THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW:
N.S.O. Ensemble Studio Cast (1995)

This recording is yet another "studio cast" recording. However, this recording is nowhere as bad as some of the other studio cast recordings. First of all, it features actual British stage performers-some of whom have experience performing TRHS on stage. This recording is also the very first RH recording to be recorded in Dolby Surround Sound. Listening to this recording with the proper surround-sound equipment is quite an experience. (How about that lightning?) Another thing that makes this recording pretty good is that it features the original musical arrangements from the Original London Cast by Richard Hartley.

This recording's main weakness is one that really hurts the whole album: the performers. Now, I know that they are not amateurs, but the performances on this recording are HORRIBLE, with the exception of Aidan Bell (Riff-Raff) and Brian May (Eddie). Anita Dobson (The Usherette/Magenta) and Howard Samuels (Dr. Frank N. Furter) are so bad they almost make your ears bleed. 'Eddie's Teddy' sounds like a really bad easy-listening tune. It's really sad that this album has such great musical arrangements and a professional ensemble, but it's all made worthless with this miserable performing. For example, why does the entire cast feel the need to change some of the lyrics and speak silly dialogue during the songs? ("Won't someone take me home?" really doesn't need to be said while singing 'I'm Going Home' or "Look at that muscle!" during 'Charles Atlas Song'.) Also, it should be mentioned that Christopher Lee (The Narrator) is a veteran actor in motion picutres, Adam Caine (Rocky Horror) also performed the same part on the 1990 London Cast/The Whole Gory Story recording, and Aidan Bell also released a solo version of 'The Time Warp' on his album Time Warp. (That version is much better than the one on this recording.)

This album's highlight is Brian May's performance, which is only one song: 'Hot Patootie (Bless My Soul)'. Brian May was the guitarist for Queen and his involvement in this project came about because he had been romantically involved with Anita Dobson for several years. 'Hot Patootie' was NOT recorded with all the other music on this album. It was recorded separately with Brian's own back-up band, and Brian liked the final mix of the song so much that he considered releasing it as a single or including it on a future album. This is why the first two releases of this recording do not feature this track. The plans for a single release fell through, and the song finally appeared on the third release of this album. Rocky Horror fans first got to hear this track at TRHPS 20th Anniversary Convention in Los Angeles in October 1995.

This recording has been issued in three different versions.

I would not recommend this recording unless you are a die-hard Rocky Horror or Queen fan. Take my word for it, some of the performances on this recording are terrible. There's also really no need to get all three different releases of this recording, unless you're one of those "I've-gotta-have-EVERYTHING" fans.

One last note: I am also a serious fan of Brian May and Queen, and this recording takes two of my favourite obsessions and puts them together.......... The only track I EVER listen to on this recording is Brian's 'Hot Patootie.'

MISSING TRACKS:

*****AVAILABILITY*****
The Musicals Collection #41 is available only in the UK. It may be difficult to get in the U.S.
Selected Highlights and the N.S.O. Ensemble are both currently in print and very easy to find in most big music outlets and stores. Selected Highlights is usually VERY cheap (I've seen it as low as $2.99), so don't pay too much for it. The N.S.O. Ensemble is priced around $15.99 (not bad--since you get all the songs, AND Brian May.)

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