Burlesque Music and erotic culture

Burlesque Music and erotic culture

A ''wild'' field of musical styles, books and DVDs - Burlesque

What is Burlesque? 

Burlesque was and still is a specific sort of entertainment presented in theatres featuring its main attraction, the striptease. Those Burlesque shows presented female erotic dancers who did not take off all clothes completely but some specific. Just to strip off gloves could have been an erotic attraction. 

The first Burlesque shows

Burlesque was originally a humorous stagy presentation with bizarre elements of parody. The name comes from the Italian word 'Burla' which means 'hoax', practical jokes. Variations of Burlesque shows existed all over Europe in the 17th century including the Vaudeville shows in France. The displacement from provocative parodic comedy to salacious erotic shows was carried out in London, England, in the mid-19th century when the original Burlesque show was combined with revue elements to give it an erotic connotation with a rising popularity within Britain's working class. Such a transformation also happened with the French Vaudeville shows at about the same period. 

 

The beginning of American Burlesque

The first American Burlesque shows evolved close to the American Vaudeville from guest performances by British and French Travesty showcases in the second half of the 19th century while the modern Burlesque as a stage show is mainly influenced by Paris Vaudeville theatres such as 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Folies Bergère' imitated by the 'Ziegfeld Follies' in the early 20th century.

The popularity of early American Burlesque was rising quickly through its nationwide presentations within 'Carny-Shows' of traveling circusses. The 1920s and 30s saw the first heyday of American Burlesque especially when the Minsky brothers opened up the first legendary Burlesque temple ('Minsky's Burlesque') in New York City, 1925. Interrupted by World War II, Burlesque was tentatively re-animated as a support service for U.S. troops stationed overseas. 

 

The post-war years, late 1940s - early 1960s

Since then Burlesque exists in a great variety of different forms which integrates the Pin-Up culture of the 1940s and 1950s. Major Burlesque stars and starlets became immense popular starring not only in theatres but also on celluloid. Hollywood created plenty of now legendary Burlesque movies  aside the beginning of the porn movie industry. There were Bettie Page, Tempest Storm and Lily St. Cyr and even Mamie van Doren and Jayne Mansfield acted burlesque in some movies during the 1950s and early 1960s. 

 

The sexual revolution and Neo Burlesque

The sixties saw another heyday of Burlesque popularity. Even Elvis Presley starred in a movie thematizing 'Carny-Shows' and a little Burlesque called 'Roustabout'. The 1960s also brought us Russ Meyer's titty shaker cult movies and the sexual revolution. The result was that Burlesque became less popular due to major distribution of pornography on one hand and the feminist movement on the other. The 1990s saw a great Burlesque comeback that was started in the capital city of Burlesque, Las Vegas, Nevada, under the headline of New Burlesque or Neo Burlesque with such stars as Dita von Teese. Today nostalgic Burlesque shows are existing all over the world.

 

Burlesque culture at Bear Family Records

We have a great variety of popular and rare products regarding Burlesque shows and its history in place. We do not only offer books what you might have thought! We also include reproductions of original 1950s Burlesque movies on DVD and of course the music on CD albums and on vinyl as 45rpm singles and vinyl LP albums! We got the legendary 1962 Burlesque smash 'The Stripper' by David Rose & His Orchestra in our program as well as the cult series 'Las Vegas Grind', erotic compilations with female stars like Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn and Diana Dors and a striptease classics collection on the compilation 'Take It Off'. You'll find the so-called 1960s 'titty shakers' in our stock and the British compilation 'It's A Scandal! Songs For Soho Blondes'. And there's so much more to be found! So don't hesitate, dive deep into the history of Burlesque and female erotic dance shows! The Swallows vocal group once sang 'It Ain't The Meat, It's The Motion' – how true it is!

 

Burlesque Music and erotic culture A ''wild'' field of musical styles, books and DVDs - Burlesque What is Burlesque?  Burlesque was and still is a specific sort of entertainment... read more »
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Burlesque Music and erotic culture

Burlesque Music and erotic culture

A ''wild'' field of musical styles, books and DVDs - Burlesque

What is Burlesque? 

Burlesque was and still is a specific sort of entertainment presented in theatres featuring its main attraction, the striptease. Those Burlesque shows presented female erotic dancers who did not take off all clothes completely but some specific. Just to strip off gloves could have been an erotic attraction. 

The first Burlesque shows

Burlesque was originally a humorous stagy presentation with bizarre elements of parody. The name comes from the Italian word 'Burla' which means 'hoax', practical jokes. Variations of Burlesque shows existed all over Europe in the 17th century including the Vaudeville shows in France. The displacement from provocative parodic comedy to salacious erotic shows was carried out in London, England, in the mid-19th century when the original Burlesque show was combined with revue elements to give it an erotic connotation with a rising popularity within Britain's working class. Such a transformation also happened with the French Vaudeville shows at about the same period. 

 

The beginning of American Burlesque

The first American Burlesque shows evolved close to the American Vaudeville from guest performances by British and French Travesty showcases in the second half of the 19th century while the modern Burlesque as a stage show is mainly influenced by Paris Vaudeville theatres such as 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Folies Bergère' imitated by the 'Ziegfeld Follies' in the early 20th century.

The popularity of early American Burlesque was rising quickly through its nationwide presentations within 'Carny-Shows' of traveling circusses. The 1920s and 30s saw the first heyday of American Burlesque especially when the Minsky brothers opened up the first legendary Burlesque temple ('Minsky's Burlesque') in New York City, 1925. Interrupted by World War II, Burlesque was tentatively re-animated as a support service for U.S. troops stationed overseas. 

 

The post-war years, late 1940s - early 1960s

Since then Burlesque exists in a great variety of different forms which integrates the Pin-Up culture of the 1940s and 1950s. Major Burlesque stars and starlets became immense popular starring not only in theatres but also on celluloid. Hollywood created plenty of now legendary Burlesque movies  aside the beginning of the porn movie industry. There were Bettie Page, Tempest Storm and Lily St. Cyr and even Mamie van Doren and Jayne Mansfield acted burlesque in some movies during the 1950s and early 1960s. 

 

The sexual revolution and Neo Burlesque

The sixties saw another heyday of Burlesque popularity. Even Elvis Presley starred in a movie thematizing 'Carny-Shows' and a little Burlesque called 'Roustabout'. The 1960s also brought us Russ Meyer's titty shaker cult movies and the sexual revolution. The result was that Burlesque became less popular due to major distribution of pornography on one hand and the feminist movement on the other. The 1990s saw a great Burlesque comeback that was started in the capital city of Burlesque, Las Vegas, Nevada, under the headline of New Burlesque or Neo Burlesque with such stars as Dita von Teese. Today nostalgic Burlesque shows are existing all over the world.

 

Burlesque culture at Bear Family Records

We have a great variety of popular and rare products regarding Burlesque shows and its history in place. We do not only offer books what you might have thought! We also include reproductions of original 1950s Burlesque movies on DVD and of course the music on CD albums and on vinyl as 45rpm singles and vinyl LP albums! We got the legendary 1962 Burlesque smash 'The Stripper' by David Rose & His Orchestra in our program as well as the cult series 'Las Vegas Grind', erotic compilations with female stars like Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn and Diana Dors and a striptease classics collection on the compilation 'Take It Off'. You'll find the so-called 1960s 'titty shakers' in our stock and the British compilation 'It's A Scandal! Songs For Soho Blondes'. And there's so much more to be found! So don't hesitate, dive deep into the history of Burlesque and female erotic dance shows! The Swallows vocal group once sang 'It Ain't The Meat, It's The Motion' – how true it is!

 

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Music For A Bachelor's Den Vol.7 - Sex Kittens In Hi-Fi The Blondes (CD)
Various: Music For A Bachelor's Den Vol.7 - Sex Kittens... Art-Nr.: CDDZS097

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(DCC Compact Classics) 14 tracks
$22.58 $28.24
The Ultimate Yma Sumac Collection (CD)
Yma Sumac: The Ultimate Yma Sumac Collection (CD) Art-Nr.: CD5214342

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(Capitol) Records) 21 tracks from various Capitol albums with 20 page booklet - includes previously unreleased and rare stereo tracks
$22.58
Jayne Mansfield Busts Up Las Vegas (CD)
Jayne Mansfield: Jayne Mansfield Busts Up Las Vegas (CD) Art-Nr.: CDMISS005

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(Missing Records) 18 tracks - Including Jane Mansfield Interview - Limited Edition
$20.31
Las Vegas Grind Vol.6 (CD)
Various: Las Vegas Grind Vol.6 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSTRIP00782

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(Strip Records) 26 tracks
$18.05
Vol.1 (LP) Las Vegas Grind
Various: Vol.1 (LP) Las Vegas Grind Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP001

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(Crypt) 16 tracks 1950/60s - Exotic deluxe gatefold cover - remastered! Stone-cold classic nutso comp and pretty much the birth of the entire retro-burlesque movement.
$20.31
Santo & Johnny - Around The World...plus (CD)
Santo & Johnny: Santo & Johnny - Around The World...plus (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSCA1002

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(SCA) 35 tracks
$20.31
Jungle Exotica Vol.1 (2-LP, Rmst.)
Various: Jungle Exotica Vol.1 (2-LP, Rmst.) Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP005

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(Strip Records) 32 Tracks - New edition of "Jungle Exotica Vol.1!" - this double LP comes with a super nice deluxe gatefold-cover! This series takes the debauchery of Las Vegas Grind into! Bizarre, obscure and one-shot Rock 'n'Roll (?)...
$28.24 $31.63
Las Vegas Grind Part 3 (CD)
Various: Las Vegas Grind Part 3 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSTRIP00752

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(Strip Records) 30 tracks - this is Volume 5 of the Las Vegas Grind Series!
$16.25 $18.05
Eat To The Beat - Dirtiest Of Them Dirty Blues (CD)
Various: Eat To The Beat - Dirtiest Of Them Dirty Blues... Art-Nr.: BCD16816

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1-CD-Album Digipak (6-plated) with 79-page booklet, 28 tracks. Playing time approx. 77 mns.​ An ultra-smutty, ultra fun party with 28 lowdown dirty blues songs. The superb digipac with 92-page-booklet contains many rare photos. An...
$16.92 $21.45
Burlesque (3-CD)
Various: Burlesque (3-CD) Art-Nr.: CDBT3067

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(2013/Big Three) 60 Tracks, Digipack - Original recordings 1945-62 with a burlesquian flair! The perfect soundtrack for your own private Burlesque Show! MM/Bear Family Records
$16.92
Summer Bride (CD)
Molly Moonstone: Summer Bride (CD) Art-Nr.: CDET6080

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(El Toro) 14 Tracks - Fantastic debut album of the Burlesque Queen from Helsinki! Amazing mix of Rhythm'n'Blues, Rock'n'Roll and Soul influences with great diversity, it's a joyful listening!
$18.05
Jungle Exotica Vol.2 (LP)
Various: Jungle Exotica Vol.2 (LP) Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP076

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(Crypt) 17 Tracks - ​This series takes the debauchery of "Las Vegas Grind" into Exotic Asia, the Deserts, and the Jungle! Bongos, ape-noises, fake-oriental chants, and maracas galore. Truly bizarre and ridiculous attempts at "Exotica" by...
$20.31
Vol.2 (LP) Las Vegas Grind
Various: Vol.2 (LP) Las Vegas Grind Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP002

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(Crypt) 17 tracks - Gatefold Cover, second pressing, re-mastered for super-sound! Legendary excotica compilations - tittyshaker madness!
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Vol.6 (LP) Las Vegas Grind
Various: Vol.6 (LP) Las Vegas Grind Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP078

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(Crypt) 16 tracks - Legendary excotica compilation - tittyshaker madness! re-mastered, re-comped, gatefold deluxe sleeve.
$20.31
Vol.4 (LP) Las Vegas Grind
Various: Vol.4 (LP) Las Vegas Grind Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP004

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(Crypt) 17 Tracks - Legendary excotica compilation - tittyshaker madness. Re-mastered, super deluxe Gatefold edition with updated photos. Yet more wacked, honk’n’grind sax/guitar/grunt-laden buttshake tunes from the 50s & early 60s.
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The Exotic Sounds Of Martin Denny (CD)
Martin Denny: The Exotic Sounds Of Martin Denny (CD) Art-Nr.: CDREV039

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(1996/Rev-Ola) 20 tracks, original Liberty recordings, 1958-59. CD rarity, few copies available!
$20.31 $24.84
Va Va Voom, Vol.5 - Oops! 16 Early 60's Instrumental Shakers
Various: Va Va Voom, Vol.5 - Oops! 16 Early 60's... Art-Nr.: LPFLOR07

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(2015/Floridita) 16 tracks - Volume 5 of the great 'Va Va Voom' Tittyshaker series including many obscure and hard-to-find goodies!
$19.18
Born Reckless - 1958 (DVD) co-starring Tex Williams and Johnny Olenn
Mamie Van Doren: Born Reckless - 1958 (DVD) co-starring Tex... Art-Nr.: DVDWB14253

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(Warner Archive) NTSC, Code 1, not rated, english, mono, b&w, 80 minutes.
$30.50 $33.89
Sex Kittens Go To College! (1960) co-starring Conway Twitty (DVD)
Mamie Van Doren: Sex Kittens Go To College! (1960) co-starring... Art-Nr.: DVDWB54307

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(Warner Archive) NTSC, Code 1, not rated, english, mono, b&w, 103 mins., extended international version. Great fun starring: Tuesday Weld, Mamie Van Doren, Mijanou Bardot (Brigitte's sister), Mickey Shaughnessy, Jackie Coogan, John...
$28.24
Ouch! Va Va Voom! #4 - 16 Early 60s Instrumental Shakers
Various: Ouch! Va Va Voom! #4 - 16 Early 60s... Art-Nr.: LPFLOR06

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(2014/FLORIDITA) 16 tracks
$19.18
Tattooed Lady...plus (Skeets McDonald & Friends)
Various: Tattooed Lady...plus (Skeets McDonald & Friends) Art-Nr.: CDET1045

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(2013/EL Toro) 29 tracks (79:39). The Fortune label cult album plus bonus tracks! A fine selection of 1950s Country, Pre- Rockabilly & Hillbilly Boppers.
$18.05
Saboo!-Va! Vavoom!! Vol.3
Various: Saboo!-Va! Vavoom!! Vol.3 Art-Nr.: LPFR05

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(FLORIDARECORDS/2013) 16 Tracks - Fantastic early 60's tittyshaker, ryhtm and blues dance floor winners, hot garage combos and scorching instrumental rocker - made for the dance floor!
$16.92
Vol.3 (LP) Las Vegas Grind
Various: Vol.3 (LP) Las Vegas Grind Art-Nr.: LPSTRIP003

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(Crypt) 18 Tracks - Legendary excotica compilation - tittyshaker madness! MORE wacked, honk’n’grind sax/guitar/grunt-laden buttshake tunes from the 50s & early 60s. REMASTERED New version in exotic DELUXE GATEFOLD edition with updated...
$20.31
Zoo-Ba! Va Va Voom! #2 - 16 Early 60s Instrumental Shakers
Various: Zoo-Ba! Va Va Voom! #2 - 16 Early 60s... Art-Nr.: LPFLOR004

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(2013/FLORIDITA) 16 tracks
$19.18
Jump, Jive An' Wail - The Velvet Lounge
Louis Prima & Sam Butera: Jump, Jive An' Wail - The Velvet Lounge Art-Nr.: BCD17203

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1-CD-Album DigiPac (4-plated) with 36-page booklet, 30 tracksPlaying time approx. 87 minutes. Louis Prima, with Sam Butera & Keely Smith Jump, Jive And Wail By the time Louis Prima began recording for Capitol Records on April 19, 1956,...
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