Here at C’est la Mode, it’s a groovy Halloween happening featuring these five spooky tracks. Enjoy!
1. Run by Sandie Shaw
Lots of atmosphere on hand here from the barefoot princess of Britpop. This Chris Andrews penned track from 1966 features thunder and wind sound effects and a creepy keyboard hook. Sandie’s foreboding vocal has her trying to escape a tyrannical boyfriend. See her prior release, “Nothing Comes Easy,” for lowdown on this twisted relationship!
2. I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night by The Electric Prunes
A great one-off hit from late 1966/early ’67 full of psychedelic fuzz-tone guitar, pounding drums, tambourine and what sounds like a sitar (?). The song alludes to an acid trip gone wrong, and there is a genuine weariness in lead singer James Lowe’s vocal. The Electric Prunes recorded for Reprise Records, owned by Frank Sinatra.
3. Season of the Witch by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity
Psychedelia again as Jules and Brian cover this slinky simmering Donovan track that appears on their 1968 album “Open.” Julie is a C’est La Mode favorite. Her voice reminds me of a harder-edged Dusty Springfield. Check out her groovy eye makeup in this clip and you’ll discover why she was named “The Face of 1968”!
4. Daughter of the Sun by Sharon Tandy (with Les Fleur De Lys)
A hard-driving, freakbeat track from South African-born Sharon Tandy, backed by mod outfit Les Fleur De Lys circa 1968. “I’ll cast a spell on you and you’ll be dead,” sings Sharon. This woman ain’t foolin’ around!
5. I Put A Spell on You by Manfred Mann
The Manfreds’ 1965 take on the oft-covered Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic. In C’est La Mode’s humble opinion, lead singer Paul Jones is one of the best white R&B singers the UK ever produced!