Cocky "Twelve Inches Of Cocky" 1976***

I found this record at my neighbourhood thriftshop (or, as we say here in Holland, "kringloopwinkel"). Nowadays you can scarcely find any good LP records in them, people don't give them away because they think vinyl is the new black gold. But someone did unload his collection of 60's/70's novelty records, including a few Bonzo Dog Band albums as well as this one by an unknown to me band called Cocky. The title 12 Inches Of Cocky "sounds a bit rude" as they say. Many of the songs are of a similar slightly naughty nature, which took me back to my first experience with British humor The Benny Hill Show, which aired on the state TV channel (we had no other kind) when I was a kid. Side 2 opens with a faithful cover of Bonzo Dog's "Jollity Farm", and if you're familiar with the original you will know what to expect from this album: a similar mix of country, trad jazz and music hall with a dash of Monty Python-esque humour. Country instrumental "Dallas Rag" is followed by Phil Ochs' anti-war satire "Draft Dodger Rag" which is played for maximum laughs, while another familiar tune is their jaunty version of jazz standard "Sheik Of Araby" (in which for some reason the chorus gleefully repeats "with no pants on"). Country folk and music hall tunes make up most of the rest, as well as some blues (Leadbelly's "Keep Your Hands Off Her", "Maggie Campbell", "You Can't Leave Me Now") though always played fast an' feisty. Side One closes with "Medley À La Cocky" comprised by "Five Foot Two Eyes Of Blue/ Ain't She Sweet/ When You're Smiling". The internet, for once, doesn't reveal much information on the band so we'll have to make do with what little info is available on the album's back cover. The members are: Kevan (dobro, guitar, harp, bass, shiny banjo, well-scrubbed pine tables), Keith (guitar, base, madolin, jews harp), Clive (guitar, ukelele, bass, jug) and Mal (washboard, wooden bits and brass round things on sticks). It was "Recorded at Riverside Studios with the help of David Le-Neve Foster. Produced by Dave 'Hot Licks' Peabody." It has never been re-released on either CD or vinyl.

*** for Cocaine Habit, I'm Satisfied With My Gal, You Can't Leave Me Now, Medley À La Cocky, Supper At The Ritz, Draft Dodger Rag, Maggie Campbell, Sheik Of Araby

** for Keep Your Hands Off Her, Astor, Side By Side, Jollity Farm, Dallas Rag, Somebody Stole My Wife