Dracula's Greatest Hits
I Want to Bite Your Hand / Drac the Knife / King Kong Stomp / Monster Hootenanny / Ghoul Days / Frankenstein / The New Frankenstein and Johnny Song / Monster Goose Rhymes / Surf Monster / Caryy Me Back to Transylvania / Little Black Bag
Gene Moss (w. Fred Rice)
// 1964 on RCA Victor Records (LSP 2977 /LPM 2977)
3.0
Album Review:
The self-conscious message on the front cover of this release reads: "Warning! this is a horrible record!" Such self-analysis is admirable, and in case you are wondering, yes - that's a pretty accurate sum of the album. Original copies came with 15 'fan cards' of famous monsters. Despite its lackluster material, full sets in pristine condition fetch considerable sums in collector circles. Jacket art was done by Jack Davis, best known for his work in Mad Magazine.
Most songs are retooled ghoul-themed covers of popular hits. The Beatles, Bobby Darin, and Chuck Berry all get their compositions 'spookified'. The one surf-related tune, 'Surf Monster' is inconsequential (plus it's essentially the same song as 'King Kong Stomp' with a Bo Diddley beat).
Dracula's Greatest Hits is kooky and lame at the same time. If you enjoy Halloween-themed sixties albums, my advice is to check out either the Munsters' Newest Teenage Singing Group, the Ghouls' Dracula's Deuce, or Don Hinson and the Rigamortions' Monster Dance Party.
