Beat Battle: Tim Curry vs Anthony Stewart Head
*ding ding ding*
The following contest is a BEAT BATTLE!
Introducing first, from 1975's "Rock Horror Picture Show" motion picture adaptation, from the UK and Warrington, Chesire, the man of a thousand roles, all villainous, TIM CURRY!
And introducing his opponent, from 1991's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" musical revival, also from the UK, in Camden Town, London, England, the man known as ANTHONY STEWART HEAD!
Well, with that, we look at the first battle not involving traditional artists and albums. Both involve the musical known as "Rocky Horror Picture Show"
For those not in the know about it, Rocky Horror was a stage musical that was also both a comedy and a horror. It revolved around the characters of Brad and Janet, two recently engaged people who stumbling in a crazy castle that involves some strange people, being led by a mad scientist transsexual, named Dr. Frank N Furter. It also involves the titular Rocky Horror, a man created by Dr. Frank N Furter for his own reasons.
The musical and movie that it spawned has developed a cult following. It was a musical and movie that needed audience participation over stuff on the screen.
Now, the song that is probably most recognizable of the musical and movie is probably the introduction of the good Doctor, "Sweet Transvestite". So, getting past all the history, let's go to a little tale of the tape of each star, before the battle.
Tim Curry
- Before Rocky Horror, Curry worked on the musical Hair in 1968
- Has appeared in nearly hundreds of movies and tv shows.
- Won an award for his portrayal of King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot musical
Anthony Stewart Head
- Before Rocky Horror, Head worked in a musical called Godspell
- Must known for his role of Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, he's also worked in over 70 movies and tv series.
- Has released a CD with George Sarah, called "Music for Elevators"
With that out of the way, let's get the battle underway!
Battle 1: Voice
Both men bring it in the vocal department. Tim Curry has some good experience in the vocal department, as well as Anthony Head. As for this performance, you got different methods that work well. You have Tim Curry's steady vocals for a lot of the song, with some occasional raises in his vocal tone during some of the chorus and lead up lines. Head, meanwhile, fluctuates in his vocal range, and seems to hit every kind of note there, going high in some parts, while just adding whispers in another.
Trying to pick one as better is gonna take some doing, but I'd go with Anthony Head's version. The vocals seem to add more range to add to the lyrics being said, adding a bit more power behind them.
Winner: Anthony Stewart Head (0-1)
With that, we move on from vocals to the backing. It's time for instruments.
Battle 2: Instruments
The original song has this funky beat to it, and it helps to add to the lyrics of this strange character who jut appeared. While the music in Head's version adds this, the addition of the record scratching and messing with the audio takes away form the song, and it gives this round to Curry.
Winner: Tim Curry (1-1)
With both tied, let's mash those two together, and see what gets the point and the win!
Battle 3: Tone
With that in mind, both men do that in spades. Tim Curry has his lower voice adding this sense of a breathless sexy voice, while Head is milking that accent for all it is worth to this sensual touch in his voice. Both bring the sense of someone trying to show off his skills. This is a hard choice to pick, but......I'm going with Anthony Head in this one. He just feels like he is just going extra wild on it here.
Winner: Anthony Head (2-1)
....
Wait, that didn't sound right.....
CHAMPION: Anthony Stewart Head
Anthony head is the winner in a hard fought battle. Let it not be said that it was close at times, and Tim Curry has nothing to be ashamed of. Both versions are pretty damn good, though I will give the victory to Anthony Head. He earned it.
And that concludes yet another Beat Battle. This was probably more festive than the last entry, and it did give us some new ground to go into. Join us next time as we bring two more musical forces to do battle, and watch only 1 walk out.
-Mikey.
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