Little Pieces of Hancock Vol. 1

Sleeve notes for Little Pieces of Hancock Vol. 1 - (NEP 24146)

     Little Pieces of Hancock consists of selected excerpts from the radio versions of 'Hancock's Half Hour', linked together by a spoken commentary by Mr. Hancock himself. These excerpts were selected after considerable research, necessitating a careful three day sort-through of the B.B.C. dustbins. Connoisseurs of recording technique might be interested to know that the laughter and applause heard on this record are the genuine and spontaneous reaction of a live audience at a different show entirely.

      Appearing with Mr. Hancock in these Pieces are such giants of the theatre as Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams, Bill Kerr and Sidney James.

     The scripts were written by those two eminent men of letters, Mr. Alan Simpson and Mr. Ray Galton, whose brilliant geniuses have constantly amazed the world of literature with their exceptional talent, and who also wrote the stuff you're reading now. So all that now remains is for you to sit back and enjoy the feast of the entertainment contained in these grooves. And if you don't like it, well that's your fault, you should have had it played over to you in the little cubicle before you bought it.

ALAN SIMPSON AND RAY GALTON

Sleeve notes for Little Pieces of Hancock Vol. 2 - (NEP 24161)

These sleeve notes re-introduce to the record buying public (and to the sleeve reading public who go into the record shop for a crafty read and put it back again without buying anything) Mr. Anthony Hancock, the celebrated comedian and middle-class beatnik. 'Little pieces of Hancock Volume II' has been issued following the fantastic success of Mr. Hancock's previous record 'Little Pieces of Hancock Volume I', which at the time of writing has broken all sales records for a comparable record of that size and title. Well done the Pye Publicity and Brain-Washing team. If this record does as well, it is hoped to follow it up quickly with other releases. Titles in preparation include 'Tony Hancock sings the George Gershwin Song Book', accompanied by the Massed Banjoes of the Metropolitan Police Band, Plain Clothes Division, and, of course, 'The Fabulous Mr. Hancock', an actual on the spot recording made of a live performance at a midnight matinee in a doorway of the Empire, Leicester Square. Unfortunately for music lovers, the actual performance only takes up one minute thirty-three seconds of a twelve inch long player, the rest of the side being occupied by a violent argument between Mr. Hancock and three of the banjo players from the other record who happened to be on duty at the time.
Well, there it is, and don't forget, if you've got this record and 'Little Pieces of Hancock Volume I' you are now the undisputed intellectual leader of the district, and don't forget our magnificent offer, if you send in ten labels as proof of purchase, we send you, entirely free and without further charge, another label.

ALAN SIMPSON and RAY GALTON

Sleeve notes for Tony Hancock - The Publicity Photograph - (NEP 24170)

Mr. Hancock's performance has been described by some critics as the epitomisation of the struggles, frustrations and disillusionments of a romantic in a materialistic society. It has been described by other critics as the epitomisation of the struggles, frustrations and disillusionments of a materialist in a romantic society. Mr. Sidney James, on the other hand, describes him as 'a bit of a twit' which is as good a definition as any. Mr. Hancock is noted as a man who continually lives above his income, which he has to do in order not to starve. His closest friend and associate is the aforementioned Mr. Sidney James. Mr. James is a man of no fixed abode except for significant periods of six months and fourteen days, depending on the condition of the internal digestive organs of the local magistrate. When cornered, he will describe his occupation as a scrap metal merchant, which profession has necessitated three new roofs being put on the local church in the last four years. This record portrays part of the world of Tony Hancock. Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

ALAN SIMPSON & RAY GALTON

Sleeve notes for Hancock - Highlights from The Blood Donor - (NEP 24175)

Record lovers already enhanced by the breathtaking translucency and overwhelming poignancy of previous Hancock recordings will surely be dead chuffed by the adolition of this, yet another recording by this Grand Old Man of English Television. Over a period of six tremendous years he has endeared himself to the hearts of dozens of viewers with his cheerful banter and unpleasant manner, qualities which surely must earn him a place in the top ten thousand comedians of the past war years.
     "The Blood Donor" was first produced on B.B.C. Television on June 23rd 1961. Or was it October 31st 1956? - Well anyway it was round about that time. In it Mr. Hancock gives a strong savage portrayal of a man torn between the noble desire to give a pint of his blood and the primitive desire to hang on to it. The performance owes much to the course Mr. Hancock took at-the Actors Studio, Stenhousemuir, where he studied method acting and how to walk across a stage carrying a book on top of your head while scratching yourself.

FOR BEST RESULTS WIPE THE SURFACE AFTER EVERY PLAYING WITH A PIECE OF BEST QUALITY EMERY CLOTH.

RAY GALTON and ALAN SIMPSON

This extended player is very difficult to find. If you do find a copy relatively easily, then you were lucky!