Today's Tune: "Free Man" By Angel Witch

Angel Witch group photo from first album, 'Angel Witch' (1980).

Patrick McGoohan (March 19, 1928 - January 13, 2009) was born on this day, in 1928. In remembrance of the American (US)-born Irish actor, it's to him that this 'Today's Tune' is dedicated.

McGoohan's family moved back to Ireland shortly after his birth and later moved to England, where he would eventually get into the acting business. Early on, McGoohan worked in the theatre end of the industry. Later, he made his way to television and film.

Patrick McGoohan became famous and most well known for two similar television roles. In the early and mid 1960's, he played a spy named John Drake in the popular show called 'Danger Man'. Later on however, it is his 17 episode show titled The Prisoner that became a cult classic.

By the time McGoohan decided he wanted to quit 'Danger Man', he was offered the lead role in 'The Prisoner'. He played a secret agent, who was kidnapped and taken to a very mysterious and strange village while unconscious. He wakes up not knowing where he is, or who is really running the place. His character only knows they won't let him leave, and what they want from "Number 6" (as he is called) is "Information".

The Prisoner - Series Trailer

The show was filmed in the North Wales Italianate style seaside village of Portmeirion. Having been there back in 1992 myself, I assure you that it is real, and not just a temporary set. My visit occurred while I was on a trip with an American (US) based Doctor Who fan club. I believe "The Friends Of Doctor Who" were the largest club in the States, at the time.

McGoohan's charater was forever trying to outsmart his captors and make his escape from the village. He aimed to once again be a "Free Man". With that in mind, the song "Free Man" (1980), from Gothic-Metal British head-bangers Angel Witch, is my choice for this 'Today's Tune' post. It was originally released on the band's self-titled debut album, in March of 1980.

Angel Witch - "Free Man" (1980)



Angel Witch - "Free Man" Live March 9, 2012

Today's Tune: "Dr. Phibes" By Angel Witch

Hugh Griffith as the Rabbi in 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971)

Born on this day in 1912, Welsh film, television and stage actor Hugh Griffith (May 30, 1912 – May 14, 1980) was born. His acting career flourished soon after he served in the army during World War II, which happened just as he was getting started.

Early on, Griffith did very well trodding the boards in both England and the United States. Those stage roles earned him award nominations, while putting him alongside another famous Welsh actor, Richard Burton, and American actor Anthony Perkins.

He also shared the silver screen with many celebrated actors, once he started doing films in the late 1940s. Griffith would work in movies ('Ben-Hur', 'Oliver!', 'Start The Revolution Without Me') released up until the year before his death, at 67 years old. He appeared in a few hit television shows (Quatermass II, Clochemerle, 'Grand Slam') as well.

This 'Today's Tune' was selected based on a pair of horror films Griffith made with master of the macabre, Vincent Price. Price stars as Dr. Anton Phibes, a murderous madman bent on revenge, in both 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971) and it's sequel, 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again' (1972). In the first film, Hugh Griffith plays the Rabbi that knows all about the Egyptian themed curses all the terrifying deaths seem to be related to. In the follow up movie, Griffith portrays Harry Ambrose, while Price's re-awakened Dr. Phibes continues to kill.

Angel Witch, my favorite cult NWOBHM band, originally released the instrumental track "Dr. Phibes" on the 'Loser' EP (Extended Play Single - B-Side). Since then, it has been included on multiple re-issues of 'Angel Witch' (1980), the band's gothic masterpiece and first full studio album.

Angel Witch - "Dr. Phibes" Original Studio Recording



Angel Witch - "Dr. Phibes" Live in Athens, Greece Nov. 15, 2009

Today's Tune: "White Witch" By Angel Witch

Award winning veteran American actress Agnes Moorehead died on this day (April 30), in 1974. Our 'Today's Tune' was selected to honor Moorehead. It relates to some of her work in various horror movies and her most famous television role, the witch Endora in the long running series Bewitched.

The Wikipedia page on Moorehead introduces her thusly...

Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900 – April 30, 1974) was an American actress. [1] Although she began with the Mercury Theatre, appeared in more than seventy films beginning with Citizen Kane and on dozens of television shows during a career that spanned more than thirty years, Moorehead is most widely known to modern audiences for her role as the witch Endora in the series Bewitched.

While rarely playing leads in films, Moorehead's skill at character development and range earned her one Emmy Award and two Golden Globe awards in addition to four Academy Award and six Emmy Award nominations. Moorehead's transition to television won acclaim for drama and comedy. She could play many different types, but often portrayed haughty, arrogant characters...

Since I was thinking of you today Agnes, here is a witchy track, by a witchy band. The British goth metalers (Is that a real word?), Angel Witch bring us "White Witch" (1980).

Angel Witch - "White Witch" (1980)

Today's Tune: "Sorcerers" By Angel Witch

I once dressed up as Severus Snape for Halloween.
Hey, I had the long hair and the black robe.
Never you mind why I had the robe!

Happy Birthday to J. K. Rowling! The author of the hugely successful 'Harry Potter' fantasy book series turns 45 years old today. Born Joanne Rowling, she started life in the town of Yate, near Bristol, England. When she married, her legal name became Joanne Murray.

There are seven books in the 'Harry Potter' series which, along with the subsequent movie adaptations, has made the charitable minded Rowling a very rich woman.

These books are centered around the make-believe world of wizards, also known as sorcerers. Whilst thinking about the books and their counterpart films, I came up with our 'Today's Tune'. I was especially mulling over the first novel 'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone', which was retitled 'Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone' for us in the States.

Staying with creatures of magical abilities, I've picked the song "Sorcerers" (1980) by British cult metal band Angel Witch.

Angel Witch - "Sorcerers"

Today's Tune: "Angel Witch" By Angel Witch

On October 12, 1692, colonial Massachusetts Governor William Phips wrote a letter of his observations of the conditions and activities relating to the original "witch trials", commonly referred to as the 'Salem Witch Trials'. Included in the typically unfair and unjust proceedings were the early local hearings and trials of "The Court of Oyer and Terminer" , which relied heavily on spectral evidence and the "touch test".

Governor Phips had the court disbanded, but only after 29 people had been found guilty of practicing witchcraft. Nineteen of those witches, fourteen women and five men, were hanged. One man named Giles Corey refused to enter a plea, so he was crushed to death under heavy stones in an effort to force him to comply. Some were pardoned by the Governor. In 1693, the trials continued in the new less bloodthirsty Superior Court Of Judicature. The text of Phipps letter can be found via this link.

For our 'Today's Tune' we turn to one of the most underrated (and unplayed on most American radio) English cult metal bands ever, Angel Witch. From the self titled album (Released in 1980), I give to you the title track - "Angel Witch".

Angel Witch - "Angel Witch"