Released exclusively via Bandcamp on Friday 27th November.
An 8-track ‘Highlights’ set from last year’s Andy Bell is Torsten ‘Queereteria TV’ stage show featuring Andy Bell and his co-stars, musical theatre legend Peter Straker and actor, poet and Torsten writer Barney Ashton-Bullock
The download enables access to photos and a text and can be accessed via
https://andybellistorsten.bandcamp.com/ ... highlights
This release no longer seems to be available on Bandcamp at time of writing this update-(Dec 2021) The general Andy Bell is Torsten Bandcamp page can be followed at
andybellistorsten.bandcamp.com
Tracklisting
1. Bell Jar Song – Andy Bell previously unreleased
2. A Hundred Years Plus Today – Andy Bell
3. Not Opting Out – Andy Bell, Peter Straker & Barney Ashton-Bullock
4. Lowland Lowriders - Andy Bell & Barney Ashton-Bullock
5. Photos of Daniel/ I Am The Boy Who Smiled At You - Andy Bell, Peter Straker & Barney Ashton-Bullock
6. Blow Jobs For Cocaine – Andy Bell
7. To Know Good Men From Perverts - Andy Bell, Peter Straker & Barney Ashton-Bullock
8. Lady Domina Bizarre TV Theme Tune - BONUS TRACK - Barney Ashton-Bullock previously unreleased
Andy Bell says: “Ooh, the roar of the greasepaint! The smell of the crowd! Come & relive with us those heady Torsten days of ‘Queereteria TV’ at the Above The Stag Theatre (London’s premier LGBTQ+ theatre venue). It now feels like eons ago, but, our wonderful conductor & arranger Chris Frost has bought back to life, straight from the theatre soundboard, some of our wonderful madcap songs and they’re released on November 27th via Bandcamp. So, say hello again to Rupert, Daniel & Torsten meself… we’re so Queercore! x x x”
A souvenir selection of tracks from 'Queereteria TV', starring Erasure's Andy Bell, performed at London's Above The Stag Theatre in April 2019. Exclusive photographs and video from the show, companion booklet and lyrics included.
credits
released November 27, 2020
Andy Bell - Torsten
Peter Straker - Rupert
Barney Ashton-Bullock - Daniel, Playwright & Lyricist
Christopher Frost - Musical Director, Pianist & Composer
All songs composed by Barney Ashton-Bullock & Christopher Frost
Lyrics by Barney Ashton-Bullock
Music by Christopher Frost
Recorded at the Above The Stag Theatre between April 26-28, 2019
Album mixed and mastered by Christopher Frost at Studio Aramis, Epsom
Album photos by Barney Ashton-Bullock, Christopher Frost and audience members
Press Release:
“It’s a lifelong discovery finding good company.”
Andy Bell of synth-pop duo Erasure performed, in Spring 2019, what was his most ambitious dramatic role to date as part of his cult ‘Andy Bell is Torsten’ side project. The hybrid musical-comedy-drama ‘Queereteria TV’ ran for 3 weeks at London’s Above The Stag Theatre in support of the poetry-pop concept album ‘Andy Bell is Torsten In Queereteria’.
Composer Chris Frost has painstakingly, over the year-and-a-half since, re-worked, re-modelled and re-mixed the live sound recordings made during the run into a souvenir selection of tracks from the show with the idea to provide fans with a memento of an unforgettable production. Chris says, “Producing the live album posed its own set of challenges. Desk recordings were made of the last 3 performances of the show between April 26-28, 2019. Each show was different and mixing the raw recordings with the backing tracks was no mean feat especially with trains screeching and squealing above the arches of the theatre! I am pleased to say that all the original vocals from the three nights have been left untouched. The piano was not recorded live which made mixing and mastering the piano and voice songs particularly tricky. I am very pleased with the results and hope that the highlights will provide a flavour of the show for people who could not attend and will bring back memories for those who were there.”
The track selection for the digital EP features the vocals of Andy Bell with his co-stars Peter Straker and Barney Ashton-Bullock; the 8 tracks are exclusively available via Bandcamp and are a testament of a career highlight for all concerned. Theatre legend Peter Straker appears on the recordings evidencing his role as Torsten’s old-flame, Rupert. Peter Straker is, of course, a veteran of musical theatre productions of the calibre of Hair, Ken Hill’s Original Phantom Of The Opera and Tommy, and his thoughts on the live cast recordings? “Surreal, dense, rude, irreverent, inventive, theatrical. Song, poetry and prose; intertwined. A truly fabulous souvenir of an outrageous show! I discovered new highs and lows; but, what a joyous experience!Bring it on! I love theatre!”
Torsten playwright and songwriter, and published poet, Barney Ashton-Bullock, played the role of Rupert, Torsten’s current love-interest. He states that, “It’s so lovely to hear these songs again; it made me very proud to be a part of such a pioneering, cult, theatrical production. The show was challenging, but rewarding, with the script being re-worked and condensed throughout the rehearsal period with the show’s director Robert McWhir. David Shields’ evocative, apocalyptic set design produced a wonderful spectacle for the audience.”
Of his experience of the show, Barney’s songwriting parter Chris Frost states, “Queereteria TV was my first foray into the unique world of musical direction for a live London theatre show. This was an exciting challenge that required plenty of hard work, patience and collaboration with the whole creative team and performers. Rehearsal hours were long and often a hive of activity but it didn’t stop there. There were many times before and after rehearsals where I could be found at home frantically composing new music or rearranging existing tracks for the next day. The show consists of backing tracks and live piano and during one rehearsal I remember re-harmonising and rearranging ‘You Stampede His Open Wound’ on the spot as a piano and voice number because the scene wasn’t working with the original album track. High octane stuff!
Barney and I form a stalwart writing partnership and have had the pleasure to work with Andy on a number of occasions. This was no exception. Peter Straker joined the team bringing his fantastic voice and stage presence to a talented and committed cast. It was an extraordinary and memorable time.”
