[mix-tape] Robin Fry, Voice of Mr. T, Shows Pink Bears are Funny

July 23, 2009
By

Here at nonpretentious, we love a spot of British comedy (or humour, as they like to misspell it.)  And we also love Mister T (and we pity the fool who doesn’t.)  So we were overjoyed that the Queen’s own Robin Fry, actor, comedian, and voice of Mister T, agreed to make a mix-tape for us.

Mr. Fry hails from the sunny, southern shores of Brighton, England and follows in the long line of British comedians that starts with Benny Hill and ends up somewhere around Mr. Bean. When he’s not writing, acting, search engine optimizing, or parenting, Robin works as a stand-up comedian and regularly performs improv with The Off The Cuff Comedy Collective. He also partakes in “proper acting” every so often. For example, he’s “currently typecast as a nutjob in ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’”  (His words.)  A relatively unknown fact about Robin is that he writes a mean title attribute, a skill any computer geek can appreciate.

Most importantly, Robin Fry, is also a founding member of the Pink Bear Club. (Er, most importantly, unless you are one of his kids….)

What is the Pink Bear Club?

According to Robin, the Pink Bear Club “[does] interactive multimedia comedy shows, which may sound poncey but they’re really bloody funny actually.” He gets points in my book for using the word “poncey,” but let me translate for those of us who celebrate Independence Day. The Pink Bear Club is a group of comedians who can’t get enough of the cozy, pink nest. (I get points for double entendre.) They make funny movies and like spaghetti westerns and are gearing up for Bicycle Day. (Gearing up for Bicycle Day?  Pun!)

Robin’s nonpretentious mix goes from grime to Elvis to old-school hip-hop and could very well touch off another round of Mods v. Rockers if played loudly enough. And if that’s not enough to get you to listen, maybe you should consider the repercussions of angering (the voice of) Mr. T.

rmf

We love it.  Click to read the liner notes penned by the Pink Bear himself.

…Get your listening gear round this lot, and enjoy!

Plan B – Rakin’ The Dead – This song has everything, mystery, suspense, and a killer punchline! (Editor’s note: N/A on iTunes in the US of A so YouTube video included!)

Chet Baker – Let’s Get Lost – Speaks to my dopily romantic soul, and Chet’s voice is eerily beautiful as always.

The Zombies – Care Of Cell 44 – Another slightly ‘comedy’ song with gorgeous harmonies and a nice bit of drummin’.

Ennio Morricone – My name Is Nobody – Amazingly weird and funny theme to an amazingly weird and funny film, from the king genius of movie composers.

Gram Parsons – A Song For You – No comedy, just tonnes and tonnes of heart and soul. Lovely.

Elvis Presley – Kentucky Rain – This constantly teeters on the absurd, but always keeps its balance, and the production is awesome.

Iggy Pop – Tonight – I heart Iggy, and the dramatic opening of this tune grabs me by the nuts every time.

Broder Daniel – Luke Skywalker – I’ve recently discovered this, and it makes me bounce off the walls. Play loud.

? and the Mysterians – 96 Tears – Put your shades on while dancing to this. You are dancing, aren’t you?

The Shangri-Las – Give Him A Great Big Kiss – They must have had so much fun making this record, you can feel it.

Archie Bell and The Drells – Tighten Up – Now you’re dancing, or you ought to be!

Bobbie Gentry – Mississipi Delta – I am in love with Bobbie Gentry, and like to imagine her competing in a spelling bee for my affections.

Prince – I Would Die 4 U – I could easily have chosen all Prince songs. I finally picked one that had tonnes of energy.

Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy – One of the best songs ever, ever. Ever.

Chew Lips – Solo – Another new one, it pushes my dance buttons.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – Scorpio – This one short-circuits my entire dance interface.

Afrika Bambaataa – Planet Rock – I think this continues the party mood we’ve achieved here quite successfully :D

Battles – Atlas – Everything about this song is right. You could play it to me after I’d died and I’d still get up and dance to it.

Beastie Boys – Benny And The Jets – Because it makes me grin from ear to ear and is the second best cover version I’ve ever heard (see below)

(PS I really wanted to include Spastik by Plastikman and The Revolting Cocks’ version of Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?, but they’re not available on iTunes, dagnabbit!) (Editor’s note: They *are* available on iTunes in the US of A and, therefore, included on Robin’s mix.)

I hope that is all suitable and doen’t make me sound too, er, pretentious – that really would defeat the object.

rmfsongs


Pink bear by ~Alistair555 on deviantART


http://nonpretentious.com publishes mix tapes every Wednesday in its [mix tapes] column. Our goal is to create a digital version of trading mixes, sharing music, etc. AND also publicize the work of “common people” (i.e. not superstar celebs but celebs nonetheless) who are doing cool things around the globe.

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