Search - Richard O'Brien :: The Rocky Horror Show (1995 Studio Cast)

PRETTY GREAT, even though it's not the ROXY CAST!

Robert Lopez | California | 06/23/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD, 1: Because I LOOVE "The Rocky Horror Show, and 2: I LOOVE Kim Criswell who plays Janet. Therefore the CD does not dissapoint! This CD is a studio recording of actors and singers from London and not a Cast Recording. Although "Howard Samuels (Frank), Tim Flavin (Brad) and Aidan Bell (Riff), repeat their amazing perfomances they have developed from appearing in the various productions of the show around the world and Anita Dobson shows a polish as Magenta also brought through much expereince in the show." (Linear notes from CD cover) Although it's not a "Cast Album" it has a few people who were actually in the show.The orchestrations sound exactly like the Original 1973 London Cast with Tim Curry. It also has strange sound effects added to give it a more "Science Fiction" feeling. All the songs are accounted for (including "Once and a While" and Super Heroes") and performed quite well I may say. Ofcourse NOTHING compares to the "ROXY CAST" recording! Anita Dobson's "SCIENCE FICTION.." is a little weak but fun. It's a mixture of Richard O' Briens rendition (FILM) and Jamie Donnaly's version (ROXY). Tim Flavin and Kim Criswell (of "Annie Get Your Gun" , "Anything Goes" , "The Slow Drag" , A WONDERFUL PERFORMER AND BELTER! ) both shine in the shoe boppin' "DAMMIT JANET", they play well as the All American Couple. "OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN'S PLACE" is also sung well, Brad gets to sing his second verse solo, which was cut from the film. "SWEET TRANSVESTITE" in it's original order of the show gets a new spin buy course voiced Howard Samuels. His voice is an acquired one, sounding a bit like Tim Curry but not quite. Nice to hear him finding new ways to stress words and stray from carbon copying Curry. "TIME WARP" is where we get to hear Aidan bell let his TREMENDOUS falsetto rip. Listen as he BELTS what used to be Magenta's line "I SEE A-ALLLL! and "Like you're under sedaTIOOOON! " it's so amazing! It totally made me go "What The! " Adam Caine is alright as Rocky as he sings "SWORD OF DAMOCLES". Both renditions of "CHARLES ATLAS SONG" are new and fresh. Just sit back and hear the way Samuel thinks Frank should sound. It's not bad, not bad at all. Eddie's "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SATURDAY NIGHT" sounds WAAAAY different from any version I've EVER heard but not in a bad way. It's sung by former rock star Brian May of Queen. "TOUCH ME" is where Kim Criswell starts to let her hair down and begin to belt like she was born to do. Although this rendition is a little belt, it does not even come close to the TREMENDOUS belting of Abigale Haness in the (ROXY CD). OMIGOD! She's INSANE! Not only that but it's in a higher key than usual! (Buy it and listen) "ROSE TINT MY WORLD" is a lot of fun, especially when Riff Raff exposes Frank-N-Furter at the end! Just listen to "PREEEPARE THE TRANSIIIT BEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAM!" Once again into some INSANE high note. What a blast! I'd give this CD 3 1/2 if I could, but I give it that because most of the singers tend to follow the music too closely instead of having fun with the material. LISTEN TO ME! BUY THE ROXY CAST as well as this one and compare. THE ROXY is untouchable but this one's got some great material as well. Happy listening!"

A Little More Rocky Never Hurt Anyone...

tgfabthunderbird | York, PA United States | 01/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When this version of the RHS came out, I was a bit uncertain, considering my life and times in the group (read my other thoughts on the show)...



...but this stage production had some great moments. The translation to stage to screen and back again sometimes has spotty results, but this was really not bad.



The choice of Christopher Lee as narrator was a good one; that campy, b-horror movie voice was perfect edge to the some of the other performances. Aidan Quinn was a fine Riff (and that falsetto part got an interesting workout in one of my cast's preshows!), and Brian May blows you out of the water with that version of "Whatever Happened to Saturday Night."



Quite an all-right production."

Forget the movie soundtrack, buy this!

Atlas | Boston, MA | 01/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I own four RHS CDs. This one is second only to the Roxy cast. Individually, the singers on this CD are excellent, possibly the best of any version. But since this cast never performed a show together, it lacked that spark that makes Roxy the best overall. The arrangements are refreshing, particularly in contrast to the movie. Aidan Bell is outstanding as Riff-Raff. O'Brien may have originated the role, but Aidan mastered it. Brian May puts a brand new twist on Meatloaf's Hot Patootie. This CD also holds the distinction of being the most complete. Every song is included and most of the Narrator's dialogue has been added in.This CD, along with the Roxy Cast recording is a must have for any Rocky Horror fan. And if you've never seen the stage show or even heard an RHS cast recording, you don't know what you're missing."