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Les Baxter
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TERROR
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Baxter started with Mel Torme and the MelTones and sang in Artie Shaw’s Band. Later, as an arranger and conductor, he was largely responsible for Nat King Cole’s many hits and once even worked with David Crosby in the Balladeers (back when Crosby wore a tie). Vocal here is by Bas Sheva, as the damsel in distress, a Baxter favorite many times. May or may not have been the title track to Roger Corman’s hit “The Terror” which starred Boris Karloff and Jack Nicolson.
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Robert Palmer
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PARADE OF THE OBLITERATORS
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From 1982, this is the flip of Palmer’s 12” release of “Pride.” Palmer started in bands Vinegar Joe and the Alan Bown, but had much greater success as a solo act and, of course, re-wrote music video history with “Addicted to Love” one of the most popular videos of all time. Died in 2003 of a sudden heart attack at age 54.
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Dickies
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KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE
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Title track to the fine film of the same name. The Dickies were one of the first punk bands out of LA, starting in 1977, and are still at it today, though several of their members have died as a result of drug problems. They’re a great band that has covered several high-profile songs (Nights in White Satin, Hair, Eve of Destruction) and several quirky originals. The film was released in 1988, written and directed by Stephen Chiodo and his brothers. Starring no one you’ve ever heard of, except maybe John Vernon and Christopher Titus. It’s sleazy bad, but stylishly fun. See a video of this song featuring the Dickies: http://www.tagtele.com/videos/voir/46023
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Talismen
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CASTING MY SPELL ON YOU
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The Talismen were formed in the early 60’s in Cheltenham, England and featured a young Brian Jones, who then left for greener pastures in London. In 1963, they added Jimmy Page on guitar, before those Led guys or the Yardbirds got hold of him. Word is that they’re doing one of those reunions, so you better watch out. Here’s an early video clip of Jimmy Page at about age 14 with an unnamed skiffle band (they’re not playing this song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jarq7BkL14Y
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Music behind DJ:
Husky Team
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AULD LANG SYNE
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Only 52 days until Xmas. How scary is that?
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Jim Albertson
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THE JERSEY DEVIL
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Jim was born and raised in Atlantic City, BC (Before Casinos) and now lives in Millville NJ. Was elected first president of the NJ Folklore society and is very active in the NJ Folk Scene. Dabbles in storytelling (especially New Jersey lore), sea shanties, and other folk-like things while simultaneously playing guitar, dulcimer and flute.
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Bruce Springsteen
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NIGHT WITH THE JERSEY DEVIL
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A special release for Halloween 2008. (Would’ve been great on Devils and Dust) Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGDey3GulZQ
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Travesty Ltd
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GHOST COUNTY USA
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Not on any of their albums, so origin is unknown. Here’s a podcast link to Night Terrors, a one-man play by Chris Snyder that’s based on this song (shades of Judson Fountain!) http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podshows/3712722
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Red Bovine
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PHANTOM WINDBREAKER
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Found plenty of disgusting entries, but none had any relation to music. I’m betting this is one of those Dr Demento one-offs by some band under a fake name.
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Stan Freberg and June Foray
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MARS JUNIOR BARS commercial
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Stan and June did a whole series of these.
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Skyhooks
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HORROR MOVIE
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A glam-ish band from Australia, reminiscent of the Dickies, they were one of the first Aussie bands that didn’t whore out their shtick for Americans. This was their second single from their debut album in 1975, “Living in the 70s.” It quickly went to number one there and when the Australian Post Office issued a series of stamps to honor early Australian hit songs, they made one for this record.
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Dickey Lee
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LAURIE
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Royden Dickey Lipscomb was born Sept 21, 1936 in Memphis TN, and started his career for Tampa Records and later for Sun Records. Hit it big when his song “She Thinks I Still Care” became a huge hit for George Jones in 1962. That same year, he recorded “Patches’ (written by Barry Mann and Larry Kobler) which became a big hit mostly thanks to its banishment from the airwaves because of its suicidal theme. He released “Laurie” in 1965 and it was his biggest by far. He had other songwriting success and so was enshrined in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.
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Lenny Bruce
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MY WEREWOLF MAMA
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Lenny needs no introduction, but maybe this song does. Too bad I couldn’t find more about it than it was released in 1959 on red vinyl. You can find out everything you want to know about Lenny at Wikipedia in the links section at the end.
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Zacherle
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COOLEST LITTLE MONSTER
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John Zacherle just turned 91 in September and still does comic conventions and ghoul shows and dearly loves his fans. Got his start in 1957 on Philadelphia’s WCAU as host of “Shock Theater,” the spooky movie show, where he wore an undertaker’s coat and lived in a coffin with his “dear” wife. He was lured to New York where he found a home on all the local indie channels doing the same thing. He eventually found himself on WABC-FM, which at the time rivaled WNEW for hipness (and was a big influence on yours truly). In addition to conventions and shows, Zach is the subject of a book, “Goodnight, Whatever You Are” by Richard Scrivani.
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Bobby "Boris" Pickett
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BLOOD BANK BLUES
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Robert George Pickett was born Feb 11, 1938 in Somerville, MA, where his father was a theater manager causing Bobby to grow up on a steady diet of horror flicks. Wrote the “Monster Mash” in 1962 with Leonard Capizzi and never looked back. The song was rejected by every label but one: Gary Paxton’s GarPax label, and when released right before Halloween, it shot straight to the top. It did it again when released in August of 1970 and then again in May of 1973. The franchise soon spread to other subjects (Xmas, Star Trek, global warming). Boris contacted leukemia and died in April of 2007 at age 69.
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Frantics
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GAS STATION RESTROOM
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Sucked this off a Dr Demento show, as it’s not on any of their albums. Thanks again, Doc!
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Music behind DJ:
Husky Team
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SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
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Bob Gut
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DEAR JEEPERS
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Bob was a guy who worked as a TV horror show host (Like Zacherle) and wanted to make a record (Like Zacherle and Bobby Pickett). So he hired this other guy named Zappa to make the music and, lo, he had himself a flop. At least he tried. Yep, Frank Zappa wrote these tracks and played most of the instruments, with backup vocals by Dick Barber. Released in 1963 on the Donna label (#1380).
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Spike Jones & His City Clickers
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HAPPY NIGHTMARE
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Could find no info on this, nor could I find what album it’s from. I know it’s a later effort from Spike, probably the 50s or so and probably uses Paul Frees (who was an amateur detective who, along with Elvis, would bust hippies. True story)
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Ravens
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PHANTOM STAGE
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Formed in 1946, they were the first of the “bird” groups (like the Orioles. Robins, Hooded Grosbeaks etc) Started by waiter Jimmy Ricks and his friend Warren “Birdland” Suttles, they would sing popular tunes during work breaks and decided to go pro. They hooked up with Leonard "Zeke" Puzey and Ollie "Ollie" Jones and the Ravens took off. Ricks bass voice as frontman gave the Ravens a unique sound. Later they added the high tenor voice of Maithe Marshall and the combination proved a winner. In 1998, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
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Patsy Montana
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YODELING GHOST
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Ruby Rose Blevins grew tired of her name and changed it to guess what… Born in Beaudry AR, which is near Hope, went to California to study fiddle and picked up guitar and yodeling on the way. Wound up working with Gene Autry and on WLS (Chi) National Barn Dance radio show with her group, the Prairie Ramblers. Died in 1996 age 87. Inducted into Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
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Joe South
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WITCH DOCTOR MEET THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER
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Probably best known for “Hush” which was big stuff for Deep Purple, of all people, and also “Down in the Boondocks” for Billy Joe Royal. Had a few hits himself, like “Games People Play” and “Walk a Mile in My Shoes.” He was also a studio sideman, appearing with Aretha in “Chain of Fools,” Bob Dylan on Blonde on Blonde and Tommy Roe’s “Sheila.” This is his first single from 1958.
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Wayne Sweeney
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PURPLE PEOPLE EATER MEETS THE EXORCIST
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There are lots of Wayne Sweeneys out there, on Facebook and MySpace and LinkedIn. Take your pick. I bet none of them did this song, or at least they probably wouldn’t admit it if they did.
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Scotty MacGregor
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I'M A MONSTER
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Here’s that McGregor guy again. I wish he’d stop following me…
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Bob Guy
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LETTER FROM JEEPERS
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Part two. Well, I couldn’t leave you hanging could I? (get it … hanging…like on Halloween ...? … spooky...? OK, I'm sorry.)
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Music behind DJ:
Husky Team
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SILENT NIGHT
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Bob McFadden, Jean Ritchie Karen Johnson
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MOTHER GHOST STORIES
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McFADDEN: a veteran voice actor for cartoons and commercials (remember Frankenberry?). He would be best known for “The Mummy” with Dor (who was actually Rod McKuen). RITCHIE: an accomplished folksinger and dulcimer artist who has a discography as long as your arm. Look her up on YouTube and take your pick. JOHNSON: seems to be a very popular name.
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