The Scaffold - C or D?

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This, from the AMG sounds appealing:

"[...] the Scaffold were one of the most unique acts of the decade, second only to the Bonzo Dog Band in their mixture of comedy and music. The difference between the two bands is that the Scaffold's roots are in music hall (roughly, the British equivalent of vaudeville) instead of trad jazz, and the poetry of Roger McGough — since recognized as one of the greatest comic poets of his generation — is one of the trio's key elements. As a result, The Abbey Road Decade, 1966-1971 sounds at times like a combination of Ian Whitcomb and Ivor Cutler, leavened by Mike McGear's pop sensibility."

Do many people rate their work? I like many others I guess, am only familiar with it through "Lily the Pink" and "Thank U Very Much" (which I do actually like in a sentimental-nostlagic way, esp. the "you don't know how much they all *meeeean*" bridge bit), which I sense might not give a true impression of their work. 'Second only to the Bonzo Dog Band' sounds promising to me, such a big fan of Innes, Stanshall & co.

Tom May (Tom May), Saturday, 7 February 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

To me they really don't ever rise to the level of the Bonzos -- McGear/Gorman just aren't writers of the caliber of Innes/Stanshall, and the musical settings aren't as interesting either. If you can find one of their comps at a decent price you'll probably find it satisfactory but may not put it on much after the first few listens if you have Bonzos, Alex Harvey, Roy Wood, Ian Dury, 10CC, or Chas and Dave in your collection.

In sum, certainly not C, but not D either, just a bit middling.

Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Saturday, 7 February 2004 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)


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