Hop to it - Viv Stanshall, Rawlinson end

Amid the chaos of school life, when I've managed to get past that strange second year boy who is determined to grab me in places that I'm far to gentlemanly to mention, said hello to the gaggle of kids (are they a gaggle of kids, a flock, a pride, a shoal, a school or a murder?? ) always loitering around the staff door alternatively shouting / coughing for the nurse I've been sitting at my desk, putting on my MP3 player and have been transported away to Viv Stanshalls, Rawlinsons end.

I'm not fully sure of the complete history of Viv Stanshall so excuse me if I omit or get anything plain wrong, but he's most famous as the lead singer from the Bonzo dog Doh da band a man full of charm, wit and quick thinking. After his dissolution of the band his career was a series of ups and downs with his natural stage fright (which seems odd for a man whose shock of red hair giant ginger beard would be off set with stripped waistcoats and leggings) adding to his crippling depression and alcohol abuse. Before his accidental death on his house boat (where it was intially thought he had accidently set fire to his giant beard whilst asleep) he recorded a host of cd's, wrote books and poetry, painted, taught art, narrated Tubular bells, and even managed to make a film. Rawlinson end was a series of stories based on the inhabitants of... well Rawlinson end, governed over by the stupidly racist, amazingly sexist and stunningly ignorant Sir Henry Rawlins, a blimp of a man who doesn't know what he wants but he wants it now! Hardly ever with a kind word for anyone he bides his time dreaming of his days in the army, shooting (often the villagers) drinking and keeping his own private P.O.W camp. With characters like his kindly wife Great Aunt Florie (always knitting a "thing") brother Hubert (40 years old and still peculiar) Old scrotum the wrinkled retainer (Sr Henry's butler never seen without his fez) and the complement of drinkers at the local pub the Fool and bladder Stanshalls stories transport us not only to another place but another time, only I'm not sure when or where it is.

His stories were broadcast over the John Peel show, which once again shows not only how influential his programme was but also how unique I can't imagine any other radio show (at least not on radio 1 or other music based stations) putting on a fifteen minute story complete with chamber music. I love Stanshalls deep but soft voice that winds its way over the twists and turns, forks and stinging nettles of his incrediable use of language. The sessions are always darkly funny in their side swipes at Englands colonial past and its up stairs downs stairs mentality and as they progress ( I think theres something like 10 years between the second and 3rd sessions) they become increasingly morbid. I've been listening to the sessions posted on the great John Peel session dedicated site The perfumed garden which has all three sessions.
But they were also re worked and re recorded with full band for an album which I'm now thinking of ordering from here.

The complete history of the sessions and far more (and far better written) information of Viv Stanshall the ginger geezer can be found here

Right I'm off to have my picture taken for the school handbook thankfully I'm wearing my skull tie and am looking alllll fancy pants.
now read on
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School Headmaster watch : navy blue suit, light grey shirt, light gray tie
Todays School Headmaster look is; A little like a weather man who despite all the information to the contry is determined its going to be sunny