On Their Latest Singles, The Midnight Callers and Gene Champagne Rock On By Looking Back

A pair of finely crafted musical confections from the 1960s and 70s come to life again on the latest singles from New York's The Midnight Callers and Canada's own Gene Champagne. Let's kick things off with The Midnight Callers, who are a New York based quartet that combine rock, power pop, glam and punk into an electrifying musical melange on songs like "41 Miles To Roscoe," "Baby Let Me Be," and "Without Ya." They've released two terrific albums, Red Letter Glow and Rattled Humming Heart. Their latest single is a fabulous cover of The Bay City Rollers 1976 hit "Saturday Night," available now on JEM Records.

The band revs up this 1970s tune and makes it their own, turning the Rollers 1976 classic into a glorious rock/pop rave-up! The single features stellar work by Martin Stubbs on guitar and vocals, Marley Myrianthopolous on bass and keyboards, and Julien Budrino on drums and baguettes. There's also a guest appearance from the amazing Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds on vocals. Reil also mixed and mastered this phenomenal track. This infectious version of "Saturday Night," amps up the melodic energy and power pop vibes inherent in the song, and will most definitely have you singing along. "Saturday Night" is liable to get stuck in your head every day of the week! Here's a link to the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r1-W8ZfiuM.

Gene Champagne is a drummer and vocalist who's best known as a founding member of The Killjoys, as well as for his work with the influential punk band Teenage Head. A longtime staple of the Canadian music scene, he stepped out from behind the drum kit in 2024 and released Let's Jet, a solo EP featuring a quartet of rock, power pop and punk-fueled tunes, including "Shake Some More." Champagne's latest single reaches back into the bubblegum pop archive: it's his stellar rendition of the 1968 Ohio Express hit, "Yummy Yummy Yummy."

Champagne takes that sunny pop hit from the 1960s and gives it a bit of a power-punk makeover, with smashing guitars and thunderous drums piled on top of his phenomenal lead vocal. It's a sensational version of the song, which makes this vintage tune sound fresh, but Champagne never loses sight of the pop genes infused into the original. You can find out more about Gene and his music at his bandcamp page: https://genechampagne1.bandcamp.com/. Here's a link to this marvelous track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Z0kIZTuGs.

 

Some Fabulous "Clues" From The Grip Weeds

The Grip Weeds, the supremely talented psychedelic rock/pop outfit from New Jersey, have just issued a new EP, Early Clues. This release is absolutely cause for celebration by longtime fans of the band, a group which includes this writer. Early Clues gives us a tantalizing glimpse into the future, since the band is hard at work prepping a new record that's set to be released later this year, and the EP features three songs from that disc. That upcoming album is titled Soul Bender, and if the tracks included on Early Clues are any indication, then Soul Bender is going to be yet another top-notch effort from this magnificent band.

The EP features a trio of phenomenal tracks, all of which showcase the band's affinity for a variety of musical genres, including rock, pop, modern rock and power pop. "Flowers For Cynthia" is a glorious slice of psychedelia, topped with a healthy dollop of baroque pop. The tune's 1960s ambience is imbued with sublime vocals and groovy guitars, evoking the sounds of bands like The Beatles, The Left Banke and The Zombies. Co-written with David Wojciechowski of the Insomniacs, it's a track that's very much in the band's multi-genre wheelhouse.
 
Also included on Early Clues is "Column Of Air," a joyous paen to the creative process, which would fit neatly onto a retro themed modern rock playlist. The song is filled with positive emotions and ethereal vibes, and features inspired work from the entire band, whose lineup includes Kurt Reil on drums and vocals, Kristin Pinell Reil on lead vocals and guitar, Rick Reil on keyboards, guitar and vocals, and Dave DeSantis on bass. Finally, there's "Conquer and Divide," which allows the group to indulge their love of garage rock on a boisterous tune that's spiced up with a bit of punk rock attitude.
 
All of the songs on Early Clues effectively display the love that The Grip Weeds feel for these classic genres, and their mastery at creating new music that not only celebrates them, but takes them in new directions, combining psychedelic rock, power pop, and modern rock. I'm really looking forward to checking out Soul Bender when it's released later this year, and hearing what other musical gems the band has in store for us. For more on The Grip Weeds and Early Clues, head over to https://www.gripweeds.com/ or https://jemrecordings.com/.

Johnny J. Blair's Groovy, Evocative "Street"

Johnny J. Blair is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as The Monkees, Buddy & Julie Miller and Al Stewart. He's also released terrific albums such as Door in The Water and Grateful. Blair's eclectic sound encompasses soul, pop, rock, jazz, and world music. He recently re-released his 2011 album I Like The Street, and this superb disc is a prime example of his eclectic talents.

 The disc kicks off with the title track, a percussive blast of rock and roll that amply displays Blair’s gifts as a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist. 

That electrified opener is followed up by Blair’s fantastic version of The Velvet Underground track, “What Goes On.” Then there’s the very cool “If I Could Dress Like Clive Owen,” a Blair original that’s got deep 1960s vibes, which features stellar work from Bret Alexander on guitar and Ron Simasek on drums. That dynamic duo is part of an amazing group of players helping Blair out on the disc, including Tim Breon on guitar, Keith Kavanough on drums, Mike Garson on piano, and Felipe Torres on percussion.

I Like The Street is filled with incredible tunes, including the groovy spoken word tale “Big Town Winding Down,” and the mournful “Kept On Walking (Pivotal Moments In Time).” The 80s tinged ballad “Even In The Night,” and the 1950s-esque “Night Garden” (which features some exquisite piano work from Garson) have a Latin flavor that brings atmosphere and color to both songs. If you're looking to get your secret agent fix, check out "Spying In Barcelona." Of course, no self-respecting rocker could resist the chance to really rock out a bit, and the high-energy, penultimate track “Love That’s Here To Stay” fits the bill nicely.

These evocative songs are Blair’s deeply felt stories of love, loss and redemption, based on his personal experiences, and the people he observed, while living and working in San Francisco. There’s not a false note on this remarkable album. If you’re looking to discover a new artist whose music you can dive into and truly experience, Johnny J. Blair’s I Like The Street is a great place to start. For more on Johnny J. Blair, aka the “Singer At Large,” and to check out his music, head over to his bandcamp page at https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/.

An Eclectic Avenue Top Ten: 2025 Edition

Here's a roundup of the Eclectic Avenue Top Ten. These are the most visited articles at the blog for the last twelve months.

1. Dizzyfish: My review of a terrific concert by the amazing local band Dizzyfish takes the top spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/06/dizzyfish-rocks-with-best-of-1970s.html.

2. Marvin Etzioni: My look at Marvin Etzioni's fantastic 2020 release, What's The Mood of the Country Now? vaults into the number two spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/11/etzonis-whats-mood-is-exceptional.html.

3. Driftless Girl: Moving into the top ten in at number three, my review of the talented Grey DeLisle's 2024 release, Driftless Girl: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/03/grey-delisles-remarkable-driftless-girl.html.

4. Nick Piunti: My look at Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men's 2024 disc takes the number four spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2024/10/piuntis-latest-shines-with-power-pop.html.

5. The Magnificent Seven: A long-time resident of the top ten, this look at the 1960 Western classic moves into the number five spot on the list this year: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/04/eli-wallach-vs-magnificent-seven.html

6. The Tearaways: My review of a wonderful album by The Tearaways slides into the number six spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-fabulous-trick-from-tearaways.html.

7. Jacques Tourneur: A look back at the work of a celebrated film director clinches number seven: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/05/jacques-tourneurs-world-of-shadows.html.

8. The Changeling: A classic ghost story featuring George C. Scott materializes at number eight: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2018/02/what-is-secret-of-changeling.html.

9. Made For TV Terror: My look at the classic made for TV chiller Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark stays in the top ten at number 9: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/02/you-can-still-be-afraid-of-dark.html.

10. Some Came Running: A review of one of Dean Martin's finest performances rounds out the top ten for the past year: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1682743027095228958/1975430451169944074.

Thanks for your support of Eclectic Avenue since the blog started back in 2011! Please use the search function on the right side of the main page to check out some of the other articles on the site! Thanks for reading!

Retro Mystery Movie: Murder By Decree

Christopher Plummer & James Mason

Sherlock Holmes has investigated some difficult cases, but in 1979's Murder By Decree, he tries to solve one of the greatest mysteries of all: the identity of Jack The Ripper. The film is one of the better big screen Holmes adventures, thanks in large part to the strong direction by Bob Clark, and outstanding performances from Christopher Plummer as Holmes and James Mason as Dr. Watson. There's also an all-star supporting cast, including Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, Anthony Quayle and John Gielgud. 

A series of grisly murders is plaguing Whitechapel, and Scotland Yard is having difficulty apprehending the perpetrator, or even producing any leads on the killer. When Holmes joins the hunt for the man nicknamed "Jack The Ripper," he finds his investigation blocked at every turn. Eventually, the consulting detective becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving the police, the Freemasons and even the hallowed halls of the British government. Could Jack The Ripper have ties to the Royal Family? If Holmes uncovers the truth, will he be putting both his and Watson's lives in danger?

Murder By Decree is an atmospheric, well-mounted thriller. The cast is excellent across the board, but Plummer and Mason take top honors for their amazing work as Holmes and Watson. They have wonderful chemistry, and both actors bring warmth and conviction to their interpretations of these iconic characters. Plummer is especially good in a moving scene with Genevieve Bujold as Annie Crook, who's an unfortunate victim of the conspiracy that hopes to conceal the Ripper's true identity. He is also first-rate in a scene at the end of the film where he confronts representatives of the government regarding the truth about the Ripper mystery.

Holmes had faced off against Jack The Ripper once before on cinema screens, in the 1965 thriller A Study In Terror, an almost Hammer-style take on the story. Murder By Decree's solution to the Ripper's identity, which posits that the killer may have had a connection to the royal family, was an idea much in vogue at the time of the film's release. That theory has since fallen out of favor, but that doesn't take away from the fact this is an exciting, well-produced Holmes adventure. In addition to the wonderful cast, the direction by Bob Clark is stellar. The talented and eclectic Clark also helmed films as diverse as Deathdream, Black Christmas, Porky's and A Christmas Story.

Murder by Decree wasn't the only Ripper tale released to theaters in 1979. Time After Time, written and directed by Nicholas Meyer, features H.G. Wells (played by Malcolm McDowell) facing off against Jack The Ripper (portrayed by David Warner) in a time travel tale which brings both men to present-day San Francisco. It's a delightful movie which also features Mary Steenburgen in an an early role. Time After Time is an enjoyable science-fiction adventure, and would make a great double feature with Murder By Decree. By the way, Meyer has also penned several Holmes novels, including The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, which was filmed by director Herbert Ross in 1976. Both Murder By Decree and Time After Time have been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and are available on various streaming services.

A Fateful Train Ride with "Dr. Terror"

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors

Horror films have found great success using the anthology format throughout the years, with multi-story productions ranging from the 1964 Japanese chiller Kwaidan, the made for TV classic Trilogy of Terror (1975) and the 1982 favorite Creepshow spinning multiple tales of terror across movie and television screens. One company whose name became synonymous with the horror anthology was Amicus Productions, formed in 1962 by producers Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg, who had previously collaborated on the 1960 film Horror Hotel (aka City of the Dead). Their initial offerings were the low budget musicals It's Trad, Dad (1962) and Just for Fun (1963), both of which were quite successful in the UK. It's Trad, Dad (1962) was the big-screen debut of director Richard Lester, who went on to helm A Hard Day's Night.

Subotsky was a long-time fan of the horror genre, and one of his favorites was Dead of Night (1945), a well-regarded British film which featured five tales of the supernatural. After working as a writer on the TV series Lights Out, he decided to pen his own horror anthology, and had originally planned to produce a weekly show featuring eerie tales of terror. That project later became the Amicus film Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, a 1965 thriller starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Michael Gough. In the film, Cushing portrays Dr. Schreck (aka Dr. Terror), a mysterious man who joins five others aboard a train which is heading from London to the town of Bradley. It's a train ride that none of them are ever going to forget!

To pass the time on their journey, Dr. Schreck offers to use his tarot cards to foretell the future of his fellow passengers. This leads to five offbeat and eerie tales of werewolves, killer vines, voodoo, vampires, and a vengeful disembodied hand. What the passengers don't know is that their fates have already been sealed, and there's a lot more to Dr. Schreck than meets the eye. Though the individual stories vary in quality, the movie is a lot of fun. Cushing, Lee, and Gough are all terrific in their roles, and there are some other familiar faces in the cast as well, including Bernard Lee (best known as "M" in the James Bond series) and Donald Sutherland, who was just at the beginning of his long career. The movie was directed by Freddie Francis, the celebrated cinematographer of The Innocents (1961) and The Elephant Man (1980), who also helmed a number of horror films for both Amicus and Hammer in the 1960s and 1970s

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors set the tone for six other anthology films released by Amicus, including The House That Dripped Blood (1970), Tales From The Crypt (1972), and The Vault of Horror (1973). While the studio released a number of full-length science-fiction, fantasy and horror films, including The Skull (1965), Scream and Scream Again (1970), and The Land That Time Forgot (1974), they were best known for their anthology movies, which always featured all-star casts, including actors like Joan Collins, Ralph Richardson, Donald Pleasance, and future Drs. Who Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. Dr. Terror's House of Horrors is available to stream on services such as Tubi, and has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray. Here's a look at the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpfRzcOFnwA.

Retro Holiday TV: The Messiah on Mott Street

Tony Roberts & Edward G. Robinson

Night Gallery, created and hosted by Rod Serling, ran for three seasons on NBC in the early 1970s. The anthology series generally featured tales of horror and the supernatural, with a touch of murder and madness thrown into the mix. While he didn't have the same amount of creative control he enjoyed on The Twilight Zone, Serling managed to contribute some of Night Gallery's finest episodes, including the elegiac "They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar" and the sentimental holiday tale, "The Messiah on Mott Street." A holiday story on the macabre and eerie Night Gallery? Well, let's remember that Serling also penned the classic Christmas episode "Night of the Meek," featuring Art Carney, for The Twilight Zone.

"The Messiah on Mott Street," is the story of Abraham Goldman, an older gentleman who's critically ill, but hasn't lost his strength of spirit. His grandson Mikey lives with him in an apartment in a somewhat shabby New York neighborhood. Abraham's doctor, Morris Levine, believes that he should be admitted to the hospital, but the stubborn Mr. Goldman doesn't want to leave his home. He feels that Mikey might get taken away from him by social services if he's unable to care for the boy any longer. The old man is also waiting for a check from his brother, who owes him a considerable amount of money, which he feels will improve their situation.

Abraham is visited by an apparition he believes is the Angel of Death, but he refuses to accompany the specter of darkness to the other side. He tells Mikey that they need to find the Messiah, who will restore his health and help them in their desperate situation. Mikey goes out into the streets to locate the Messiah, encountering an ersatz Santa Claus and a doom-spouting religious fanatic, before a man named Buckner rescues him from the frightening zealot. Mikey, believing Buckner to be the Messiah, brings him home, only to discover that his grandfather's condition has deteriorated. Dr. Levine fears Abraham may not survive the night. Is the mysterious Buckner really the Messiah, and will the elder Goldman be saved?

"The Messiah on Mott Street" is a fabulous episode, featuring excellent performances from Edward G. Robinson as Abraham, Tony Roberts as Dr. Levine, Yaphet Kotto as Buckner and Ricky Powell as Mikey. The script is terrific, featuring some wonderful dialogue in the humanist style which Serling is often celebrated for, including a marvelous exchange between Roberts and Kotto in Goldman's apartment. Much like his later work as Sol in Soylent Green, Robinson brings real dignity to the character of Abraham, and shares some poignant scenes with Powell as Ricky, and Roberts as Dr. Levine, who still makes house calls! The episode was directed by Don Taylor, who also helmed Escape From The Planet of the Apes, and Damien: Omen II. 

"The Messiah on Mott Street," was originally paired with a second entry entitled "The Painted Mirror," and broadcast as part of Night Gallery's second season during 1971-72. This is one of my favorite episodes of the series, and it could really be classified as both a Christmas and Hanukah tale. It's one of Serling's finest latter day stories, featuring his penchant for celebrating the best aspects of humanity through tales of downtrodden characters who are gifted with small, but often memorable moments in their lives that some folks might even refer to as miracles. The hopeful finale brings to mind some of his strongest work for The Twilight Zone, and this exceptional story is worth a watch, especially during the holiday season.

If you're looking to check out "The Messiah on Mott Street," or some of the other episodes of Night Gallery, Amazon has the show available to stream, though there is a charge to view the series, even for Prime members. Additionally, the show has been issued on DVD, and Kino Lorber video has released the series on Blu-ray in remastered editions, featuring insightful commentaries for every episode by genre experts like Tim Lucas, Kim Newman, Gary Gerani and Amanda Reyes, and filmmakers such as Guillermo Del Toro, who does the honors for "The Messiah on Mott Street."