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/Parasol

Labels: Bird Song, Camp Burlesque, record reviews va

posted by joseph kyle @ 12:45 PM

Various Artists About A Son

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Though the Kurt Cobain art-documentary About a Son has received a mixed reaction, it's hard to fault the excellent soundtrack. In a way, the soundtrack says way, way more about Cobain's tastes and style than anything else could. Cobain was a man who loved music, and this soundtrack reflects not only his diverse tastes, but also captures the young, burgeoning Seattle scene. In fact, the whole thing feels less like a compilation and more like a mix tape--and an excellent mix tape at that. Featuring many of the songs and bands Cobain often wrote about in his journals or talked about in his interviews, it's nice to finally put his musical love in context. Plus, it's nice to finally hear Half Japanese on the same record as David Bowie, and it's a scream to hear CCR and Mudhoney together as well. I kind of like the fact that there are sound clips of Cobain talking about his music and insipriations, too.I don't know if it's the mix tape Cobain would have made, but it is close enough, and it's a pleasure. If you already own all of these songs, man, then that means only one thing: you get it.

Listen To: The Vaselines "Son of a Gun"

About a Son is out now on Barsuk

Labels: About a Son, Barsuk, Kurt Cobain, record reviews va

posted by joseph kyle @ 12:14 PM 0 comments

Previous Postings