THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW:
Audience Par-ti-ci-pation Album

*LP*
1983, Ode Sounds And Visuals, 1032

*CASSETTE*
1983, Ode Sounds And Visuals
1990, Ode Sounds And Visuals/Rhino Records, R4 71112

*CD*
1987, Ode Sounds And Visuals/Pacific Records, ODECD 1032 (only available in the THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Box Set
1994, Ode Sounds And Visuals/Rhino Records, R2 71112

After TRHPS became a midnight movie legend, the idea came around to capture the feeling of a midnight screening onto a recording, immortalizing the audience participation, giving "virgins" a chance to catch up on some lines for their 'first time,' and letting those unable to attend a screening to get a taste of what those crazy Rocky Horror people do. The result is this album.

This recording was originally intended to be recorded in a studio with a large group of fans reading a script of AP lines along with just the soundtrack to the film. However, after a bit of recording, the producers were more than unhappy with the results. The studio recording sounded too phony, and it was difficult for the fans to get into the whole thing without actually being in the atmosphere of the theatre. So it was decided to record the album live during an actual screening. So, with TRHPS Official Fan Club president and long-time Rocky Horror fan Sal Piro and a theatre full of revved-up fans, the album was recorded live at the 8th Street Playhouse in New York City in 1983. The album contains a spoken intro (the R-O-C-K-Y cheer, etc.) by Sal Piro, and then the entire film (dialogue, songs, etc.) with the audience chanting AP lines. A lot of work was done to avoid including any lines referring to on-screen, visual gags, so as not to confuse the listener.

This recording is a very good album for Rocky Horror newbies, and I usually recommend it to anyone wondering what the midnight cult is all about and are unsure about actually going. The only trouble is, this was recorded in 1983, and as any fan can tell you, AP lines are constantly coming and going. This album's main weakness is that it contains a LOT of dated, old lines that are either outdated or just worn-out. Plus, when someone goes to a screening of TRHPS after listening to this album, they're always the most obvious ones; they only know the lines from this album, and that's it. (At least at my show, there are. We get so-called "AP-Album Groupies" who come from time to time.) In any case, this album is a good nostalgic piece, especially because the original MONO version of TRHPS is used, which you don't get to hear too often these days.

Although the mono version of the film is used, it is also the shorter, 95-minute edited version of TRHPS so the songs 'Super Heroes' and 'Science Fiction/Double Feature (reprise)' do NOT appear on this recording.

Due to it's extended length, this is a double album. There were two different versions of this album released on vinyl. The very first pressing/release only says "TRHPS Audience Par-ti-ci-pation Album" on the album jacket (and "Say It!"). The SECOND release/pressing is identical to every pressing released afterwards, it has added to the jacket: "The Original Soundtrack To The Original Soundtrack From The Original Movie." (as pictured above) Every pressing but the very first vinyl pressing contains this added sub-title. And as a bonus, the sleeves the albums come in feature AP lines with cues, so you can read along, and say the lines with the recording. (The cassette and CD releases do NOT contain these mini-scripts.)

Also, this album was not released on CD until 1994, with the exception of a very limited CD pressing that was ONLY available in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Box Set. This box set came out in 1987, and is difficult to find. From 1987 to 1994, this box was the only place you could find this recording on CD. It was re-issued with normal release in 1994 by Rhino Records, but there are many differences in the two different releases:

  • The 1987 CD release was packaged in the standard 2-CD jewelbox, whereas the 1994 re-issue is packaged in a standard jewelbox, that stores 2 discs.
  • The cover of the 1987 release deleted all uses of the word ALBUM and replaced them with CD. The 1994 retains the original use of the word ALBUM.
  • The back of the 1987 release features a black background; the 1994 re-issue features the original art depicting a cinema complete with a floor covered with rice, cards, etc.
  • The CD booklet of the 1987 issue folds out to reveal the fans in the theatre (exactly like the vinyl gatefold jacket); the 1994 re-issue does NOT duplicate the original gatefold picture, but it DOES contain the list of TRHPS props, theatre etiquette, etc., which is nowhere featured in the 1987 release.
  • Each disc on the 1987 release is broken up into two tracks, Track 1 of CD 1 being Side 1 of the album, Track 2-Side 2, Track 1 of CD 2 being Side 3, and Track 2-Side 4. The 1994 re-issue is not broken up into tracks at all, both discs are just one long track each.
  • The art on the CD's themselves are quite different. The CD art of the 1987 release is just black print on a plain disc. (I think this was a mistake, but the discs also claim to be TRHS, not TRHPS) The 1994 re-issue has one disc painted black, and one that has no colour background. Both CD's in this release contain the full album title with the notorious 'Lips' image.

    This recording is a must-have to any Rocky Horror fan's audio library, even though many fans today don't listen to it as much. In any case, this is one of the most-common albums available.

    *****AVAILABILITY*****
    Currently in print and available on cassette and CD. Very easy to find in most music stores/outlets. Because it's a double-album, it may be priced a bit higher than your average album. The 1987 CD release of this (as mentioned, only available in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Box Set) has been out-of-print for many years and is very difficult to find.