Real Gone's Halloween line-up began last month and now that October has rolled around, the label is continuing the party with more reissues to play on October 31 filled with material from the 1950s to the 1980s. All of these titles hit store shelves, tomorrow, October 5.
First up is a Real Gone/Second Disc Records vinyl reissue: Songs Our Mummy Taught Us by Bob McFadden and Dor. This one-of-a-kind LP was the creation of voiceover artist Bob McFadden - best-known as the voice of Frankenberry, the Thundercats' pal Snarf, Cool McCool, and countless others - and the mysterious "Dor," otherwise known as singer-songwriter (and America's best-selling poet) Rod McKuen. Released in 1959, this LP sits near the beginning of both artists' careers; McFadden had yet to embark on his voice acting career and McKuen had released several albums and poetry collections, but his popularity would not explode until the 1960s.
Rock-and-roll and beat culture met horror headfirst on Songs, with McFadden taking the role of a not-so-scary Mummy and McKuen voicing a blasé beatnik on its best-known song, the novelty hit "The Mummy." According to McKuen, none other than Bill Haley's Comets played on the rocking track. But that's not all. McFadden's Mummy also put a new spin on "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" and "Hound Dog," while McKuen's original song "The Beat Generation" would inspire Richard Hell's "Blank Generation." Other satiric targets on the LP include exotica ("Noisy Village"), surf music ("Bingo," a riff on "Tequila" with McFadden as the bingo caller), and celebrity culture ("The Beverly Hills Telephone Directory Cha-Cha-Cha"). The original 1959 Brunswick album artwork has been recreated for this new reissue, and an insert features new liner notes by The Second Disc's Joe Marchese. It's all been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision and pressed on clear with orange pumpkin swirl vinyl limited to 750 copies. Two other versions are available: a natural with green-swirl vinyl limited to 100 copies and a super-limited Wax Mage purple and green vinyl pressing. Both are available on Real Gone's website.
Next up is a pair of B-movie soundtrack albums from Sean Bonniwell: 1970's Night of the Witches and 1971's The Day of the Wolves. Before briefly becoming a film composer, Bonniwell was the lead vocalist and songwriter for The Music Machine. Born in 1945, Bonniwell's career took off when the group formed in 1966, achieving success with their unique blend of pop and psychedelia. "Talk Talk" and "The People in Me" were among the group's songs.
The Music Machine's self-titled debut album, released in 1967, was well-received. However, internal tensions and shifting musical trends led to the group disbanding in 1969. Bonniwell then turned to other pursuits, including film composition. His score for Night of the Witches (an acid-tinged horror fantasy) features fuzz guitar, organ. and a funky backbeat. Bonniwell's score for The Day of the Wolves features guitar riffs and breakbeats.
Both scores are remastered from original sources and come in jackets featuring promotional artwork. Night of the Witches comes in three versions: an emerald green vinyl limited to 900 copies, an orange with green splatter vinyl limited to 100 copies, and a Wax Mage variant. The final two are available exclusively from Real Gone's website. The Day of the Wolves also comes in three versions, an orange and red vinyl limited to 900 copies, a splatter vinyl limited to 100 copies and Wax Mage variant. As before, those final two are available exclusively from Real Gone's website.
Real Gone is also reissuing both scores together on one CD, limited to 500 copies. The CD includes liner notes by reissue producer Alec Palao.
The final item in Real Gone's October Halloween line-up is the first-ever vinyl reissue of the soundtrack album to the 1985 film Stephen King's Silver Bullet. Directed by Dan Attias and based on King's 1983 novella Cycle of the Werewolf, the film stars Gary Busey, Corey Haim, and Everett McGill, who must battle a werewolf in Maine in 1976. The score, which blends orchestral and electronic music was written by Jay Chattaway. Chattaway has written several other film score and orchestrated for Maynard Ferguson but is probably best known for his work with the Star Trek franchise, having provided music for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.
Real Gone's reissue comes on scarlet and gray vinyl, limited to 600 copies. A Wax Mage variant is also available which can be purchased from Real Gone's website.
If you'd like to own any of these titles for your Halloween celebrations, we've got the full tracklistings and order links below. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Bob McFadden and Dor, Songs Our Mummy Taught Us (Originally release on Brunswick LP BL 754056, 1959 - reissued Real Gone Music 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
Side 1
- The Mummy
- The Sheik Of Araby (Shreik Of Agony-Cha Cha Cha)
- Sing Along With The Mummy (Shake, Rattle And Roll)
- I Dig You Baby
- Frankie And Igor At A Rock And Roll Party
- Noisy Village
Side 2
- Son Of The Mummy (More Sing Along With The Mummy)
- Hound Dog
- Bingo
- The Children Cross The Bridge - Colonel Bogey March
- The Beat Generation
- The Beverly Hills Telephone Directory Cha Cha Cha
Sean Bonniwell, Night of the Witches/Day of the Wolves (Original Motion Picture Soundtracks) (Real Gone Music, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
- Night of the Witches (Main Title)
- Man of Many Pleasures (vocal)
- Boat Rock
- Twenty-Five Grand
- Down to the Sky (vocal)
- Sagittarius Ascends
- Athena (Love Theme from Night of the Witches)
- Down to the Sky (reprise)
- Rosita
- Mama Was a Truck Driver (vocal)
- Cassandra
- Jupiter
- The Dance
- Gravedigger Blues
- A Levitation
- Me and God and You (vocal)
- Poison Nectar
- The Day of the Wolves (Main Title & Underscore)
- Increasing Tension
- Spanish Wolves
- Drum the Drum
- Night Time Sneak
- Wolf Jazz
- Creeping
- Desert Easy
- Gathering Storm
- The Day of the Wolves (Romantic Theme)
- Cook'n Wolves
- Frantic Rock Surprise
- Funky Wolves
- Blue Wolves (Part One)
- Show Shine Groove
- Blue Wolves (Part Two)
- Scratch & Hide
- Drums & Sneaky Vibes
- Carousel Insanity
- The Day of the Wolves (End Title)
Sean Bonniwell, Night of the Witches (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Real Gone Music, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
Side 1
- Night of the Witches (Main Title)
- Man of Many Pleasures (vocal)
- Boat Rock
- Twenty-Five Grand
- Down to the Sky (vocal)
- Sagittarius Ascends
- Athena (Love Theme from Night of the Witches)
- Down to the Sky (reprise)
Side 2
- Rosita
- Mama Was a Truck Driver (vocal)
- Cassandra
- Jupiter
- The Dance
- Gravedigger Blues
- A Levitation
- Me and God and You (vocal)
- Poison Nectar
Sean Bonniwell, The Day of the Wolves (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Real Gone Music, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
Side 1
- The Day of the Wolves (Main Title & Underscore)
- Increasing Tension
- Spanish Wolves
- Drum the Drum
- Night Time Sneak
- Wolf Jazz
- Creeping
- Desert Easy
- Gathering Storm
Side 2
- The Day of the Wolves (Romantic Theme)
- Cook'n Wolves
- Frantic Rock Surprise
- Funky Wolves
- Blue Wolves (Part One)
- Show Shine Groove
- Blue Wolves (Part Two)
- Scratch & Hide
- Drums & Sneaky Vibes
- Carousel Insanity
- The Day of the Wolves (End Title)
Jay Chattaway, Stephen King's Silver Bullet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Originally released on Varese Sarabande LP STV 81264, 1985 - reissued Real Gone Music, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)
Side 1
- Main Title
- The Hunt
- The Ball Game/The Chase
- Making the Silver Bullet
- Fight to the Finish
- The Bog
- Stella and the Beast
- Looking for Mr. One-Eye
Side 2
- On the Bridge/Night Escape
- Joy Ride
- The Reveal
- Teamwork/Milt's Greenhouse
- Marty's Apology
- Transformation/Finale/Joy Ride Reprise
Bill Scherer says
It's too bad that the Halloween goodies aren't produced as CD's. With such a limited of number being produced on vinyl it seems as though more people could buy them on CD which would seem to be a much more inexpensive way.
Robert Lett says
Put it on CD I don't even own a record player.