The Monty Python Instant Record Collection


The Monty Python Instant Record Collection is the title of two compilation albums by the Monty Python troupe. The first was released in the UK in 1977 and drew from the group's first five Charisma albums, while the second was released in the US in 1981 and comprised tracks from their four albums released on the Arista label. Billed as "the pick of the best of some recently repeated Python hits again, Vol. II", the record sleeve was designed by Terry Gilliam. The UK version originally featured packaging that folded out into a cardboard box resembling a large stack of record albums. An inner sleeve featured a spoof "Where Are They Now?" update on the members of the Python team.
As ever, the original vinyl release of the UK version had messages from George Peckham on the runout grooves. The first side read: "DEAR MUM, CUTTING ANOTHER PYTHON RECORD. I'LL BE HOME LATE TONIGHT, LUV PORKY", while the second side read: "SPECIAL RECORD NO. 471. RING CHARISMA FOR YOUR PRIZE NOW!".
The only new sketch is "Summarise Proust Competition" which was originally performed on the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus and was re-recorded for Monty Python's Previous Record but never used, while the Alistair Cooke sketch is preceded by a brief, newly recorded introduction by Michael Palin. Many of the sketches are edited from their original versions.

Track listing (UK Version)

Side one

  1. Introductions
  2. Alistair Cooke
  3. Nudge, Nudge
  4. Mrs. Nigger-Baiter
  5. Constitutional Peasants
  6. Fish Licence
  7. Eric the Half a Bee
  8. Australian Table Wines
  9. Silly Noises
  10. Novel Writing
  11. Elephantoplasty
  12. How To Do It
  13. Gumby Cherry Orchard
  14. Oscar Wilde

    Side two

  15. Introduction
  16. Argument
  17. French Taunter
  18. Summarise Proust Competition
  19. Cheese Emporium
  20. Funerals at Prestatyn
  21. Camelot
  22. Word Association
  23. Bruces
  24. Parrot
  25. Monty Python Theme
.

Track listing (US Version)

Side one

  1. The Executive Intro
  2. Pet Shop
  3. Nudge Nudge
  4. Premiere of Film - Live Broadcast From London
  5. Bring Out Your Dead
  6. How do you Tell a Witch
  7. Camelot
  8. Argument Clinic
  9. Crunchy Frog
  10. The Cheese Shop
  11. The Phone-In
  12. Sit On My Face

    Side two

  13. Another Executive Announcement
  14. Bishop on the Landing
  15. Elephantoplasty
  16. The Lumberjack Song
  17. Bookshop
  18. Blackmail
  19. Farewell to John Denver
  20. World Forum
  21. String
  22. Wide World of Novel Writing
  23. Death of Mary Queen of Scots
  24. Never Be Rude to an Arab

    Distribution Information

As mentioned above, the record jacket packaging folds out into the shape of a box, with the actual record sleeve being the lid of the box. The remainder of the box appears as a stack of records with one face of the box displaying all the album titles, as listed here: