The "Barrel of Bricks" story told by Robbie in MMD in 980401 has had
many claims for its origin.  The _best_ telling of the story is
undoubtedly by Gerard Hoffnung in his speech to the Oxford Union in
1958.  I have the relevant LP and it is difficult not to laugh out loud
when listening.  Hoffnung claimed to have seen the story in the
Manchester Guardian.  Then the trail becomes obscure.  I have other
Hoffnung stuff on CD so there is probably a CD re-issue of this LP.

If you are not familiar with Hoffnung go to your nearest good bookshop
and buy some of books of his incomparable musical drawings.  Full of
wicked parodies, strange musical instruments and marvellously drawn.
No pianolas so far as I can remember.  The big tragedy was that he died
in his 30s.

Jeffrey Borinsky

 [ John Farrell tells me that BBC still sells an audio cassette contain-
 [ ing the bricklayer story: write to <enquiry@videoplusdirect.co.uk>.
 [ My curiosity continues...  -- Robbie