Monty Python's Life of Brian is the second soundtrack album by Monty Python, released in 1979 alongside the film of the same name. It contains scenes from the film interrupted by linking sections performed by Eric Idle and Graham Chapman, who also acted as producers following an aborted attempt at a soundtrack album by Michael Palin.[2] The album opens with a brief rendition of "Hava Nagila" on Scottish bagpipes, which had earlier been considered for use in a scene later cut from the film.[3]
| Monty Python's Life of Brian | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 8 October 1979 (US) 9 November 1979 (UK) | |||
| Recorded | 1978–1979 (soundtrack) & August 1979 (studio material) | |||
| Studio | Redwood Recording Studios, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 51:51 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. Records | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Monty Python chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
A 7" single (K17495) Double A-side of "Brian"/"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" was released in the UK on 16 November 1979 to promote the album.
In 2006 a special edition CD added six bonus tracks comprising outtakes, demos and publicity material to the end of the album.
Part of the studio linking material was later used in the 2012 animated film A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman.
A limited edition picture disc of the album was released on 13 April 2019, as part of Record Store Day.[4]
Controversy
editIn common with the controversy surrounding the film, the album was banned in Ireland after Father Brian D'Arcy highlighted how it had worked its way through a loophole in the country's censorship laws, claiming "Anybody who buys the record and finds it funny must have something wrong with their mentality".[5] Nevertheless, the album reached No.63 in the UK Albums Chart.[6]
Track listing
editSide One
edit- Introduction
- Brian Song
- The Wise Men at the Manger
- Brian Song (cont.)
- Sermon on the Mount (Big Nose)
- Stone Salesman
- Stoning
- Ex-Leper
- You Mean You Were Raped? (Nortius Maximus)
- Revolutionaries in the Amphitheatre (Loretta)
- Romans Go Home
- What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?
- Ben
- Brian Before Pilate (Thwow Him to the Floor)
Side Two
edit- Prophets
- Beard Salesman
- Brian's Prophecy
- The Hermit
- He's Not the Messiah, He's a Very Naughty Boy
- Pilate Sentences Brian
- Nisus Wettus
- Pilate with the Crowd (Welease Wodger)
- Nisus Wettus with the Gaolers
- Release Brian
- Not So Bad Once You're Up
- Revs Salute Brian
- Cheeky is Released
- "Look on the Bright Side of Life (All Things Dull and Ugly)"
2006 Bonus Tracks
edit- Otto Sketch
- Otto Song
- Otto Song Demo (Python Sings)
- Brian Song [Alternate Version]
- Radio Ad - Record Shop
- Radio Ad - Twice As Good
Charts
edit| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 11 |
| United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) | 63 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Mills, Ted. Monty Python's Life of Brian at AllMusic
- ^ Palin, M., Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, p.570
- ^ Palin, M., Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, p.544
- ^ "Monty Python - Record Store Day". recordstoreday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-04-12.
- ^ Hewison, Robert: Monty Python: The Case Against, p.91, 1980, Eyre Methuen
- ^ "the life of brian | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 206. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)". Retrieved 26 December 2022 – via Imgur.com.
