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Death and Horror – Yes Folks its Volume 13 in the BBCs Sound Effects Vinyl Records and Tapes Series

bbc sound effects death and horror vinyl record front cover

Tis the season to hide behind the sofa quivering and glimpse a cackling witch fly across a full moon. In the spirit of things that go bump in the night and all things a bit weird – I thought we’d take a deeper look at this record – Sound Effects No 13 – Death and Horror.

Firmly sitting in the novelty record section, the first thing that comes to mind when I see a horror sound effects record is why and who would buy records like this? Through the lens of today, on one hand you find yourself thinking the marketplace must have been made up of Jeffrey Dahmer on one end and prepubescent boys in their bedrooms on the other. Clearly folks dug this sort of thing, so let’s take a closer look.

History Of Death and Horror Volume 13

Wonderfully positioned as number 13th in the series and released in 1977, Death & Horror is a landmark record within the BBC‘s Sound Effects records range. Principally aimed towards amateur film makers, dramatics societies, theatres and sound effects enthusiasts this series was phenomenally popular. In many respects this record was pitched at the YouTube equivalent of the content creation generation of the Seventies, perhaps things aren’t as different today as we sometimes think. Even more surprising is how large and involved this niche of records was. When you look at the effort that went into marketing and making this record you realise how vibrant the sector must have been.

Charting in The Top 100 UK Albums this remarkable recording drew considerable demand in the marketplace. We must of course bare in mind this is when vinyl records shifted in serious numbers so it makes it even more surprising that a sound effects record managed to hit the heights of the album charts given what is was competing against.

Partly driving the demand for the record was the genre and controversy that surrounded this release. Condemned at the time by the campaigner Mary Whitehouse as being outrageously irresponsible and violent the release was actually pulled from sale for a period. This no doubt fanned the flames of demand and mean’t a huge queue of buyers were waiting with their hard earned cash when the record went back on sale.

Sir Christopher Lee Hammer House Of Horror

The horror niche also fuelled interest for this release. Horror has always had a strong allure and in the Seventies the Horror genre was at its height with films like the Exorcist released in 1974 and the Hammer House of Horror series fanning the flames of the publics consciousness.

How Does The Recording Sound and Play

Listening to the record is a giggle as there are elements that do sound, shall we say, somewhat amateur now. This though adds to its overall charm and its quintessential Britishness. There are also some seriously impressive components – the Monster and Animals section is outstanding. When considering the technology the engineers were working with it is astonishing the results that they achieved. The organic quality of each and every sound is a real testament to its appeal. We lack this kind of reality in todays sonic effects universe. Many BBC productions of the time were genuinely scary and monumentally creative. Series like Blake 7, Doctor Who and the Ghost Stories For Christmas had a gritty and unnerving quality that kept the public petrified. The creativity of those productions is clearly evident in this record and was obviously part of BBC DNA.

BBC Sound Effects - Death and Horror Vinyl Record Rear Cover

Many of the records elements were drawn from the depths of the BBC’s archive while others were made uniquely for the recording. The BBC producer Mike Harding was the mastermind behind the Sound Effects series and no doubt saw and understood the instant commercial value of the BBC archive in the amateur and enthusiast marketplace.

As a piece of social history and on its own merit this record is as wonderful as it is deliciously weird. Andrew Prewitt was responsible for the cover artwork which is a real delight and has echoes for me of Dracula Annuals which scared the pants off me as a child. Another rather natty thing about this wax is hidden until you hold it up to an intense light – and yes folks, it glows blood red! How awesome is that?

1980s Dracula Annual

It would be easy to dismiss this recording but as ever with the obscure when you take time to look you discover something special. You can find Death and Horror within our novelty records section, but be careful……… its horrifying.

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Album Review – Santana Caravanserai

santana caravanserai gatefold album cover

You know when you look at an Album cover and think, whoa man, that looks cool. Let’s go there. Such is the case when you look at the cover of Caravanserai. With a cover that depicts a desert people crossing a sand tundra with a huge glowing orange sun in the sky you know you might be onto something special. You can’t but wonder what the music is like inside that album cover. I love diving into those kinds of record. I knew nothing of the band Santana before listening to this one. So with the dark nights drawing in and the news hideous I was off. It is the time of year when closing out an evening with an album you’ve never listened to before from a band you know nothing about just seems like the right thing to do. Thus was the start of my journey into the world of Caravanserai.

The album starts with chirping crickets and a Beatles style sax playing in the background with a disorientating melody, it could almost be a didgeridoo. Then comes the bass and symbols, I can almost feel that Massive Attack may have been influenced by this kind of record. This sounds like Nineties ambient music. Nice. Am I at Cafe Del Mar?

Exploring Side 1

Lots of guitar solos, samba drums, Shaft style twangy rifts follow on from the opening on side 1. And, it is a very long beginning, these guys know how to set a scene and build anticipation. Some organs follow with a distinct Jazzy Prog Rock feel. We don’t get vocals until track four on side 1, but thats ok. Who needs formulae when you’re discovering? Those vocals don’t last long but they are good. They lead you in further to a Jazzy cavern setting a really nice immersive ambience. This record doesn’t sound old somehow. It does feels like a journey, I understand the cover better now and its significance. Some could find the guitars solos indulgent but that all depends on the listener, one mans heaven is another’s hell. It doesn’t bother me because this is new and that’s what I’m up for tonight. A huge track at the end of side 1 and the vocals are back, the track feels very jazz like again, different tempos but a nice undercurrent of rhythm that stays constant. Some great bass plucks ending side one and we are through ready for what awaits us on side 2. Great start.

Exploring Side 2

Side two starts way out there, a bit like the beginning of a Seventies Bruce Lee or James Bond film. Bongo drums and some gentle Cuban like vocals in the background. In track two we’ve got some more nice vocals back with organs. This has an avant garde cafe culture jazz feel but definitely more eclectic. Uniformity isn’t welcome here. This band has got me and it is taking me where it pleases. When we hit track three the tempo picks up with a samba drum driving the track forward. I can almost feel Dr Kananga chasing James Bond down the street. Some wild organs playing now twisting my melon with a Doors feel. This is quite a ride and I’m enjoying it. The last track of side two is epic. Huge guitar solos, symbols, deep drums and a carcophony of rhythm bringing us to a dramatic end. Wow. I think this Jazz Prog Rock extravaganza just ate my brain.

This album is not for the faint hearted. This isn’t easy listening. Santana start you slow and lull you in with this LP. The album cover and the music do each other justice on this record. We’ve all seen album covers that promise but often the music lets you down. Not so with Caravanserai. This record could frighten some people off with its lack of uniformity and insistence on Jazzy surprise. I liked it, it would definitely find a home in my collection. The music is escapist and transportive. Thumbs up from me.

I’ve selected track four from side one for the music sample for you guys to listen to here, its one of my favourites on the album.

Santana Caravanserai - Just In Time To See The Sun Vinyl Record Play

I’m glad I listened to this album completely cold without any awareness of the music or band, sometimes its such a delight to have a genuinely new discovery. Here are a few details about the band Santana and the album Caravanserai.

About Santana

Santana The Band

The bands name Santana is drawn from the bands founding members name Carlos Santana. Carlos was born in Mexico in July 1947. His musical style is rooted in Jazz, Blues and Latin sounds. In 1966 Carlos formed his band Santana and it was in 1969 and the Woodstock festival where the band came to prominence.

They were signed by Columbia records and had a string of hit records including Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman and Oye Como Va. The album Caravanserai I’ve reviewed here was released in 1972 was at the height of the bands powers.

The word Caravanserai has two meanings. An Indian Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda stated the word to mean eternal cycle of reincarnation. In the East the word is said to mean a large area that provides refuge for caravans of people travelling communally. I rather like both meanings and they suit the music wonderfully. The album peaked at number six in the R&B charts and was well received by the musical press.

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How The Weak Pound Offers Big Opportunities For Foreign Buyers of UK Vinyl Records

The Who Album Cover For Odds and Sods

Why all The Gloom? Grab Yourself Some Forex Vinyl Record Love Old Son

There is a lot of doom and gloom around about the economy and depreciating currencies these days, though with every grey cloud there is always a silver lining. No more is this true than for the woes of the British Pound and the upside for Foreign Vinyl Collectors. With Sterling at near record lows against currencies like the US Dollar UK goods are better value than ever. You have to go back to 1985 to get a better Dollar to Sterling exchange rate.

For foreign buyers of UK Vinyl Records this could potentially be a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy some sweet UK Vinyl Record gems at bargain basement prices. As of the time of writing below is an overview of some of the best currency savings as against a year ago for foreign Vinyl buyers.

Currency Savings On Offer

  • GBP/USD Down 17%
  • GBP/AUD Down 6%
  • GBP/CAD Down 10%
  • GBP/HKD Down 17%

With these sorts of savings Vinyl buyers in the US, Hong Kong, Canada and Australia are no doubt salivating at the prospect of nailing some bargains.

In recent years collectible Used Vinyl Records have been on the ascendancy on the list of must have items on shoppers buy lists. Mixmag recently reported that Vinyl sales in the US are now running at a 30 year high, with 108% rise in sales since 2020 in 2022. It seems from data like that that the appetite for Vinyl Records remains undimmed and continues to grow.

Why Buy UK Vinyl Records?

Historically the UK has always been a fantastic marketplace from which to source collectible Vinyl Records. Britain ranks number one for its sheer breadth of output, creativity and popularity of its music. One only has to consider bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for a second to understand the level of tectonic gravity that exists around the UK’s music scene. Hum a Beatles tune almost anywhere on this planets surface and without having to speak the language of the country you are in they will recognise instantly the sweet melodies of the fab four. Couple the quality of the UK’s music with the jaw dropping artistry of UK Album cover artwork and photography and frankly all Vinyl Record collectors know they are onto a winner with UK merchandise.

How Long Will These Savings Last?

How long the currency benefits will remain in place for buyers is unclear. With a new UK Chancellor and pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates to shore up Sterling it seems likely the Pounds slide cannot last forever. The timing though seems perfect for buyers as we approach the holiday season, rarely if ever has there been a better time to swoop and grab bargain collectible Vinyl Records from the UK market.

For more interesting Vinyl Record articles try these: History of the LP RecordUK Capitol 45 Record Labels and Sleeves Archive From 1953 to 198345 Record Guide – Size, Value, Prices, Worth and History of 45 Records or What Vintage Vinyl Records Are Worth Money? or Collectors Guide To Building a Vinyl Record Collection.

If you’d like to buy some 45’s checkout our 45 Record Collection here.

You can find our selection of music for sale here – Used CDsUsed RecordsNew Vinyl RecordsNew CDs7 Inch Records12 Inch Records and LP Records.

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Classical Composers On Vinyl Records

Man Playing a Piano with the Sea as a backdrop

Find Your Favourite Classical Composers On Vinyl With Us. We Have a Huge Collection of Classical Vinyl Records For Sale. Use Our Classical Composer List To Find Some Fantastic Classical Records.