What Are You Listening To?

[Dave Boy]

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

This weeks album listens

[Prince_Vajda]

The B-52's - Rock Lobster

[nosferatu42]

The Unquenchable Thirst Of Dracula

dracula-rev21.jpg

Suddenly remembered this was on BBC radio at Halloween so thought i'd see if it was still on BBC iplayer.

This would have made a really interesting Hammer film but it was never to be so instead Mark Gatiss has produced it as a radioplay, Gatiss certainly knows his Hammer stuff and his affection shows because this recalls many moments of Hammer.

There is some nice scene setting music that recalls the Hammer style and he made a good choice for the voice actor of Dracula who's voice resembled Christopher Lee in many instances.

The story is set in India in the 1930's and we follow the arrival of a young woman who is in search of her sister, the last letter she received placed her in the vicinity of a ancient cave before she disappeared.
On arrival she makes friends with some locals who kindly allow her to stay with them. Later she makes her way to the caves and into the lair of Count Dracula.

I found this to be a really interesting premise, relocating the count to India, and i also found the actual play to be really well made and involving, all the voice artists are very good and the fact that many of the locals are played by Indian actors adds to the realism greatly. It is narrated very well as well with a nice air of creepy authority and pace by Michael Sheen.

The main woman is very self sufficient and strong willed, and the atmosphere is heavy as she investigates the caves and underground passages below a local Maharaja's palace. The story weaves in a dancing girl, a King Cobra, a blood cult and a group of Dracula's brides, there is a set piece with a large crowd of locals that would have stretched Hammer's budget somewhat, and it all climaxes in a satisfying ending.

I for one was totally caught up in the story and would love to have seen this filmed.

It's still available on the iplayer for another few weeks, so if you are a Hammer fan i would urge you to give it a go.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Iron Maiden - Lord of Light

[Prince_Vajda]

The B-52's - 52 Girls

[Wes]

A classic of sampladelic hip hop, and probably the most unlikely place you'll hear a shout out for Bloodsucking Freaks...

[Prince_Vajda]

Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

[Wes]

Enjoying an evening of analogue electronica - droning ARPs and pulsating Prophets. Both of these arrived in 1981, and I imagine were a key influence on the burgeoning bedroom synth scene...

[Wes]

Carpenter and Alan Howarth at work on the Escape From New York soundtrack. Picture taken from the back cover of the Varèse Sarabande ‎LP. That cup of coffee sitting on the ARP's panel makes me nervous... just one careless tip would do it !!