halloween music edition #2

Happy Halloween! The day is here. Last night I attended a successful movie night, where 28 Days Later and then Blair Witch Project both made an appearance. It brought back fond memories of seeing Blair Witch at Dobie when it had just come out and I was in high school. I remember some guy sneezed into his popcorn at a pivotal scene and the p. corn flew EVERYWHERE and I pretty much shit my pants.

I'm excited about dressing up tonight but it's weird how there was a period when dressing up was awesome, then lame and embarrassing, then lame and boring, and now somewhat awesome again in the right setting. Have fun tonight, whatever you do. Don't hand out any Mounds, those things are gross.

To celebrate this eventful day, I have selected the craziest representation of Halloween I could think to show you. Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Let's not play. This is one crazy mf-er right here. I mean, he actually performed a song in his shows called "Constipation Blues." I really don't need to say anything else.

Jalacy Hawkins (already a baller with that name) became Screamin' Jay in the fifties, when he started recording songs. His biggest hit is from 1956 with "I Put a Spell on You." Legend states that he wanted this song to be a ballad, hence the slow and deliberate music you hear in the background. But guess what? Everyone in the band, including Jay, got totally wasted and recorded it in a near-blacked out state. Jay is beyond inebriated while he's singing, but it actually works in his favor. He grunts and moans and shouts and giggles and it sounds totally tight and makes the lyrics darker and tighter, in my opinion. I'm sure this song would've been awesome as a ballad, but we wouldn't have been blessed with this gem had Jay not wanted some libations on that fateful day.

Perfect song for Halloween. Little bit spooky, little bit crazy. Get you some and be safe tonight, playas.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You

halloween music edition #1

(Don't worry, I'm not posting "Thriller.")

How can it already be Halloween? Seriously. What are you going as for Halloween? Last year I was Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka. This year I'm going with Frida Kahlo after nixing my Ravi Shankar idea. Not quite ready to gender bend yet! The countdown to Saturday is on, so I thought I would provide you with some Halloween-ish tunes to get you amped.

Obvi, Francis Albert Sintra is a baller of his time. High waisted trouser pants need to make a comeback on dudes. This guy has like a million Grammys (approximately) and even won an Oscar. Beyonce only wishes. Sinatra started singing in the thirties with some swing guys like Tommy Dorsey. I listen to XM 40s on 4 in my car on the regular and I die when some Dorsey comes on. It's the best driving-to-work-early-in-the-morning-station. ANYWAY.

During the forties, Sinatra was king. I remember my grandmother saying one time that she always had a crush on Sinatra. Probs because of those blue eyes. Lady killer! He made an easy transition to sort of a swinger-type persona in the fifties. Hello, Vegas. During this time, he recorded "Witchcraft." THIS RELATES TO HALLOWEEN, GET IT? I really like Sinatra and I don't really like being scared so I want to make this Halloween Music Edition 2k9 #1.

Frank Sinatra - Witchcraft

costume geniuses

Another Halloween has come and gone. Last year I threw together my costume and it was somewhat of a p.o.s. It was a crappy Amy Winehouse using a Walgreens brand Elvira wig and a blue bra under a white shirt. Not too creative. I stepped it up this year. We all did. Behold Veruca Salt (goose egg straight from Hobby Lobby and hand-painted!), Tippi Hedren, star of The Birds, and Amelia Earhart, back from the dead/strange disappearance. Check out our tumes!

halloween things

So the Halloween festivities have begun. I can't believe it's on Friday! I still need to make my Veruca Salt costume and then all will be right in the world. I attempted some Halloween cupcakes (see above). Pretty good, except I started running out of black decorating icing, therefore there is a modern avant garde striped cupcake in the top right. Whatevs! Also, that stuff is way harder to squeeze out than I thought. That's what she said!

Then we got to carvin'. Guess who made the llama jack-o-lantern? SO HARD TO GUESS. I free-handed that bitch! Look good? Griff's howling wolves really moves me. It looks fantastic. And Lesley's brontosaurus song and dance man is perfect for puttin' on the ritz. He's even sporting a bow tie. The countdown is on!