'Return of Halloween Nuggets: Haunted Underground Classics' and 'Famous Monsters Speak' Are Perfect Additions to Halloween Celebrations

Two new spooky-themed music titles are out now via RockBeat Records/Liberation Hall. Return of Halloween Nuggets: Haunted Underground Classics is the third installment in the album series that began in 2022.

This compilation has more than a dozen 1950s and '60s instrumental, R&B, lounge, garage and rockabilly deep cuts and more.

Among the highlights: the girl group tune “Devil’s Gotten Into My Baby” by The Devotions, "The House on Haunted Hill" movie trailer (1959) by Vincent Price, a rollicking "Werewolf" by Carl Bonafede & Gem-Tones, the wild rocker "Scream" by Ralph Nielsen & The Chancellors (think: the Cramps), and the snazzy, rare "Witchcraft in the Air" (1962) by blues and R&B legend Bettye LaVette. 

The cover design comes courtesy of New York illustrator Cliff Mott. Return of Halloween Nuggets is available on CD, digital, and limited-edition orange & black splatter vinyl. The CD and digital configurations feature two classic monster movie trailers as bonus tracks.

In addition, Halloween music fans can experience Famous Monsters Speak. Originally released at the height of the “monster kid” boom in 1963, it predated Anne Rice’s concept for her blockbuster novel Interview with a Vampire by 13 years. 

Each side of the Famous Monsters Speak LP features an unnamed narrator prefacing the appearance of either Dracula or Frankenstein. Voice actor Gabriel Dell portrays each of the principal characters, with sound effects by Hal Johnson. Dell had a long Hollywood career that started in the 1930s when he made movies with the Dead End Kids, continuing into the ‘40s with the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.

Famous Monsters Speak was brought to the world by James Warren and Forrest J. Ackerman, publisher and editor of the legendary Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, working in tandem with Dell, Johnson, and scriptwriter Cherney Berg.

RockBeat Records issued Famous Monsters Speak on CD for the first time in 2011. The last time it was reissued on vinyl was 1979. The title is available on limited edition red & black splatter vinyl.

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Return of Halloween Nuggets

TRACKLIST: 

1. The Shandells, “Gorilla” | 2. Billy Duke & The Dukes, “Roland” | 3. The Circus, “Burn Witch Burn” | 4. Teddy Durant, “The Night Stalker” | 5. Cris Kevin, “Haunted House” | 6. The Devotions, “Devil’s Gotten Into My Baby” | 7. The Spellbinders, “Castin’ My Spell” | 8. Sonny Day & The Tony Ray Combo – “Creature from Outer Space” | 9. Vic Plati Quintet, “The Chiller” | 10. “The House on Haunted Hill” movie trailer * | 11. Carl Bonafede & The Gem-Tones, “Were Wolf” | 12. Ralph Nielsen & The Chancellors, “Scream” | 13. Frankie Stein & His Ghouls, “Knives and Lovers” | 14. Bettye LaVette, “Witchcraft in the Air” | 15. Glenda & Glen, “Voodoo Doll” | 16. The Upperclassmen, “Cha Cha with the Zombies” | 17. Terry Teen, “The Hearse” | 18. Boots Walker, “They’re Here” | 19. Dave Gardner, “Mad Witch” | 20. “Robot Monster” movie trailer *

* CD bonus track
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GABRIEL DELL - Famous Monsters Speak

TRACKLIST: 

1. “Frankenstein Speaks” (19:55) | 2. “Dracula Speaks” (21:12)

Order at Amazon or Bandcamp