RSP Reviews
Printed June 16, 1995 and now displayed on the web pages of
Frans Goddijn.
The Rudy Schwartz Project
Günther Packs a Stiffy
Reviewed in OPTION, Jul/Aug 1995
Reprinted with permission
In the dull, Zappa-less '90s, asses don't get much smarter than Joe
Newman, the mastermind and multi-instrumentalist behind the Rudy
Schwartz Project. On his newest release, Newman combines the
frantic musical eclecticism of Zappa and Beefheart with an equally versatile comic sensibility than ranges from Lord Buckley-style
amphetamine rantings ("The Bacon For Tomorrow's Breakfast") to
Steve Martin dada ("Miracles"). Along the way, there's an inspired
cover of a Zoogz Rift outtake ("Would You FIB to the FBI?"), a
hilarious send-up of the endlessly overplayed 4 Non-Blondes anthem,
"What's Up?," a melodic tribute to Satanism and Hollywood has-beens
on "Yodelin' Satan," and a bouncy, toe-tappin' instrumental tribute to
President William Howard Taft - all this along with multiple references
to actor Abe Vigoda. Hell, Newman even manages to wreak havoc on
the prophetic side of John Lennon on "Ho Daddy" (Everybody's talkin'
'bout how the President's a dip shit ... "). You just gotta love the guy.
(Seeland Records)
-David Shirley
From The Doctor Demento Society News - #106
The Rudy Schwartz Project - Günther Packs a Stiffy
The R.S.P. is the nom de disque of Joe Newman, who did most of
the writing, playing and singing on these 20 energetic tracks.
One of them is a sly, touching tribute to Frank Zappa, and fans
of the 1970s-era FZ will no doubt enjoy much of Newman's satiric,
sardonic humor -- check out "Yodelin' Satan" on this CD. But
whereas Zappa raised himself on 1950s R&B and avant-garde classical,
Newman is into trash TV, cartoon soundtracks, weird movies, Yee-Hah
cawntry... and *nasty* language; "Enhanced Florence Henderson" is one
of the few cuts I can play on the radio.
From The Stark Fist of Removal Interim Report, Summer, 4 B.X.
Were you devastated when Zappa died? Don't fret... his heirs
carry the banner on, marching straight into the uncomprehending
face of Normality with nothing but sheer talent ablaze as a
weapon. Joe Newman's technically adroit, violently jazzlike and
vehemently anti-conspiracy songs and instrumentals are uniformly
STUPEFYING from cassette album to cassette album. The sarcasm
level and pure soaring musical SKILL demonstrated here will
reaffirm your will to live, or at least to HATE. Ask for his
price list... ALL the tapes are great; I'm partial to the latest,
"Enhanced Florence Henderson," for personal reasons (I'm on it).
"Bowling For Appliances" is another of his finest albums, containing
the astounding pre-SubGenius anthem, "The Fog and the Dew."
Bootlegging Joe Newman off Hour of Slack isn't enough. No SubGenius
home should be without the full Joe Newman collection! Send $7 per
tape, or die trying not to!
A rejection letter Joe got from MCA records:
RE: The Rudy Schwartz Project
Dear Joe,
Thanks for sending me the enclosed Rudy Schwartz Project.
Unfortunately, it's a pass for me. In all honesty, I must
say, I just don't get it.
Thanks again - sorry I don't have better news, but I do wish
you the best of luck with all your musical endeavors.
Best regards,
Jill C. Johnson
A&R Representative, East Coast
