Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
In 1977, two years after dropping the Firesign Theatre from the label, Columbia Records attempted to summarize the comedy group's nine-album catalog on the two-LP set Forward into the Past (An Anthology). With the two-disc Shoes for Industry! The Best of the Firesign Theatre, which has the advantage of spreading out across two and a half hours, Sony's Legacy reissue division undertakes the same task for the CD era 16 years later. The dilemma faced by compilation producer Bob Irwin is the same one from 1977, however. The Firesign Theatre generally conceived its albums as albums, often with continuing themes and repeating bits, so excerpting them on a best-of is not easy. Irwin has the further difficulty that he seems to have been tasked (or to have tasked himself) with pulling at least something not only from each of the group's albums, but also from most of the spinoff LPs. (These include Philip Proctor and Peter Bergman's two duo albums TV or Not TV and What This Country Needs, as well as Philip Austin's Roller Maidens from Outer Space; there is nothing from David Ossman's How Time Flys.) In his liner notes, Steve Simels opines that the recordings went downhill after the third album, 1970's Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers, and quotes the group members in general agreement. Some fans may take issue with that, especially those who made 1971's I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus Firesign's highest-charting effort. But Irwin may agree, since he only includes "The Holygram's Song (Back from the Shadows Again)," a brief musical joke, and "The Breaking of the President" from Bozos, segments that only suggest the overall structure of the disc. Similarly, the one eight-and-a-half-minute piece from the 1973 album The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, "Not Quite the Solution He Expected," only hints at the whole. Happily, the CD length allows for the inclusion of the complete 28 minutes of "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger" from the second album, 1969's How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All. And fans will appreciate the digital appearances of both sides of the 1969 single "Forward into the Past"/"Station Break." On the whole, though, they may feel that even with two CDs to work with, the job of capturing the magic of the Firesign Theatre's Columbia years onto one album is too hard. Neophytes probably would be better off starting with 1968's debut album, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him, and going on from there.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Gary Usher, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Poseidon, Producer - Cyrus Faryar, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Cyrus Faryar, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - P. Proctor, Composer - P. Proctor, Lyricist
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - James William Guercio, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - James William Guercio, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
DISC 2
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - James William Guercio, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Producer - The Firesign Theatre, Composer - The Firesign Theatre, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Producer - Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Producer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - P. Austin, Composer - P. Austin, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - D. OSSMAN, Composer - D. OSSMAN, Lyricist
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - P. Proctor, Composer - P. Proctor, Lyricist - Steve Gillmor, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - P. Austin, Composer - P. Austin, Lyricist - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Phil Austin, Producer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
P. Bergman, Composer - P. Bergman, Lyricist - David Ossman, Performer - C.D. Taylor, Composer - C.D. Taylor, Lyricist - Peter Bergman, Performer - Philip Austin, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Steve Gillmor, Producer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - The Firesign Theatre, Performer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Philip Austin, Performer - David Ossman, Performer - Peter Bergman, Performer - The Firesign Theatre, Performer - Philip Proctor, Performer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - P. Proctor, Composer - P. Proctor, Lyricist - Steve Gillmor, Producer
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Album review
In 1977, two years after dropping the Firesign Theatre from the label, Columbia Records attempted to summarize the comedy group's nine-album catalog on the two-LP set Forward into the Past (An Anthology). With the two-disc Shoes for Industry! The Best of the Firesign Theatre, which has the advantage of spreading out across two and a half hours, Sony's Legacy reissue division undertakes the same task for the CD era 16 years later. The dilemma faced by compilation producer Bob Irwin is the same one from 1977, however. The Firesign Theatre generally conceived its albums as albums, often with continuing themes and repeating bits, so excerpting them on a best-of is not easy. Irwin has the further difficulty that he seems to have been tasked (or to have tasked himself) with pulling at least something not only from each of the group's albums, but also from most of the spinoff LPs. (These include Philip Proctor and Peter Bergman's two duo albums TV or Not TV and What This Country Needs, as well as Philip Austin's Roller Maidens from Outer Space; there is nothing from David Ossman's How Time Flys.) In his liner notes, Steve Simels opines that the recordings went downhill after the third album, 1970's Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers, and quotes the group members in general agreement. Some fans may take issue with that, especially those who made 1971's I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus Firesign's highest-charting effort. But Irwin may agree, since he only includes "The Holygram's Song (Back from the Shadows Again)," a brief musical joke, and "The Breaking of the President" from Bozos, segments that only suggest the overall structure of the disc. Similarly, the one eight-and-a-half-minute piece from the 1973 album The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, "Not Quite the Solution He Expected," only hints at the whole. Happily, the CD length allows for the inclusion of the complete 28 minutes of "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger" from the second album, 1969's How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All. And fans will appreciate the digital appearances of both sides of the 1969 single "Forward into the Past"/"Station Break." On the whole, though, they may feel that even with two CDs to work with, the job of capturing the magic of the Firesign Theatre's Columbia years onto one album is too hard. Neophytes probably would be better off starting with 1968's debut album, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him, and going on from there.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 31 track(s)
- Total length: 02:33:07
- Main artists: The Firesign Theatre
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Legacy - Columbia
- Genre: Humour/Spoken Word English
(P) 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1993 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.