Eric Idle, John Du Prez, Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria - Monty Python's Spamalot (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

As gleefully silly yet wickedly smart as the beloved British comedy troupe and their 1975 cinematic savaging of the Arthurian legend that inspired it, this adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by MP's Eric Idle and longtime musical co-conspirator John Du Prez has much more on its feverish agenda than merely trashing King Arthur and firmly upending his Round Table. The film's plot remains largely intact, but its core songs ("Knights of the Round Table," "Brave Sir Robin") and comic thrust have been both expanded and satirically redirected, a musical comedy shotgun that takes dizzy aim at pop culture in general, and Broadway in particular. After typically Pythonesque distractions that somehow find us in "Finland..," stars David Hyde-Pierce, Tim Curry, Hank Azaria and company get busy conjuring the Lady of the Lake with the unlikely help of "Laker Girls..," while cast members Sara Ramirez and Christopher Sieber deliciously skewer contemporary Broadway cliches via the loopy showstopper "The Song That Goes Like This," a tune whose reprise also deliciously sends up every overwrought stage diva from Merman to Minelli. Idle has shrewdly ripped off--well, interpolated--Life of Brian's "Always Look On the Bright Side" for the new show, and even a snatch of "The Lumberjack Song" in "He Is Not Dead Yet." "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" reveals the frankly Semitic secret to stage success, and the French get can-canned on "Run Away!" Meanwhile, our bravest knight is de-closeted on the Manilow-mauling "His Name is Lancelot" before the familiar sound of clomping coconut shells brings down the curtain on the season's goofiest if satirically dead-on comic delight. --Jerry McCulley

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Tappin' Knights

It was listening to this CD that made me want to see the show on Broadway. The show I saw had Clay Aiken in it, he did a great job. This recording has David Hyde Pierce as Robin and, of course, he is great, too. The show is hilarious and every time I hear this CD I remember the stage business that accompanied this music. These songs are send-ups of classic Broadway show tunes. I don't know if the album stands on its own if you haven't seen the show. But, if you enjoyed Monty Python's previous CD's you should like this one also. It'll make you want to dance and sing. December 1, 2008

Appalling

I saw "Spamalot" on Broadway recently, and couldn't believe how awful it was (especially given that I'm a long-time Monty Python fan). The easily manipulated audience, desperate to be in on the jokes, laughed and cheered uproariously on cue. Disconcerting and frightening to see how easily manipulated people are. I didn't join in on the laughter. How could I? After all, I'm neither chronologically nor mentally 15. In addition to being singularly unfunny, I found the show to be nihilistic, vulgar, fatuous, mean spirited, and nasty minded. Its only greatness is in how perfectly emblematic it is of our disintegrating culture.

In a word: Yecch. November 2, 2008

I can't decide...

if I like this CD or not. There are some really good songs in here such as The Song that Goes Like This, but others sound like they were written by a group of 12-year olds. "You can sing, you can dance, and you won't soil your pants" snicker, snicker. The rhyme scheme seems weak as well.

Considering though that this is Monty Python, I suppose I should not be surprised.

BTW, I am a huge Python fan and wish I could see this show in person. October 17, 2008

That's no ordianary musical!

Love it! If you are a fan of Monty Python's Holy Grail you will not be disappointed! September 2, 2008

Monty Python

Both of my sons collect "everything" for Monty Python and they were thrilled to get these gifts from me. One good thing about "Amazon.com"
is that you can always find what you need here when you can't find it anywhere else!!! August 30, 2008

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