12. Ted Chippington - Man In A Suitcase

1. Introduction
2. Rock And Roll On 33⅓
3. Ready Eddie
4. Life On The Road
5. Rocking Ribbons
6. Comedian By Trade
7. She Loves You
8. Interview
9. Feel Like Buddy Holly
10. True Greatness
11. Atmosphere
12. True Stories
13. Rocking With Rita
14. Weirdness Oh No
15. BRMB
16. Cheers

A whole album this time, and it comes from the cult comedian Ted Chippington. If you download this expecting jokes, however, you might be in for a shock. If the great Stewart Lee (who cites Ted as his biggest influence) can be compared to The Fall - relentlessly repetitive, structured, intelligent - then Ted Chippington is comparable to Captain Beefheart - formless, nonsensical, confusing and often irritating. The album is a mix of stand-up from unexciting towns (Dudley, Exeter, Preston etc.) and cover versions, all delivered in a flat Midlands monotone. You can see where Richard Herring was coming from when he talked of Ted having "contempt for the very idea of jokes". This album, which made the top 10 in the Indie Charts, is largely unlistenable, poorly-recorded and full of heckling, but you'll probably end up laughing for reasons you'll find difficult to understand. Sit back, relax, and tolerate Britain's original post-alternative comedian.

1986, Vindaloo Records