A JEM Records Christmas with The Weeklings and Lisa Mychols & Super 8

Have you finished that last minute shopping yet? Are the decorations up? Then it's time to sit back and queue up some classic Christmas music: maybe you'll kick things off with A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector? Or perhaps one of the Very Special Christmas compilations, or maybe even Bruce Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town?" If you need some new rock and roll Christmas music to listen to, look no further than a pair of delightful new holiday singles from a pair of artists on JEM Records. The Weeklings, the Beatles-inspired, power pop infused quartet, who recently released a superb album, The Weeklings Live! have issued a new holiday song entitled "Christmas Day." Written by Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger, aka Lefty and Zeek Weekling, the song follows in the tradition of their previous Christmas releases, such as "Gonna Be Christmas," which was featured in an episode of the CW series, Supergirl. The Bob Dylan inspired "Christmas Day" combines the witty stylings and ironic tone of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" with the festive spirit of the holidays. It's a unique and inspired tune, a rockin' holiday song, and it sounds fantastic. Check out the video for "Christmas Day" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2vAhRYN42A. Lisa Mychols and Super 8, who like The Weeklings, recently contributed a song to the excellent tribute album JEM Records Celebrates Brian Wilson, offer up a wonderful new holiday tune entitled "A Very Merry Christmas." The single features an absolutely gorgeous vocal performance from Mychols, and sterling work from Super 8, aka British musician and songwriter Paul "Trip" Ryan. It's a marvelous song that absolutely radiates joy and positive vibes. Mychols & Super 8 are both longtime veterans of the indie pop/rock music scene, and the talented duo is working on a new album that will be released on JEM Records in 2022. I'm really looking forward to hearing that record. "A Very Merry Christmas" is an ebullient gem of a song, produced by JEM Records head honcho Marty Scott, and it's very much in the style of the classic Phil Spector Wall of Sound. If there's any justice in the world, it'll become a rock and roll holiday standard! "A Very Merry Christmas" was just named a Coolest Song In The World on Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show on Sirius XM. Here's a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SPF-ryzuUM. Both "Christmas Day" by The Weeklings and "A Very Merry Christmas" by Lisa Mychols & Super 8 are available now from JEM Records.

Retro TV Fright Film: Fear No Evil

Louis Jourdan & Lynda Day

There have been a lot of eerie, supernatural themed small screen series and movies throughout television history, including Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Charmed, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. However, the stalwart heroes and heroines of those shows weren't the first occult investigators to grace the small screen. Back in the early to mid 1970s, Kolchak: The Night Stalker battled monsters, vampires and werewolves in a pair of TV movies and a short-lived (but much beloved) series, and Gary Collins starred as Dr. David Rhodes, a parapsychologist, in The Sixth Sense, which ran for two seasons on ABC. Those shows were pre-dated by one of television's first occult investigators, Dr. David Sorrell, portrayed by Louis Jourdan in a pair of telefilms which aired on NBC, 1969's Fear No Evil and 1970's Ritual of Evil.

Fear No Evil tells the story of Paul Varney, who buys an antique mirror that has a strange effect on him. After attending a party at the home of psychologist Dr. David Sorrell, Paul and his fiancé Barbara are involved in a car accident in which he is killed. Barbara survives, but winds up in the hospital. She moves in with Paul's mother, but that creepy mirror has quite the hold on her, as Barbara sees an apparition of her dead fiancé in the mirror. The evil doppelgänger wants Barbara to join him on the other side. What's the secret of the mirror? Is Paul's friend and co-worker, Miles Donovan, involved in his death in some way? As Barbara begins to lose her grip on reality, it's up to Dr. Sorrell, who has some experience investigating supernatural events, to solve the mystery and help her.

The movie is atmospheric, chilling and fairly intense for its time. If you're a fan of well-mounted tales of the supernatural, you will really enjoy Fear No Evil. The teleplay for the film was written by Richard Alan Simmons, based on a story by prolific author Guy Endore. The wonderful cast features Bradford Dillman as Paul, Lynda Day (George) as Barbara, and Wilfrid Hyde-White as Dr. Sorell's mentor, Harry Snowden. Louis Jourdan is terrific as Sorrell, and there's a fantastic performance from Carroll O'Connor as Miles Donovan. If you only know O'Connor from his role as Archie Bunker on All in the Family, you may be quite surprised at his work in the film. He's terrific in the movie. There are also some familiar faces featured in supporting roles, including Katharine Woodville (who played Natira in the classic Star Trek episode "For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky") and Marsha Hunt, who's icily effective in the role of Paul's mother.

Fear No Evil has an offbeat visual style, courtesy of cinematographer Andrew J. McIntyre, a top-notch score by veteran composer Billy Goldenberg, and solid direction by television veteran Paul Wendkos, who also helmed the big-screen thriller The Mephisto Waltz. The film was intended as a pilot for a weekly series titled Bedeviled that would have followed Jourdan's character as he investigated supernatural events plaguing his patients. Sadly, the series never materialized, but a sequel, Ritual of Evil, followed in 1970, which featured Dr. Sorell, once again played by Jourdan, looking into the terrifying events centered around a young heiress, which seem to be work of a powerful witch. It's another excellent thriller, and well worth watching. Both films are available on a double-feature Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, and there are audio commentaries for both movies by writer Gary Gerani, author of Fantastic Television, one of the first (and best) reference works centered on classic genre shows. Here's the trailer for Fear No Evil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfhvzFcWSVY.

Peter Jackson Helps The Beatles Get Back

I'm a lifelong fan of The Beatles. While I was too young to experience that first rush of Beatlemania (I was just seven years old when they broke up), I loved their music as soon as I heard it. Their albums were the first records I bought with my own money, and like many ardent fans, I enjoyed following their solo careers while reading the many books about the band, and snapping up any archival releases of their music. One of the most elusive titles in the Beatles pantheon is the 1970 film, Let It Be. The project grew out of Paul's desire to get the band back to their roots, and ease some of the tensions that had surfaced during recent projects, most notably during the sessions for The White Album. The original plan was for the band to give a live performance, featuring new songs, which ultimately could be broadcast as a TV special. Cameras would also follow the group as they worked on and recorded the songs for their new album.

Let It Be, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg (who had helmed several video clips for the band, including "Rain" and "Revolution") turned out to be a record of a band that was breaking apart. The film had some positive moments, including the now legendary rooftop concert that climaxed the movie, but Let It Be has historically been viewed by many as a documentary of the end of The Beatles, despite the fact that they rallied soon after working on the project to record their final album, the classic Abbey Road. Long unavailable on home video, except for bootlegs, the footage used for the film has been resurrected in a new form by director Peter (Lord of the Rings) Jackson, entitled Get Back. Jackson (an avid Beatles fan) was given unprecedented access to 60 hours of video and 150 hours of audio from the original sessions. He and his team spent close to four years working on the project, restoring the video and audio, and editing never before seen footage into a new documentary comprehensively covering the Let It Be sessions.

Get Back was originally planned to be a theatrical film, but the project ultimately became a three-part, eight-hour miniseries, which is now available for streaming on Disney+. The film is nothing short of astonishing. If you only know Let It Be from the muddy clips seen in other Beatles documentaries or  bootleg versions of the film, you'll be blown way by the incredible quality of the video and audio here. The other invaluable take-away you'll get from watching Get Back is that while there were tensions among the band members during this time, there are also moments in the film which illustrate the deep love the band still had for one another, and the remarkable creative chemistry the group shared. Just look at the scenes where Paul and John are work on the lyrics to "Get Back," bouncing off one another, and feeding off each other's energy. It's a startling contrast to moments like the often referenced tiff between Paul and George regarding the latter's guitar playing. Even that infamous scene (and George's temporary exit from the group) gains additional relevance and meaning in Get Back, which shows that The Beatles were still a band of brothers, despite their squabbling. 

The film also shows The Beatles clowning around and jamming on oldies like Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music," songs they'd played in their earliest days as a band at marathon shows in Hamburg, and at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. It's evident from the discussions seen in Get Back that the group (who had stopped touring in 1966) realized that while they had become wizards in the studio and pioneered new recording techniques on albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, they weren't sure if they could cut it as a live band anymore. It's clearly evident that in some form, they longed for a return to those simpler days, when it was just the four of them rocking out, and they weren't the world-renowned and instantly recognized band they had become. Several times during discussions about how they can pull of a live show, people in the band's circle, including Lindsay-Hogg and engineer Glyn Johns, remark that The Beatles "belong to the world now," something I think the group was a little uncomfortable with, since they really wanted to just jam and play together, like the old days. Just watch the sheer delight that shines on their faces a couple of songs into the rooftop concert sequence, as everything clicks into place.

Watching Get Back is a revelatory experience.With an almost eight-hour running time, it may be a bit much for the casual viewer, but true Beatles fans will really enjoy the film. The previously unseen performances (the group is shown working on early versions of songs like "Carry That Weight" and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer," (both of which would end up on Abbey Road) and the snippets of songs that would end up on solo albums by the band, including Paul's "Back Seat of My Car" and George's All Things Must Pass" are a lot of fun to watch, and even the tense moments between the group (while sometimes difficult to view) are given more context in the longer running time afforded in the documentary. What's undeniable from viewing the film is that these four men truly loved each other, and they were an absolutely terrific band, who made music that changed not just rock and roll, but the world. Get Back reminds us why we love The Beatles, and gives us a well-rounded portrait of the band not only as uber-talented musicians, but also as human beings. That is an invaluable accomplishment, and thanks to Peter Jackson and his crew, we have a new appreciation for, and a fresh perspective on, The Beatles and their enduring legacy. Here's a link to the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auta2lagtw4.

The Grip Weeds Unearth 1960s Rock Gems

Garage rock and psychedelic rock are genres which continue to have strong appeal for a legion of fans. Thanks to the advent of digital music platforms like Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius XM, and a host of CD and vinyl re-issues of music from the 1960s, songs from the era are being re-discovered by longtime devotees, and heard for the first time by appreciative younger listeners. The Grip Weeds, a New Jersey based psychedelic pop/rock band, recently released DiG, an album featuring the band’s unique interpretations of music from the era. The band has been a long-time staple of the indie rock, psyche-pop and power pop scene since their formation in the late 1980s. DiG is the group’s way of celebrating the music that inspired them, and showcasing their compelling interpretations of songs like “Porpoise Song” by The Monkees and “Shape of Things to Come” by The Yardbirds.

DiG is a superb record, featuring a wide-ranging selection of tunes, including FM radio staples like “Journey to the Center of the Mind,” originally by The Amboy Dukes, to lesser known nuggets like “I Wonder” by The Gants. In fact, “nuggets” is a key word here, since that was the title of a now legendary 1972 collection of garage rock and psychedelic music curated by Lenny Kaye. In a nice bit of symmetry, Kaye provides the liner notes for DiG. The album is truly a celebration of the garage rock and psychedelic eras. DiG is filled with nuggets, gems, and unearthed treasures, from “I Love You” by The Zombies to Thunderclap Newman’s anthem “Something in the Air.” Familiar and much beloved tracks like "Lies" by The Knickerbockers sit comfortably next to lesser known (but incredible) songs such as “Lie, Beg, Borrow and Steal” by Mouse and The Traps. Check out the band's outstanding version of that song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2_4Fb8dvAQ&list=OLAK5uy_k1REZLxeU9ELFvJ1SbsLLjlA_ZlVqKyeA&index=5.

The album is magnificently produced by guitarist and singer Kurt Reil, whose fine work gives these songs immersive depth and real atmosphere. The band is in outstanding form, and the unbridled enthusiasm of Reil and his bandmates Kristen Pinell Reil on guitars, percussion and vocals, Rick Reil on vocals, guitar and keyboards, and Dave DeSantis on bass is evident on every track. It’s hard not to smile, dance around the room and play air guitar when you hear the band’s charged up versions of “Louie, Go Home” by Paul Revere and the Raiders, ”Outside Chance” by The Turtles, or "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night” by The Electric Prunes. DiG’s sound runs the gamut from the band's joyful interpretation of “Little Black Egg” (a track included on the deluxe edition of the album) to standout versions of The Velvet Underground’s “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” and The Rolling Stones track “Child of the Moon.” DiG is an album filled with high water marks, and essential cuts.

If you’re looking for even more to “DiG” the album is available in a two-disc deluxe version, which includes eleven additional songs. There’s also a very special edition of the album featuring a third disc entitled A Deeper DiG, which is available exclusively via the band’s website. A Deeper DiG includes a collection of wonderful rarities, including early live performances, demos and a radio appearance by the band. DiG is clearly a passion project for The Grip Weeds, and I look forward to hearing their next disc of original music, as I'm sure working on this album has energized the band. You can check out DiG, which is now available on JEM records at https://www.gripweeds.com. For more on the creation of DiG, check out my interview with Kurt Reil over at CultureSonar by following this link: https://www.culturesonar.com/the-grip-weeds-dig-some-cool-covers/, and here's a link to a trailer for the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Vtf-SgibQ.

"Kolchak's Coming Back...In Style!"

The 1970s was a great decade for TV horror fans. The genre flourished in the made for television movie genre with films like Trilogy of Terror, Gargoyles, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, and of course, The Night Stalker. Based on a novel by Jeff Rice, the now-classic 1972 telefilm told the story of a vampire-like killer on the loose in Las Vegas, and the efforts of a down on his luck reporter named Carl Kolchak to convince the authorities that the killer actually was a vampire. The movie effortlessly blended horror and humor, as Kolchak hunted down the vampire, while butting heads not only with the authorities, but also his long-suffering editor, Tony Vincenzo. Scripted by genre veteran Richard Matheson, and directed by John Llewelyn Moxey, The Night Stalker was a ratings smash, and a sequel, The Night Strangler, followed in 1973. That film was once again scripted by Matheson, but behind the camera this time was Dan Curtis, of Dark Shadows fame, who had produced the original movie. The story pitted Kolchak, now relocated to Seattle, against another eerie menace, an immortal man whose killings had stretched across decades. The Night Strangler was another ratings success, and after plans for a third telefilm didn't work out, ABC decided to produce a weekly television series.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker premiered on September 13, 1974. The series featured McGavin, back in his rumpled seersucker suit as Kolchak, and Oakland returning in his role as Vincenzo. Set in Chicago, the series found Kolchak battling werewolves, zombies, witches, and aliens. While it only lasted one season, the series left an indelible impression on a generation of kids, including myself. One of those kids was Chris Carter, who went on to create The X-Files. Carter cited the series as a significant influence on the adventures of Mulder and Scully. Kolchak: The Night Stalker featured a lot of great talent behind the scenes on the show. David Chase, who also worked on The Rockford Files and later went on to create The Sopranos, was a writer and story editor for the series. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, years before their success with Back to the Future, penned the episode "Chopper," about a headless motorcycle rider, and Hammer horror veteran Jimmy Sangster scripted “Horror in the Heights” which is widely considered by fans to be one of the series' best episodes.

The complete series has just been released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. The label previously issued well done special editions of both The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler. Kolchak; The Night Stalker: The Complete Series features all twenty episodes of the show, which have been given excellent 2K hi-def restorations. There are commentaries for all of the episodes by noted writers and film historians like Kim Newman, David Schow, Amanda Reyes and Gary Gerani. I've listened to several of the commentaries at this point, and they’re insightful, engaging and informative. Also featured are interviews with David Chase, who discusses his time working on the series, and Dana Gould, creator of Stan Against Evil, who talks about the series influence on him. Another fun bonus feature included in the set are 14 original ABC network “coming attraction” promos for the series. There's also a booklet with an essay by Mark Dawidziak, author of The Night Stalker Companion. 

Darren McGavin is perfect in the role of Kolchak, and Simon Oakland is terrific as his editor and friendly nemesis, Vincenzo. Their scenes together are a marvelous (and entertaining) acting duet. The supporting characters in the newsroom, portrayed by Jack Grinnage and Ruth McDevitt, are also wonderful in their roles. And if you’re looking for a who’s who of 1970s TV personalities, legendary comedic actors and classic era movie stars, look no further than this show, where you'll spot Carolyn Jones, Phil Silvers, Larry Linville, Jim Backus, Keenan Wynn, Cathy Lee Crosby, Tom Bosley, Lara Parker, Nina Foch and Tom Skerritt in supporting roles. The show also features some genuinely frightening moments, in episodes such as “The Vampire” and “The Zombie,” which can still send a chill down your spine, even all these years later. The other aspect of the series that holds up well today is the suggestion of cover ups by the authorities, who often try to conceal the supernatural or otherworldly aspects of the menaces that Kolchak faces. The show was airing in the shadow of Watergate, and it sometimes echoed the conspiracy themes of films like The Parallax View and Three Days of the Condor. It’s no surprise that Chris Carter took inspiration from the show when he was creating The X-Files.

I’m a long-time devotee of both the TV movies and the series, and have great affection for McGavin and the show. It's a lot of fun to revisit these episodes, and while not all of them are classics, there are a few, such as "Horror in the Heights" and "The Spanish Moss Murders" that are very effective terror tales. Even the weaker episodes offer the fun of watching this terrific cast, led by McGavin in his definitive role (along with some cool guest stars) work their magic. If you’re a fan of the series, this set is a must have. It’s clearly produced by people who paid care and attention to this release, and wanted to give the series the best presentation possible. Kino Lorber has done a spectacular job with these episodes, as well as their previous editions of The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler TV movies. Kolchak: The Night Stalker: The Complete Series is highly recommended. Here’s a link to Kino Lorber's site for more info: https://www.kinolorber.com. As Kolchak says in the The Night Stalker telefilm "Don't look now, baby, but Kolchak's coming back...in style!"

Peter Swanson's Perfectly Murderous Tale

Is there such a thing as a “perfect” murder? In Peter Swanson’s novel, Eight Perfect Murders, the answer appears to be yes; at least, in the literary sense. Malcolm Kershaw is a widower who co-owns and runs Old Devils, an independent bookstore in Boston, which specializes in mysteries. He’s approached by Gwen Mulvey, an FBI agent, who asks him about a post he’d written for the store’s blog several years ago about “Eight Perfect Murders” in fiction. The list includes works by Agatha Christie, James M. Cain, and Ira Levin. It turns out that someone is using the lethal methods from the books featured in Malcom’s blog post to commit several real-life murders. Gwen wants to know if Malcolm has any insights regarding the crimes, and if he has a connection to any of the victims.  That’s the initial setup of this deliciously twisty tale by Swanson, the author of The Kind Worth Killing, Before She Knew Him and Every Vow You Break.

The story is narrated by Malcom, and it’s notable that he admits from the outset that not all narrators in fiction are reliable. We’re seeing and hearing the story from his perspective, and he might not be giving us all the facts. While he helps investigates the killings, Malcolm reveals to us that he knows a bit more about what’s going on than he initially admitted to Gwen. As the story continues, there will be several twists and turns in the tale. Secrets will be revealed, and some dark truths about Malcolm’s past will come to light. Malcolm is a complex character. It’s no accident that one of the books on his list is Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, a novel which features an unreliable narrator. That’s one of a number of literary in-jokes and Easter eggs which are peppered throughout the novel by Swanson. Old school mystery fans will have a lot of fun catching all the meta-textual references to classic novels and films.

The supporting characters, including Malcolm’s co-workers at the Old Devils bookstore, are enjoyably quirky, and Swanson’s in depth descriptions of the Boston area locations featured in the story add color and atmosphere to the novel. There’s even a femme fatale of sorts lurking within these pages, which is one of several noir-ish touches in the story. This is a fast-paced, entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages, and there’s one last twist to the proceedings which comes after you think the story has ended. Eight Perfect Murderswill enthrall mystery aficionados, independent bookstore mavens and cat lovers. Yes, there’s a cat named Nero who inhabits the bookstore, a lovable feline who has a backstory which fits into the framework of the novel. This was my first book by Peter Swanson, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be definitely be checking out some of his other novels. Eight Perfect Murders is available online and in old-fashioned brick and mortar bookstores as well.

Retro TV Chills: This One's A "Thriller"

Looking for some scary old school television terror tales to watch this Halloween? Check out Thriller (1960-62), hosted by the one and only Boris Karloff. Though it only ran for two seasons, the show is highly regarded by many genre fans, including Stephen King, who praised the show in Danse Macabre, his 1981 overview of the horror genre. The series actually started out offering tales of murder and suspense, similar to Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but shifted its focus to horror during the middle of the first season. Several of the episodes, including “Pigeons From Hell,” an adaptation of a Robert E. Howard tale, and “The Grim Reaper,” are considered classics of TV terror. While the show continued to alternate between crime dramas and horror stories, it’s those scary outings for which the series is best remembered. Here are several episodes to view for a Thriller-ific night of chills!

From Season 1: 

The Hungry Glass – Based on a short story by Robert Bloch, the author of Psycho, this episode stars William Shatner and Russell Johnson. That’s right, Captain Kirk of Star Trek and the Professor from Gilligan’s Island in the same show! And it also features Donna Douglas of The Beverly Hillbillies in a small but pivotal role. A young couple buys a seaside mansion for a bargain price, but get more than they bargained for when they find out the place is haunted. Why is the attic full of mirrors…and what do our characters see in them? Is there something waiting inside the glass? It’s fun to see Shatner and Johnson together, and there are some truly creepy moments in the show. Adapted from Bloch’s story by director Douglas Heyes, this is one of the best episodes of the series.

Dark Legacy tells the story of Mario Asparos, a magician whose uncle dies and leaves him a book of powerful black magic spells. Mario tries to summon a demon, hoping to gain wealth and power. But when you play with dark forces, be careful what you wish for…and be ready for the price you have to pay. This episode was written by John Tomerlin and directed by John Brahm, who also helmed the films The Lodger (1944) and The Mad Magician (1954), as well as episodes of The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits. The cast includes Henry Silva (best known as a villain in a host of B movies) and character actor Harry Townes. The mist-shrouded look of this episode (a hallmark of many of Thriller’s finest hours) is a mix of film noir and horror and it adds to the story’s eerie vibe.

From Season 2:

La Strega is the story of Luana (played by Ursula Andress, the original Bond girl in Dr. No) who’s saved from drowning by a young man named Tonio. He falls in love with her, but has to contend with her grandmother, a witch who warns him to stay away from the girl, or dire consequences will result. Can Tonio and Luana stop the witch's curse and escape her evil power? This moody, effective episode was directed by actress Ida Lupino and written by Alan Caillou. It features a great performance by Jeanette Nolan as the title character, and also stars Alejandro Rey (of The Flying Nun) as Tonio. 

The Incredible Dr. Markesan – Boris Karloff appeared in five episodes of the show, including this frightening tale. Fred Bancroft (Dick York of Bewitched) and his wife visit his Uncle Konrad, who lives in a dusty old house. They ask if they can stay there while they’re looking for a new home. At first, Konrad tries to get them to leave, there he ends up allowing them to stay. However, he warns them that they must stay in their room at night, and not move around the place. What’s going on in the house? Why does Uncle Konrad look and act so strangely? This blood-curdling entry is based on a short story by August Derleth and Mark Schorer, and was directed by Robert Florey, who knows his way around the horror genre, having been behind the camera for the films Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) and The Beast with Five Fingers (1946). The story has a horrifying conclusion that will stay with you long after you watch the episode.

Episodes of Thriller are available for viewing online on various services, and the entire series is available on DVD in a box set, Thriller: The Complete Series. There’s also a a one-disc collection of several episodes entitled Thriller: Fan Favorites. If you’re a fan of television horror, and enjoy classic series like The Twilight Zone and One Step Beyond, Thriller is worthwhile viewing. For more information on Thriller, you can check out my earlier post on "The Grim Reaper" here: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/03/thrillers-uncanny-grim-reaper.html?m=0. And remember, "As sure as my name is Boris Karloff....this is a Thriller!"

"Kronos" Hammer's Sword-Wielding Hero

Films which cross-pollinate genres are all the rage these days, but in years past they were far less common. Hammer Films, the British makers of classic horror films such as the long-running Dracula and Frankenstein series, actually attempted some multi-genre productions several times throughout their history. For example, the three films in the Professor Quatermass series, The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), Quatermass 2 (1957) and Five Million Years To Earth (1967), all contained elements of both science-fiction and horror. In the 1970s, when some of their films were attaining less box-office success than in their late 1950s and 1960s glory years, Hammer made a couple of overt attempts at genre mashups. The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires (1974) was a co-production with Hong Kong’s Shaw Brothers studio. The film, set in China in the 1800s, starred genre stalwart Peter Cushing as Professor Van Helsing, and combined elements of Hammer’s Dracula series with martial arts action.

One of the more offbeat projects to be released by Hammer during this period is Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter (1974), which features the adventures of the title character, a swashbuckling hero who hunts down and kills vampires, aided by his hunch-backed assistant, Professor Grost, an expert on the undead. The story begins when Dr. Marcus, an old army buddy of Kronos, contacts him and asks Kronos to look into a series of bizarre deaths which are occurring in his village. When Kronos and Grost arrive and look into the killings, they discover that the undead menace is draining youth, not blood, from its victims, leaving withered husks behind. Aided by a gypsy girl named Carla, whose life our hero has saved, Kronos and Grost try to locate the vampire and extinguish this evil creature.

Krono’s investigation leads him to the Durwards, a wealthy and aristocratic family. After a group of thugs attack Kronos and Grost, they realize that someone doesn’t want them to discover the true identity of the vampire. As he continues his search, Kronos finds time to drink tankards of ale, engage in a brawl or two, and of course, romance the lovely Carla. Who is the youth-draining vampire, and why does Marcus return from a visit to the Durward home with blood on his lips? Will Kronos and Grost figure out a way to defeat this very different type of vampire threat before it’s too late? There will be some eerie and frightening moments, sword-swinging action and a couple of unique twists on vampire lore before the terrifying truth is revealed.

Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter is a decidedly different type of Hammer production, combining swashbuckling adventure with horror and the supernatural. The film was written and directed by Brian Clemens, best known for his work on the classic British series The Avengers and The Professionals, as well as Thriller, a well-regarded mystery/suspense themed anthology series. Albert Fennell, who also worked on The Avengers and The Professionals, co-produced the movie. Clemens and Fennell had earlier co-produced another Hammer film, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971), which was written by Clemens. First-time director Clemens keeps the action moving at a brisk pace, and the movie is as much an old-fashioned action-adventure tale as it is a horror film. Ian Wilson provides some striking cinematography, and the evocative score is by Laurie Johnson, another veteran of The Avengers.

Horst Janson is an athletic and dynamic hero, and John Cater is good as his partner, Professor Grost. The rest of the cast features several faces that will be quite familiar to genre fans, including Shane Briant, Wanda Ventham and Ian Hendry. Carla is portrayed by Caroline Munro, who’s well known for her appearances in films such as The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, At The Earth’s Core, The Spy Who Loved Me and Starcrash. Hammer had hoped this well-mounted production would launch a series of Kronos adventures, but the film was not a huge success at the box office, so no sequels were produced. Captain Kronos did return in comics form during the 1970s in two British publications dedicated to Hammer, The House of Hammer and Hammer’s Halls of Horror. There was also a novelization of the film written by Guy Adams published by Titan Books in 2011, and a four issue Captain Kronos comic book series from Titan Comics in 2018. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray. Here's a link to the film’s trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PbRzrGTt2E.

This article on Captain Kronos, Vampire Hunter is part of the Third Hammer/Amicus Blogathon, celebrating the best movies and television shows from this pair of much revered and beloved British horror film companies. I’d like to thank my fellow bloggers Gil from Realweegie Midget Reviews and Barry from Cinematic Catharsis for hosting, and for including me in the lineup. Check out the work of the other talented writers participating in this blogathon by following this link: https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2021/10/22/hammer-and-amicus-3/.

 

Curtis Harrington's Beguiling "Night Tide"

Linda Lawson and Dennis Hopper in Night Tide

October is that time of year when horror fans like to revisit old favorites and check out films they haven't seen before. One of the more intriguing and offbeat thrillers to come out of the early 1960s is Curtis Harrington’s Night Tide (1961). While it’s not really a horror film, it’s an atmospheric, offbeat story that will appeal to old school genre fans. A lonely sailor named Johnny (Dennis Hopper, in an early role) enters a relationship with a woman named Mora, who performs as a mermaid in a sideshow at a local marina. People keep telling him that her previous boyfriends have all met mysterious and violent ends. 

The ethereal Mora (Linda Lawson) believes she may actually be a mermaid. As their relationship continues, a mysterious woman stalks Mora. She appears to know about Mora’s past, and warns her that her 'true nature' will eventually show itself. Is Mora really descended from a race of sea people? Who is killing the men she’s been dating? What does Murdock, the owner of the sideshow, know about all this?

Writer-director Harrington had a long career directing both television movies and feature films. Other films he was behind the camera for include the twist-laden mystery Games (1967), which featured James Caan and Katherine Ross, and What's The Matter With Helen? (1971), starring Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters. He also helmed one of my favorite made for television terror tales, The Cat Creature (1973), which starred David Hedison, Meredith Baxter and Kent Smith. Harrington's films are consistently enjoyable, and always worth a look.

In Night Tide, (which was completed in 1961, but not widely released until 1963) Harrington evokes the mist-shrouded style of producer Val Lewton. He was a huge fan of Lewton’s work and the influence of films like Cat People and The Leopard Man on Night Tide is clear. There could be a supernatural explanation for some of the film’s events, but we’re never really sure. What is evident is that some of the characters believe there are eerie forces at work, and that informs their choices in the story. Despite its low budget, the film manages to convey an effective sense of the uncanny. Night Tide has a dream-like aura, and the moody cinematography by Vilis Lapenieks adds to the film's otherworldly style.

The movie has been released in new, remastered editions in recent years by Kino Lorber Video and Powerhouse Indicator, and it's also available on streaming services like Amazon Prime. I recall seeing Night Tide on WPIX's “Chiller Theatre” in my younger days, and it was one of those movies that lingered in my memory in the years since. I've re-visited the movie several times, and recommended it to other film fans in my circle of friends. If you haven't seen the film, its well worth seeking out. Here's a link to the trailer for Night Tide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF6gPQh5t0A. 

Ruth Ware's Compelling, Eerie "Key"

The Turn of the Screw, the much-loved ghost story by Henry James, has been adapted multiple times for both television and the movies, most famously as The Innocents, the well-regarded 1961 film featuring Deborah Kerr. Another take on the story was the 2020 Netflix series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, from writer-director Mike Flanagan. In 2019, author Ruth Ware set her version of the story in the current day, with her novel The Turn of the Key. Ware is the author of several best-selling suspense thrillers, including In A Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10 and One By One. The Turn of the Key is an eerie, compelling and very cleverly conceived update to the classic story of the The Turn of the Screw.

The book is structured as a series of letters from a young woman in prison, who's writing to an attorney. Rowan Caine is a nanny that's awaiting trial for the murder of one of the children who were under her care. She's telling her story, in hopes of making the lawyer understand the series of events that led to her being imprisoned. Rowan had accepted what at first seemed like a dream job as a nanny to four children at an estate in the Scottish Highlands, but as with many things in life, this ideal opportunity turned out to be too good to be true.

When the parents of her young charges head off on a business trip, Rowan is left alone with three of the children, in a forbidding house which is upgraded with the latest in smart technology, so that everything in the home is controlled by an app named "Happy." As Rowan tries to bond with Maddie and Ellie,  the two middle daughters, she learns there were several previous nannies, none of whom stayed on the job very long. No one, including the children, Jack, the estate's friendly handyman, or the frosty and distant housekeeper, Jean, who acts in a hostile manner towards to Rowan from the start, will explain why those previous caregivers left the job so quickly.

Rowan gets caught up in a chain of frightening situations that seem designed to endanger the children, and perhaps drive her mad as well. As the odd and unexplainable events continue to occur, Rowan becomes convinced that someone or something is a serious threat to her and the children. The house seems to have a mind of its own, and the children may know more than they're telling about what's going on, especially Maddie and Ellie, who obliquely refer to "the ghosts," and other strange things, in conversations with Rowan. It seems the only person who can help Rowan get to the bottom of things is Jack, but is he part of what's going on? As her own grip on reality starts to slip, Rowan's not sure she can trust anyone.

Ruth Ware has often been compared to Agatha Christie, and her style is definitely influenced by Dame Agatha, but the novel is also a deftly plotted and original mashup of several genres and styles. The Turn of The Key is equal parts Christie, Henry James and modern techno thriller. In this suspenseful and compelling tale, modern technology is just as chilling as ghosts and things that go bump in the night. The story moves along at a breakneck pace, and as the novel reaches its conclusion, there are a couple of red herrings, off-kilter surprises and neat twists to the tale. Ware's well-drawn characters and suspenseful narrative will keep you turning the pages, but just remember that all narrators are not entirely reliable, and nothing is what it seems. The Turn of the Key is a great read for mystery and thriller fans as we enter the Halloween season.

Marc Platt's "Dis Time It's Poisonal"

Marc Platt is an artist you should be listening to if you’re a fan of first-rate rock and roll music. The talented former frontman for the well-regarded power poppers The Real Impossibles has been issuing some impressive discs recently, including the marvelous 2020 EP Beat On The Street, and the excellent full-length album Colors Of The Universe this past January. Now he’s back with another not to be missed record, Dis Time It’s Poisonal, which has just been released by Rum Bar Records. The album is a splendid collection of songs, a few of which have previously been released, and a number of other tunes which were newly recorded for this project. All of the tracks on the album mesh together perfectly to create a memorable listening experience.

Dis Time It’s Poisonal opens with the electric “Dig The New Scene,” which sets the stage for the rest of the album via its power pop meets alternative vibe, energized by Platt’s excellent guitar work and effervescent vocals. That’s followed by the terrific “Tryin To Survive,” which feels like a garage rock number mashed up with a Lou Reed tune. Those are just two of the high points on an album which is filled with outstanding songs. Platt moves effortlessly between the confessional tone of tracks like the jazzy “I’m Searchin” and the edgy “High Road” to the rough-hewn, bluesy feel of the hard-rocking “Woman of the World.”

Other highlights of this extraordinary record include a luminous, heartfelt cover of the Flamin’ Groovies classic “I Can’t Hide” and “She Tastes Like Candy,” co-written by Platt with the late John Ferriter of The Tearaways. “She Tastes Like Candy” is a song that’s gloriously infused with the DNA of 1960s pop in sound, style and production, which sounds like it time-warped to the present from an AM station's playlist in 1965. It's one of my favorites on the album. There’s also the acoustic leaning, folk-tinged “What’s A Man” and the Dylan-esque “Don’t Kick a Man When He’s Down” on which Platt sounds like he’s channeling a bit of Warren Zevon in the vocals. I also really dig the 1980s rock-flavored “Guilty As Charged,” and the modern rock mood of “Sweetest Sound” (originally recorded just after the breakup of The Real Impossibles) which has echoes of classic REM and U2.

Dis Time It’s Poisonal is an emotionally resonant, superbly crafted disc, and it’s clear from the results that Platt cares deeply about his music. He’s able to celebrate his rock and roll influences while creating brilliant songs that celebrate his unique and superlative talents as a singer, songwriter and producer. If you like rock, folk, punk and power pop, then you need to check out this wonderful record. Dis Time It’s Poisonal is available from Rum Bar Records, https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com, and you can order the album and listen to song samples by following this direct link to the page for Dis Time It’s Poisonal: https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dis-time-its-poisonal-the-nice-price. Here's a link to the video for the first single from the album, “I Can’t Hide.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXP_06b02k.

The B Movie "Creatures" of Sam Katzman

Sam Katzman was one of the most prolific (and successful) producers in Hollywood. He sheperded hundreds of films into production and onto movie screens from the 1930s thru the 1970s. Katzman produced westerns, comedies, thrillers and rock and roll musicals. His "B" movies often filled out the bottom half of double bills, but he also produced serials, action movies and even a pair of Elvis Presley films. Like Roger Corman, his movies were often made on a minuscule budget, but were always very profitable for their studios. Katzman is probably best remembered by fans of classic science-fiction cinema for producing a pair of early films by special effects master Ray Harryhausen, It Came From Beneath The Sea and Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers.

Some of Katzman's other sci-fi and horror movies aren't quite as revered as those two Harryhausen epics, but they're much beloved by devotees of old school sci-fi, horror and fantasy. Theses other films, like The Night The World Exploded, may not be classics, but they're a whole lot of fun. Arrow Video has just released Cold War Creatures: Four Films By Sam Katzman, a wonderful limited edition box set of four of Katzman's creature features. The movies included in the set are Creature with the Atom Brain, The Werewolf, Zombies of Mora Tau, and The Giant Claw. Older fans will probably recognize these titles, and if you didn't see them on the big screen, you probably caught them, as I did, on shows like Chiller Theatre or Creature Features, which featured showings of horror, science-fiction and fantasy films on local stations in the pre-cable, pre-streaming days. Here's a brief synopsis of each of the four films featured in Cold War Creatures: Four Films By Sam Katzman:

1. Creature with the Atom Brain (1955) – A gangster unleashes remote-controlled corpses, aka atomic age zombies, as instruments of revenge upon the men who got him deported. There are some effectively scary moments in this gangster flick mashed up with a mad scientist thriller, directed by Edward L. Cahn. Note for rock and roll fans; this is the film upon which psychedelic rocker Roky Erickson (of The 13th Floor Elevators) based his same named song. Here's a look at the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L82jN6Z6qUE.

2. The Werewolf (1956) – This science-fiction infused variation on werewolf tales features an amnesiac man who transforms into a monster and terrorizes a small town. But how did he become a werewolf, and can he be captured before he wreaks more havoc? This offbeat and eerie film is well-directed by Fred F. Sears, and features a couple of genuine scares. Here's the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI4pMEpCkAI.

3. Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) – This horror tale features treasure hunters who get more than they bargained for when they run afoul of the walking dead while searching for diamonds on a sunken ship. This is kind of a film noir (complete with a femme fatale) cross-wired with a zombie flick. Edward L. Cahn is back behind the camera for this one. Here's the trailer for this underwater (?) zombie thriller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3kpfVH1bT8.

4. The Giant Claw (1957) – This vintage monster movie is famous (or is that infamous?) for featuring one of the silliest looking monsters ever put on film, in the story of a giant bird terrorizing the world. You have to see this one to believe it. It's a fairly standard and decently made 1950s monster film, until the not so terrifying title menace shows up. Fred F. Sears returns to direct this one. Here's the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOj0nXpRqX8.

There are a lot of familiar faces among the casts in these films, including Allison Hayes (who starred as the title "creature" in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman) in Zombies of Mora Tau, Don Megowan in The Werewolf, and Jeff Morrow (This Island Earth) and Mara Corday (Tarantula) in The Giant Claw. I have an unabashed love for these type of movies, and the ones selected for this set are prime examples of the kind of films Hollywood doesn't make anymore. No one is ever going to call these movies A-list classics, but they're very entertaining, and in the case of The Werewolf, you might just discover a well-crafted and under-appreciated B-movie gem. As a big fan of Allison Hayes, I also like Zombies of Mora Tau quite a bit, but Creature with the Atom Brain and The Giant Claw are also enjoyable.

All four of the films in this set look great, and the hi-definition remasters are well done. This beautifully put together collection is jam packed with extras, including an introduction for each film by noted author and critic Kim Newman, audio commentaries from various experts, featurettes on the themes and subtexts of Katzman's movies, and a biography/presentation on Katzman's career by writer Stephen R. Bissette. Also included are lobby card reproductions, two double-sided posters, and two booklets which include articles and analysis on each of the films, as well as a wealth of photos. This lovingly crafted set is a wonderful tribute to the movies of Sam Katzman, and it's truly a gift for "Monster Kids" and classic B movie fans everywhere. Here's a video from Arrow Video that shows you the lavish extras included in the set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBVTPZcuizg.

Retro TV Movie: Satan's Triangle

Regular readers of this blog have probably noted my fondness for the eerie made for TV movies of the 1970s, such as The Night Stalker, Gargoyles and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Some of these films are well-made chillers which are now regarded as classics, while others fall into the categories of guilty pleasures, such as the enjoyably off-kilter The Horror at 37,000 Feet and Satan's School For Girls. I recently came across another entry in the latter category when I rediscovered Satan's Triangle, which originally aired on ABC in 1975. This eerie chiller is set in the Bermuda Triangle, that legendary area in the North Atlantic where a number of ships and planes have reportedly disappeared without a trace over the years. The mysterious "Devil's Triangle" was the subject of a lot of books and TV shows in the 1970s, including In Search Of..., hosted by Leonard Nimoy.

The film opens with a rescue chopper sent out to answer an SOS from a small craft stranded at sea in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. When the chopper arrives at the scene, co-pilot Lt. Haig is lowered to the craft via winch. What he finds there are three dead bodies and a frightened woman named Eva. When an attempt to pull up Haig and Eva to the chopper fails because the line snaps, weather conditions and low fuel require the pilot to return to base to refuel. Lt. Haig and Eva are left on the ship, and she tells Haig the story of how everyone on the vessel died, attributing their mysterious and violent deaths to supernatural causes.

Eva says that all of the odd events began when their schooner picked up a priest named Father Martin, who apparently survived a disaster at sea. Several men, including Eva's husband Hal, die mysteriously after he comes aboard, leaving Eva as the lone survivor. A skeptical Haig tells Eva he can explain all of these deaths, including Hal, who seems to be floating in mid-air, and Martin, who's hanging from the ship's mast, as the result of accidents and natural circumstances. Eva remains unconvinced, but the two grow closer as they wait for the rescue chopper to pick them up.

(Take note; spoilers ahead) Haig and Eva are eventually transferred to the returning helicopter from a rescue vessel which has arrived in the area. After the chopper takes off. the rescue ship radios the pilot and says that it's not a man that's hanging from the mast, as reported by Haig, but a woman! He turns to Eva, who laughs maniacally and transforms into the priest, then shoves the surprised Haig out the door into the ocean. The devil (?!) then goes after the pilot, threatening to take his soul, but he crashes the copter into the ocean. The last shot of the film is of Haig, who's now floating in the sea, boasting an evil grin, and waving at the approaching rescue ship.

The cast is chock full of familiar faces. Doug McClure, a familiar face to both TV and cinema audiences of the 1960s and 70s, who was featured in sci-fi movies such as The Land That Time Forgot and At The Earth's Core, stars as Haig. Movie legend Kim Novak, of Vertigo and Picnic fame, portrays Eva. The supporting cast includes Alejandro Rey of The Flying Nun, Jim Davis from Dallas and Michael Conrad of Hill Street Blues. The film was helmed by Sutton Roley, a veteran of movies and television who directed a ton of TV movies and series, including episodes of Hawaii Five-O, Kojak and Starsky and Hutch. The teleplay is by William Read Woodfield, who co-wrote and produced many episodes of the original Mission: Impossible TV series, and was also well-known as a photographer who shot pictures of stars like Marilyn Monroe.

Satan's Triangle is enjoyably goofy, spooky fun. This is one of those TV movies that, after its initial airing on ABC, showed up constantly throughout the 1970s and early 1980s on local stations as part of their afternoon movie showcases. Remember The 4:30 Movie in the New York area? It's not a classic like Trilogy of Terror or The Night Stalker, but if you dig the 1970s made for TV chiller genre, you'll have a good time watching this one. The film is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime. And remember, don't pick up any strange survivors if you're in Satan's Triangle!

A Power Pop Rescue From Nick Piunti!

Looking for a couple of excellent songs to liven up your summer? Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men have just the explosion of power pop energy you need to brighten your day in these difficult times. When I reviewed their outstanding album, Downtime, for the music and arts website CultureSonar back in 2020, I mentioned that Nick and his band might just be "power pop's best kept secret." A long-time fixture on the Detroit rock and roll scene, Nick's been making great music for years now, and Downtime, as well as some of Nick's earlier records, including 13 In My Head, and Trust Your Instincts, are well worth your time and attention. Hot on the heels of his knockout version of "Hang On To Your Ego" for the recently released album JEM Records Celebrates Brian Wilson, Nick and his band have issued not one, but two terrific new singles.

"Heart Inside Your Head" is a power pop-tastic number that combines all the key elements of Nick's music; "can't get it out of your head once it's there" hooks, catchy lyrics, and the joy-infused musical chemistry between Nick and The Complicated Men, aka Kevin Darnall on keyboards, Jeff Happ on bass Ron Vesko on drums, and Geoff Michael on synths. Nick's terrific vocals and guitar top it all off to achieve the perfect power pop confection. Don't believe me? Just give the tune ( which was chosen as a Coolest Song In The World on Little Steven's Sirius XM radio show, Underground Garage) a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmhkgay_Ee8.

The band's other new single is "One of the Boyz," a sparkling mixture of power pop and modern rock styles in a tale about a guy who doesn't appreciate the girl in his life, and treats her like "one of the boyz." The song features delightful lyrics that will make you smile (I dig "When you get strong and you move on, there'll be no looking over your cold shoulder...") and an effervescent mix highlighted by Piunti's excellent guitar work. It's another great tune that should absolutely be played loud with the car windows down as you sing along. Check "One of the Boyz," out here: https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/track/one-of-the-boyz. Both of these singles are fantastic, and should immediately be added to your power pop playlist. You can find music by Nick Piunti and The Complicated Men at bandcamp: https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com, and discover more about the band at: https://www.nickpiunti.com. Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men's new singles are just the power pop rescue you need at the end of this long, hot summer!

Laura Nyro's Passionate Musical Life

What do the hit songs “Eli’s Comin” by Three Dog Night and “Wedding Bell Blues” by The Fifth Dimension have in common? They were written by the late Laura Nyro, who had many of her wonderful songs turned into chart topping hits by artists like Blood, Sweat & Tears and Barbra Streisand during the 1960s and 70s. Nyro released her first record, More Than A New Discovery, in 1967, and went on to record several now classic albums, including Eli & The Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969). She was a gifted performer who stayed out of the limelight when she wasn’t recording or touring. 

Laura remained elusive offstage, and kept her personal life very private. Despite not being a household name to the casual listener, Nyro has gained a loyal following among music fans, critics and fellow musicians. The 2003 biography Soul Picnic: The Music & Passion of Laura Nyro by Michelle Kort does a good job giving us some deeper insight into the life and career of this talented artist, who passed away in 1997. Kort wisely focuses on Nyro’s music, and uses it as a window to tell her story. There are compelling reminisces by Nyro’s family and friends, and stories about her upbringing and musical journey.

The real pleasures found in the book concern the creation of Nyro's music: the stories behind classic tunes like “And When I Die” and “Stoned Soul Picnic,” showcase her gift for unique lyrics and melodies. Despite her innate talent, Nyro often clashed with producers as well as record company executives who didn’t understand her vision for her music, and how she felt her records should sound. Kort does a great job covering Nyro’s passionate, unflinching commitment to her music and how it should feel to the listener. There’s a lot of detail about the making of her albums and her concert tours, including input from studio musicians, producers and band members. There are also recollections from well known artists who either worked with Nyro or were influenced by her, including Todd Rundgren, Patti Labelle and bass player Will Lee. Kort does a great job analyzing Nyro’s music and its origins in her personal life, and shares some facts that the average fan may not know, including Nyro’s relationship with a young Jackson Browne.

This is a well-written biography that will appeal to music buffs who want to know more about Nyro’s background and history as an artist, as well as fans wanting an in-depth look into her creative process. The book also includes a discography, which was current at the time of the book's release, circa 2003. It was also published before Nyro’s induction into the R&R hall of fame in 2012, so there are no details about that well-deserved honor, but this is still a beautiful portrait of an acclaimed, powerful singer. Highly recommended, Soul Picnic: The Music & Passion of Laura Nyro is available in paperback and hardcover from online retailers like Amazon. For more on Laura, you can check out two pieces I wrote for CultureSonar about her music. Here are links to my articles on her terrific collaboration with Labelle, Gonna Take A Miracle: https://www.culturesonar.com/laura-nyro/, and a look at some of her very best songs: https://www.culturesonar.com/8-genius-songs-by-laura-nyro/.