At the Drop of a Hat

• Artist: Michael Flanders & Donald Swann
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1960
• Total Time: 72:04
• Type: Live, Lyrics are included with the album, Box set
• Genre: Rock

Review

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, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
A Transport of Delight	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(5:53)
Song of Reproduction	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(7:06)
The Gnu Song	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(3:26)
Design for Living	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(3:52)
Je Suis Les Ténébreux	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(2:27)
Songs for Our Time (Philological Waltz; Satellite Moon; A Happy Song)	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(4:16)
A Song of the Weather	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(2:05)
The Reluctant Cannibal	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(3:55)
Greensleeves	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(7:51)
Misalliance	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(3:55)
Kokoraki	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(5:05)
Madeira M'Dear	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(3:52)
Too Many Cookers	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(3:12)
Vanessa	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(3:55)
Tried by the Centre Court	Donald Swann, Michael Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(3:45)
The Youth of the Heart	Sean Carter, Tommy Flanders	Flanders & Swann	(4:17)
The Hippopotamus Song	Michael Flanders, Donald Swann	Flanders & Swann	(3:12)

Credits

George Martin (Producer), Donald Swann (Vocals), Donald Swann (Piano), Michael Flanders (Vocals)