Tag Archives: Bobby “Boris” Pickett

Music Monday: October 28, 2024

Posted in Holidays, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

1940s Halloween

Halloween display circa 1940’s-1950’s at a Five & Dime store. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Spooky season is upon us, so in that spirit (get it?), I made myself a small Halloween-esque playlist countdown perfect to listen to while I carve my jack-o-lantern:

5. Boz Scaggs: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (2003, written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers).

So many great versions of this show tune, most recently by Rufus Wainwright for “The History Boys” soundtrack (2006), but I have adored Boz’s voice forever so his cover has my heart.

4. Annie Lenox: “I Put A Spell On You” (2014, written by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins).

Yes, I love Bette Midler’s version from “Hocus Pocus” and Nina Simone’s jazzy cover of this song, but Lennox gives it soul which is always at the top of my list.

3. Donovan: “Season Of The Witch” (1966, written by Donovan and Shawn Phillips).

I am woefully late to this party (this song is from 1966!). I discovered it on an episode of “House” (S3 E11) and could not believe the song I was enjoying was by the folk singer who sang “Jennifer Juniper”. Wonders truly never cease.

Witch circa 1940s

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

2. Ella Fitzgerald: “Witchcraft” (2007 (recorded circa 1960), written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

It is by Lady Ella. Enough said.

1. Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Because the kid in me would not have it any other way.

Have a happy Halloween, everyone!

Womans World 1912 pumpkin cover

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: October 30, 2023

Posted in Holidays, Music, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to the Halloween triple play edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the music, I want to take a minute to share how truly brokenhearted I am over the loss of actor Matthew Perry. “Friends” is part of my DNA and his portrayal of Chandler Bing is a huge part of that. To lose such a beautiful person so unexpectedly at such a young age is an absolute shame, not to mention truly crushing. It is just too sad for words but I am forever grateful for the legacy he left behind.

Matthew Perry
Friends-696x443

Top: Matthew Perry circa 2004. Bottom: The cast of “Friends” circa 2004 (L-R): David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On a much lighter note, happy Halloween, everyone. I have three songs to help you celebrate this special day.

The first is a his and her version from two of the best voices we have ever been privileged to hear. Hers belongs to the great Ella Fitzgerald. Her jazz infused take gives me “The Great Pumpkin” vibes as it reminds me so much of the soundtrack created by Vince Guaraldi for those fabulous and iconic Peanuts specials. His is by the Chairman Of The Board, Francis Albert Sinatra. You cannot go wrong with either and they both add a touch of elegance and style to what is traditionally known as a children’s holiday.

The second feature is a staple for kids of all ages this time of year, whether you embrace the spooky side to the holiday or not. It is just campy light-hearted fun. And it is part of the soundtrack of my life thanks to my mother who introduced it to me when I was a child.

The third song of the day is a surprise to me as I was never a fan of the artist. Donovan was primarily known as a folk singer and later embraced a psychedelic sound, neither of which were genres I related to. But much to my surprise, I heard his spooky track on an episode of “House” (S3 E11) and could not believe the song I was enjoying was by the same man who sang “Jennifer Juniper”. I also never knew his daughter is actress Ione Skye from one of my favorite movies, “Say Anything”.

Enjoy the last day of October, everyone.

Peanuts Halloween

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Witchcraft” (1957, written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

Ella Fitzgerald: “Witchcraft” (2007 (recorded circa 1960), written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Donovan: “Season Of The Witch” (1966, written by Donovan and Shawn Phillips).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: October 31, 2022

Posted in Holidays, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Happy Halloween to all!!!

(Pinterest image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I always salute this spooktacular holiday with one song, but this year I think it deserves two. That is because 2022 saw the release of “Hocus Pocus 2” and even though I have not seen it yet, I think any movie that stars Bette Midler deserves to be celebrated. She recorded the first of today’s two songs for the original film which premiered in 1993. The track has also been covered in great fashion by Annie Lennox, Nina Simone, Bryan Ferry and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson in Disney’s “Hocus Pocus”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Our second spotlight tune is the quintessential song of the holiday and has been ever since it was released 60 years ago in 1962. Even if you do not embrace the scary side of this holiday (or wish to skip it all together) this is an amusing tale about characters that are usually seen in a very frightening way enjoying themselves with a dance that is all their own. A fabulously fun novelty song if ever there was one.

Hope you all enjoy this last day of October, however you choose to spend it.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bette Midler: “I Put A Spell On You” (1993, written by Jalacy J. “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins).

Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Stay safe and well.

Music Monday: October 25, 2021

Posted in Holidays, Music by

Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the blog for this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This Sunday is Halloween. There are lots of songs that pay tribute to this celebration of candy & all things spooky. But for me, only one song is perfect. Hope you all have a safe fun spooktacular holiday!

Halloween images

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Stay well.