Hog Fever: Episodes 1-5

Hog Fever is the story of Robert Lourdes, an author whose life it would seem isn't quite up to snuff. His screenwriter wife is much more successful so he dwells upon the freedom that a motorcycle brings. He tells his story while sitting on his psychiatrist's couch.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Hog Fever, it is an ear movie based on the memoir by Richard La Plante he wrote in 1994. What you get are episodes 1-5 on three audio CDs (no video) and a bonus soundtrack CD. The project, developed by Kevin Godley (10cc, Godley and Creme) and La Plante, is a series about motorcycle enthusiast Robert Lourdes who is infatuated with motorcycles, specifically Harley Davidson motorcycles. His story is reiterated via the confines of his psychiatrist's office. The voice acting is very good with the voice of the psychiatrist performed by British actor Terence Stamp. The series recalls the spirit of radio dramas of the '50s and '60s filled with witty humour and interesting social commentary. It's actually pretty absorbing stuff and certainly worth a listen if you are into this format style.

The soundtrack includes tunes by Kevin Godley, Richard La Plante, Daniel Ash (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Tones on Tail) plus a few others. The Godley tunes are expertly crafted pop/rock songs like the excellent gritty pop rock of "The Bad & The Beautiful" where the vocals and riffs really shine, the eclectic "Just Write" showcasing a tribal barrage of percussion and talking vox with background jazzy saxophone and the stunningly beautiful "Confession", perhaps the closest tune to channel his past, featuring electric piano, lush strings and a heartwarming vocal performance. Godley's songwriting abilities have clearly not deteriorated over time. Other highlights include Ash's punk/heavy goth inspired "Flame On", all distorted riffs and distant emotionally charged vocals, the tongue and cheek bluesy guitar rock of "Gay Dudes And Quaaludes" and Stamp's stunning rendition of Cole Porter's Night & Day" complemented by marvelous acoustic guitar. "The Sheik", performed by the band Revenge, is another good one having a Bowie or Mott the Hoople feel as it has that '70s glam hint of nostalgia.

The amount of talent in this project is formidable and while this will probably only find a niche audience I suspect those who give it a try will like what they hear. And the music is pretty good too.

Track Listing:
Discs 1-3 contain episodes 1-5.
Bonus Audio CD:
1. Theme From Hog Fever - written and performed by Kevin Godley & Ivan
Jackman)
2. Into The Light - written and performed by Richard La Plante
3. The Bad & The Beautiful – written and performed by Kevin Godley
4. Night & Day – written by Cole Porter, performed by Terence Stamp
5. Flame On – written and performed by Daniel Ash
6. Gay Dudes And Quaaludes – written and performed by Richard La Plante
and Mark Ling
7. The Sheik – written by Richard La Plante and Mark Ling, performed by
Revenge
8. Work Song – written and performed by Kevin Godley
9. Just Write – written and performed by Kevin Godley
10. American Hero – written by Richard La Plante
11. Confession – written and performed by Kevin Godley
12. Night & Day Reprise – written by Cole Porter, performed by Emmanuelle Sallet
13. Let's Dance – written and performed by Richard La Plante
14. Wanker – written by Daniel Ash, performed by Laura Rearwin

Added: November 1st 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Audio Movie Website
Hits: 1534
Language: english

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