THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW: Original London Cast (1973)

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW:
Original London Cast (1973)


LEFT: original release cover art, RIGHT: 1987 re-issue cover art

*LP*
1973, UK/King Of England Records, UKAL 1006, (first release, later re-mixed & re-issued)
1973, UK/King Of England Records, UKAL 1015 (re-mixed release)
1987, Castle Communications, DOJOLP 54 (with different cover art)

*CASSETTE*
1987, Castle Communications, DOJOTC 54 (with different cover art)
1990, Ode Sounds And Visuals/Rhino Records, R4 70792

*CD*
1990, Castle Communications, DOJOCD 54 (with different cover art)
1989, First Night Records, SCENE CD 17
1990, Ode Sounds And Visuals/Rhino Records, R2 70792

CAST:
Narrator: Jonathon Adams
Frank-N-Furter: Tim Curry
Riff-Raff: Richard O'Brien
Brad Majors: Christopher Malcolm
Janet Weiss: Belinda Sinclair
Rocky Horror: Rayner Bourton
Usherette/Magenta: Patricia Quinn
Columbia: Little Nell
Eddie/Dr. Scott: Paddy O'Hagan

MUSICIANS
Richard Hartley: piano and organ
Count Ian Blair: guitar, electric and acoustic
Dennis Cowan: bass guitar
Martin Fitzgibbon: drums
Phil Kenzie: sax

DIRECTOR: Jim Sharman
DESIGNER: Brian Thomson
COSTUMES: Sue Blane
PRODUCER: Michael White
ARRANGER: Richard Hartley

RUNNING TIME: 37:26


.....The album that started it all.....
Although TRHS has become a huge pop culture phenomenon today, back in 1973, the original production was a very simple show put on in a very small, intimate theatre. Since there wasn't much of a budget to speak of, very few props and special effects were used (unlike most of the official productions staged by Rocky Horror, Ltd. today). The fact that the first production of TRHS was such a low-budget, experimental piece of musical theatre MUST be considered when listening to the Original London Cast album for the first time.

The album is very different in that it was actually recorded in a day (and you can tell.) The musical arrangements and the orchestrations sound very amateurish, but that's how the music was originally written. Plus, it was recorded back when the show had only been running a short while. This recording is really the only official release of the score as it was originally performed. Technically speaking, this album leaves a lot to be desired. Compared to the professionally produced Original Roxy Cast album it sounds like a demo recording.

Although I am a huge Patricia Quinn fan, I wonder if she still sings the part of the Usherette today like she does on this album. Although her Magenta is fine, her Usherette sounds about 15 octaves higher than her normal range. Paddy O'Hagan (Eddie/Dr. Scott) is the album's sore spot; he just doesn't give Eddie the performance needed, musically speaking. Christopher Malcolm (who went on to direct several TRHS productions in the UK, who is now Chairman of Rocky Horror UK, Ltd.-- you'll know him best as Vance Parker from Shock Treatment) is **THE BEST** Brad Majors (in my opinion). No offense to Barry Bostwick, but I would have loved to have seen him in TRHPS. Also, Rayner Bourton is possibly the best Rocky Horror I've heard as well. (Rayner also performs Rocky on the RHS Original New Zealand Cast album, and I actually prefer his performace on THAT album to this one) Tim Curry's Frank......well, of course is divine. Richard O'Brien:...when doesn't he sound fabulous?? Nell and Jonathon Adams turn in pretty good performances as well. (I personally enjoy Adams' Narrator performance better than his Dr. Scott in the film.) Belinda Sinclair (Janet) would later go on to record a disco-ish single of "Touch Me" as 'Janet from TRHS'.

The great thing about this album is the nostalgic value, it's the VERY FIRST production, and the fact that five of the members from this ensemble went on to do TRHPS makes it more appealing.

The BAD thing about this album is that it deletes many of the show's songs (I tend to favour the RH albums that include as much of the score as possible.) 'Eddie's Teddy' is not included, but I believe the album was recorded before the song's inclusion into the show. The two 'Charles Atlas' songs are not here, and 'Planet Schmanet' is missing as well (maybe because of the "mental mind-f***" lyric). Sadly, this leaves only *THREE* songs performed by Tim Curry!! Needless to say, it leaves Curry-holics thirsty for more......

Another interesting note is that when this album was released in 1973 on UK/King Of England Records, it had a few engineering flaws in the first pressing. The errors were fixed with a bit of re-mixing, and the album was re-issued a short time later. ALL versions of the Original London Cast Album are the re-mixed version EXCEPT for the vinyl UK/King Of England release (UKAL 1006).
***Here are the differences in the 2 versions of the Original London Cast album:

  • On the first pressing (UKAL 1006), 'The Time Warp' is mixed very poorly. During the chorus, the voices are mixed unevenly, and all you can hear is Richard O'Brien's voice. This make the song sound like a Riff solo. (Some Ritz junkies may argue that this makes this version superior...) The REMIXED version (all other releases) features an evenly mixed chorus in which you can hear all the right performers.
  • On the first pressing, there's a small flaw in 'The Sword Of Damocles'..... in the beginning of the song when Rocky is being created and the music starts, Rocky sounds like he lets out a belch to start out the song. In the REMIXED version, the flaw has been fixed, and the song starts fine.
  • On the first pressing, 'Hot Patootie (Bless My Soul)' is a few seconds longer, and the song ends abruptly with Eddie's death. In the REMIXED version, the song is shorter, and it ends in a fade. (Why they remixed this is beyond me.)

    Remember that ALL versions of this album are the re-mixed version except for the original vinyl UKAL 1006 release. This first pressing is a bit difficult to find, but the differences in the two versions are few and far apart that it would probably only be of value to the extreme die-hard collectors.

    'Sweet Transvestite,' 'The Time Warp,' 'Rose Tint My World,' and 'I'm Going Home,' taken from this album, are featured on the compilation, Rocky Horror International, which is available only in TRHPS 15th Anniversary Box Set.

    Some fans don't enjoy this album that much, but one reason I enjoy it so much is for it's nostalgic value. I don't think we're gonna see this ensemble together again, either. For the historic value and the wonderful cast, this album is a DEFINITE must-have.

    One note of interest: in 1987, this album was re-issued in Europe by Castle Communications, Inc. This release features different cover art more indicative of the film than the Original London Cast.

    MISSING TRACKS: 'Charles Atlas Song,' 'Charles Atlas Song (reprise),' 'Eddie's Teddy' and 'Planet Schmanet, Janet'

    *****AVAILABILITY*****
    Currently available on CD or cassette.
    This album is pretty easy to find in most music outlets and stores. It can also be ordered from Footlight Records.


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