ELVIRA AND THE VI-TONES: 3-D TV (THREE DIMENSIONAL) 12" MINI-SINGLE (Rhino Records; RNTI-401). In 1982, Elvira became the first person on TV to appear in 3-D by hosting the first 3-D movie to ever be televised on the boob-tube. The film was the 1954 Vincent Price classic:
The Mad Magician. Home viewers had to purchase their 3-D glasses at 7-Eleven stores. I remember them running out of the glasses just before the show aired. This 12" album features the song that Elvira performed on the show and even includes
"Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson, which was the opening and closing music for the series.
TRACKS:
1.
"3-D TV (Three Dimensional)" by Elvira and The Vi-Tones
2.
"Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson
ELVIRA PRESENTS VINYL MACABRE: OLDIES BUT GHOULIES (VOL. 1)
(Rhino Records; RNLP-810). This incredible collection of classic and rare tunes came out in 1983. (Unfortunately, Elvira never released a Vol. 2.) The back cover of this LP even features a welcoming message from the Queen of Camp herself:
"All the songs included here are TRULY Classicks, if you catch my drift. Some are moldy oldies but ghoulies, while others are SUCH fresh tracks you'll think they were buried alive!" These, and other words, are followed by a warning:
"This album is absolutely Deadly!" Other than including several obscure songs that you wouldn't find in other Halloween record compilations, we also get to hear Elvira speak to us twice on each side of the disc. Track 1
"Elvira's Theme (Intro)" is the
Movie Macabre opening theme music, which has Elvira setting the tone for the rest of the album:
"Hello, music lovers, and welcome to Elvira's Vinyl Macabre. That's right. It's me... Elvira... DJ of the Dark... that Temptress of the Turntable...." What follows next are six songs by various artists. Beckoning,
"come here, Darlin', and turn me over," Elvira playfully urges us over to Side B:
"I'll be bringing you more Music Macabre as soon as you flip my disc." Once we do, we are immediately greeted by our favorite hostess:
"It's good to see you're back. Now, turn around and let me see the rest of you!" Here, we are treated to five more songs until we finally reach the
"Elvira's Theme (Outro)," in which the Mistress of the Dark bids us
"unpleasant dreams." Also released on audio cassette.
TRACKS:
1.
"Elvira's Theme (Intro)" by Mark Pierson
2.
"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3.
"Haunted House" by Jumpin' Gene Simmons
4.
"The Munsters" by Comateens
5.
"Horror Movies" by The Bollock Brothers
6.
"Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
7.
"It's Halloween" by The Shaggs
8.
"(Midtro: Side A)" by Elvira
9.
"(Midtro: Side B)" by Elvira
10.
"Twilight Zone" by Neil Norman & His Cosmic Orchestra
11.
"The Vegas Vampire" by Jim Parker
12.
"Out of Limits" by The Challengers
13.
"Horror Movies" by Dickie Goodman
14.
"Drac's Back" by Red Lipstique
15.
"Elvira's Theme (Outro)" by Mark Pierson
"TRICK OR TREAT" was a song performed by Elvira on
Movie Macabre and during the 4-hour long TV special
Elvira's MTV Halloween Party (1984). Although it was never released to the public on vinyl or audio cassette, the song was aired on the radio during Dr. Demento's Halloween Show.
ELVIRA'S HALLOWEEN PARTY OCTOBER 1987
(1987; MCA Radio Network; 818/777-5775). Three-disc vinyl LP for radio broadcast play. As Schroeder (publisher of Cult Movies Magazine) graciously pointed out in a message, it included an introduction letter, a reply card, and a 3-page program of airplay. Unfortunately, I don't know what the discs' content consisted of.
ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: FRIGHT SOUND TAPE
(1987; Imagineering; 13961). Grunting, gasping, moaning, groaning, panting, and heavy breathing accompanied by the sounds of chains clanking and whips cracking. No, this is NOT a sex tape by the Mistress of the Dark, but a very well-made audio cassette recording filled with frightening sounds for spooky nights and scary events. This audio recording begins with the highly recognizable Elvira Theme music and our horror hostess with the mostest providing the intro:
"Greetings, wolf bait." With a friendly warning, she adds:
"Beware! This tape will self-destruct your mind in only 60 minutes..." and
"This soundtrack was recorded by ogres, spectres, ghouls, and phantoms!" Of course, the inevitable BOOB jokes are included throughout the dialogue. What follows are wickedly delicious sounds of horror: thunderstorms, monstrous creatures, a funeral service, extraterrestrial sounds, ghosts, witches, and people being painfully tortured and sliced-n-diced by sadistic madmen. And if you listen closely, you'll hear some perverse laughter that sounds suspiciously similar to good ol' Breather! Remember him??? Good stuff... good stuff....
ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: SOUNDTRACK
1988 brought us the first feature-length Elvira movie. Unfortunately, no soundtrack album was officially released. However, one of the songs in the film,
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Chako, had been previously issued in 1986 in an LP vinyl format (Polydor; 829062-1 Y-1) and as a 12" single (PRO-407-1). Later, in 2010, Elvira included the song, as well as an alternate version of it, in
Elvira's Gravest Hits (Shout! Factory) and was made available for purchase on iTunes. Also included in the compilation album, was the song
"Here I Am," which was Elvira's big performance number in the film.
ELVIRA PRESENTS HAUNTED HITS
This was, perhaps, Elvira's most popular Halloween music album. It was released in 1988 on both CD (R2-71492) and audio cassette (R4-71492) by Rhino Records. The eye-pleasing cover art claims: "The Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Horror Songs Of All Time!" 17 tracks by various artists appear on the CD version:
"Monster Mash," "Haunted House," "Ghostbusters," "Out of Limits," "The Blob," "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," "The Purple People Eater," "The Addams Family (Main Title)," "Welcome to My Nightmare," "Twilight Zone," "Dead Man's Party," "Halloween Spooks," "Horror Movie," "I Put a Spell on You," "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "Voodoo Voodoo," and, finally, the catchy and sexy song
"Full Moon" by Elvira herself! The audio cassette release featured these and 6 additional songs performed by Lewis Lee, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, The Tubes, Big "T" Tyler, The Jayhawks, and The Ran-Dells. The album was also released on vinyl (with only 17 songs), but came with an Elvira poster (same as the pic shown at the very top of this page, only without the text).
TRACKS:
1.
"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
2.
"Haunted House" by Jumpin' Gene Simmons
3.
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.
4.
"Out of Limits" by The Marketts
5.
"The Blob" by The Five Blobs
6.
"The Creature from the Black Lagoon" by Dave Edmunds
7.
"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
8.
"The Addams Family (Main Title)" by Vic Mizzy
9.
"Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" by Lewis Lee
10.
"Welcome to My Nightmare" by Alice Cooper
11.
"Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
12.
"Twilight Zone" by Neil Norman & His Cosmic Orchestra
13.
"Little Demon" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
14.
"Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" by The Tubes
15.
"King Kong" by Big "T" Tyler
16.
"The Creature" by The Jayhawks
17.
"Halloween Spooks" by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
18.
"Horror Movie" by The Skyhooks
19.
"I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
20.
"I Was a Teenage Werewolf" by The Cramps
21.
"Voodoo Voodoo" by LaVern Baker
22.
"Martian Hop" by The Ran-Dells
23.
"Full Moon" by Elvira
ELVIRA PRESENTS MONSTER HITS
(Rhino Records; R2-71778). Didn't think we heard the last of her, did you? In 1994 Elvira returned with another collection of Halloween songs. Not only did we get tunes from the likes of Alice Cooper, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and others, we were also treated to two original songs performed by the Mistress of the Dark herself! Also included in the CD were two humorous skits in which the self-proclaimed
"Queen of Camp... every trickster's treat" thanks the listener(s) for celebrating Halloween with her and for listening to Elvira's Monster Hits.
"HITS. I said HITS! Sheesh. Wash your mind out with soap, will ya?" She scolds us.
"There's children listening. That's because adults won't." For those who have forgotten the true meaning of Halloween, Elvira takes on the task of informing us what that is:
"The TRUE meaning of Halloween is... uh... is... uh... well, like I said, people have forgotten the true meaning of Halloween." Genius. Why has this woman not written a book? Well, if she does, I hope it includes a lot of pictures! Heheheh. All kidding aside, this is a must-have for all TRUE Elvira fans!!!
TRACKS:
1.
"Introduction" by Elvira
2.
"Monsta' Rap" by Elvira
3.
"Little Demon" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
4.
"Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper (Elvira's voice is edited into the song)
5.
"Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett
6.
"A Nightmare on My Street" by D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
7.
"The Addams Family" by Joey Gaynor
8.
"Here Comes the Bride (The Bride of Frankenstein)" by Elvira
9.
"Outro" by Elvira
ELVIRA PRESENTS: REVENGE OF THE MONSTER HITS
(1995; Rhino Records; R2-72179). Just in time for the following year's Halloween,
"that gal in black who keeps coming back," "every tricker's treat," and self-proclaimed
"Madonna of the Macabre," - Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (
"batteries not included") returns with yet more holiday greetings and two new songs recorded by our favorite goth gal herself! The additional material included in this CD is five songs performed by Charles Sheffield, Tubes, Warren Zevon, Bobby (Boris) Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers, and Oingo Boingo.
TRACKS:
1.
"Introduction" by Elvira
2.
"Haunted House" by Elvira
3.
"It's Your Voodoo Working" by Charles Sheffield
4.
"Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" by Tubes
5.
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
6.
"Monsters' Holiday" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
7.
"Weird Science" by Oingo Boingo
8.
"Zombie Stomp" by Elvira
9.
"Outro" by Elvira
ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
(2002; Spirit Entertainment Records; UPN: 7-24101-9124-2-9). We Elvira fans love the 1988 film
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, but have always felt a bit cheated that the soundtrack was never officially released. However, we do appreciate that Spirit Entertainment issued the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to
Elvira's Haunted Hills. Composed by the talented and versatile Eric Allaman (
Legend;
Latter Days), the movie's wonderfully engaging score can be heard on 28 tracks from this CD. It's a carnival of delightfully atmospheric, spooky, and, at times, quirky music that makes this ghoul reminisce about those classic Universal monster pictures, stylishly gothic Hammer productions, and enjoyably melodramatic Roger Corman fright flicks. Some whimsical arrangements, such as
"Lust" on track 6, bring to mind the music of Pino Donaggio (
Carrie;
Dressed to Kill). Of course, Elvira's bawdy musical number,
"Le Music Hall," by Jerry Jackson, is also included!
TRACKS:
1.
"Overture (Opening Titles)"
2.
"Carpathian Gypsy Dance"
3.
"The Graveyard"
4.
"Elura Remembered"
5.
"Le Music Hall" by Jerry Jackson; performed by Elvira
6.
"Lust"
7.
"The Nightmare"
8.
"The Adulterers"
9.
"Escape from Destruction"
10.
"Closing Titles"
11.
"Entombed"
12.
"Dr. Bradley's Coach"
13.
"Castle Hellsubus"
14.
"Portraits/Elura's Theme"
15.
"Marseilles"
16.
"Elura's Ring"
17.
"Elvira's Departure"
18.
"Vladimere's Delusions"
19.
"Earthquake"
20.
"Hypnotized"
21.
"Elura's Ghost/Elura's Coffin"
22.
"Roxanna's Wake"
23.
"Hellsubus Curse"
24.
"The Dungeon"
25.
"Adrien to the Rescue"
26.
"The Pendulum"
27.
"The Sinking of Castle Hellsubus"
28.
"Carpathian Night"
29.
"Coachride to Hell"
LESLIE HALL: ZOMBIE KILLER (FEATURING ELVIRA)
(2008; ARECEE). Elvira just seems to pop out at you from the darndest
places (beer, wine, soda pop, perfume, pinball machines, nail polish,
comic books, etc.). This time she makes a guest vocal appearance as the
narrator for Leslie Hall's 7" remix album
Zombie Killer ...and
the music video released the same year! Does this gal get around or
what? The LP was released in a limited (1000 copies) red vinyl format
with a 45 RPM play speed. Although a copy of the actual album is
difficult to track down, a digital recording of the song can easily be
purchased online and the music video can be seen all over the internet.
Just make sure you specifically search for the remix version featuring
Elvira or you may just end up with the original 2006 version of the
song... which, by the way, is very VERY good too. The label on the disc
itself warns us:
"In case of zombie outbreak play this record".
It's also worth mentioning that SIDE B has a great dance version of the
song and ends with a hilarious freestyle spoken word rambling. Classic.
TRACKS:
1.
"Zombie Killer: Remix Featuring Elvira"
2.
"Zombie Killer: Z.K. Chastity Pariah Mix Featuring Elvira"
ELVIRA'S HEAVY METAL HALLOWEEN
(2009; Compass Productions; 48224). A word of caution on this one: Elvira's name and image is used only to promote this CD album which consists of instrumental music selections. In fact, Cassandra Peterson's (a.k.a. Elvira) name does not appear anywhere on the album's credits as being involved with the production of this project. Only her company, Queen "B" Productions, is credited for providing the Elvira photos used throughout the art cover and disc. This has upset quite a few fans who expected the usual Elvira song and/or intro. It has also disappointed true Heavy Metal aficionados who were expecting a more true-to-the-music genre interpretation of these well-known compositions. All that aside, many people have voiced that they DO indeed like the album regardless of falling short of those two expectations previously mentioned. After getting past the disappointment, Sicko-Psychotic has found himself digging most of the rock variations on here. The musicians featured are Greg Herzenach on guitars, Joe Diaz on drums, and Jeff Victor on bass & keyboards. The album was reissued in 2014 by the Somerset Group as a Limited Pressing edition. Nothing new has been added, however, and Elvira is still missing from the recordings.
(Sigh.)
TRACKS:
1.
"Exorcist (Main Theme)"
2.
"Frankenstein"
3.
"Toccata and Fugue"
4.
"Hells Bells"
5.
"Moonlight Sonata"
6.
"Funeral March of a Marionette (Main Theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents)"
7.
"Godzilla"
8.
"Black Cat"
9.
"Phantom of the Opera"
10.
"In the Hall of the Mountain King"
11.
"Carmina Burana, O Fortuna"
12.
"Halloween (Main Theme)"
GHOULTOWN: MISTRESS OF THE DARK (ULTRA SINGLE CD/DVD)
(2009; Angry Planet Entertainment/MCP; 7-24101-21632-9). Wow. What can I say? The song and music video rock! When I first came across and viewed the video, I just knew I had to get my grubby little fingers on one of these Limited Edition Collector Sets. Only 2000 copies? Really?! Are you kidding me?!? Well, I DID get mine, although, I had to make a little arrangement with the postman. I arranged a detour and no one's heard from him since. It would have been such a sad affair... if I weren't busy rejoicing over my brand-new copy of this... whatchamacallit! The cover art is groovy. The case folds out to reveal 1 CD, 1 DVD, and a fold-out pamphlet containing the lyrics to the main song and notes on how the band first met the Mistress of the Dark. If you haven't yet seen the music video (highly recommended) you'll be pleasantly surprised to see that the good ol' Macabremobile makes an appearance! Maybe not. I just spoiled it for you. FYI, a single CD version was also released, but it's just not as cool as having this whatchamacallit. Just sayin'....
CD TRACKS:
1.
"Mistress of the Dark"
2.
"Return of the Living Dead"
3.
"My Halloween"
4.
"Drink with the Living Dead"
5.
"Mistress of the Dark (Reanimated Mix)"
6.
"Mistress of the Dark (Dance of the Dead Mix)"
DVD FEATURES:
1.
"Mistress of the Dark Music Video"
2.
"Making of the Video Featurette"
3.
"Storyboard to Video Comparison"
4.
"Episode of the Har Har Show"
ELVIRA'S GRAVEST HITS
(2010; Shout! Factory). One wouldn't expect Elvira's discography to be this large, right? Well, it just goes to show - bigger is better! And to prove that we got a huge HUGE surprise in 2010 with the digital album
Elvira's Gravest Hits! Available for download on iTunes, Discogs, and elsewhere, the album features a generous selection of Elvira songs and music, including a long version of
"Elvira's Theme" (5:20 minutes!), the never-before-released
"Here I Am", and the rare 12" Single version of
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Chacko. With all this macabre goodness being thrown at us, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the soundtrack to
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is finally released. Pretty please, Elvira! With sweet cyanide on top? Hmm? Oh, and while you're at it, give us both versions of
"Trick or Treat" (we fans have been wanting that forever), and throw in
"Breather",
"Rats in My Hair" for good measure,
"13 Nights of Halloween", and
"2 Big Pumpkins". Preferably on CD, or made available for digital download. Also, I'd like to see... alright, I'll stop.
TRACKS:
1.
"Elvira's Theme" by Mark Pierson
2.
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Lori Chacko
3.
"3-D TV (Three Dimensional)" by Elvira and The Vi-Tones
4.
"Full Moon" by Elvira
5.
"Monsta' Rap" by Elvira
6.
"Zombie Stomp" by Elvira
7.
"Haunted House" by Elvira
8.
"Here Comes the Bride (The Bride of Frankenstein)" by Elvira
9.
"Here I Am" by Elvira
10.
"Le Music Hall" by Elvira
11.
"Zombie Killer: Remix Featuring Elvira" by Leslie Hall and The LYs & Elvira
12.
"Mistress of the Dark" by Ghoultown
13.
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy (12" Single Version)" by Lori Chacko
ELVIRA'S MOVIE MACABRE THEME SONG: WHAT CAN I DO? - 7" SINGLE
(2010; Third Man Records; TMR-062). The instrumental version of the song
"What Can I Do?" by The Black Belles was used as the theme song for the new
Movie Macabre TV show (2010-2011) and was released as a limited edition 7" vinyl picture disc. A clear plastic sleeve covered the folded, glow-in-the-dark coffin-shaped cardboard sleeve, which contained the disc. Inside, you also find instructions for Elvira's Secret Make-Up Formula! Pretty nifty, huh? A 7" digital download of the vocal version was made available early that year, but contained the song
"Lies" on the second track instead of the instrumental heard on the vinyl. In 2012, Third Man Records did a special DVD release of
Devil's Night, which was hosted by Elvira and featured live performances by The Black Belles and The Greenhornes.
"What Can I Do?" was one of the songs performed.
TRACKS:
1.
"What Can I Do?" by The Black Belles
2.
"What Can I Do? (Instrumental)" by The Black Belles
ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK: 2 BIG PUMPKINS / 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN - 7" SINGLE
(2013; Third Man Records; TMR-238). Once again, Elvira comes out with another vinyl record, this time, however, the disc is translucent purple. The gimmick is that the cover sleeve is heat sensitive and Elvira materializes whenever the front or back of the cover is warmed. The image of Elvira on the back has her looking like she's been possessed by Captain Howdy. Incidentally, there is a music video for the song
"2 Big Pumpkins"!
TRACKS:
1.
"2 Big Pumpkins" by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
2.
"13 Nights of Halloween" by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
