Track Listing

1. Sir Henry At Ndidi's Kraal

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5379 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Not Quite Vintage Southampton Red Rum
Sir Henry at Ndidi's Kraal is well worth listening to. If, like me, you know 'Sir Henry at Rawlinson End' very well, you will find this a lesser work. Where that masterpiece is well crafted and overflowing with the genius of the man, in Ndidi's Kraal his superb talent is spread more thinly. It is a little rougher, less subtle and less gentle although there are still wonderful politically incorrect raspberries liberally scattered through the text. The sparkling gems of the brilliance of the man Stanshall shine, though a little less brightly. Devotees should sample this.

flawed but still amusing
This rather flawed late work from Viv Stanshall still has a lot of comic genius buried within it. It features Sir Henry as he travels to Africa in search of a long-lost tribe, and features one of the strangest songs ever recorded, some strangely beautiful poetry, and a violin as well. There are some hilarious moments and some memorable phrases, although the whole thing doesn't quite hang together to make it a classic work.

A Rough Diamond
Okay so this is not as polished as Sir Henry at Rawlinson End, or indeed any other of the great Vivian's work but it was recorded over a Bank Holiday and one suspects that lack of funds lead to it being handed over for release rather than being worked up into a finished article. I would, therefore, encourage you to consider this as a work in progress. There is mostly only sparse instrumental accompaniment to the Ramblings of Sir Henry but I would much rather have this imperfect work than not. Vivian Stanshall a troubled soul who struggled through depression and self doubt which is a cause of great sadness to many, especially to those closest to him. But the flip side was his brilliant flights of fancy and enormous creativity. Even as a child I always knew there was something strange and special about Vivian Stanshall and the feeling only grew over time. This man was a genius, I am grateful for the pearls he left behind.