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A Frank Zappa Halloween Costume

I think I just found my Halloween costume for this year.

How did I ever miss this? It debuted just last year for the 40th anniversary celebration of Frank Zappa’s legendary Halloween concert series at The Palladium in New York. Zappa did Halloween concerts throughout the entirety of his career, but the one in 1977 is generally considered to be the apogee of that grand tradition.

To commemorate that series of shows (which ran from October 28-31), the family released a massive box set that includes all six concerts on a USB stick, in 24-bit WAV audio for a flawless sound experience, PLUS a jaw-dropping adult size Frank Zappa costume in vintage 70s plastic style. Worth every penny, and still available from the official Zappa merch store for $300.

Cover Battle — The Great Pumpkin Waltz

We are officially in the “-BER months” now, a time of year that for my generation is indelibly stamped by the melancholy Peanuts cartoon soundtracks of Vince Guiraldi and his trio. Though the nostalgic quality of these tracks reaches fever pitch around Christmastime, we begin our seasonal contemplation with this wistful little tune, quickly supplanted in the Guiraldi lineup, but never quite forgotten. It remains one of my favorites, but I’ll only listen to it from the start of September through Halloween.

Cover Battle — Love Songs

It’s time once again for one of my patented YouTube cover battles, and in typical fashion you pick the winner. Tonight’s theme is one of my favorite for YouTube covers — LOVE SONGS. I have my personal favorite, of course, but I won’t spoil it for you. Enjoy, and leave a comment to vote for the winner.

Cover Battle — Red Rubber Ball

I woke up this morning with this song stuck in my head, thinking about my dad and the good progress he’s making recovering from a triple bypass operation.