Album review: BOBBY ‘BORIS’ PICKETT – The Monster Mash

Decca [Release date 11.10.24]

Bobby Pickett, a comedian and singer/songwriter, recorded this track after fronting a band called the Cordials by night, while attending auditions by day. Part of his act would include a monologue imitating Boris Karloff (probably best known as the most famous Frankenstein’s Monster).

The imitation was so successful that this song ensued. With The Crypt Kickers (featuring a young Leon Russell), “The Original Monster Mash” LP appeared in 1962 and the single was a huge hit, topping the charts.

And here, in time for Halloween (although Christmas would also do), we get a reissue (15 rather than 16 tracks), on a nicely evil luminous slime-green vinyl.

The title track is a multi faceted spoof, first of dance trends of the time (The Mash Potato, The Twist), and with its Frankenstein and Dracula and monster references, Karloff and Bella Lugosi imitations, of the horror genre too.

It’s been very widely covered, including by The Misfits and Bad Manners. It’s been rerecorded, rereleased, in fact a 7” 45 on a similar green vinyl appeared about this time last year. And a classic the song will always be. For behind the parody is a catchy blend of period dance, bubblegum pop, and a rough brashness of rock’n’roll.

With tracks like Blood Bank Blues, Transylvania Twist, Irresistable Igor, you know what you’re going to get. Not to be taken too seriously, but definitely to be enjoyed. Want a retro Halloween party, this is a perfect start. Sounds good, looks good, well presented with the original notes on the rear. A mash of monstering indeed. ****

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)