Went to see Neil Innes last night....

For those who say who? Then let me tell you. Neil was in the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band in the 1960s . They appeared in a programme called 'DO NOT ADJUST YOUT SET' with Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin , Deneise Coffey and David Jason amongst others. I remember loving this programme as a kid - it wasn't until years later I realised who the cast was, so explaining why I love Monty Python too.
There is a DVD out now as well. Anyhow their biggest hit was 'I'm The Urban Spaceman' produced by Apollo C. Vermouth (real name - Paul McCartney). Neil then wrote some of the songs for Monty Python.
Later, Eric Idle produced a programme called 'Rutland Weekend Television' which had a sketch called 'The Rutles' (which in turn became a TV Special, whose cast included George Harrison, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood as well as Michael Palin of course) about four lads from Rutland who took the music world by storm. Eric Idle played Dirk McQuickly and Neil was Ron Nasty. Their songs include 'Let It Rot', 'Doubleback Alley' 'With A Girl Like You' - all written by Neil.

Included in 'RWT' was a song called 'How Sweet to Be An Idiot' written by Neil . Oasis 'borrowed' part of the tune for their hit 'Whatever'. Neil sued and won.
A similar type situation to George Harrison being sued over the 'He's So Fine/ My Sweet Lord'. It all comes around in a big strange circle.

Anyhow, at Reading we got a lot of songs from the new album - which I bought but haven't yet played.... lots of amusing anecdotes too. We got performances of 'How Sweet to be an idiot' (Neil wearing a hat made out of a giant rubber duck) we got the Philosopher's Song from Monty Pyhon, 'Urban Spaceman', A Rutles Medley, some 1920s risque '78' covers (one about a flapper in a short dress which went 'if her skirt gets any shorter she'll have two more cheeks to powder and a lot more hair to bob') and a load more!
I enjoyed it. You would have too had you been there.
Afterwards, Neil signed my Rutles LP as 'SOD OFF PHIL, RON NASTY' following it up with a 'LOVE NEIL INNES ' to avoid confusion.