I had a vision of a way we could have no enemies ever again, if you're interested in this. Anybody interested in hearing this?
It's kind of an interesting theory, and all we have to do is make one decisive act and we can rid the world of all our enemies at once.
Here's what we do. You know all that money we spend on nuclear weapons and defense every year? Trillions of dollars. Instead, if we spent that money feeding and clothing the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over,
not one human being excluded ... not one ... we could as one race explore inner and outer space together in peace, forever.
Ryko is proud to announce the release of The Essential Collection, a four disc set (2 CD/2 DVD) that encompasses Bill Hicks’ short but influential career as a satirist, social critic and stand-up comedian. The package contains double DVD discs with over five hours of footage from Bill Hicks’ personal archives including rare, never-before-seen performances from the early 80’s, the cult short film Ninja Bachelor Party (starring Bill Hicks, Kevin Booth and David Johndrow), in-depth interviews with Hicks and a photo gallery from his family’s keepsakes. The 2 CD discs offer over two hours of his best stand-up material with never-before-released performance pieces from a San Ramon , CA show recorded by Bill Hicks that was found in his archives. The box set also features new liner notes written by family members as well as renowned figures (including Henry Rollins, Eric Bogosian, noted UK author Paul Outhwaite, and UK journalist/tv personality, Clive Anderson), and a download card containing original song recordings by Hicks (that were mastered at Abbey Road Studios - London, England) entitled, Lo-Fi Troubadour.
Excerpts from liner notes:
“Bill Hicks had an unerring ability to find the lie, shine a bright light on it and while doing so, creating some incredible and lasting comedy you will ever hear…If Bill were around now, America would be a better place.” – Henry Rollins
“Bill Hick was a visionary. But more importantly, he was fucking funny. Like tears-in-your-eyes, fall-out-of your-chair funny. He painted word pictures that were so filled with truth, so on the mark, that they became part of your consciousness for life.” – Eric Bogosian
Bill Hicks’ extraordinary social commentary is as fresh and stunning today as it was in the 80’s and 90’s. He engaged his audiences by confronting mainstream beliefs and hypocrisy in a manner that provoked thought as well as laughter. Hicks called himself “Chomsky with dick jokes” and The New Yorker described him as an “exhilarating comic thinker in a renegade class all his own.” Hicks’ career was short in span, but powerful in impact. His rigorous touring schedule from the early 80’s into the early 90’s often tallied over 300 nights per year. He appeared on Late Night with David Letterman eleven times during his career. He also gained a dedicated fan base in the UK where he currently is listed as the UK’s 4th Greatest Comedian in their 2010 poll (conducted by Channel 4).
1. Fevered Egos ¤ 2. I’m Talking To The Women Here ¤ 3. My Favorite New Kid ¤ 4. Marketing & Advertising ¤ 5. Artistic Roll Call ¤ 6. Orange Drink ¤ 7. Save Willie ¤ 8. Menu? ¤ 9. A Killer Idea ¤ 10. Goodbye You Lizard Scum ¤ 11. Summertime ¤ 12. Elvis* ¤ 13. The News ¤ 14. Confession Time (Cops) ¤ 15. Please Do Not Disturb* ¤ 16. Spectravision & Housekeeping ¤ 17. Girl Of Your Dreams ¤ 18. Clam Lappers & Sonic The Hedgehog ¤ 19. What Is Pornography? ¤ 20. Renting Pornos & Girlfriends* ¤ 21. Name & Address Not Withheld* ¤ 22. Beelzebozo* ¤ 23. Pussywhipped Satan ¤ 24. I Love My Job ¤ 25. Audience Member / Old Folks Home Manager* ¤ 26. Worst Audience Ever ¤ 27. The F Word ¤ 28. My Parents
Click here to listen to "Please Do Not Disturb"
CD (DISC 2)
1. Drugs Have Done Good Things ¤ 2. Rockers Against Drugs Suck ¤ 3. We Live In A World ¤ 4. Drugs Have Done Good Things Part 2* ¤ 5. Ding Dong ¤ 6. Gays In The Military ¤ 7. Speaking Of Homosexuality ¤ 8. Children On Airplanes ¤ 9. Your Children Aren’t Special ¤ 10. Pro Life ¤ 11. Non-Smokers ¤ 12. Audience Member / Dental Assistant* ¤ 13. Smoking ¤ 14. Smoking Tastes Great* ¤ 15. Yul Brynner ¤ 16. Smoking In Heaven ¤ 17. Flying Saucer Tour ¤ 18. Burning Issues ¤ 19. Odd Beliefs ¤ 20. Kennedy & The Warren Commission ¤ 21. Handguns – UK vs. USA * ¤ 22. The Vision
DVD (DISC 3)
The Early Years – Stand Up ¤ Houston , TX – 1981* ¤ Houston , TX – 1984* ¤ Indianapolis , IN – 1985* ¤ Houston , TX (Part 1) – 1986* ¤ Houston , TX (Part 2) – 1986* ¤ The Early Years – TV Interview ¤ The Outlaw Comics ¤ Outlaw Comics Performance ¤ Origins Of The Outlaw Comics* ¤ Extras – Photo Gallery
DVD (DISC 4) Ninja Bachelor Party¤ About Ninja Bachelor Party¤ Austin Bootleg Series ¤ November, 1991* ¤ December, 1992* ¤ June, 1993* ¤ October, 1993* ¤ About The Austin Bootleg Series
1. Introduction ¤ 2. She’s A Woman ¤ 3. Hey Mama ¤ 4. The Road Can Be Hard ¤ 5. Jazz Instrumental ¤ 6. The Moon Is Smiling ¤ 7. Turn Your Mind Over To Your Heart ¤ 8. No Music In My Soul ¤ 9. Waiting To Meet You ¤ 10. I Never Really Cried For You ¤ 11. Outro Instrumental
Click here to listen to "Turn Your Mind Over To Your Heart"
