ROCKY HORROR SHOW:
Norsk Versjon
(Original Norwegian Cast) (1977)

*LP*
1977, En Talent Produksjon, TLS 3032

*CASSETTE*
1977, En Talent Produksjon, T4S 3032

*CD*
1996, limited edition collector's (bootleg) CD

CAST:
Jan (Brad): Ivar Norve
Janne (Janet): Kari Ann Gronsund
Frank: Knut Husebo
Magenta: Gro Anita Schonn
Columbia: Julie Ege
Eddie: Per Elvis Granberg
Dr. Scott: Egil Asman
Fortelleren (Narrator): Bjarne Bo
Rocky: Zakhir Helge Linaae
Riff Raff: Jahn Teigen
CHORUS: Ellen Waaler, Gudny Aspaas, Else Gro Waaland, Oystein Selenius, Per Age Mydral, Jahn Teigen

MUSICIANS
ORKESTERET: Orkesterleder og tangentinstrumenter: Magne Amdahl
Kalle Helgesen: gitar
Freddy Lindquist: gitar
Bjorn Jacobsen: bass
Svein Erik Gaardvik: trommer
Jan Thoresen: saksofon
Arve Ringen: foto

Oversatt av Johan Fillinger og Ole Paus
Innspilt i TALENT STUDIO, Oslo. og 25. oktober 1977
Lydtekniker: Svein Engebretsen
Produsent: Arve Sigvaldsen

RUNNING TIME: 44:32
Bootleg CD Running Time: 66:22)

The Original Norwegian Cast of TRHS (a.k.a. the "Norsk Versjon") is one of the best cast albums ever released. The performances and the music are fabulous, and even though I don't speak a word of Norsk, it does not interfere in the slightest with enjoying this album.

The musical arrangements are original, fresh, and different from the other arrangements all the other RHS albums were using at the time this recording was produced. This is probably the first RHS album to use synthesizers in the music, and although it dates the sound a bit, it also adds to the enjoyment of this wonderful production.

The album itself contains EVERY SINGLE SONG from the RHS (the 1990 London Cast/The Whole Gory Story, the Finnish Castand the 1998 European Tour Cast recordings are the only other cast albums which are contain every song). This wins me over instantly.

Then there are the performances. They are divine. Each performer captures the perfect amount of energy and emotion in delivering performances you will not find on too many other RHS albums. There's none of the cheesy overacting you hear in albums like the Original German Cast album and it is completely original. It's difficult to single out one performer in this recording, because they are all so wonderful. I will say that the Frank on this album (Knut Husebo)is unlike one you'll hear anywhere. For being released in 1977, in the early days of TRHS, I think Husebo is the first Frank to break out of tradition and NOT do Frank like Tim Curry.

Although the album is a pure treat to listen to, highlights include: 'Damn It, Janet,' 'The Time Warp,' 'Sweet Transvestite,' 'Planet Schmanet,' and 'Rose Tint My World.'

In 1996, a very limited edition collector's (bootleg) CD of this album was released, very similar to the collector's bootleg CD of the RHS Mexican Cast album. There were supposed to be only 35 discs made, but I believe only 20-25 were actually pressed. This collector's CD was sold to RH fans/collectors and featured the entire Norsk Versjon album, taken straight from an original vinyl copy of the album. This collector's CD also featured 5 bonus tracks; different, rare, versions of 'The Time Warp.' This 5-track bonus supplement to the disc was entitled "Time Warped". The bonus tracks are: