Happy Halloween! Boo!

Clockwise: Mike Furey, Casey Stratton, Sir Ari Gold, and Kendall Kelly.

Today is October 31, 2014. That makes it officially Halloween, a day that was first celebrated in the mid-1700s. It was also known as All Hallow's Eve and All Saint's Eve, marking the evening before All Saint's Day.It is thought to have Celtic roots, and is based on some forms of Christianity. Today, it is mostly known as a chance to dress up in costumes of every variety, no matter your age. Whether you are trying to scare people, or making them laugh, it is a day celebrated by many. To get us in the mood a bit, I thought I would post some Halloween-themed music, or at least some that could be. The first song is a remake of a 1984 single from Ministry, an American Industrial Metal band. It was covered in 2006 by the Electronic Rock project based in New York City. Vocalist Mike Furey is the man behind the artistic direction of the band. This is Dangerous Muse with "Everyday Is Halloween".

You can find "Everyday Is Halloween" on iTunes and Amazon. My next song isn't really a Halloween song, but it works, at least for me. There is something hot, and sexy about "Blood" a great song off Casey's first album, 'Standing on the Edge'. It was the first song by Casey I really fell for, and I have been hooked ever since. This is Casey Stratton performing "Blood" on morning television, and managing to look and sound pretty damn great!

You can find "Blood" on 'Blood EP (Junior Vasquez Mix)', available on iTunes and Amazon. The gloriously bearish Kendall Kelly has been making music for a while now, and garnering quite the fanbase. It seems many respond well to his mixture of humorous songs with romantic ballads. The driving Electro-Dance beat keeps me moving, while the sexy images of Kendall keeps the attention of anyone who hits play. And before I delay you too much longer, perhaps you should be hitting the play button for Kendall Kelly's "Don't Even Know You're A Vampire".

You can find "Don't Know You're A Vampire" off the album 'Manifest Destiny', available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. And speaking of vampires, I don't know if there is anyone I'd rather have nibbling my neck, and wherever else they'd like, than the gorgeous and talented Sir Ari Gold. That was certainly much on my mind in October of 2010, when he released the music video for "Make My Body Rock", on of the several great songs off his album 'Between the Spirit & the Flesh'. OF course, I must admit I have been a fan of Gold's music since I first heard "Wave of You" several years ago, and that was even before I'd see how sexy he is! Fast forward several years, and Ari is still looking as good, if not better than ever. Check out the music video for Sir Ari Gold's "Make My Body Rock".

You can find "Make My Body Rock" on Gold's 2012 album, 'Between the Spirit & the Flesh', available on iTunes and Amazon. And have a wonderful and scary Halloween!

Haunting Songs of Halloween

Clockwise: Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & the Crypt Kickers; Warren Zevon; Sheb Wooley; and David Seville.

To celebrate the Halloween season, I thought about what songs would be great for the season. I will lead off with a song that might be considered the granddaddy of all Halloween songs, "The Monster Mash". The song was released in 1962 by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers. The song was written by Pickett and Leonard L. Capizzi. And just befoer Haloween of that year, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100! Here is Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers singing "The Monster Mash".

Next up, we have a rock song composed by LeRoy Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, and Warren Zevon and performed by Zevon. "Werewolves of London" was released in 1978, off the album 'Excitable Boy'. The single was in the Billboard Top 40 for six weeks, making it to #21. It was great fun at the time, and continues to be an exceptional song, 35 years later. I hope you enjoy Warren Zevon's music video for "Werewolves of London".

Back in the 1950s, David Seville was quite the busy man. Not only was he writing and recording songs, he was also forming the ideas for 'Alvin and the Chipmunks', a storyline that would create a cartoon and recording career for years to come. I still remember being a young kid and watching the Chipmunks, wishing the animals outside my house would talk and sing like the Chipmunks did! In 1958, Dave Seville & the Chipmunks released a novelty recording called "Witch Doctor". In the summer of that year, the song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was the first of his songs to include the animated characters, but certainly not the last. Here is David and the Chipmunks with "Witch Doctor".

Well, it seems as though 1958 was a great year for novelty songs, for Oklahoma native Sheb Wooley had a big hit with "Purple People Eater", and I am not sure who saw that coming. The song was fun and silly, and seemed to capture the imagination of all the kids across the country, for it went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And while it might not be a true Halloween song, I certainly think it applies to the season quite nicely. this is "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Dangerous Muse • Everyday Is Halloween

Dangerous Muse is an electronic rock project based in New York City, led by songwriter and vocalist, Mike Furey. In 2006, Dangerous Muse released a cover of "Everyday Is Halloween", originally released by Ministry in 1984. The song has the patented Dangerous Muse sound, with slick production and sexy vocals. That sounds like a perfect way to kick off the All Hallows Eve, so please enjoy "Everyday Is Halloween".

You can purchase "Everyday Is Halloween" from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Dangerous Muse, visit the official website. You can also 'like' the Facebook page, and 'follow' on Twitter. Social media is a great way to keep up with this great band.

Time Warp (2001) • Raul Esparza, Daphne Rubin-Vega & Joan Jett

A revival of 'Rocky Horror Show' opened on Broadway in October of 2000, although it is often referred to as the 2001 Revival. The show had an incredible cast, but what really blows me away is this version of "Time Warp", featuring Raul Esparza as Riff Raff, Daphne Rubin-Vega as Magenta, and Joan Jett as Columbia, that really blew me away. And while I do love me some Joan Jett, I must say it is the new spin from Esparza and Rubin-Vega that got the job done. I have no idea how Raul makes his voice do that, but when it does, I am a very happy camper.

It is just one of many songs I have in my collection which constantly remind me of my never-ending crush on the talented Mr. Esparza. I hope one day soon he comes back to his native Wilmington, Delaware, to give a performance of some of his great songs, including this one! I found this clip of the cast of 'Rocky Horror Show' performing on 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show', so please enjoy Raul, Daphne, Joan and the rest of the cast performing 'Time Warp'!

You can purchase the New Broadway Cast Recording of 'Rocky Horror Show' featuring Raul Esparza, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Joan Jett, as well as many other talented artists, from iTunes and Amazon. I say download it, and add it to your Halloween playlist. Later, you can just listen for the fun of it! And Happy Halloween!

Bette Midler • I Put A Spell On You

I simply have a tough time not loving just about anything that Bette Midler does, I couldn't see how I could let the Halloween season pass without checking out Bette singing "I Put A Spell On You", a scene from the movie 'Hocus Pocus'. Witches, showgirls, vampires and children, all making it a delicious scene, and adding the song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1956 makes it perfection!

Happy Halloween!

Michael Jackson • Thriller

How could I start out Halloween without Michael Jackson singing "Thriller"? I couldn't, for it is just about a amazing now as it was thirty years ago when it was released. If the song wasn't already enough, the highly stylized video featuring the King of Pop made it heaven on a stick. So, without further ado, this is Michael Jackson with "Thriller".

You can purchase "Thriller", the song or the album, from iTunes and Amazon.

Don't Be Scared... Too Much!

Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald; Barbra Streisand; Carmen McRae; and Judy Garland.

While they might not be as scary as the Halloween season might call for, I thought I would offer up a few supernatural-tinged torch songs to help you burn up your pre-Halloween Saturday night. And I will start with an amazing singer bringing to life the scary childhood tale of 'The Three Little Pigs'. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" first appeared in the 1930s as part of a Disney cartoon. It was written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronel. In 1963, it was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her first album.



"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"first appeared in the the 1940 musical 'Pal Joey', written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It became an instant standard, and some of the top vocalists of the next several generations were singing it, both men and women alike. In 1956, Ella Fitzgerald recorded an immaculate version of the classic.



Any song that can say the music was written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer is certainly one that needs to be heard. The 1942 song has been sung by most, if not all of, the greats of the music business. Here is a clip of the sultry and talented Carmen McRae singing "That Old Black Magic" in 1986.



The 1947 musical 'Finian's Rainbow' was composed by Burton Lane and had lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It included "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", a memorable song to be sure. If that was the only song in the score, it would be well worth listening. But it wasn't. There was also the iconic "That Old Devil Moon", another song that has been covered by some of the greatest voices to ever record. Here, watch Judy Garland sing it on her television show.



Hope the songs didn't scare you too much...

Date 'Fright' Night • Coming Out of the Coffin

Top: Mikey Rourke Rhodes and Jeff Kuncaitis. Bottom: Jeff Kuncaitis.

Next week is Halloween, so I thought I would get the mood going with a little taste of the supernatural. Writer/director Mickey Rourke Rhodes takes a look at what happens when a new couple moves into the neighborhood. While Dexter is busy taking matters into his own hand and Teddy is getting high as a kite, a knock on the door is heard. Val and Antonio are stopping by to introduce themselves to the new neighbors. But what will bother the stoners more, that the new men are lovers, or that they view the frat boys as the next meal. This is the story behind 'Coming Out of the Coffin'.

Hope you have a great weekend, and this helped you start it off with a laugh or two!

Chris Garneau • Halloween

I am a big fan of out singer/songwriter Chris Garneau, and thought this holiday would be a perfect chance to post his beautiful "Halloween." The song appears on his 2007 release, 'Music For Tourists.' I love his music, and really hope he releases more soon, since it has been since 2009 when he released 'El Radio.' However, enjoy his haunting song "Halloween."

You can find 'Music For Tourists' on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Chris Garneau, visit his official website.

Dangerous Muse • (Every Day Is) Halloween

Back in 2007, Dangerous Muse covered "(Every Day Is) Halloween," a great song by the Industrial Metal band Ministry. Mike Furey and Tom Napack updated the sound, but kept the Goth textures to deliver their own seasonal classic.

You can purchase the song from iTunes and Amazon. For more about Dangerous Muse, visit their official website. There you might even find a link to get a free download of the song!

Andrew Gold • Halloween Howls

It has become a yearly tradition for me to post songs found on the late Andrew Gold's great holiday album. It seems back in the mid-1990s, Andrew was enjoying his children, and decided to write some seasonal songs for them. He had such a great time doing it, he went into the studio to record them. This gave birth to the album, 'Halloween Howls.' It combined Gold's original material with a few of the existing Halloween favorites. I will start with "It Must Be Halloween."

I love that "Spooky Scary Skeletons" combines humor and scary topics, just warming my heart to the core. Enjoy this wonderful song.

I love "Don't Scream (It Must Be Halloween)," built on a scream and a sexy Latin beat. I don't know if it can get too much more fun than this.

Well, I guess it can get more fun, for I will end with "Gimme A Smile." This is a delightful tale of a pumpkin wanting to make a deal with the carver, so he won't be stuck scaring children for his very short life...

You can find Andrew Gold's 'Halloween Howls' on iTunes and Amazon.

Janet Jackson • Black Cat

Better watch your step or you're gonna die...



Happy Halloween!

Screamin' Jay Hawkins • I Put A Spell On You

This is just iconic.



Happy Halloween.

Derek Nicoletto • Kind Ghosts

Continuing the Halloween theme with Derek's ghosts...



Happy Halloween!

Leon Redbone • Lazy Bones

Happy Halloween!

Addams Family Theme Song

They're creepy and they're spooky....



Happy Halloween!

Ray Parker, Jr • Ghostbusters Theme Song

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost...



This will be the first of many songs just for today... Happy Halloween!

Boo-tiful Torch Songs

Clockwise: Ella Fitzgerald; Barbra Streisand; Carmen McRae; and Judy Garland.

While they might not be as scary as the Halloween season might call for, I thought I would offer up a few supernatural-tinged torch songs to help you burn p your Halloween Saturday night. And I will start with an amazing singer bringing to life the scary childhood tale of 'The Three Little Pigs'. "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" first appeared in the 30s as part of a Disney cartoon. It was written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronel. In 1963, it was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her first album.



"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" first appeared in the the 1940 musical 'Pal Joey', written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It became an instant standard, and some of the top vocalists of the next several generations were singing it, both men and women alike. In 1956, Ella Fitzgerald recorded an immaculate version of the classic.



Any song that can say the music was written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer is certainly one that needs to be heard. The 1942 song has been sung by most, if not all of, the greats of the music business. Here is a clip of the sultry and talented Carmen McRae singing "That Old Black Magic" in 1986.



The 1947 musical 'Finian's Rainbow' was composed by Burton Lane and had lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It included the song "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", a memorable song to be sure. If that was the only song in the score, it would be well worth listening. But it wasn't the only song. There was also the iconic "Old Devil Moon", another song that has been covered by some of the greatest voices to ever record. Here, watch Judy Garland sing it on her television show.



Hope the songs didn't scare you too much. Don't worry, I'll have more Halloween music coming up soon...

Michael Jackson's Thriller

What can you say about this video, other than it is such a classic? And perfect for this Halloween season? So turn up the volume, hit the full-screen option, and enjoy!

Robbie Williams - Rock DJ

Robbie brings new meaning to stripped down in this video, which might not be a great choice for those who are faint of heart. But the British pop star looks good in the video, trying to get the attention of the ladies at the club. pealing back layer after layer... Enjoy Rock DJ, which also is a fun song!