There isn’t really much I can say about Scottish comedian Billy Connolly that hasn’t already been said, so I just won’t say anything.

Hmm, that isnae exactly going to work though, as this is supposed to be a review, so...

Billy Connolly – Greatest Hits Live is a value-packed compilation of many of the man’s most uproarious stand-up skits. It clocks in at a whopping two hours and 22 minutes in length, and covers highlights of his career from way back in 1975 through to as recently as 1999, showcasing his beardie-weirdie days through to his clean-shaven ones. Some routines will be familiar from previous video releases and others from television appearances and the like – one thing is guaranteed, however. If you don’t get more than a wee titter from his many poo, willy, fart, bum, sex and other gags related to bodily functions – which he manages to relate in such a way that they are tear-inducingly funny rather than crass – not to mention his oratories on everything from flying to parenthood, masturbation to ageing and Swiss chocolaty produce to his homeland then you must be dead, an ex-breather, stiffer than the starchiest of stiff and starchy things - have X’s in your eyes even... Ok, I think you get the point by now.

Anyway, the feature’s many sections come from the following previous releases and gigs...

Being a compilation of footage from as long ago as 1975, it should be rather obvious to all that quality will vary throughout, and it does. It is almost entirely shot on video, in fact the only film portion is the brief bit from 1975, so generally artefacts and blots on the landscape are at a minimum excepting said filmed bit. There are occasional video glitches, but none worth getting steamed up over – and most will probably fly by unnoticed as you wet yourselves throughout. As the years go by quality does improve markedly, as would be expected. Most of the usual things we rant about surely aren’t as critical for a release such as this, as what is spoken is so much more important than whether Mr C is anamorphically enhanced, vividly colourful (well, his language certainly is) and is displayed with perfect shadow detail and sharpness. For those who must know however, this is full frame, what little need for colour there is suffices, shadow detail is fair throughout - with improvements in some sections, and detail isn’t too shabby. This is all the more admirable when you consider it is all squished onto a single layered disc.

What is extremely important for a release such as this is the clarity of audio. It is therefore my great pleasure to announce that the Dolby Digital Stereo mix here (which uses some things sourced from mono recordings) does a bang-up job. Billy is as clear as Billy ever is (if you have ever had a problem tuning into his wee bit of an accent then you’ll still have it here), synching is fine, and there is very little in the way of hiss or other annoyances – and certainly not enough to be of concern when there are only a couple of small outbreaks – and, after all, this is all material that was recorded live.

Extras? Forget it! There’s a cute animated menu with wee cartoon Billys from different stages of his career mucking about, accompanied by some rather jolly banjo music, a web link (woo!) and that’s it. Seriously though, with the exceptional value of almost two and a half hours of Billy in full flight here what more could you ask for?

And from the sounds of things, if you ever go to Ibiza, DON’T DRINK THE WATER!