Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat)

Uttered nonsense, (the Owl and the Pussycat), consists eight works of Mr Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster.

"Anyone lucky enough to have made music with John Sangster will likely refer to him as a creative genius. He certainly was that in my view and much more. His compositions, his humour and general attitude towards life were inspirational. This collection demonstrates all these qualities to be sure. It is a collectors item and one which will give great listening pleasure for a very long time." Tony Gould

Uttered nonsense (the Owl and the Pussycat), consists eight works of Mr Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster.

These eight word-pieces embedded within fourteen more instrumental excursions which take their titles and their inspiration from the Nonsense Books of Edward Lear (the first published in 1846). The original double LP, was published in 1980 by Rainforest Records Australia (RF LP001). Closing the LP notes, John Sangster (1928-1995) wrote what he probably considered some sort of manifesto for Nonsense music:

"From the enjoyment of and love for [Edward Lear's] works comes the Uttered Nonsense. Nonsense-Music. Goodness knows there's not much of it about. Things being what they are nowadays. Nonsense-Music I guess should be at the same time provocative, silly, amusing, curious, thought-provoking, complex and direct, full of quotes and mis-quotes, puns, malapropism, musical spoonerisms, tight-ropes negotiated and bear-traps set up and then avoided, satisfying, adroit, nimble, fanciful, and above all entertaining and jolly."

The original Uttered Nonsense LP as reviewed by DJ Kinetic:

"Sangster's only double album outside of his 'Lord of the Rings' series, and a rather more ambitious effort. In the words of the album's cover: Eight works of Mr. Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr. Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster. That's what I mean when I saw ambitious! The music has Sangster's signature sparseness, reminiscent of his 'Lord of the Rings' albums, even 'Ahead of Hair', but with a much more Modern sound. Doug Gallagher's on drums and Tony Gould plays piano, and there's a long list of more notable jazz musicians on the inside cover. I really dig the funky vibes and sitar interplay on 'The Akond of Swat'. There's also a great breezy funk vibe on 'Incidents in the Life of Uncle Arly', before the poetry interrupts the mood. That's not always the case though. A great listen throughout."

Artists

John Sangster

John Sangster was one of the most talented Australian jazz musicians of all time, a technician and creator who embraced and understood more styles of music than any other.

Tony Gould

Melbourne born musician Tony Gould is well known and admired in both classical and jazz musical circles. As a musician, Tony Gould is characterised by a desire to encompass as broad a range of activities as possible, aiming to reduce often prejudiced judgements about the relative worth of different musical styles.


Press quote

“On these CDs both he and John Sangster and his players seem to have made connections for everybody. Uttered Nonsense is a collector's item.”

— Margaret McNamara, 4MBS website

Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. Propter's Nicodemus Pills John Sangster 3:17
  2. The Owl and the Pussy-cat John Sangster 5:04
  3. The Akond of Swat John Sangster 2:56
  4. The Pobble Who Has No Toes John Sangster 5:34
  5. The Yonghy Bonghy Bo John Sangster 5:27
  6. The Heraldic Blazon of Foss the Cat John Sangster 3:44
  7. The Runcible Hat John Sangster 5:32
  8. The Jumblies John Sangster 5:20
  9. The Beautiful Pea Green Boat John Sangster 3:26
  10. Gosky Patties John Sangster 5:38
  11. Mr and Mrs Discobbolos John Sangster 3:50
  1. Incidents In the life oy My Uncle Arly John Sangster 4:38
  2. Phits of Coffin John Sangster 2:20
  3. The Cummerbund John Sangster 7:28
  4. The Pmblomphous Dolomphois Ptilinorhynchus John Sangster 2:40
  5. The Diaphanous Doorscraper John Sangster 4:44
  6. Mary Squeen of Cots John Sangster 3:34
  7. The Otion Blue John Sangster 6:26
  8. The Dong with a luminous nose John Sangster 6:42
  9. Learizing John Sangster 3:23
  10. The Quangle Wangle's Hat John Sangster 2:40
  11. The Co-Operative Cauliflower John Sangster 4:11

Performers

Composer

John Sangster

John Sangster was one of the most talented Australian jazz musicians of all time, a technician and creator who embraced and understood more styles of music than any other.


Availability

Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat) can be purchased online through Buywell Just Classical or the Australian Music Centre who both offer secure online ordering.

This title is also available in (or can be ordered through) many fine music retailers across Australia, including Thomas’, Discurio and Readings.

Product details

List price
$26.00 AUD
Total playing time
98 minutes 34 seconds
Categories
Australian, Jazz
Catalogue number
MD 3321
Alternate catalogue number
MD3321
Barcode
EAN 9314574332124