From the love-laden crooning ballads of Valentine’s Day to the boldly dogmatic odes of patriotism celebrating the 4th of July, all holidays carry their own audible flair. Yet despite an enormous volume of songs amassed over hundreds of years, holiday tunes seem one dimensional in the emotions they bring to the festivities. Except for Halloween of course. The international celebration of the dead is blessed with the expected spooky doom and gloom of songs like “Tubular Bells” (theme from The Exorcist) and The Misfits’ “Halloween,” as well as danceable, iconic tracks like “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.” As is the nature of this column, this week’s “Under Covers” pertains to both boo-riffic and goofy Halloween themed cover songs right here on OurStage!
The Queen of Blues: Koko Taylor
Films like The Blair Witch Project and Texas Chainsaw Massacre taught us to be wary of the sun setting over remote places. Similarly, Koko Taylor’s “Voodoo Woman”, off her 1975 release I Got What It Takes, is a standard blues jam depicting an eerily backwoods bayou woman with “a rabbit’s foot in her pocket and a toad frog in her shoe.” Those fortunate enough to see Taylor perform live before her passing earlier this year will be able to tell you that her voice was even bigger than her personality. Just one growl, and you understand why Voodoo Woman’s aura really is frightening enough to make “the sky cry.”
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Thankfully, this song has not gone unnoticed on OurStage. Though Half Pint Jennifer Tracy Kessler’s voice might not be as volcanic as Koko Taylor’s, she does a fine job staying near and dear to the original. The biggest difference is a more concentrated voice and, of course, a refurbished recording sound that sheds a clean, modern light on this underappreciated 34-year-old treasure. Oh, and the jazzy live version kicks ass too.
Talking Heads: Pyscho Killer(s)?
Far less magical but disturbingly more horrific is The Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” The theories behind this song’s meaning range from a first person account of a schizophrenic outsider to a soliloquy sprouting from Son of Sam killer David Berkowitz, all sung with a suspiciously convincing vocal articulation. But even if David Byrne is secretly a deranged bilingual psycho killer, the song has left a lasting bone chill since its mega-hit reception in 1977. Unfortunately, the song predates the dawn of MTV but, lucky for us, OurStage artist Clint Crisher has taken this mattersinto his own hands.
Clint Crisher: Escaped Psycho Killer!
Crishered merge the Talking Heads’ classic with a synthesized dance beat then made a music video. The video displays an escaped convict (prison suit and all) wandering around various parts of Hollywood with blurred vision and a raw voice, all adding to the effect of an uncomfortably estranged outsider.
Sheb Wooley: Accompanied by Purple People Eater on Horn
Back in the 50s, Halloween was more of a festive occasion for dressing up as something else, and if that something was scary, well, it was scary in a goofy sense. So it makes sense that songs like Sheb Wooley’s country hit “Purple People Eater” were so successful. The song is about a monster that eats purple people coming down from the sky and wanting to play in a rock ‘n’ roll band, runs in the same vein as “Monster Mash.” Fortunately for our monster friend, he was born with a (musical) horn in his head, so he’s all set. At the end of the story, the Purple People Eater is seen on TV playing some rockin’ tunes and “knockin’ em dead.” The Purple People Eater is still making rounds today, and has most recently landed on the face of planet OurStage, this time performed by Billy & The Rockets. Somehow, this rockabilly quartet managed to capture the same dated recording quality as the original 1958 recording. The soft harmonies, reliable guitar lick and even the “we wear short shorts” and “tequila” outbursts have all remained, making this carbon copy cover a true gem in the Halloween’s musical catalog.
The Purple People Eater made the background of this photo.
No Halloween would be complete without an appearance by a certain red-hot, pitchfork-carrying, horned character. Whether you believe the Devil is fact or fiction, there is no question that he will forever be the certified emblem of evil. Musically, Satan has made a number of appearances, both as a mythical threat and a legitimized character. Handshakes with the dark angel have become frequent themes, but is perhaps most famous in the Charlie Daniels’ Band’s “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
Tempting the Devil since 1979: The Charlie Daniels Band
In this 1979 smash hit, protagonist Johnny makes a bet with the Devil on which on of them is the best fiddle player in the world. Just as us mere mortals would have it, Johnny won and Lucifer wandered back down below with his tail between his legs. Of course, the real life Charlie Daniels is a virtuosic fiddle player, and his abundant talent is adequately displayed on the song.
Awarded a fiddle made of gold: INNERTUNE
OurStage group Innertune also took their chances with El Diablo, and similarly destroys their opponent. Most noticeably different from the original is the faster tempo, but Innertune also adds an effected bass line during the Devil’s performance making up for the absence of the funky guitar strum pattern. And the essential fiddle licks are just as good as ever.
Voodoo women, Psycho killers and Devils aside, don’t let this Halloween season pass you by without making the most of the mix tape opportunities! Whether you choose to jam out to Ray Parker Jr.’s classic “Ghostbusters” or shock rock to Marilyn Manson’s creepy crawly cover of “Halloween,” there is ample musical fun to be had by all on this year’s All Hallows Eve!
