Ian Dury – Too Nutty To Be Naughty (1977–2002)
9CD Career-Spanning Box Set Review
There’s something deeply satisfying when a record label listens to fans, responds to feedback, and genuinely improves how it presents an artist’s work. Ian Dury – Too Nutty To Be Naughty (1977–2002) is a perfect example of that happening in real time.
This 9CD box set from Demon Records gathers all nine of Ian Dury’s studio albums, plus selected bonus singles, into a beautifully produced career-spanning collection — and crucially, it finally feels like the luxury, considered box set that an artist of Ian Dury’s stature deserves.
What’s Inside the Box
Right from the start, this set makes a strong impression. Demon have moved away from the flimsy outer sleeves used on some earlier career-spanning releases and opted instead for a proper, sturdy hardback box — and it makes all the difference.
Inside, the discs are housed in fold-out digipack-style folders, with a smart design tweak that’s worth highlighting:
the CDs now slide out from the top, not the side, making them far easier (and safer) to handle. It’s a small thing, but collectors will appreciate it.
Each sleeve features album artwork reproduced on the inside, adding colour, texture and visual interest — something I’ve often said makes these sets feel far more alive and engaging.
Because this is a nine-disc set, the second folder expands into a larger digipack, again beautifully illustrated front and back. Presentation-wise, this is Demon operating at the top of their game.
The Booklet – Context Matters
One of the standout elements here is the booklet, which includes a thoughtful essay by John Ear, written in August 2025. This isn’t just padding — it’s an important piece of the puzzle.
The essay places each album in context, drawing on conversations with people close to the music at the time. For newcomers to Ian Dury, this is invaluable. For long-time fans, it deepens the understanding of how these records came together and why they still matter.
It’s also worth noting the involvement of Ian Dury’s family, including Sophie, Jemima and Baxter. That care and affection genuinely comes across — in the writing, the presentation, and the overall attention to detail.
The Albums – A Career in Full Colour
This set runs from New Boots and Panties!! (1977) right through to Ten More Turnips From The Tip (2002), with every album represented properly and respectfully.
Alongside the core albums, we get key bonus singles like:
What a Waste
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
Reason to Be Cheerful, Part 3
Each album is clearly laid out with full credits, track listings, and release years, making this feel archival without being clinical.
Listening Back – Why Ian Dury Endures
What struck me most, playing this box almost constantly, is just how timeless Ian Dury’s writing is. Funny, sharp, observational — but never throwaway.
There’s a tendency to pigeonhole Dury as punk or new wave, but this set completely dismantles that idea. Beneath the surface is a rich blend of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and street poetry, all brought to life by extraordinary musicians.
And I’m going to say something that rarely gets said in rock discussions:
Norman Watt-Roy’s bass playing is absolutely central to this music.
Much like Gary Thain in Uriah Heep, Watt-Roy’s bass lines pull your ears away from guitars and vocals — inventive, funky, fluid, and endlessly musical. Ian Dury’s lyrical freedom only works because the musicians around him were that good.
Albums like Do It Yourself, Laughter, 4,000 Weeks’ Holiday, The Bus Driver’s Prayer, and Mr Love Pants reveal just how deep and diverse this catalogue really is.
This is music that’s witty without being novelty, provocative without being disposable, and joyful without ever feeling thin.
Vinyl Bonus – New Boots and Panties!! Revisited
Alongside the box set, Demon have also reissued New Boots and Panties!! on vinyl. It faithfully mirrors the original pressing and — importantly — sounds excellent.
If you’re new to Ian Dury and want a single album entry point on vinyl, this is a superb place to start. And if you’re a long-time fan who wants a clean, well-pressed copy without hunting for an original, this reissue does the job beautifully.
At around £55 in the UK, this box set represents outstanding value. You get:
A proper hardback box
Thoughtful, fan-focused design improvements
A meaningful booklet essay
Career-spanning music that crosses genres effortlessly
A set that genuinely feels made with care and respect
Most importantly, it captures the heart of Ian Dury — an artist who wrote about everyday life with extraordinary insight, humour and humanity.
If you want music that cheers you up, makes you think, and rewards repeated listening, this set delivers in spades.
Highly recommended.
ORDER THE IAN DURY CD BOX SET HERE
ORDER NEW BOOTS AND PANTIES ON VINYL HERE
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
