[][]That’s what I get for trying to replicate a sidecar on Halloween.
Without too much technical explanation, let’s just say Jack the Ripper clones himself and not only stays on the track where he is supposed to be, but also appears over the top of “Cemetery Stomp” from the creepy surfer sensations The Essex. The result was a confusing monster mash that raised audio Hell during the first 10 minutes of the original podcast.
Hearing the results might frighten anyone, especially children and small pets.
So this on has that error corrected so you hear pristine versions of Screaming Lord Sutch (born David Edward Sutch, 10 November 1940 – 16 June 1999) as well as the gothic surf stirred by The Essex.
Pardon the confusion, it is already that time of year.
best,
Professor Mikey
It starts in a 1959 graveyard, lit by a Morningstar…
Here are two songs Professor Mikey dug up from the groove yard of ghoulish golden goodies. The first one rises from the graveyard on a hot night in the Singing River Studio in Biloxi, Mississippi. For this 1959 single, Willie Morrell was possessed enough to change his name to Jackie Morningstar. Then we move west and a little further in time, when a little known surf band called The Essex accidentally stumble onto a genre that centered around sun, sand, vampires and zombies. Jackie Morningstar and Rockin in the Graveyard, followed by The Essex and Cemetery Stomp. It’s a double shot of Halloween on Old School.
In a small town, there was a ghastly tradition every Halloween. The local teens would gather in the cemetery, and as the clock struck midnight, they’d start “ROCKING IN THE GRAVEYARD” to wake the restless spirits. Jackie Morningstar’s catchy tune became their anthem, and even the ghosts couldn’t resist.
2. “CEMETERY STOMP” by The Essex (1963):
The Essex, a group of thrill-seeking teens, decided to throw a secret party in an old, haunted cemetery. With the moon high in the sky, they cranked up “CEMETARY STOMP,” and as they danced among the tombstones, they discovered that even ghouls have a groove.
3. “HALLOWEEN SPOOKS” by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross (1959):
Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross were known for their vocal harmonies that could raise the dead. They performed “HALLOWEEN SPOOKS” so well that it attracted all kinds of supernatural creatures to join in, creating the ultimate ghostly choir.
Old School is all abuzz with costume ideas, overdosing on Starbursts and Three Musketeers, and toilet papering Professor Mikey’s crib. Today, a rather lightweight but entertaining ghostly tune that goes back to the late 50s, and the remarkable jazz trio of Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and and Annie Ross. They formed in 1958 and were voted the Best Vocal Group by the readers of Downbeat magazine for 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63. A jazz group with a sense of humor. That’s frightening enough, but it doesn’t compare to the downright dropdead horror that you are sure to experience when you hear Lambert Hendricks and Ross do “Halloween Spooks.”
4. “JACK THE RIPPER” by Screaming Lord Sutch (1964):
In a shadowy corner of London, a group of ghouls decided to have a sinister dance-off. They called it the “JACK THE RIPPER” showdown, with Screaming Lord Sutch as the master of ceremonies. The winner got to keep their soul for another year.
Screaming Lord Sutch technically isn’t a member of the British Invasion because he never had a hit record in Great Britain or the US. Still, he was one of the first horror rockers, he employed band members before they were famous like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Nicky Hopkins, and Mitch Mitchell. He released pre-Beatle rock with studio wizard Joe Meek, ran for Parliament several times, founded the National Teenage political party, and started his own pirate radio station, Radio Sutch, in 1964. Here he is with the story of Jack the Ripper, Sreaming Lord Sutch on Old School…
5. “RACE WITH THE DEVIL” by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps (1957):
Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps were renowned for their fiery performances. One Halloween night, they had a “RACE WITH THE DEVIL” contest against the demons of the underworld, and the band’s blistering rock ‘n’ roll won, sealing the demons’ fate.
6. “MONSTER MASH PARTY” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett (1961):
Bobby “Boris” Pickett threw the wildest Halloween party ever. Creatures from all walks of the afterlife, including Dracula and the Mummy, gathered for a “MONSTER MASH PARTY.” It was a graveyard smash with dancing, howling, and monstrous fun.
7. “MY CRYSTAL SPIDER” by Sweetwater (1968):
Sweetwater’s lead singer had a mysterious encounter with a crystal spider in the woods one Halloween. She sang “MY CRYSTAL SPIDER” to share the eerie tale of her arachnid friend who wove webs that foretold the future.
8. “AFTER HALLOWEEN” by Fairport Convention (1975):
Fairport Convention’s members were so dedicated to Halloween that they kept the festivities going into November. They celebrated “AFTER HALLOWEEN” with an epic bonfire, music, and plenty of pumpkin spice, ensuring the spirit of Halloween lived on.
Yes there are many great Halloween songs clanging around the Old School. And, after the apples have been bobbed, the trick or treaters have been sugarfied, the vampires have gone back to sleep and the witches have parked their brooms, there’s one great post-Halloween song. Fairport Convention had formed in 1968 and successfully meshed the sounds of the present with the sounds of the past…rock and roll meets the music of Robin Hood. In 1975 they were a finely tuned machine, now featuring the lead vocals of Sandy Denny only a short time before her tragic end that came at age 31 after injuries suffered in a fall. From Rising of the Moon, their 13th album, Fairport Convention and “After Halloween.”
ROCKING IN THE GRAVEYARD Jackie Morningstar 1959
CEMETARY STOMP The Essex 1963
HALLOWEEN SPOOKS Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross 1959
JACK THE RIPPER Screaming Lord Sutch 1964
RACE WITH THE DEVIL Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps 1957
MONSTER MASH PARTY Bobby “Boris” Pickett 1961
MY CRYSTAL SPIDER Sweetwater 1968
AFTER HALLOWEN Fairport Convention 1975
The tradition of bobbing for apples has ancient roots and is believed to have originated in various parts of the world. In Celtic cultures, it was part of the Samhain festival, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Bobbing for apples was a way to celebrate the season and engage in divination. Apples were associated with various forms of magic and the afterlife, making them a fitting choice.
The game made its way to America through Irish and Scottish immigrants. Over time, it became a popular Halloween activity. In the game, apples are placed in a large tub of water, and participants attempt to catch an apple using only their teeth, without using their hands.
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