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Bill Hicks "Salvation: Oxford November 11, 1992" First Ever Official CD Release/Complete & Unedited

Rykodisc - November 15th

Bill Hicks' "Salvation: Oxford November 11, 1992" is a new double CD that captures the legendary comedian in a complete and unedited performance, thirteen years after its original recording. Previously only available as an unauthorized, but much sought after import, "Salvation" now sees its official release completely digitally restored and expanded, doubling its initial length to nearly two hours. Bill Hicks' "Salvation" is also the only CD release featuring Hicks performing in England (Oxford Playhouse), where the comedic maverick found fame and more importantly, critical acclaim.

Here is Hicks at his most explosive, assaulting an audience with his fiery insights into our twisted world; President George H.W. Bush, the war in Iraq, government, religion, smoking, pornography, anti-drug paranoia, the English culture and even a couple of dick jokes. It is a credit to both Hicks' talent as a social satirist and the sad state of the world's affairs today that makes this performance more timely and relevant than ever. It's as if the CD was recorded only yesterday.

Simply put, "Salvation" is the ultimate document of an extraordinary performer at his absolute peak and who remains the most controversial and politically accurate comedian, even now, a decade after his death. Throughout his brief but brilliant career, Hicks was a fearlessly confrontational and always controversial force. Today he remains an inspiration to musicians, comedians, writers and filmmakers worldwide. Richard Pryor called him "An inspired and inspiring truth teller, dangerous and brave and scary all at once." Salon hailed him as "Astonishing... one of America's best and darkest comedians." In a 2005 Comedy Central Poll of the "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time," Bill ranked in the Top 20.

He was celebrated, censored and sometimes even physically assaulted. More than a decade after his tragic death of pancreatic cancer at age 32, Bill Hicks is still considered one of the greatest comedy geniuses of our generation. Hicks' fans and admirers include such noted performers as Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Tool, Tom Waits, Henry Rollins, Eric Bogosian, John Cleese, David Cross, Richard Link Later, and Dennis Miller.

On the tenth anniversary of his death in 2004, England's House Of Commons issued a proclamation that read in part, "His words would be a bullet in the heart of consumerism, capitalism, and the American Dream; and mourns the passing of one of the few people who may be mentioned as being worthy of inclusion with Lenny Bruce in any list of unflinching and painfully honest political philosophers." For fans, "Salvation" is the perfect addition to the comedian's existing catalog of eight acclaimed Rykodisc releases, all of which remain among the most popular comedy albums. This performance should be thought of as the holy grail of comedic truth. For those who have never experienced Hicks' incendiary genius, it will be a revelation.

In the months to come, there will be a new Bill Hicks DVD release, "Sane Man," featuring unreleased performances and exclusive extras. Last year Rykodisc released the DVD "Bill Hicks Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-up Comedian" to universal acclaim and stupendous sales.

"Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here's Tom with the weather." -- Bill Hicks

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