Forward Into The Past is a 1976 compilation album by The Firesign Theatre

The Firesign Theatre

The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...

. It presents the "Greatest Hits"

Greatest hits

A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...

 from their nine Columbia

Columbia Records

Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...

 albums and includes two tracks that were previously released only on a single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

.

Side one

1. "Station Break"
   • Released as a single
     Single (music)
     In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
     
      - November 1969
   • Produced by James William Guercio
2. "Happy Hour News"
   • From the album Everything You Know Is Wrong
     Everything You Know Is Wrong
     Everything You Know Is Wrong is a comedy album by the Firesign Theatre released in October 1974 on Columbia Records.-Detailed track information and commentary:...
     
     - October 1974
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
3. "Ralph Spoilport Motors"
   • From the album How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All
     How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All
     How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All is the second comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre. It was originally released in 1969 by Columbia Records.-Side one:...
     
     - July 1969
   • Produced by Cyrus Faryar
4. "Beat The Reaper"
   • From the album Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him
     Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him
     Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him was the first comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre. It was originally released in 1968 by Columbia Records.-Detailed Track Information and Commentary:...
     
     - January 1968
   • Produced by Gary Usher
     Gary Usher
     Gary Usher was an American surf rock musician, songwriter, and record producer.-Biography:Usher's early life was spent in Grafton, Massachusetts. He attended Norcross Grammar School with his sister, Sandra, who was in the same class and was likely his twin. Gary was kiddingly called "Chicken Feed"...
     
      and The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
5. "Let's Eat"
   • From the album Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
     Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
     Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers is The Firesign Theatre's third comedy recording for Columbia Records, released in 1970. In 1983, The New Rolling Stone Record Guide called it "the greatest comedy album ever made"....
     
     - July 1970
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
      with Bill Driml
6. "High School Madness"
   • From the album Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
     Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
     Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers is The Firesign Theatre's third comedy recording for Columbia Records, released in 1970. In 1983, The New Rolling Stone Record Guide called it "the greatest comedy album ever made"....
     
     - July 1970
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
      with Bill Driml

Side two

1. "Toad Away"
   • From the album Dear Friends
     Dear Friends (Firesign Theatre)
     Dear Friends is The Firesign Theatre's fifth album to be released on Columbia Records. It is a compilation album, collecting the best bits from the group's nationally syndicated radio program, also titled Dear Friends....
     
     - January 1972
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
2. "Not Quite The Solution He Expected"
   • From the album The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra
     The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra
     The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra is a comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre and released in early 1974 by Columbia Records.-Side one - London:#"Chapter 1 - Not Quite The Solution He Expected"#"Chapter 2 - An Outrageously Disgusting Disguise"...
     
     - January 1974
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
3. "Joe Beets Meets Hemlock Stones"
   • From the album The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra
     The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra
     The Tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra is a comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre and released in early 1974 by Columbia Records.-Side one - London:#"Chapter 1 - Not Quite The Solution He Expected"#"Chapter 2 - An Outrageously Disgusting Disguise"...
     
     - January 1974
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
4. "W.C. Fields Forever"
   • From the album Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him
     Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him
     Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him was the first comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre. It was originally released in 1968 by Columbia Records.-Detailed Track Information and Commentary:...
     
     - January 1968
   • Produced by Gary Usher
     Gary Usher
     Gary Usher was an American surf rock musician, songwriter, and record producer.-Biography:Usher's early life was spent in Grafton, Massachusetts. He attended Norcross Grammar School with his sister, Sandra, who was in the same class and was likely his twin. Gary was kiddingly called "Chicken Feed"...
     
      and The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
5. "Dr. Whiplash"
   • From the album Dear Friends
     Dear Friends (Firesign Theatre)
     Dear Friends is The Firesign Theatre's fifth album to be released on Columbia Records. It is a compilation album, collecting the best bits from the group's nationally syndicated radio program, also titled Dear Friends....
     
     - January 1972
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     

Side three

1. "The Further Adventures of Nick Danger"
   • From the album How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All
     How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All
     How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All is the second comedy album recorded by The Firesign Theatre. It was originally released in 1969 by Columbia Records.-Side one:...
     
     - July 1969
   • Produced by Cyrus Faryar

Side four

1. "Back From The Shadows"
   • From the album I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus
     I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus
     I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus is the fourth comedy recording made by The Firesign Theatre for Columbia Records. It was released in 1971 and is the last of a tetralogy, comprising their first four albums...
     
     - August 1971
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
2. "Mr. President"
   • From the album I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus
     I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus
     I Think We're All Bozos on This Bus is the fourth comedy recording made by The Firesign Theatre for Columbia Records. It was released in 1971 and is the last of a tetralogy, comprising their first four albums...
     
     - August 1971
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
3. "Papoon For President"
   • From the album Not Insane or Anything You Want To
     Not Insane or Anything You Want To
     Not Insane or Anything You Want To is the sixth album released by The Firesign Theatre on Columbia Records. It was released in 1972 and includes some material that was recorded in the studio as well as some material that was recorded before a live audience....
     
     - October 1972
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
4. "Government Training Film"
   • From the album Everything You Know Is Wrong
     Everything You Know Is Wrong
     Everything You Know Is Wrong is a comedy album by the Firesign Theatre released in October 1974 on Columbia Records.-Detailed track information and commentary:...
     
     - October 1974
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
5. "Mark Time"
   • From the album Dear Friends
     Dear Friends (Firesign Theatre)
     Dear Friends is The Firesign Theatre's fifth album to be released on Columbia Records. It is a compilation album, collecting the best bits from the group's nationally syndicated radio program, also titled Dear Friends....
     
     - January 1972
   • Produced by The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre
     The Firesign Theatre is an American comedy troupe consisting of Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman and Philip Proctor. Their brand of surrealistic humor is best known through their record albums, which acquired a cult following in the late 1960s and early '70s.The troupe began as live radio...
     
     
6. "Forward Into The Past"
   • Released as a single
     Single (music)
     In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
     
      - November 1969
   • Produced by James William Guercio

Critical reception

Most fan sites agree that this album is a good place to start for someone who has never heard of The Firesign Theatre. The New Rolling Stone Record Guide claims that this album was "brilliantly selected and programmed" (175) while The Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide offers no comment beyond its 2 star marking.

Issues and reissues

Forward Into The Past was released only as a double album

Double album

A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....

.

Columbia PG-34391

This album was never released on CD. Instead, in 1993 a new collection was put together under the title Shoes for Industry: The Best of the Firesign Theatre and was released by Sony/Legacy. Shoes contains most of the same tracks as Forward Into The Past but also takes advantage of the greater running time available on a Compact Disc in order to add more tracks. Shoes also includes tracks which members of the group had released on their various "solo" projects.

External sources

• Firesign Theatre. Forward Into The Past. Columbia Records, 1976.
• Firesign Theatre. Firesign Theatre. 09 Feb. 2006 .
• "FIREZINE: Linques!." Firesign Theatre FAQ. 10 February. 2006 .
• Marsh, Dave, and Greil Marcus. "The Firesign Theatre." The New Rolling Stone Record Guide. Ed. Dave Marsh and John Swenson. New York: Random House, 1983. 175-176.
• Smith, Ronald L. The Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide. Iola: Krause, 1996. 124-127.

Citations

Marsh, Dave, and Greil Marcus. "The Firesign Theatre." The New Rolling Stone Record Guide. Ed. Dave Marsh and John Swenson. New York: Random House, 1983. 175-176.Smith, Ronald L. The Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide. Iola: Krause, 1996. 124-127.Firesign Theatre. Forward Into The Past. Columbia Records, 1976.