When it comes to interesting hard rock gimmicks of the 21st century, Dee Snider has been ahead of the curve. In 2006 his legendary band Twisted Sister released a very successful Christmas album, A Twisted Christmas, followed by well-attended annual holiday tours. On May 8 Dee Snider delivered his latest twist, Dee Does Broadway via Razor & Tie, featuring 12 revamped classic show tunes. Snider applies that same Twisted energy from the Christmas album to his passion for hit musicals.
In 2010, Dee played the role of Dennis in “Rock of Ages,” igniting his inner Broadway fire. The release of a Broadway album soon became inevitable. An interesting side note is that Snider originally wanted to create this album with shock rocker Alice Cooper; however Alice was not interested in going all in on the concept.
In fact, Cooper does not appear on Dee Does Broadway at all. Instead legendary stars of the stage such as Patti Lupone (“Tonight/Somewhere”), Cyndi Lauper (“Big Spender”), Clay Aiken (“Luck Be A Lady”), and Bebe Neuwirth (“Whatever Lola Wants”) make special guest appearances; Dee also sings alongside his son Jesse Blaze Snider (“The Joint is Jumpin’”).
The standout performances on the album are Snider’s interpretations of “Mack The Knife” and “Cabaret.” But if I had to pick only one track to keep in my collection forever, Dee’s stellar duet with Lupone on “Tonight/Somewhere” would win out.
Another track of note is “Music of the Night,” featuring the violin talents of Mark Wood, in which Snider pours his heart into. He also reigns in darkness on “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” a devilish gem.
Dee Does Broadway is another excellent experiment from the heavy metal god. It only makes me think what could come next: a twisted Chanukah, nursery rhymes, or how about finding the inspiration for what the fans really want – new TWISTED SISTER!
