is.
He was a fan of the Frnch singer/songwriter George Brassens and shares a lot in terms of bawdy humour and storytelling. Jakes' songs are full of observation, sly humour and tenderness. his love of words produces some extroadinary rhymes and often hilarious 'punchlines'.
If you like unpretentious, humourous and well-crafted songs then here are some of the best that England has to offer.
The musical backing varies from acoustic guitar with double bass to some orchestrated pieces and some jazz inflections here and there, always with jakes' plummy Yorkshire tones at the forefront.
This CD is one of the few available and contains many of his 'classics'.

The English Tom Lehrer?, 03 Nov 2003
I first encountered the songs of Jake Thackray through the covers by amateur singers at Unplugged:Leeds. The originals turned out, however, to be even better than even those excellent renditions. They positively sparkled with humour and hummable, catchy melodies.

Thackray's songs are a subtle blend of folk, blues 'light jazz' and the 'singer-songwriter' tradition, and they are an absolute delight. The comparison with Lehrer is apt, for he is as observant, wry, satirical and affectionate as his American counterpart.

All in all this is a life-affirming, heart-warming and hysterically funny album which you will want to play again and again. I can't wait until more of his material is transferred onto CD, and once you've heard these glorious songs, I guarantee that you'll feel the same way. Buy a copy today!

A secret talent, 25 Jun 2003
I'm listening to the cd as I type. What pleasure Jake Thackary has given over the years and this Cd is a worthy tribute to the man. His unique style has always meant he was an aquired taste but what a taste to aquire. The man was brilliant, his use of words fascinating and his humour eternal. I still laugh every time the bantam 'opens up his sly little eye' or when Sister Josephine shows 'her tenderness towards the younger nuns'
Highly recommended

R.I.P. Jake

Worth a listen, 15 Feb 2007
I bought this set largely on word-of-mouth recommendation after I heard and greatly enjoyed a cover-performance of one of Jake Thackray's songs.

The songs talk of love and life and are touching with an engaging boy-next-door earthiness. I can see why Jake Thackray has a cult following. Some of his songs are humourous in a mouth-twitching kind of way, although the meek melodies and sparsity