Halloween Horrors of Modern Surf Rock

20 frightening instrumental tracks (well, perhaps the titles) of modern surf rock. A long story short - I've always loved classic surf rock (The Surfaris, Dick Dale, The Shadows, etc), but wasn't all that keen for the modern neo-surf music. It wasn't until I heard the Surfaholics' '95 album, "Tiki-A-Go-Go." And that's all it took to be hooked.

My favs? Not surprisingly, Surfaholics' "Frankensurfer" is my top fav. The Moon-Rays' "Transylvanian Boo-Ga-Loo (Java's Pad)" would probably be my second fav. A toss-up for third, either the Silver Hawks' "Fear City" or Evil Waves' "Death Waltz." Enjoy!

Spooky Septober 3! And Yet Another Pre-Halloween Bonus

I'm on a roll, lol. And once again, most tracks are rare. I don't recall any of them during my younger years save Buchanan & Goodman's "Frankenstein of '59." Eighteen tracks (plus a couple of sound effects), and all from the 60s except a couple of 50s tracks (aforementioned plus The Blue Echoes' "It's Witchcraft"), one early 70s (The Cords' "Ghost Power"), and The Monsters' "Skeleton Stomp" from the 90s. Enjoy!

Spooky Septober 2! Another Pre-Halloween Bonus

A second one for Septober. And more rarities galore. Well, I say they're rare because I don't recall hearing any of 'em during Halloween. This set is a mix of oldies, film themes, and scores. Favs? I guess I'll go with Roy Clark's (yep, that Roy Clark from Hee Haw) "Spooky Movies," the Kac-Ties' "Mr. Were-Wolf," and Joe Johnson's "Gila Monster." As for the themes/scores, John Corigliano's "First Transformation (Primordial Regression)" from the film, Altered States, is edgy. I also included an incidental piece from an old horror film (Island of Terror). The film and sound effects used to scare the crap out of us during our younger years. Enjoy!

Spooky Septober! A Pre-Halloween Bonus

Hey folks, sorry for the long delay... and what did I come back with? A Halloween mix already?!? This is a special mix that needs an explanation, done in point form...

- The file contains separate tracks as usual, plus the main all-in-one mix. The main mix is the first track. It contains all the bells & whistles (aka incidental cues, scores, narratives, silliness, etc), unlike the separate tracks. I've done this to appease the folks who prefer separate tracks as opposed to my intention. You can call this mix the best of both worlds 😀

- The last track/sound effect "The Most Terrifying Sound You've Ever Heard" (it's about 10 minutes long) is on the complete mix only, and not a separate track (so, I guess you don't get the complete best of both worlds after all 😀). Keep in mind that you may want to turn the volume down during playback. It's not like your typical haunted house theme but more like a constant white noise of whistles, screaming, etc, that increases in volume. I tell ya, if you want to scare the crap out of someone, it may work.

- All music from 50s & 60s, except one theme from the 70s. I may have added a partial theme/score from the 80s but don't recall. You'll have to listen to the complete mix to find out.

- The word Septober is not original, lol. I got it from a line in an awesome Paul Westerberg tune called 33rd of July. 

- Favorite tracks? All of 'em. Seriously, they need to be all good, imo of course. But, I'll name three - Alma Cogan's velvety "Mystery Street," Evans Carroll & The Tempos' "The Monster," and Don Hinson & The Rigamorticians' "Home in Castle East." Enjoy!

NOTE: For the sticklers, the correct cat# is SPM-H10. The cover in file has the wrong cat#. You can delete it, and just copy the cover (with correct #) from this post.

The Steamy Library 2: Sensuous

Many years back when blogs thrived, one particular blog (I no longer recall the name, and probably long gone by now) made a series of sexy lounge tracks. I must have really loved the idea because years later, I finally got around in doing my own series.

The first one was back in May of this year (you can find it here) and finally got around to a second. 16 tracks of sensual desire, or however direction it takes you. My favorite is Armando Trovaioli's instrumental version of "Searching for Something." Otto Sieben's "Soft Flute 1" is another fav. Unfortunately, it's a short track. Another big favorite is Syd Dale's "Dream Fantasy." Seriously, they're all good. Enjoy!

That's What She Said! Number Five Ladies!

It's the ladies again, and they sure know how to rock. Dani Sheridan's "Songs of Love" is my favorite. A big, big favorite! Lulu's "I'll Come Running Over" is another fav. Colette & The Bandits' "A Ladies' Man" is another worthy track. They are all good! 20 tracks in all, from '56 to '69. Enjoy!

Rockin' Rollin' Doo-Wop 2: Ooh Bop Sha Boo!

If one rockin' & rollin' doo-wop'n ain't enough, how about another round! 18 tracks in all, from 1954 to '64. My favs? The Cliques' "I'm in Love with a Girl" is probably my biggest fav in the mix. The Blue Chips' "Come Back" and The Dikes' "Light Me Up" are a couple more big favs. They're all good of course. Enjoy!

Soul Groovin' - Hip Burnin' Grooves [1965-75]

18 funky groovin' soul tracks. Several rare and plenty of unsung gems. My favs? Act I's "Goodbye Love (We're Through)," Marie "Queenie" Lyons' "Your Key Don't Fit It Anymore," and Archie Bell & The Drells' "Dancing to Your Music." Oh, can't forget Gunga Din's "Crabcakes." They're all good. Enjoy!

Awesome Downtime 20: Beginnings

It's been 4 months since the last "Downtime" mix. I think it's time for another. And here we are with the 20th edition. I'm sure I've mentioned this in previous editions, but I'm a stickler for the downtime mixes. I hope I'm still doing the series justice.

18 tracks, and no filler! Future Loop Foundation's "Another English Summer" is a big, BIG fav and you guessed it, my favorite in the mix. Joe Walsh's "Giant Bohemoth" is another big fav (I love Joe's instrumentals). Softy's "Bloom" and Towerz's "Loom" are another couple of big favs. As usual, they're all good. Enjoy!

Yacht On Some More! Best of 70s & 80s Smooth Sailing

Shortly after posting my break post, I started to squeeze in some extra time to work on a few mixes and before you know it, I'm back. Yeah I know, that wasn't much of a break. And here we are with the second yacht rock mix... I was going to just do that one mix of yacht rock but forgot to add my favorite Peter Frampton track - St. Thomas (Don't You Know How I Feel). I love that tune!

Like the previous mix, I based the majority of tracks from listening to streams. I'm not worried if some of the tracks don't quite fall into the genre (and I'm sure the streaming stations feel likewise) for it's all good. Enough of chatter...

I like this mix better than the first. As mentioned earlier, Frampton's St. Thomas is gold. Big, big fav. Other favs = Trooper's Santa Maria, and Stretch's Forget the Past. Also check out Chris Rainbow's tribute to Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), "Dear Brian." Enjoy!

Yacht On! Best of 70s & 80s Smooth Sailing

I was listening to various stations on the firestick and happened upon a few yacht-themed streams. While I was expecting the usual Christopher Cross and Michael McDonalds, instead they played a much broader scope of tracks. And those tracks would normally be tagged as soft rock but hey, if it fits, why not! And sensibly, the two genres can be interchangeable. I'm sure the purists stand an argument but to me, it's all about the music. And with that, I'd thought to make a mix or three of yacht tracks that are not the usual norm. 16 of 'em. My favs? The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' You Know Like I Know, Atlanta Rhythm Section's Alien, and Lava's 2.12 - they're all good. Enjoy!

That's What She Said! Vol. 4 (Those Rockin' Poppin' Ladies Are At It Again)

Finally, a new mix! I've been really busy this summer that time constraints have kept my (music) hobbies to a bare minimum. So anyway, I wanted to get off a new mix to keep the blog alive and well. And here we are, 20 tracks (I'd say the majority are rare) of poppin' rockin' ladies, from 1960's Jamie Horton's Robot Man to 69's Helen Shapiro's Take Me for a While. My top 3 favs you ask? You can't go wrong with Jean Thomas' Too Young to Be Yours, Billie Davis' Hands Off, and Gloria Scott & The Tonettes' I Taught Him. They're all good. I know I say that a lot, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy!

A Couple More Revised Editions [Oldies & Garage Rock]

Several of my older comps need to be revised (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc.).

>>> You Tickle Me Baby! 20 Tracks of Awesome Oldies 1951-1964

>>> The Other Side of 60s Garage Rock

[Revised Edition] Wash Away Your Shame with the Rain of "FUNK-A-LA!" Rare Funky Gems 1964-1976

Several of my older comps need to be revised (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc.). Today's edition found here (and not in this post) >>> Wash Away Your Shame with the Rain of "FUNK-A-LA!" Rare Funky Gems 1964-1976

[Revised Edition] Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I Like Funk, So Do You: Rare Funky Gems 1969-1975

Several of my older comps need to be revised (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc.). Today's edition found here (and not in this post) >>> Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I Like Funk, So Do You: Rare Funky Gems 1969-1975

[Revised Edition] Awesome Canadian Music You Should Check Out

Several of my older comps need to be revised (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc.). Today's edition found here (and not in this post) >>> Awesome Canadian Music You Should Check Out

Rock on Canada Trois! Between the Moons

All right you hard rockin' fans, another unsung collection. 18 tracks in all, over 70 minutes! And lots of rarities. Yes, rarities. Bands like Eighty Four (Ontario), Slow (Vancouver), Fictions (Ontario), Hammersmith (Alberta), and After All (British Columbia). I know what you're saying... Who?!? And of course, we can't have a Canadian rock mix without my favorite (Canadian) band - Max Webster, with 4 tracks! Two are big, big favs (In Context of the Moon, and Coming Off the Moon, hence the sub-title of mix "Between the Moons," (tracks) placed first and last respectively). Other notables (although they all are) are Pat Travers' Stand Up, Kim Mitchell's (the actual singer/songwriter/guitarist for Max Webster) Big Best Summer, and Coney Hatch's No Sleep Tonight. Enjoy!

A Daily Excursion at The Bachelor Pad 3: Walk and Talk

I'm probably repeating myself here but when I imagine a scenario with library/lounge music, it's normally an apartment get-together with a few suave James Bond type of dudes chatting it up with beauteous dudettes. I keep that image while listening through scores of library/lounge/exotica music to fit the scene. And, I only use music that I enjoy - it needs to be good, and no filler.

(Note: In future issues, I may add some "big" favorites used in other non-series mixes. Meanwhile, you may want to check them out (both have been revised) = 16 Groovin' & Rockin' Instro Library/Lounge Music from the '70s  and  16 More Groovin' & Rockin' Instro Library/Lounge Music from the '70s)

Walk and Talk, the third segment commences with Geoffrey Alderson's On Our Way and ends with Morricone's Secondo intermezzino pop. 20 tracks in all in less than an hour. My favs? All of 'em but to name just a few for noteworthy purposes - Klaus Weiss' Surge Action 2 with its similar intro-motif to Led Zep's Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. Franco Micalizzi's Vodka per due is another of notice. Just a nice overall feel-good tune. Giuliano Sorgini's With a Finger is that tune you'd hear in the background during all the chitter-chattering. And sad really because no one notices. Well, I do! And last but not least, the lengthiest track in the mix, Mario Molino's For Me. It's also the same deal as the latter. Anyway, they're all good. Enjoy!

[Revised Edition] 16 Various Degrees in Funk

 Several of my older comps need to be revised in a bad way (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc). Today's edition found here (and not in this post) >>> 16 Various Degrees in Funk

Rockin' Heavy, Hard & Steady 5: Surprise! Unsung 70s Hard Rock Scorchers Again

 And they keep hammering 'em out! This set begins with a track from my all-time favorite Canadian band - Max Webster. The track "Hangover" was also (or should say probably) the first track I've heard from the Max Machine. Max Webster used to tour with fellow mates, Rush. My older brother went to see one of their shows not knowing MW but only Rush. He said after MW played, he couldn't care less to stay for Rush. He was so moved that he purchased their debut, brought it home, and the rest is history.

Anyway, lots of rare tracks including Wicked Lady's epic, "War Cloud." Also, check out Pat Travers' awesome cover of "Statesboro Blues." 18 tracks this time. Enjoy!

That's What She Said! Those Poppin' Rockin' Ladies Again (Vol. 3)

 Lots more goodies, 20 of 'em. All 60s sans one 50s track. My favs? The first track - Janice Peters' This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'. Oh yeah, awesome track. Pat Harris & The Blackjacks' Hippy, Hippy Shake is another, and my favorite rendition. Marie Applebee's Down by the Sea (End of Summer) another goodie. They're all good. Enjoy!

[Revised Edition] The Hard Rock/Hair Metal/AOR: Unsung Melodylicious!

 Several of my older comps need to be revised in a bad way (better rips, proper tags, etc, etc). Today's edition can be found here (and not in this post) >>> The Hard Rock/Hair Metal/AOR Years: Unsung Melodylicious!

Rare Gems from the Gravel Pit 4: Hodgepodge 60s (Esses & Tees)

NOTE: Revised Edition! (actually, everything is the same except a new back cover (also added in the file) and new link)

A simple theme with this one. My favs? The American Breed's "Train on a One-Track Mind", 49th Parallel's "She Says," and The Cortinas' "Too Much in Love." I really love the latter. They're all good. Enjoy!

Rockin' Rollin' Doo-Wop: Ooo-Wee!

 When I first heard "Zoom" by The Starlighters years ago, I thought it was one of the most hard-rockin' doo-wop tunes ever released. Could there be more out there? Let's see...

20 tracks in all. From 1954 to '64. I relied heavily on a couple of sources for all the tracks. If you think doo-wop doesn't fall under the style or the genre, take it up with them and not me, lol. Anyway... my favs? Hmm, maybe The Five Crowns' "Popcorn Willie" or The Champions' "The Same Old Story." Enjoy!

Note: I really wanted to add Zoom, but cannot find a good file online with a clean rip. The one I have is 167kbps (?!? - now that's old, ripped from some long-gone program) but the source is rough. You can still hear the track on youtube here -> "Zoom" by The Starlighters  (btw, I still think Zoom is the heaviest doo-wop track)

Popcorn Mania 10: Do the Wobble!

 And here we are - ten volumes later. I never planned this at all. Well, that's the way it goes just like that saying - "Man who walks through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok" ... BA-DUM-TSS!

20 rare ditties from '56 to '65. My favs are Jane Baker's Boom-De-De-Boom, Little Jerry Williams' Let's Do the Wobble, and Lillian Vines' I Dreamed About My Baby Last Night. imo, all these tracks (not the artists) are rare. I know I've heard Dangerous Lips before, but not by The Drivers (their version on this set). Enjoy!

Shake 'em Up Sally and Let Your Bangs Hang Down! More Rakin' & Scrapin' Oldies!

 The first one was back in March 2022 (Shake 'em Up Sally and Let Your Bangs Hang Down! 20 Rakin' & Scrapin' Oldies!). I couldn't pass up on extending the mix title, so here we are with part two. 18 awesome & rockin' oldies from 1954 to '67. I don't have a particular fav but if put on the spot, I'll go with Willie Egan's brilliant "I Don't Know Where She Went," the Deep River Boys' "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie," and Leon Peels' "Cottonhead Joe." Plenty of jump-blues (Wynonie Harris, my favorite artist of the genre), rock & roll, and rhythm & blues. Enjoy!

The Steamy Library 1: Risqué

Back to the smoky, groovin' library of lounge. Oops, actually the sexy lounge. Otto Sieben's "Soft Popsound" is probably my favorite in the mix. Rovi's (aka Piero Umiliani) "Atmosphere" is another goodie. And another in Alan Moorhouse's "Heavy Bopper." As usual, there are all good. 16 tracks from '68 to '87. Enjoy!

Popcorn Mania 9: Again! Again!

 I'll share a little homemade secret for awesome popcorn... canola oil, nutritional yeast, and sea salt. I use a small pot and put enough oil to cover the bottom plus a wee bit more. Once finished popping, I dump the popcorn in a container and sprinkle a spoonful of nutritional yeast (it barely has a taste, but I use it for the B vitamins) and sea salt. That's it. Oh wait, this isn't a food blog haha...

Another volume of popcorn for all you fanatics. Favorites? I'll go with Jo Ann Campbell's A Kookie Little Paradise, The Drew-Vels' It's My Time (probably my #1 on this mix), and Dolly Lyon's Palm of Your Hand. They're all good. Enjoy!

[Revised Edition] Spooky Fun With Vic Mizzy

 I corrected an old mix. I didn't bother to bump the original post, hence search or click here (opens new tab) to updated post. Enjoy!

That's What She Said Too! More Poppin' Rockin' Ladies [1962-73]

The second installment. Plenty of rare stuff. Big favs in Margo & The Marvettes' This Heart Is Not for Sale, Josie and The Pussycats' Roadrunner, and The Vernons' Gettin' Together. They're all good. Enjoy!

Music Power! 1974 [U.S. Edition]

 22 Original Hits, 22 Original Stars

Last month, we had the Canadian K-Tel version, and now here's the US version. And the kicker is, not one repeated track between the two editions. There are a few repeat artists, but still a bonus regardless. And speaking of a bonus, I also included the lengthy album version of Barry White's I've Got So Much to Give. 22 23 tracks in all. Enjoy!

Ain't Nothin' but a Funky Party!!

 And it sure is. Plenty of rare funk too. From '67 to '76, 18 tracks in all. My favs? All of 'em! Check out Ann Sexton's You're Losing Me, Stormy's The Devastator, and Ripple's A Funky Song. Yeah, they'd probably be my top favs. Enjoy the funk!

A Daily Excursion at The Bachelor Pad 2: Joys to Come

Finally, the second installment. I think it was almost a year ago when I mentioned doing a series, and forgot about it haha. 20 tracks for all you swingin' bachelor/bachelorettes... okay, all you betrotheds and married folks too.

My favorite tracks? Vytas Brenner's La Sabana. LOVE that track! O.B. Masingill's Cool Move is also cool too. The tune reminds me of the theme from the original Odd Couple tv show. Also love the smooth groove in Nino Nardini's Saint-Trop. Anyway, they are all good tunes. Relax, sit comfortably in your ball & egg chair, and enjoy!

That's What She Said! '60s Pop & Rockin' Ladies!!!

I've had that title stuck in my head and finally made use of it. Yes I know, unoriginal. Anyway, a few well known tracks and several "I don't recall hearing that on the radio" tunes. My favs? I'll go with Jean Wells' Can't You Feel It (from '68), and Pat Hunt's You Are My First Love (from '62). And lately, I've been enjoying The Ad Libs' The Boy from New York City, especially that I didn't care for it the last half century. Enjoy!

Rare Gems from the Gravel Pit 1: 1967

NOTE: Revised Edition!

Prologue: I was going to write a song and dance about the selection process but decided to just let the music do the talking. Of course, a personal anecdote would be pleasing, imo. As a matter of fact, I should be gnawing away on my left foot because quips/narratives are one of the important requisites I search for in blogs, et al. And yet, why don't I do the same?!? I don't have an excuse. Perhaps there are only a few of us that still long for a personal exemplum to widen our scope of notions to the timbres from the music. I don't know. And here I am writing a song and dance... lol.

In this series (RGFRGP), not all will be garage-rockers. Enjoy!

Rockin' Heavy, Hard & Steady 4: Another 70s Hard Rock Unsung Scorchers

Red hot! I'd say several tracks are rare. I don't think the general listener have heard of Wiggy Bits, Crazy Louie, Alpha Centauri, Whichwhat, etc. But you will if you give this a listen. Enjoy!

Awesome Downtime 19: Rainbow Daze

And once again, another volume. The first track (Santerna's Around Again) is a big fav. Maduk's Believe (Logistics remix) and Guardians of Dalliance's Blue Green goes way back to my 'downtime' time. Enjoy!