Born to Be Cheap

Divine | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Anagram UK
• ASIN: B000006Y8W
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Born to be Divine, June 14, 2000

By 

Rod Reviewer (VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Be Cheap (Audio CD)

This CD is actually a compilation of two live performances in Manchester back in 1983. Divine is basically singing over his pre-recorded songs. The audio quality is not the greatest, but it is still fun to listen to Divine's interaction with the audience.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bargan Basement Divine, November 22, 2002

By 

Jason "jasons_brain" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Be Cheap (Audio CD)

The operative word here is "cheap." This CD is from a video recording of two of Divine's performances at a nightclub in Manchester, England from 1983.

What we have hear is the audio track from the live video footage. A muffled, monophonic recording of Divine basically singing along to her own songs being played over the club's PA system. In between songs, she talks dirty to the audience, and even answers the occasional audeince question.

She sounds bored, as if she'd rather be anywhere else. She doesn't seem to be enjoying herself very much. She also sounds as if she's stuck in the middle of a tour, and she's grown tired of doing the same act night after night after night...

The cheapness of this production is painfully apparent by the misspelling of her song "The Name Game" on the cover as "Gang Bang," not once, but twice(!) This CD is only of interest as a documentary oddity, but it's definitely not for your listening pleasure...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good! It's like being there., July 14, 2010

By 

JD - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Born to Be Cheap (Audio CD)

This CD is not a studio CD. It is a recording of two shows done at the Hacienda in Manchester, England waaay back in 1983. The quality is very very good! If you want a Studio version of Divine singing her first "hit", "Born To Be Cheap" then you will have to purchase the original single as I did. It is very well done and I purchased the 7 inch single on the Situation:2 label with the fold out cover. It will be B/W The Name Game. The release date is 1980 and there's an earlier one in various sleeves as well. These are the original studio master recordings. The quality is superb. But this CD is, as I said, a recording of two shows at the Hacienda. You get to hear the entire banter back and forth with the audience as well.

I admire Glenn Harris Milstead. He had the guts to stick his head out there and make something out of peices of characters to become "Divine". Just as Barry Humphries has done with Dame Edna Everage. Where are these fun people now? They just do not exist anymore. Barry Humphries still does Dame Edna, and he's nearing 80 years old now, I think? Such vigor!

For those who are unaware, Glenn Harris Milstead did not live in drag. He lived as a man. He only became "Divine" when he was in makeup and costume and "on". A pleasent man, and funny. His career cut way short due to sleep apnea just as his career on TV with a part on, I believe it was, "Married With Children"? was to begin in 1988. He had been given the part and was to appear either for a meeting or on the set, and did a no show. He never did no shows! He was a consumate professional: always knowing his lines and fully prepared and on time for his work.
When his manager, Bernard Jay, went to see where he was at his hotel in Los Angeles, there was no answer at the door to his room. The hotel security opened the door and they found him in his bed, as though he was asleep. VERY VERY sad indeed.

We'll have to remember him in his body of work that he left behind. Who can forget him in Polyester with scratch n sniff. What fun that gimmick was! And "Lust In The Dust" riding that poor ass in the desert with that tiny little parasol! LOL!!
And so many others. His unique platinum hits like "You Think Your A Man" "Jungle Jezabel" and "shoot Your Shot" to name a few.

Well, enjoy this rare and strange CD...a moment in time....that is now long long gone....preserved here for those interested to hear.

Enjoy, JDBorn to Be Cheap