Reasons To Be Cheerful: The Best Of

If I even hear the name Ian Dury, my mind finds the mental snapshot of a 10 year old me watching TOTP with my jaw on the carpet as a deformed, super scary loony with a union jack decal on his teeth glares and tells me untapped potential is a crime. He and his Blockheads sang 'What A Waste' and I liked it, how hip was I at such a young age recognising the brilliance of this unique, abhorrent, nutjob. The world was a sadder place when we lost one of England's last true characters, the great Ian Dury. A complete one off, a true individual. Certainly not a classic singer but his warm voice was distinctive and he could definately carry a tune. His Blockheads, a bunch of other misfits, seemed to only be able to express themselves through their instruments and boy could they play, the albums are great but if you never saw them live, you missed out. The music, a mash up of so many styles, draws inspiration from English folk, vaudeville, funk, Ian's beloved rock n roll and the reggae inspired tunes like 'Mash It Up Harry' are a thousand times more real than anything Sting and the Police ever did. There aren't many songwriters whose lyrics can stand alone as true English poetry, it mines a similar vain to John Cooper Clarke and of recent only Alex from Arctic Monkeys hits a similar level of accomplishment and style. The lyrics are witty, working class observations with double dollops of thigh slapping humour, even the commission for cash, 'Profoudly In Love With Pandora', whilst not one of his best is still a charming interpretation of Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole character.This compilation is excellent value, a 2 cd affair with 36 tracks which comprehensively cover his whole career and also include a couple of rarities. Almost all of the seminal 'New Boots And Panties' is included and I believe the three omissions would have nestled in nicely. Of course you get the hits and those of us old enough can remember they appeared with regularity during the earlier part of his success. The last 5 tracks are live versions and perfectly represent the joyful din the Blockheads created on stage, the musicianship is brilliant. They also hint at Ian's magnetic, showman qualities, the crowd are in the palm of his hand. My only slight gripe and a very slight one at that is I would have much preferred the studio version of the cripples anthem 'Spasticus Autisticus', but then again the live version of 'Blockheads' is the best I've heard. It's a great cd that's nicely packaged including knowing notes from Phil Jupitus and the tunes nourish, entertain and amuse, a joyous racket, buy it.

Oi, mate, 'old up.You wanna listen to this bloke. 'E goes on about all aspects of life from nicking nudey-books (Razzle In My Pocket) to the end of relationships (Really Glad You Came) and tempestuousness within one (Pam's Moods). Encompassing tributes to proper cockney dads (My Old Man) and Peter Blake (Peter The Painter), and the top-ten hits (Reasons To Be Cheerful and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick), as the liner notes say: 'Here then are 36 reasons to be cheerful'. Not the complete canon, but plenty to get you through the day.Backed by some of the tightest, professional musicians in Britain, who provide fearsome funk by way of ska, reggae and the pub-rock scene, Ian Dury deliberates in his gravelly Estuary accent about arcane subject matter.For example, 'Poor Joey' highlights the ennui and degradation that budgies suffer. 'Poo-Poo In The Prawn' should be the clarion call for all EHOs. Harry in 'Mash It Up Harry' wants a 'bit of Wembley up his you know where/eye-yiyi/Ponders End' (amongst many other places), something not normally heard I grant you, but it gets you thinking about Harry.The collection even includes 'Profoundly In Love With Pandora', which was the theme tune for the 1980's TV version of 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole' and if you listen to the words, at 3 minutes long, the whole book has been concisely covered.Nods to Noel Coward abound and there are some beautiful sounding intros and mid-sections to counterpoint the sometimes potty-mouthed murkiness, proving the musicianship of those who stood behind Ian Dury and gave his poetry a rhythm.Go on, go get yourself some. It's well worth it me ol' cock.

This album takes me right back to the late 70s and the punk rock days.It contains all of his best hits, and a few I had not heard before, GREAT STUFF!! for those of us of a certain age, over 50s!!

never had much of an ear for Ian Dury except 'Hit me..'.. for some reason I just got it in my head again after a glass or two of strong spirit and found the 'add to basket' button on Amazon... when I saw the large number of tracks on the double CD I expected only to like 'Hit me' and hopefully a couple of others too... BUT.... all of it is on all the time.. car, home & I-pod at the gym .. brilliant and so, so clever, catchy, and musically intricate. Given the ups and downs of life its so good to have Ian Dury & the Blockheads by my side.. thank you !

Good Value, purchased as present for a female relative who (unlike me) doesn't mind that "Plaistow Patricia" with all the language is missing from this selection

I had New Boots and Panties on vinyl back in the day, I seem to recollect something else on cassette. Always loved the music and got this to recollect - I'm so glad I did because it's excellent.

Very happy with this double CD Ian dury put a lot of pathos in his songs and great stories He is as much a poet as a musician and sadly missed The world needs more eccentrics and characters Would strongly recommend this Covers all his different bands

Bought as a gift, recipient loved it and gushed and forgotten tracks and songs they didn't think would make a "best of"