| 9 October 2008
saw the publication of Lyttelton's Britain: A
User's Guide to the British Isles. This is a compilation of
the hilarious prefatory remarks, made during weekly broadcasts of BBC
Radio 4's I'm
Sorry I Haven't A Clue, in which
Chairman Humph – the
much-mourned jazz trumpeter – introduces, and insults, the
characters,
history and customs of
the town hosting the recording. Imagine my surprise on opening the book at the 'Croydon' chapter (page 7) to find a reference to Procol Harum, albeit nastily mis-spelt. Readers unfamiliar with Lyttelton's world-weary delivery and immaculate timing may have difficulty in spotting the humour. For addicts of this most ridiculous of radio shows, however, the book will doubtless prove indispensable. |
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| Lyttelton is venerated in his home country not only for his musical prowess but also for his dogged aversion to seriousness. As he famously contended, "As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It preserves the soul from desiccation.” | |
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