Misplaced Pages

Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:33, 17 August 2012 editPyrococcal (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,494 edits reverting unsourced edits. Please see talk page.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 19:19, 26 September 2024 edit undoMartinevans123 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers234,470 editsm fixed dashes using User:Ohconfucius/dashes.js 
(100 intermediate revisions by 40 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{COI|date=December 2016}}
⚫ Name = Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead |
{{Infobox album
⚫ Type = ] |
Artist = ] | | name = Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead
Cover = Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead.jpg| | type = ]
Released = 1974 | | artist = ]
⚫ | cover = Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead.jpg
Recorded = |
| alt =
⚫ Genre = ]<br />] |
| released = August 1974<ref>Welch, Chris and Randall, Lucian, Ginger geezer : the life of Vivian Stanshall, 2002: 159. https://archive.org/details/gingergeezerlife0000rand/page/158/mode/2up?q=umbrellas
Length = 41:49<br />|
</ref>
⚫ Label = ]<br />Poppydisc Records (2012) |
| recorded =
⚫ Producer = John Darnley, Vivian Stanshall |
Last album = | | venue =
| studio = ], Oxfordshire
This album = '''''Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead''''' <br />(1974) |
⚫ | genre = ]<br />]
⚫ Next album = '']''<br />(1978) |}} {{Album ratings
| rev1 = ] | length = 41:49
⚫ | label = ] (1974)<br />Harkit Records (2010)<br />Poppydisc Records (2012)
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} |}}
⚫ | producer = John Darnley, Vivian Stanshall
⚫ '''''Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead''''' is the 1974 debut solo album by British musician, writer and comedian ].
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
⚫ | next_title = ]
| next_year = 1978
}} {{Album ratings
⚫ | rev1 = ]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/men-opening-umbrellas-ahead-mw0000853450|title=Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead – Vivian Stanshall &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=]|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>
| rev3 = '']''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim|last=Irvin|title=Unsettle down now: Vivian Stanshall ''Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead'' |work=] |date=November 2010 |page=120}}</ref>
|
}}


⚫ '''''Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead''''' is the 1974 debut solo album by the English musician, writer, poet and comedian ].
Stanshall had been the frontman of ], a British rock group notorious for its riotous stage act, involving comedy and theatricality. His solo career was haphazard, but, after a celebrated cameo appearance on ]'s 1973 multi-platinum ], he was signed to ] to make this album.


==Releases==
The album featured various former members of ] (], Bubs White) and ] (], ], ]). It sold poorly upon release, with only an estimated 5,000 copies pressed before it was deleted. It remained unavailable until its reissue on CD in 2010 by Harkit Records in the UK. This excellent quality CD (there were no masters to work from, a fact explained in the accompanying booklet with highly informative and amusing notes by Dutch dada-ist Freek Kinkelaar) also features two bonus tracks not on the original LP- "Babtunde" and "Lakonga".
The initial LP pressing was ] by ] soon after release, having sold only the initial vinyl pressing of 5,000 copies. The album remained out of print for over 35 years.


In 2010, an unauthorized CD reissue was made available by Harkit Records. The CD featured notes by ] ]-ist Freek Kinkelaar and featured two bonus tracks not on the original LP: "Baba Tunde" and "Lakonga".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.harkitrecords.com/stanshall.html |title=Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead |publisher=Harkit Records |year=2013 |access-date=3 April 2013}}</ref> This edition is sourced from a vinyl copy and is a "bootleg" not authorized by the Stanshall estate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3926869-Vivian-Stanshall-Men-Opening-Umbrellas-Ahead|title=Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2012, Vinyl)|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Discogs.com}}</ref> The bonus tracks come from a rare 1974 Warner Bros. single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/k16424-2|title=Vivian Stanshall – Lakonga|access-date=29 December 2021|website=45cat.com}}</ref>
The album's title is a reference to a game played by members of ] when travelling between concerts, in which players made up ridiculous interpretations of road signs. ("Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead" was a Stanshall favourite as an alternative interpretation of the sign meaning "road works ahead".)

Poppydisc Records released a remastered edition, on LP and CD, on 21 May 2012. These are the first re-issues to be authorized by the artist's estate, with a note in CD booklet stating (in bold uppercase) "Do not buy the Harkit Records CD as it is a poor quality bootleg, unauthorized by the Stanshall family".<ref name="media notes">{{Cite AV media notes |id=POPPYCD015 |type=booklet |page=10 |title=Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead |publisher=Poppydisc |year=1974 }}</ref> The remastered CD contains the two bonus tracks, while the vinyl version is the same as the original vinyl LP.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/404.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 December 2021 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130184422/https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/404.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On 14 May 2012 Poppydisc Records is reissuing an official vinyl version of the album, sanctioned by the Stanshall family release and remastered with new liner notes from his widow and daughter.<ref></ref>
== Track listing == == Track listing ==
⚫ All songs written and arranged by Vivian Stanshall, except where noted:

⚫ (All songs written and arranged by Vivian Stanshall except where noted)


=== Side 1 === === Side 1 ===
# Afoju Ti Ole Riran (Dead Eyes) ''(Vivian Stanshall/Gaspar Lawal)'' # "Afoju Ti Ole Riran (Dead Eyes)" (Vivian Stanshall, Gaspar Lawal)
# Truck-Track # "Truck-Track"
# Yelp Bellow, Rasp Et Cetera # "Yelp, Bellow, Rasp Et Cetera"
# Prong # "Prong"
# Redeye # "Redeye"


=== Side 2 === === Side 2 ===
# How The Zebra Got His Spots #<li value="6"> "How The Zebra Got His Spots"
# Dwarf Succulents # "Dwarf Succulents"
# Bout Of Sobriety # "Bout of Sobriety"
# Prong & Toots Go Steady # "Prong & Toots Go Steady"
# Strange Tongues # "Strange Tongues"

⚫ === Bonus tracks on 2010 reissue ===
Lakonga (Single A-side)<br />
⚫ Baba Tunde (single B-side)


⚫ === Bonus tracks on 2010 and 2012 CD reissues ===
⚫ ==Personnel==
#<li value="11"> "Lakonga" (single A-side)
⚫ # "Baba Tunde" (single B-side)
:''(Both tracks written by Stanshall and Lawal)''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2568316-Vivian-Stanshall-Men-Opening-Umbrellas-Ahead|title=Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2010, CD)|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Discogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6027332-Vivian-Stanshall-Men-Opening-Umbrellas-Ahead|title=Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2012, CD)|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Discogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/500992-Vivian-Stanshall-Lakonga|title=Vivian Stanshall – Lakonga|website=Discogs.com|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="media notes" />


⚫ ==Personnel==
*] - vocals, ], ], ], Chelonian pipes *] – vocals, ], ], ], Chelonian pipes
*Anthony "Bubs" White - ]
*] - ], organ *Anthony "Bubs" White – ]
*Gaspar Lawal - ]s, ], ], ] ("How The Zebra Got His Spots") *] – ], organ
*] – ]s, ], ], ] ("How The Zebra Got His Spots")
*] - ], ], organ ("How The Zebra Got His Spots") *] – ], ], organ ("How The Zebra Got His Spots")
*] - ], lesser log *] – ], lesser log
*Deryk Quinn - ], Nigerian coffee tables, greater log *Deryk Quinn – ], Nigerian coffee tables, greater log
*] - violin *] – violin
*] - ] ("Prong & Toots") *] – ] ("Prong & Toots")
*], ], Barry St. John - backing vocals *], ], ] – backing vocals
*Ayus Ape, Gani, Gaspar Lawal - male ] chorus *Ayus Ape, Gani, Gasper Lawal – male ] chorus
*unidentified West Indian taxi driver - bass guitar ("Lakonga" and "Baba Tunde") *unidentified ] taxi driver – bass guitar ("Lakonga" and "Baba Tunde")
*unidentified West Indian taxi driver's friend - drum kit ("Lakonga" and "Baba Tunde") *unidentified West Indian taxi driver's friend – drum kit ("Lakonga" and "Baba Tunde")


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* on Ginger Geezer website * on Ginger Geezer website


{{Vivian Stanshall}}
{{Authority control}}


]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 19:19, 26 September 2024

A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. It may require cleanup to comply with Misplaced Pages's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Please discuss further on the talk page. (December 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
1974 studio album by Vivian Stanshall
Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead
Studio album by Vivian Stanshall
ReleasedAugust 1974
StudioThe Manor, Oxfordshire
GenreRock music
Comedy music
Length41:49
LabelWarner Bros. Records (1974)
Harkit Records (2010)
Poppydisc Records (2012)
ProducerJohn Darnley, Vivian Stanshall
Vivian Stanshall chronology
Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead
(1974) 		Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
(1978)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Mojo

Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead is the 1974 debut solo album by the English musician, writer, poet and comedian Vivian Stanshall.

Releases

The initial LP pressing was deleted by Warner Bros. Records soon after release, having sold only the initial vinyl pressing of 5,000 copies. The album remained out of print for over 35 years.

In 2010, an unauthorized CD reissue was made available by Harkit Records. The CD featured notes by Dutch dada-ist Freek Kinkelaar and featured two bonus tracks not on the original LP: "Baba Tunde" and "Lakonga". This edition is sourced from a vinyl copy and is a "bootleg" not authorized by the Stanshall estate. The bonus tracks come from a rare 1974 Warner Bros. single.

Poppydisc Records released a remastered edition, on LP and CD, on 21 May 2012. These are the first re-issues to be authorized by the artist's estate, with a note in CD booklet stating (in bold uppercase) "Do not buy the Harkit Records CD as it is a poor quality bootleg, unauthorized by the Stanshall family". The remastered CD contains the two bonus tracks, while the vinyl version is the same as the original vinyl LP.

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Vivian Stanshall, except where noted:

Side 1

  1. "Afoju Ti Ole Riran (Dead Eyes)" (Vivian Stanshall, Gaspar Lawal)
  2. "Truck-Track"
  3. "Yelp, Bellow, Rasp Et Cetera"
  4. "Prong"
  5. "Redeye"

Side 2

  2. "How The Zebra Got His Spots"
  3. "Dwarf Succulents"
  4. "Bout of Sobriety"
  5. "Prong & Toots Go Steady"
  6. "Strange Tongues"

Bonus tracks on 2010 and 2012 CD reissues

  2. "Lakonga" (single A-side)
  3. "Baba Tunde" (single B-side)
(Both tracks written by Stanshall and Lawal)

Personnel

References

  1. Welch, Chris and Randall, Lucian, Ginger geezer : the life of Vivian Stanshall, 2002: 159. https://archive.org/details/gingergeezerlife0000rand/page/158/mode/2up?q=umbrellas
  2. "Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead – Vivian Stanshall | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. Irvin, Jim (November 2010). "Unsettle down now: Vivian Stanshall Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead". Mojo. p. 120.
  4. "Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead". Harkit Records. 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  5. "Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2012, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. "Vivian Stanshall – Lakonga". 45cat.com. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. ^ Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (booklet). Poppydisc. 1974. p. 10. POPPYCD015.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2010, CD)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  10. "Vivian Stanshall – Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead (2012, CD)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  11. "Vivian Stanshall – Lakonga". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 December 2021.

External links

Vivian Stanshall
Albums
Related
Categories: