The zaniness of Monty Python and the Goon Show is fused with poetic, Edward Lear-like inanity by British poet and songwriter Les Barker. Although his 57 books of poetry have introduced such off-the-wall characters as Jason & the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, and Captain Indecisive, Barker has proven as eccentric with the songs that he's written for his group, Mrs. Ackroyd's Band.

A former accountant, Barker has become one of England's strangest songwriters. His songs have been covered by Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick and June Tabor, while his recording of Dachshunds With Erections Can't Climb Stairs was a favorite of the Dr. Demento radio show.

An album of Barker's folk opera, The Stones of Callanish, was recorded by Lesley Davies, June Tabor, Fiona Simpson, Cathy-Ann MacPhee, Rod Paterson, Jim Sutherland, Phil Cunningham and Savourna Stevenson in 1989.

Mrs. Ackroyd's Band, which Barker formed with Alison Younger, Leslie Davies and Chris Harvey, made their debut on a six program series, Mrs. Ackroyd Explores Up Her Roots, broadcast by BBC's Radio 2. The group, which takes its name from a dog that traveled with Barker until 1988, is often augmented at festivals by Martin Carthy and Norma and Eliza Waterson. Davies left the group in 1996. Hilary Spencer of Artisan toured with the band in 1997. The debut album of Mrs. Ackroyd's Band, The Mrs. Ackroyd Rock'N'Roll Show, featured musical accompaniment by rock band Quiet Riot. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi