Yowls & Yodels from the Yule Vortex (2010)

Here is Andy Cirzan's annual Christmas mix from 2010. I was not able to find the back cover art. I probably have it somewhere on my drives but who knows where.

Songs for the Christmas Season 30

According to Wikipedia, the Christmas season is described as the period of time that includes Christmas and New Year's and even to the day of Epiphany which is usually on January 6 or 7. So I continue on with more holiday music.

First today we have Etta Jones with "Ring the Bells". A very nice holiday original which I have played annually since first hearing the song back in the 90's.





Next is a great seasonal favorite called "It's a Marshmallow World." This version is from 1964 and it's by Brenda Lee and it's one of my favorite takes. I love the little electronic piano or harpsichord sound in the first part of the song.

The Cassette Years: Part 1 (2008)

I've got Andy Cirzan's annual Christmas mix from 2008 so hear it while you can. I don't know if these things will be taken down or not, but as they say, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Songs for the Christmas Season 29

Let's keep the Christmas music going, ay? First up today is The Band doing their song, "Christmas Must Be Tonight," featuring the lead vocals of Rick Danko.





To follow that up will be another one from my own channel, The Dellacroce Sisters doing "Who is Santa Claus?" Definitely a fun tund and in the Christmas spirit.

Andy Cirzan Christmas Mix: The Cassette Years Part 2 (2009)

Here's a little Christmas treat. Last year I started to upload episodes of "The Christmas Club with Johnny & Andy" but as I listened to the episodes I noticed some had segments that were clearly lifted from past shows. I don't know if this was done by J&A or by the station that played their shows. Thus I gave up on that endeavor. In addition, for 2015 and this year their show has been picked up by another station and as a result of not knowing ahead of time, I missed both shows. Luckily I downloaded the unique annual mixes that Andy puts out every year for about the last 8-10 years or so. These mixes are made available for free download for a few weeks and then they are taken down. I'm in the process of uploading the shows I have to mixcloud and I will make them available here. I know, it's Christmas Day today so I'm a little late, but if you're anything like me you will continue to listen to Christmas music well into the winter season. Sides A & B are below for your listening pleasure.

Songs for the Christmas Season 28

First up today is another great one from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles called "It's Christmas Time" from 1970.

We'll follow that one up with a very old recording. It's called "On a Christmas Day" by Lead Belly from 1942.

Songs for the Christmas Season 27

For today's post I'm taking a couple of songs directly from my very own YouTube channel. First up is a hard-to-find song by The Smothers Brothers called "The Toy Song" from 1965.





And next is a newer recording (just a few years old) by Roman Coppola. Though the tracks from this album are from this decade they could pass for music recording in the mid to late 60's. Very much in the vein of David Holmes style and very groovy.

Songs for the Christmas Season 26

Kenny Burrell is one of my favorite all-time guitarists and it's hard to just pick one of his Christmas recordings. The tune that first introduced me to him was "My Favorite Things" from 1966 and there was no looking back afterwards.






Next is a groovy, R&B number by Jimmy Jones and His Valiants called "Christmas is a Drag (Without You). This is a definitely a forgotten holiday favorite.

Songs for the Christmas Season 25

A couple of less-familiar holiday songs today. First up is Chris de Burgh's "A Spaceman Came Travelling" which tells the story of the Christ child. Great song from 1975!





Next is one by Edd "Kookie" Byrnes from 1959. Very cool sounding and jazzy, like something you might hear during a film noir flick or perhaps some Peter Gunn. It's basically the tale of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" told in a very 'hip' style.

Songs for the Christmas Season 24

First up today is a not-so-jolly view of Christmas time. Perhaps a more realistic view but not a cheery song nonetheless. Still a good one that makes you think a bit. It's by Bobby Goldsboro and it's called "Look Around You It's Christmas."






Next is Burl Ives with "Christmas Child (Loo Loo Loo)." Perhaps not a well known holiday staple but it serves a very nice message and is a pleasant recording.

Songs for the Christmas Season 23

Some winter-themed holiday/seasonal songs today. Both songs are from holiday television specials of the 1960's. I love these old songs because they are so light-hearted in nature and just meant for fun and cheer. First is Andy Williams doing "The Skater's Waltz". I'm not sure if this song has ever been recorded other than for this program so pardon the lo-fi sonics.





Next is one from The Lawrence Welk show and a very pleasant tune at that featuring vocal group The Blenders. This is another number very hard to find unless you have the original Welk record. Watch the video for some cool choreography.

Songs for the Christmas Season 22

As we get into the final week before Christmas, I will continue to post some of my all time favorite holiday recordings, sans any type of theme to tie the songs together. First up is one of my all-time favorite versions of "What Child is This" by Vanessa Williams. Such a haunting version with some jazzy guitar.




Next is Perry Como with a unique Christmas tune which may be considered obscure these days. Shame though because the song really embodies the spirit of Christmas from the gentle melody to the children's choir and the European style of the music.

Songs for the Christmas Season 21

Today's selections feature some well-known pop/easy-listening crooners doing their own interpretations of Christmas songs. First we have Ed Ames doing what is probably my favorite version of "Some Children See Him" from 1970.





And next is Jack Jones from his 1969 Christmas album with an uptempo Gospel version of "Little Altar Boy."

Songs for the Christmas Season 20

Once again we will check out some jazz Christmas tunes for this post. First up is "Deck the Halls" by Teo Macero & His Orchestra. I always thought this song was by Herbie Hancock but you learn something new everyday.






And next is "Little Drummer Boy" by Duke Pearson from 1969. This is a great version!

Songs for the Christmas Season 19

Today I'm featuring some newer and perhaps lesser known songs for the season. First is a comtemporary folk song by Maria Dunn called, "God Bless Us Everyone." It's a moving song and the lyrics merit close attention.





Next is a jazzy, tongue-in-cheek song by Michael Franks titled, "I Bought You a Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree)."
Note: this is the best version I could find online. Unfortunately it doesn't sound all that great and is rather loud.

Songs for the Christmas Season 18

Two today by two unrelated women of the surname Lee. First up is Peggy Lee with her rendition of "Happy Holiday" from 1965. It's a groovy, jazzy number.





That one will be followed by Brenda Lee with her rendition of "Winter Wonderland" from 1964.

Songs for the Christmas Season 17

Some of that early 1970's pop/rock sound for our selections today. First, we have The Osmond Brothers with "Sleigh Ride." No, not the familiar holiday tune but an original from them.






And next is The Partridge Family with their take on "Winter Wonderland." Just in case you didn't know, The Partridge Family did not really play anything on this song. Keith Partridge, aka David Cassidy, did sing the lead though.

Songs for the Christmas Season 16

A couple of instrumental holiday songs today. First up is a very smooth, jazz version of "Silver Bells" by Kevin Eubanks on acoustic guitar.






And next is another jazz artist, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, with I believe an original composition called "Christmas Blues."

Songs for the Christmas Season 15

Some soulful tunes for this blog post. First up is my favorite version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Ray Charles. There is just no funkier version of this song that I know of!






And next is Ella Fitzgerald with "Good Morning Blues" from her 1960 Christmas album.

Songs for the Christmas Season 14

Today we have a couple of country classics, the first by Willie featuring his original tune, "Pretty Paper." This is his original version from 1964.





Next up is a Buck Owens classic, "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" from 1965.

Songs for the Christmas Season 13

Today we'll go with some classic rock Christmas tunes that are true holiday staples. First we have Elton John's "Step Into Christmas" from 1973.






Next is a blues number that The Eagles made even more popular than the original by Charles Brown. The song is "Please Come Home for Christmas."

Songs for the Christmas Season 12

Today we'll feature some songs by a couple of really great pop vocal groups. First up is The Anita Kerr Singers who sang background on many hit songs and also did their own albums. This song is called "Hurry Home for Christmas" from 1969.






Next we have a group called The Free Design. My first experience with this group was hearing this original Christmas tune called "Close Your Mouth, It's Christmas" from 1970. After hearing this I had to research their non-holiday music and it was equally amazing. These pop vocal groups had such a unique and pleasant sound and the arrangements were so innovative and it's so sad there isn't anything like this anymore.

Songs for the Christmas Season 11

How about some blues for Christmas? Up first today will be Elvis' version of "Merry Christmas, Baby" from 1971. His version is so good I had to share the unedited, nearly 8 minute version.






Let's get even more bluesy now with a classic by Sonny Boy Williamson called "Santa Claus" from 1966.

Songs for the Christmas Season 10

Today I've got two of the most timeless and newer Christmas songs of the ages. Both of these, though not all that old, have been covered countless times and are standard tunes found in any book of holiday music. First up is Bobby Helms with "Jingle Bell Rock" from 1957.





And second is Brenda Lee with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from 1958. Both these songs were recorded in Nashville at the time and were considered country music!

Songs for the Christmas Season 9

How about a couple of more rockin' Christmas tunes today? First we have from 1968, "Christmas is My Time of Year" by The Christmas Spirit, featuring the familiar vocal of Howard Kaylan of The Turtles fame.






Next we have popular English band Slade doing their timeless holiday song, "Merry Xmas Everybody" from 1973.

Songs for the Christmas Season 8

As you know I'm not a huge fan of more recent recorded Christmas music due to much of it seeming to be nothing more than the fulfillment of contractual obligations, which in turn leads to very uninspired-sounding music. But every once in a while pops up a few interesting new songs or new covers. For example, today we have a version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Mary J. Blige. I love the jazzy feel of this song and the super fast walking bass lines.






Next up is "Frosty the Snowman" as done by Michael Buble. Again, this one has a very jazzy/big band feel and that walking bass line is just non-stop!

Songs for the Christmas Season 7

A couple of Motown holiday tunes today. First up is one of my all-time favorite versions of "Jingle Bells" as done by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles from 1970. Such a fun & great take!






The next selection is not exactly a familiar, classic Christmas favorite. It is, however, an instrumental by Marvin Gaye called "Christmas in the City" featuring the Moog synthesizer and it's from 1972. So funky!

Songs for the Christmas Season 6

Today I have two of the season's most timeless and familiar songs by two of recorded music's best-known crooners. First up we have Perry Como's classic, "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays."






Next up is a song I feel should always be played back-to-back with the first. It's Andy Williams on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" which has become a Christmas staple since the mid-1960's and deservedly so.

Songs for the Christmas Season 5

Yesterday, I went with mellow. Today I'm going with some uptempo, happy songs. First up is a great song by Detroit Jr. called "Christmas Day." Not only is it a great, driving R&B number but it's also an original holiday tune!





Today's second selection is another driving song, this time Louisiana-style. It's "Louisiana Christmas Day" by Aaron Neville from 1993.

Songs for the Christmas Season 4

Not all Christmas/seasonal music has to be uptempo and exciting. Some of it is downright depressing and I don't like those at all. But there are some songs that are really mellow and reflective and I enjoy those very much. Here are two of my favorites.

First, we have Glen Campbell with "Christmas is for Children" from his very mellow X-mas album of 1968. The title may be misleading as at the end he concludes that "aren't we all children, Christmas Day."






Next is a not-so-Christmas song but definitely a favorite around this time of year. It's John Denver singing about the winter beauty, peace & smiling faces of "Aspenglow" from 1975.

Songs for the Christmas Season 3

Here are a couple of songs that are not exactly about Christmas but they are about the winter season. First up is what I consider to be the penultimate version of that seasonal favorite, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." I usually prefer older versions the grand majority of the time but a very few rare times does a newer recording become my favorite. This one is by Barry Manilow with K.T. Oslin.






Next is an instrumental version of a song which captures the peaceful, gentleness of falling snowflakes. I have never heard another song which so appropriately conveys the mood felt or what falling snowflakes might actually sound like if they weren't so silent! This is called "Snowfall" and it's performed by The Gordon Langford Quartet.

Songs for the Christmas Season 2

How about a couple of jazz Christmas tunes today?  First up is my favorite jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell doing "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" from his 1966 album. Gosh, 1966 was such a great year for music and this entire album does not disappoint.






Next up we have the Vince Guaraldi Trio with the original song, "Christmastime is Here" from the 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas special. Just three instruments yet this song is filled to the brim with good sound. More to come from the VGT!

Songs for the Christmas Season 1

I'm a huge fan of Christmas music. It is a dying art, though. Nowadays many pop artists put out Christmas albums, but the music feels more like someone going through the motions. Fulfilling recording contract obligations. Doing the same old tired songs. Sounding very uninspired. Rare is the new track which captures the essence and feel of Christmas Magic. I'm sure most Christmas music aficionados would agree the we are not currently living during the apex of recorded holiday music. That was years ago. Certainly there have been great new songs recorded in the last few decades and perhaps even great new versions of standard Christmas tunes. And there are some great, harder-to-find new albums that don't fit the 'pop' moniker, thus reducing their visibility and marketability. But I think we would agree the pinnacle of recorded holiday music is from the 1940s to the 1980's. Before the 1940's there was much recorded Christmas music to be found, but its sonic quality can make it very difficult to listen to. After the 1980's, well, recording technology became exceptional but musical inspiration for this genre was way past its peak.

The good news is that those five decades left us an amazing collection of Christmas jewels in so many genres of music. And today I will start sharing some of the ones I really like. For my first post I will have two country-pop songs which kind of remind me of each other.

First up is Tanya Tucker doing "Christmas to Christmas"





And next is Vince Vance & the Valiants with "All I Want for Christmas is You"





Don't you think these two songs should always be played back-to-back?

Songs for the Thanksgiving Season (Thanksgiving Day)

Today is Thanksgiving and as we enjoy being with and eating with family & friends, it is inevitable that we start looking forward to Christmas. That being said, here are two final songs for the Thanksgiving season, both of which give thanks for Christmas.

First up is The Lawrence Welk Orchestra with "Thanks For Christmas."







Finally, an oft-overlooked song by The Bee Gees called "Thank You For Christmas."





Starting tomorrow and probably through the end of the year (since once I get into Christmas music it is very hard for me to get out of it) I will post some of my favorite Christmas & seasonal recordings.

Music for the Thanksgiving Season 3

First up today we have Brenda Lee thanking someone for breaking her heart, sarcastically of course.





Next we have Vince Guaraldi's contribution to the tiny world of actual Thanksgiving Day music. This is his "Thanksgiving Theme" from The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cartoon.

Songs for the Thanksgiving Season 2

So I sidetracked a bit and didn't get to my daily postings of 'thankful' songs. So here are a few a couple days before Thanksgiving.

First up we have John Denver thanking God he's a country boy (which I don't think he really was. Mountain man maybe. Oh well, it's all just semantics).





And next we have Neil Diamond being thankful for the night.

Songs for the Thanksgiving Season 1

So as soon as the Halloween season has passed us, it's time to start thinking about the Thanksgiving season. Let's start that today for we should be thankful more than just one day out of the year. I'll post some 'thanksgiving' songs that aren't necessarily about the holiday but rather just being grateful for one reason or another.

We'll start off with this great classic from Sam & Dave called "I Thank You." Their studio recording is great in itself but I found this live performance which is equally great and fun to watch. I'll thank you for watching it.

Songs for the Halloween Season 19

Today is All Souls' Day and with that we close this chapter of good music for Halloween. But before we move on to other things, here is one final song appropriately titled "All Souls Night" by Loreena McKennitt.

Songs for the Halloween Season 18

The word "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Even" or "All Hallow's Eve," which means today is All Hallows or All Saints' Day. Technically it's still the Halloween season in my eyes and this includes tomorrow as well. So I will continue with 2 more posts of Halloween-ish music.

So first up today is "Children of the Night" by The Stylistics. The music is eerie and the lyrics are pretty dark as well. Give it a listen!






Next is "Black Cat Blues" by The Beau Gentry. Black cats are especially symbolic of Halloween and the narrator has a case of the black cat blues. Not really scary but it is great for the holiday!

Songs for the Halloween Season 17

We will check out some voodoo songs for today. First up is one by The Lovin' Spoonful called "Voodoo in My Basement." It's kind of a quirky yet spooky tune. Listen to the lyrics.





Next we have Bobby Goldsboro doing one of his best songs ever, "Voodoo Woman." This one's not an eerie song or anything like that, but the narrator is doing his best to stay away from the evil voodoo woman.

Songs for the Halloween Season 16

Keeping on with the witch theme started in the last post, here are a couple more. First is the renown "Black Magic Woman" by Santana. I could have equally gone with Fleetwood Mac's original version but since I already featured two Fleetwood songs previously I want to give another artist a chance in the Halloween revelry.






How about a "Swamp Witch" for today's final selection? The track by Jim Stafford features a creepy tale so listen carefully. If you don't get spooked you're not listening!

Songs for the Halloween Season 15

Halloween is never complete without witches and neither is a list of songs for the holiday without them either. So first we'll hear "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" by Redbone. A smokin's song by a native American band, it's not particularly scary but it does have some 'witching' elements.






Moving right along we revisit The Eagles with their classic, "Witchy Woman." This one is most appropriate for Halloween--music, lyrics & all. And that ending! It will give you a fright if turn up the volume and turn off the lights.

Songs for the Halloween Season 14

The focus of today's selections will be houses. First up is Jumpin' Gene Simmons doing "Haunted House." It's a cute song and not scary, but hey, it is about moving into a haunted house!






Next is another house but this is one that has four doors and squeaky ones at that. The Moody Blues' "House of Four Doors" has some creepy Mellotron, percussion elements and those old scary movie squeaky door effects and makes it a prime cut for Halloween.

Songs for the Halloween Season 13

Today we'll feature another Fleetwood Mac tune, albeit one from the Lindsey Buckingham years. There are plenty of good ones by them. This one, "I'm So Afraid," is a dark-sounding song and the title says it all.






Next up is Dusty Springfield doing her best impression of a late 60's Motown recording artist with the song "Haunted." She's so haunted she cannot eat or sleep. Not a scary song though. The Halloween treat is all in the title and lyrics.

Songs for the Halloween Season 12

Continuing on with soundtrack music, how about two from John Carpenter today? First up is the very familiar theme from "Halloween." I don't think more needs to be said about this one.






The second selection for today takes us a few years earlier to another Carpenter classic, "Assault on Precinct 13." I first heard this on a BBC documentary and just had to find out what it was. It was most likely all recorded with electronic keyboards. Simple yet chilling.

Songs for the Halloween Season 11

How about a couple of soundtrack songs today? Soundtracks can be known for being very spine-tingling and here are a few that could be considered more obscure. First up is Alain Goraguer's "Deshominisation." Perhaps most would not find this song particularly creepy but for me it certainly conjures an atmosphere of suspense and mystery. Must be that wah guitar, clavinet and dark strings.






Next up is one from the Charles Bronson movie, "Citta Violenta." It's a song by Ennio Morricone and again many might not find it to be scary but it does have unsettling elements, especially that intro and the snake-like guitar permeating throughout the song.

Songs for the Halloween Season 10

First up today is a great song by the Alan Parsons Project called "The Voice." I find this song unsettling, from the music to the lyrics themselves. It is a rather prophetic song as it envisions a society where we are being watched all the time, and comes from a concept album addressing the increasing technological dominance over our lives.





The second song today has a connection to the first. It is "One Stage Before" by Al Stewart and was produced by Alan Parsons. The song is in a minor key and the keyboards are what really give this one the atmosphere. The lyrics describe an endless case of déjà vu.

Songs for the Halloween Season 9

Today we'll feature some novelty songs. First up on day 9 is a song by Jimmy Cross called "I Want My Baby Back." The music itself is not particularly unsettling but it's the story in the lyrics that make this one a freaky Halloween pick.






Next up is Bent Bolt & The Nuts doing "Mechanical Man." This one's also not a creepy song but more of a "Monster Mash" type thing about a robot. More silly than scary but great for Halloween.

Songs for the Halloween Season 8

How about some more recent tracks? Like from the 90's?  I say 'tracks' because the second selection for today might receive some scoffs if I referred to it as a song. But I am reserving the right to pick tracks which may not fit the traditional definition of what a song is. But no doubt that today's first pick is a real, actual song. Portishead is a band that has many creepy-sounding songs but I think this one is their creepiest. "Half Day Closing" is a song that makes your hairs stand on end. Everything about this song is just not right.






Here's another from the 90's. This is the one that is not exactly musical but it is great for Halloween. Boards of Canada is considered an 'electronica' band and a lot of their music incorporates lo-fi and/or creepy elements. Much of what you hear in "Color of the Fire" is taken from a Sesame Street segment which has been slowed down and modified just enough to freak many people out. In fact, I have even used this song played backwards on a little scary video I made!

Songs for the Halloween Season 7

Selection #1 today is "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Cream. Not a particularly scary song or any creepy elements even. It's all in the title and lyrics.






Next up is Fairport Convention's "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft." Again, not a scary song or any scary elements. It's in the title and lyrics.

Songs for the Halloween Season 6

Today's first selection is "Time of the Season" by The Zombies. I don't know why but I've always associated this song with autumn and Halloween. Probably because of it's minor key, the heavily reverbed clapping and gasping sounds, the delayed subdued vocal and the crazy double-tracked organ playing.  A classic! Too bad the band did not enjoy the success of this song as a band.






There are not too many country songs that I would consider great for Halloween but Porter Wagoner's "Rubber Room" is about as psychedelic as country ever got. The song may start off rather tame but even at the end of the intro you can tell something is awry. Progressively we start to hear an odd organ and then heavily-echoed vocals and a great buildup at the end.

Songs for the Halloween Season 5

First up today is Them's version of "I Put a Spell on You". This is clearly a great Halloween song just based on the title and there are so many great versions to choose from, including Creedence Clearwater Revival's from their debut album. But there is just something about this version that sounds bone-chilling. Maybe it's Van's vocal delivery. Or perhaps the vibes in the background or that sax that sounds as though it's being played in a dark, empty alley. Whatever it is it sure works for me.






How about some Pink Floyd for selection #2? Almost anything from their first couple of albums could qualify. Even though some of the early tracks had an air of silliness to them there was still an underlying sinister air or sound to them. The track I picked here is called "Pow R. Toc H." is very strange indeed. Starting off with some weird animal calls it then progresses into a jazzy piano and drum driven piece followed by a return to animal sounds and a hodge-podge of minor guitar and organ sounds.

Songs for the Halloween Season 4

First up today is Tiny Tim's "Stay Down Here Where You Belong". I had just recently discovered Tiny and I am really impressed with his art. This song is perfect for Halloween. The subject matter, the creepy organ and his quivering echoed vocals give this song all the right elements.






How about another Tim for the second pick? Here is Tim Buckley with "Song Slowly Song" from his debut album of 1966. That is my favorite album of his and the next one was up there as well. Beyond those two, things starting getting a bit avant garde for my liking. I can only imagine what sort of album he could have continued to put together in the late 60's and early 70's if he had stayed on course of the first two. Regardless, this song here is quite minimalist and yet unsettling. The minor key, tremolo guitar and heavily reverbed percussion instruments all excel in creating the effect.

Songs for the Halloween Season 3

Today's first selection is "Take the Devil" by The Eagles. Very dark song with some menacing electric guitars and that piercing, elongated "from your mind" vocal line delivered by Randy Meisner in the middle which is utterly bone-chilling.






My second selection is "Hypnotized" by Fleetwood Mac. Superb song by the pre-Buckingham/Nicks version of the band. The lyrics are surreal in nature and deal with some strange occurrences indeed. This song gets its eeriness from the electric and acoustic guitar lines throughout and Bob Welch's subdued vocal.





Come back tomorrow for 2 more selections!

Songs for the Halloween Season 2

One of my all-time favorite tunes all year round is "Spooky" by the Classics IV & Dennis Yost. This song even mentions Halloween in the lyrics. I have never heard a better version of this song ever. The eerie sound of the background singers, that howling wind type sound during the breaks and that non-stop rhythm guitar gave this song all the perfect ingredients for a spooky song! Here is a hard-to-find mono single mix of the song:






Next up is another track from the same era, Donovan's "Season of the Witch." Loved this song the first time I heard it. Those electric guitar lines throughout the song and that organ in the middle are so perfectly chilling! Not to mention that witch is mentioned so many times. Here is the mono mix:

Songs for the Halloween Season 1

There are very few songs that are considered Halloween songs but plenty that revolve around the general overall themes of the holiday. Some songs are just plain creepy or unsettling and those are great for the day as well. I will post two of my favorite Halloween-ish songs here per day--as though we were back in the days of 45s--through November 2 which is the Day of the Dead.

First up is "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard. The ambiance of this song is so perfect for the subject matter. Very simple arrangement yet it draws the desired feelings. The whispered "look out" warning adds to the air of fright.






The second selection for today is "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath. I'm not a hug fan of metal but this song became my favorite Black Sabbath song as soon as I first heard it. The dark, minor key and the creepy Leslie-speakered vocal create the entire eerie atmosphere of the song. I also like the video someone made to go along with this song. It looks like the English countryside in late fall or early winter. Very bleak-looking and reminiscent of the countryside scenes in the "Straw Dogs" film.





Those are my selections for today. Come back tomorrow for two more!