Flanders & Swann: At the Drop of a Hat

A perfect evening of British cocktail piano wit, this live performance at the Fortune Theatre in London should delight any fan of such classic BBC radio shows as My Word and My Music. It shares with them same droll narrative, dry wit, and sparkling piano. "A Gnu" and "Hippopotamus" both became justly famous among adults and children alike, particularly for the former's punning malapropisms: "I'm a G-nu /How do you do/You really ought to K-now W-ho's W-ho." "Design for Living" gives a wry look at two bachelors attempting to redecorate a house, and the leering "Madeira, M'Dear?" is a cheeky account of that oldest of seduction ploys. Charming and witty, this album deserves to be far better known. ~ Paul Collins