ELECTRIC SIX - ABSOLUTE PLEASURE

I made Tyler order this CD for me online for Christmas.  I really wanted it and couldn't wait any longer.  I've seen E6 a number of times in concert and I've enjoyed seeing almost all of these songs performed live.  There are two songs in particular I've been wanting to see live and I was able to see them but I'm even more surprised and pleased to find them included on this release.  'Future Is In The Future' and 'When I Get To The Green Building' are amazing tunes.  It's so great to have live versions in my library.

It's also interesting to have a copy of the Osmond Brothers cover, 'Crazy Horses'.  Why on earth E6 decided to do a version of this song I'll never know.  But it comes out sounding just great and makes another reason to pick up this already exclusive release.

I believe this CD is a mix of two nights performances.  But it doesn't matter much in the end.  You can put the disc on and let it play without worrying about skipping unwanted tracks.  They're all gems.

There's a lot of conversation happening here as well.  Dick Valentine spends a good deal of time entertaining the audience with his witty humor.  It's a pleasure hearing it live when you're at the show.  Even moreso when you can keep a copy of it and listen to it over again.

The title of this release makes me think of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".  One of the lasts songs Frankenfurter sings is that one where he goes, "Don't dream it, be it"  Another line from that song is, "Give yourself over to absolute pleasure."  In my mind, that scene inspired this incredible record.  I can picture Dick Valentine in corset drag with a pink feather boa and high heel shoes singing that line over and over.  It's a disturbing but happy image for me.  I think he's talented enough to pull it off.  Much like Tim Curry.  My final words on this release are: LONG OVERDUE AND WORTH THE WAIT!

ELECTRIC SIX - ABSOLUTE PLEASURE

01. It's Showtime!

02. Down At McDonnelzzz

03. Danger! High Voltage

04. Future Is In The Future

05. Dirty Ball

06. When I Get To The Green Building

07. Gay Bar

08. Infected Girls

09. Jam It In The Hole

10. She's White

11. Body Shot

12. Dance Epidemic

13. I Buy The Drugs

14. Hello! I See You

15. Crazy Horses

16. Dance Commander

17. Synthesizer

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" gained cult fame sometime in the 70's by becoming a hit with late night film goers. The audience eventually took up an interactive role with the film. Stories of which are legendary and continue to this day; giving this movie the status of having the longest theatrical run in the history of film.

Richard O'Brien wrote the musical stage script, the musical score and co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. He also appears in the film and sings on the soundtrack as the character Riff Raff. The music is highly integrated into the storyline of the film. Even though it's essential and primary to the plot, they do stand up on an individual listening. For the most part. You can easily put the character in a situational context while listening to the lyrics even if you'd never seen the film. Written in the tradition of 50's rock n' roll with a bit of 70's mixed in, the songs are also awesome because the film stars sing the tunes in character. Not all of the cast are great singers. But the lack of talent only serves to heighten the fun. You can easily listen and sing over the top of the vocal talent and still have an enjoyable experience.

Bless his transsexual heart, Tim Curry delivers the performance of his career as the evil villain of the piece. His campy performance offsets the tongue-in-cheek numbers like 'Sweet Transvestite' and 'I Can Make You A Man' while at the same time delivering a sincere and genuine performance on the enduring anthem numbers 'Fanfare/Don't Dream It' and 'I'm Going Home'.

Since I was too young to really appreciate the social implications of this film and soundtrack, I'm left to speculate as to what it was actually like when it came out. I'm guessing songs about cross-dressing and alternative lifestyles weren't within the traditional scope of suburban America at the time. I imagine this soundtrack as being a rallying cry for those living underground or non-traditional lives. It championed and gave voice to so many who felt oppressed or ignored by society.

By today's standards, the music would be considered tame. Yet I suspect it still serves as inspiration for artists looking for an unorthodox perspective or who feel trapped and unable to express their true potential.

As a whole, I enjoy listening to this record. I like certain songs more than others, but even the ones I'm not particularly fond of I enjoy when I watch the film. It truly embodies the rebel rockers of the late 50's. It is a classic record. And easy to get into even if you haven't experienced the film. After all, it's just a jump to the left! My final words: UNORTHODOX CLASSIC. 

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
01. Science Fiction/Double Feature
02. Dammit Janet
03. Over At The Frankenstein Place
04. The Time Warp
05. Sweet Transvestite
06. I Can Make You A Man
07. Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul
08. I Can Make You A Man: Resprise
09. Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me
10. Eddie
11. Rose Tint My World
      a. Floor Show
      b. Fanfare/Don't Dream It
      c. Wild And Untamed Thing
12. I'm Going Home
13. Super Heroes
14. Science Fiction/Double Feature: Reprise
15. The Time Warp (Remix 1989 Extended Version)
16. The Time Warp (Music - 1 = Background Track + U Mix)