Tim Curry – “Fearless”
There was a meme going around on social media for a long time that went something along the lines of “You can judge a lot about a person by where they know Tim Curry from” — for me, my first introduction to him as an actor was in “Home Alone II” — but I first fell in love with Tim as a performer in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show“. Tim was a renaissance man when it came to performing, he could sing, he could act, he wrote most of the songs on this album. He was one of the most talented performers out there, and it seems that the year 2026 wants to be a cruel son of a bitch, taking so many of our much loved performers that we all grew up watching and adoring. To think of Tim Curry as anything short of legendary would be blasphemous to him.
The album opens with the song “Right on the Money” and I do feel the music does have a disco sound to it, but Tim comes in with his powerful vocals, the song is one that you really can move yourself to. The drumming is great. “Hide This Face” comes next, and you got some alto sax in this one and Tim comes in with the same energy and power he did in Rocky Horror. The man could sing so great, and he’s one of those people whose vocals you could easily hear them and say “That’s Tim Curry singing” because he was so distinct in his sound. Nice mid song guitar solo. Next up, one of my personal favorite Tim Curry songs, “I Do the Rock” – and I find it’s one of those songs that you really can sing along to, filled with pop culture references and name dropping. It’s not delivered with as much ferocity as the other tracks but rather with a fun playful energy. I do love how he says ‘re-spon-sib-ility‘ in this song. His emphasis on some words is just so Tim Curry. Almost every song has featured the saxophone. “S.O.S.” comes next, and it’s a slow, ballad style song sung beautifully by Tim accompanied by a pianist. When Tim hits those powerful high notes, it can send shivers down your spine. It’s honestly a very beautiful song. The A-Side closes out with “Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire” and we are greeted with some electric guitar and Tim’s vocals again. Oh, and for those that don’t know, this is a Joni Mitchell song filled with guitar solos. As I listen to the record, I am reading reviews of this album from when it was first released, and the critics were quite harsh to it, but personally, I think it’s pretty good so far.
“Paradise Garage” comes next, and this is actually one of the first non Rocky Horror songs I’ve heard by Tim, and got that pop rock sound to it, but then by the chorus we go into this disco type of style again for a bit before drifting back to that rock sound once more. I do find that this album is kind of a mix between disco and pop / rock. “No Love on the Street” follows next, it’s got that slow gritty sound to it, like almost that sexy film noir vibe to it. “Something Short of Paradise” follows, starting us off with some acoustic guitar and I feel like this is going to be another ballad, and I’m all for Tim Curry singing love ballads, and this song is particular is beautifully performed and with such love and emotion. The album closes out with another high energy track, “Charge It” comes next, and the energy it exudes reminds of that one time where Tim did the impression of Mick Jagger – it’s a great way to close out the album. If you ever get the opportunity to experience Tim as a singer outside of musicals and theatre, give yourself that absolute pleasure. You won’t be disappointed.
To lose both Tim Curry and Dolly Parton on the same day just seems unfair. No matter where you know Tim from, be it “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” “Clue” “It” “Legend” “Home Alone II” “Muppet Treasure Island” “Congo” or “Scary Movie II” – it has been an honor and a privilege to be able to watch in awe of his numerous performances, making us laugh, cry and feel fear. Tim will be tremendously missed by all his fans, and we are all so grateful for all he has given us. Tim lived up to this albums name, he was Fearless.
4/19/1946 – 08/25/2026
Catalog Number:
SP-4773
Credits:
Produced by Dick Wagner & Michael Kamen
Vocals – Tim Curry
Lead & Acoustic Guitar – Dick Wagner
Keyboards, Oboe & Arps – Michael Kamen
Bass – Bob Babbitt
Drums & Percussion – Charles Collins
Guitar solo on “Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire” – Bob Kulick
Piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet & Organ – Bette Sussman
Synthesizer – Michael Tschudin
Alto Sax – David Sanborn
Mouth Percussion – Allan Schwartzberg
Percussion – Jimmy Maelin
Background Vocals – David Lasley, Arnold McCuller & Ula Hedwig
Tim Curry is Managed by Clodagh Wallace
Design and Photography – Larry Williams & Paula Greif
Released:
1979
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