Halloween Countdown 2015: Hot Blood ~ Soul Dracula

Here's a wacky little disco ditty from the "70s.

This song's been on my Halloween Countdown every year. This is the first year, I believe, that I included the music video.

For your enjoyment; another great one for your Halloween party this year!

Halloween Countdown 2015: Monster Mash Remixed

Here's a cool ghoul's dance remix of the classic Halloween tune, Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett and the Cryptkickers Five.

Little known fact: That's Darlene Love and the Blossoms doing the essential girl-group chorus and background vocals.

You can't get your Halloween on without this number! Pickett intentionally impersonates horror host Zacharly in this song.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Countdown 2015: The Little Blue Man

In light of posting Judy Garland singing "The Purple People Eater" yesterday on my Halloween Countdown, here's another sci-fi-based novelty tune from the same era.

"Little Blue Man" (1958) was a cute, little diddy sung by Betty Johnson, best known for her 1957 version of "Little White Lies." I guess colors and the word "little" were her lucky charms.

Johnson's voice is very Doris Day-cum-Patti Page. This single was a radio and commercial hit in its day.

As a kid, I loved it. My Mom bought the 45 to play at home. She liked the song herself and would sing me to sleep at bedtime with this as she gently ran her fingers through my hair.

The scariest thing about this record is what the singer does to the Little Blue Man in the end. "I don't wub you any more!" Schizophrenic delusion or close encounter of the third kind?



The song was later covered by Petula Clark:

Halloween Countdown 2015: Judy Garland Meets the Purple People Eater

Here is a unique cover song performed by Judy as part of her act at the Coconut Grove. It's presented and arranged as a satire of the then emerging sci-fi genre of movies.

"The Purple People Eater" was originally written and performed by Sheb Wooley. It was a pop novelty hit in 1958, both on the radio and in stores. I was six at the time of its release. My Mom bought me the 45 and I think I wore it out.

Ironic are Judy's lyrics about "red people, blue people" as we've now identified states and people that way demographically and for political purposes.

Hear how Ms Garland makes this song her own and in her inimitable style on my Halloween Countdown!

Halloween Countdown 2015 with Eartha Kitt

This is, simply, a terrific song done by Eartha Kitt in the Fifties. The lyrics are brilliantly playful and Ms Kitt sounds like she truly enjoys singing this, attacking it with great, growling relish.

It's already tailor-made for the Season of the Witch, but the video here adds an extra kick!

I met the late Ms Kitt briefly once after a show at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan. She was indeed a bewitching presence. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/10/move-over-darlings-vintage-beaverhausen.html

Here, then, is Eartha Kitt singing "I'd Rather Be Burned as a Witch" on my Halloween Countdown!

Halloween Countdown 2015 with the Pet Shop Boys

Producer/ remixer/ dj Joel Dickinson reminded me of the song, "I'm Not Scared" by Pet Shop Boys, for my Halloween Countdown. Many thanks, Joel!

Good one for a Saturday evening with its mellow feel and lush electronic dance-music sound.

From 1988, then, here is "I'm Not Scared."

How about you?

Halloween Countdown 2015: Grace Jones in Vamp

My Halloween Countdown for the year carries on.

It wouldn't be Halloween without Grace Jones, now would it? Here she is in all her glory in a scene from the 1986 vampire film, Vamp.

Not a very good movie, but Grace has a very diva-esque moment here, kabuki-style.

Enjoy!

Halloween Countdown 2015: Rare Audio ~ Bea Benaderet in Taking Papa Home

Here's something completely different for my Halloween Countdown. Dramatic audio horror to chill your soul.

Arch Oboler had a radio show way back when called Lights Out!  In the '60s, he released an album of great horror radio-styled drama called Drop Dead! For the strong of heart only.

Do you dare listen to this track?

It's suspenseful fun, I promise. My brother and I had Drop Dead! when we were kids. We wore it out. I recently ordered it on vinyl for Halloween, my fave holiday!

Not on cd but available through Amazon.com on MP3 and vinyl.

You will recognize the voice of Bea Benaderet on this track. She was also the voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. She starred on Petticoat Junction on as the mother, and co-starred on The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show as a regular. She was also Pearl Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies and appeared on Green Acres.

As I recently retired, I find it extra scary today. Jersey Bob, I dedicate this one to you!

Here is "Taking Papa Home."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Cher Ends My 2014 Halloween Countdown!

It's been said that, after an atomic holocaust, there would be nothing living except cockroaches and Cher. Here she is singing "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" Night of the Living Dead-style, courtesy of Stevers62 at YouTube. This winds up my Halloween Countdown for the year! Happy Halloween to all!

Lady Gaga on Halloween Countdown 2014

The monster's not under Lady Gaga's bed, he's in it! (Holy Gloria Talbot in I Married a Monster from Outer Space!)  He's eating her brain, her heart and who knows what other organ! Here's the Halloween-friendly "Monster" from La Ga on my holiday Countdown. Only two more days till Halloween!

Halloween Countdown Goes to the Opera

Sing for ME! HiNRG dance version of "Phantom of the Opera" (Andrew Lloyd Webber). Only three more days till Halloween!

My 2014 Halloween Countdown Goes Psycho

Here's something for your Halloween parties and it's just...  well, crazy! Dj Zyrko took Bernard Herrmann's theme music for Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, along with a famous sound bite and turned it into a Halloween-appropriate dancefloor anthem. Halloween Countdown continues. Only one more week to go!

Grey Gardens Goes Disco Once More on My 2014 Halloween Countdown

This video brings together two iconic elements of the 1970s: 

Disco and the documentary "Grey Gardens," the latter starring Little and Big Edies. Perfect for my Halloween Countdown in any year. Typically brilliant work by Stevers62 on YouTube.

Dracula's Tango on My 2014 Halloween Countdown

It's Friday! Here's a little seasonal hiNRG tune you can dance to in the privacy of your own cobwebbed castles. Everyone's favorite singing slags (they dance, too!), Total Coelo (a/k/a Toto Coelo of "I Eat Cannibal" fame), in their video for "Dracula's Tango."

Only two more weeks till Halloween!

Dusty Springfield Gets Spooky on My 2014 Halloween Countdown

A groovy little, Halloween-appropriate ditty from Dusty Springfield to put you in the spirit!

That Old Black Magic Goes Disco on My Halloween Countdown 2014

Sorry Halloween Countdown has been a bit spotty this year, but I'm going through some major life changes -- good ones but demanding of my time and attention. Anyhow, I love pulling out this song at Halloween season: the disco version of "That Old Black Magic." Vocals by the incredible Jeanne Shy, with two of my favorite talents involved: Bob Esty was the producer; disco video mix by Glenn Rivera. Perfect any time of year, really.

TGIF the 13th -- on my 2014 Halloween Countdown

Jason goes disco with the theme music for Friday the 13th part 3, originally released in  3-D. A favorite I still enjoy playing around Halloween (the music, that is, not necessarily the movie).

So put on your hockey masks and twirl, everyone!

Vincent Price & Kim Carnes on My 2014 Halloween Countdown

Matt Pop is one of my favorite hiNRG remixers and producers. This mix has become a Halloween standard for me to play this time of year. Expert blend of "Crazy in the Night" with Kim Carnes and Vincent Price's "Thriller" monologue.

Beware! Halloween Countdown 2014 featuring Bette Midler

Bette Midler sings on today's Halloween Countdown (see link below)! A custom-made version of "Hocus Pocus," both song and film have become Halloween perennials. And Bette claims it's her favorite film to date.

Halloween Countdown 2014 Returns!

Yes, as indestructible as the Count himself, my Halloween Countdown carries on with the eternal, perennial 1977 classic disco cult hit, "Soul Dracula" by Hot Blood!