Call of the Wild - the new release from Zinc Stoat - as heard on BBC Radio London Live. The CD is a musical journey through Ken Campbell's show The History of Comedy, Part One: Ventriloquism which was written by Ken Campbell and performed by him at the Cottesloe Theatre, Royal National Theatre on London's South Bank in August and September 2000. The show was directed by Colin Watkeys, with artwork by Lee Baker, and music by James Nye.
Ken was joined on stage by his dog Gertie, and her sons Max and Mr Chins. Max pulled Ken across the stage on a Sacco dog cart, and joined Ken in singing a howling lament at the death of one of Ken's friends. During the performance, the dogs were looked after by the actress Jessica Radcliffe.
Sadly the handsome Mr Chins died just before Christmas 2000 as a result of his epilepsy. Fred, who had reached ripe old age, died in April 2001. But you can still hear Fred and Chins joyfully barking and panting as part of the dogs' chorus on the CD. Also memorialized on the CD is Nina Plashwit who left a hauntingly beautiful song on her brother Neville's answerphone shortly before she died in an accident. The CD is a tribute to Fred, Mr Chins and Nina.
To obtain your copy of CALL OF THE WILD, send a cheque or postal order for £10 (UK) or £12 (rest of the world) made payable to James Nye to:
James Nye, Zinc Stoat Productions, Frogboy Mansions, 60 Kings Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight PO32 6SE.
The CD is also available from the Royal National Theatre bookshop, and Ottakar's bookshop, Newport, Isle of Wight.
A proportion of the money received for sales of the CD goes to the Isle of Wight RSPCA and to the Nalajuk Players (a theatre group for reformed substance abusers in Labrador, Canada).
The CD was written and performed by James Nye and Max Brennan, with the late Nina Plashwit, and Ken Campbell and his dogs as guest stars. The recording was made by Max Brennan.
Click here to read an interview with Ken Campbell
TRACK INFORMATION:
Call of the Wild- The theme song to the show featuring the voices of Ken Campbell's dogs.
Nina's Farewell - An evocative recording featuring a wordless song left on an answerphone by Nina Plashwit shortly before her death.
It's So Nice - Ken shows what it's like through the Wall of the Ordinary.
The Gastromancer of Peckham - The ancient art of gastromancy (fortune telling by invocation of spirits through the digestive system) as revived and demonstrated by Ken Campbell.
Was That You Verity? - A kind of rap in which Ken Campbell demonstrates all the consonants difficult to produce ventriloquially (p/w/f/b/m/v) - uses an easily memorized phrase so you can practice in the comfort of your own home!
The Finer Parts of Heaven- An evocation using samples of the voices of Nina Plashwit, Ken's dogs, and some specially recorded Eskimo dogs and wolves.
The Hunt for the Unknown Vowel - Overtone singing and an evocative recitation of Jean Tardieu's plea for the vowel which will wind up the entire universe.
An Outbreak of Montanism - Montanus was a celebrated Phrygian mystic who uttered prophecy via the Gift of Tongues - as demonstrated by Ken Campbell. Features debut performance on plastic bag by James Nye.
Call of the Wild -Club mix version. More dog boogie.
To book Ken to perform any of his award-winning one man shows, contact his agent: Colin Watkeys
Click here to read an interview with Ken Campbell
Click here for the Max Brennan page
Copyright © 2004 James Nye
Since 23rd May, 2004