THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW:
Original New Zealand Cast (1978)

*LP*
1978, Stetson Records Ltd., SRLP 6

*CD*
1995, BMG/Stetson Records, Ltd. SRCD6
1995, BMG/Stetson Records, Ltd., 74321 270812/SRCD 6 (limited edition double CD w/THE NEW ROCKY HORROR SHOW: 1995 New Zealand Cast)

CAST:
Dr. Frank N. Furter: Gary Glitter
Rocky Horror: Rayner Bourton
Riff-Raff: Sal Sharah
Eddie/Dr. Scott: Paul Johnstone
Brad Majors: John Collingwood-Smith
Janet Weiss: Jenni Anderson
Columbia: Zero
The Usherette/Magenta: Sharron Skelton
The Narrator: Keith Richardson
backup vocals: Lorae Parry & Rex Cleghorn

MUSICIANS
David Fraser: keyboards
Ray Mercer: guitar
Mark Hrnibrook: bass
Dennis Mason: saxophone
Earle Strange: drums

MUSIC ON THIS ALBUM ARRANGED AND CONDUCTED BY: David Fraser
RECORDED AT EMI STUDIOS, LOWER HUTT, JULY 31-AUGUST 2, 1978
PRODUCED BY: Stewart Macpherson

RUNNING TIME: 44:21

The Original New Zealand Cast Album of TRHS is a FABULOUS cast recording. Both the arrangements and the performers are very entertaining. Although the album's main claim to fame is that it features 70's glam-rock legend Gary Glitter as Frank N. Furter, the entire company is quite wonderful, energetic and talented.

One highlight is a divine performance by Rayner Bourton as Rocky Horror. Raynor was the very first Rocky Horror in the Original London Cast but his performance on this album is MUCH better. 'The Sword Of Damocles' isn't sung in a falsetto this time and it's one of the most upbeat versions of the tune ever recorded. (Of historical interest: Rayner later went on to direct TRHS in Japan, where I believe he also played Rocky. He was also one of the extras in the DTV studio audience in Shock Treatment)

This album has the BEST (in my opinion) version of 'Hot Patootie-Bless My Soul' ever released on a cast album. (Excluding Meat Loaf's two recordings, of course.)

Other highlights of this album are 'Dammit Janet,' 'Over At The Frankenstein Place,' and 'Super Heroes.' This album has some terrific arrangements that shouldn't be missed. The only track which disappoints is 'I'm Going Home,' which drags on a little too long in my opinion--Glitter really overdoes the ending of the track.

This album is missing the tracks: 'Charles Atlas Song (reprise), 'Planet Schmanet, Janet,' and 'Science Fiction/Double Feature (reprise).'

There is an error on the back of the album sleeve: 'Rose Tint My World' is not listed in the track listing, although it IS on the album. (This error is on both the LP and CD sleeves, but the track title is listed on the LP label.)

In 1978 when this album was released, there were also three singles released from the album:

'Sweet Transvestite' b/w 'I'm Going Home' (1978, Stetson Records, SP13)

'Hot Patootie (Bless My Soul)' b/w 'Eddie's Teddy' (1978, Stetson Records, SP14)

'Science Fiction-Double Feature' b/w 'The Time Warp' (1978, Stetson Records, SP28)
These singles are VERY difficult to find and are worth a lot on the Rocky Horror collectors market.

The original vinyl release of this album was never released in the US, and has been out-of-print for years. In fact, the vinyl release of this album is one of the rarest Rocky Horror albums ever released. There are very few collectors in the US who own this album on vinyl.

In 1995, to celebrate the release of the 1995 New Zealand Cast album of TRHS, producer Stewart Macpherson released this recording on compact disc in two different limited-edition releases: a standard single CD release (SRCD 6) and a special limited-edition double CD of the Original New Zealand Cast album and the 1995 New Zealand Cast album. Only 5000 copies of the two-CD set were manufactured. I don't know how many copies of the single disc release were pressed, but for some reason it has always been the harder one to find of the two releases. In any case, Macpherson & BMG/Stetson Records, Ltd. announced that this CD release would be the last time that the Original New Zealand Cast recording would ever be released.

The CD release of this recording sounds as if it was mastered from one of the original vinyl releases (almost like a bootleg-but it IS a legit release.) There are plenty of evident vinyl "snaps & crackles" (especially during 'Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me') Maybe the original master tapes for this recording have disappeared. I would assume that maybe that's the reason that the producers have never given this album a bigger re-issue. (It certainly deserves one.)

'Damn It, Janet' and 'I Can Make You A Man,' taken from this album, are featured on Rocky Horror International, available only in the TRHPS 15th Anniversary Boxed Set.

The Original New Zealand Cast album is one of the best TRHS cast albums, and I highly recommend it.

MISSING TRACKS: 'Charles Atlas Song (reprise),' 'Planet Schmanet, Janet,' 'Science Fiction/Double Feature (reprise)'

*****AVAILABILITY*****
This is one of the most difficult cast albums to find.
The original vinyl LP was only released in New Zealand, and has always been extremely rare. The two 1995 CD releases were both limited editions and are long out-of-print and also very rare. The best one could do to obtain a copy would be to check out eBay, used record stores, or trading with a collector.

--Kev J.B.

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