I've recently enjoyed the hedonistic pleasures of a wonderful camp dedicated to the naughty--a traditional tease historically known as burlesque. Lest you think me a cad, I direct you to the wonderful pleasures of Camp Burlesque, a short documentary that follows the lascivious exploits of spicy Eastern temptress Erochica Bamboo and her company of lovely, voluptuous, and buxom ladies. These beautiful women have the power to make a gentleman smile, and though theirs is an erotic art, their pleasures are strictly R-rated. Though the location of this wonderful paradise is never revealed, one cannot help but want to find this mysterious oasis of pleasure. The film captures a two-week escapade in the life of the camp, cumulating in a big, wonderful burlesque show, which I might add is sorely lacking. Not that there's not laughs, but their show really could use Neil Hamburger. He'd be perfect as emcee, and his comedy stylings would really be appropriate, especially as he's gone blue. Then again, who knows--maybe America's Funnyman doesn't want to sully his wholesome family entertainment reputation? I know he's a lot funnier than Gorilla X, but then again there's more cheesecake than gorilla on the film, but maybe Gorilla's funnier than his cameo leads us to believe?
But it's not all raunch within the walls of Camp Burlesque--it's wonderful music, too! The sounds of the camp are as lovely as the ladies who keep the show going. There's some wonderful rock and roll offered by Velvet Crush--their song, "That Thing That You Do (To Me)" is, in my mind, one of the band's best songs. My thinking that is not influenced in the least by the lovely lasses shaking their asses to it in the film...but it sure doesn't hurt! Another highlight is Big Sandy's Hawaiian beach love song" 46-24-46," a beautiful Hawaiian ballad that sounds like a long-lost Stephin Merritt composition. There are some other lovely songs by a number of other bon vivant types, some names of note include Matthew Sweet, Peter Case, and a secret cameo by the greatest gadfly of them all, Emperor Burlesque himself, Mr. Bob Dylan! And you simply cannot beat the lovely instrumental pleasures of the Camp Burlesque house band, the Martini Kings! If you like your women sultry, your dancing sexy, your music intoxicating and your drinks fruity, then consider a stop at Camp Burlesque today--it will leave you saying "Va-va-voom!"
Listen To: Big Sandy & The Martini Kings "46-24-46"
Listen To: Big Island Boys "Lovers Luau"
Camp Burlesque is available now from Bird Song/ParasolLabels: Bird Song, Camp Burlesque, record reviews va |
