After last week’s debacle in London, the Bills are spending their Bye Week licking their wounds and wishing they were as good as the 7-0 New England Patriots who own the AFC East. How will your favorite NFL team do today?

Todd Mason pointed out that there was some confusion about Alfred Hitchcock’s Witches Brew. I thought there were two different versions of this book with different covers, different stories, but they had the same title. After some literary detective work, I found THREE different versions of Alfred HItchcock’s Witches Brew. with SIX different covers. Check this out:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. To Whet Your Appetite… by Alfred Hitchcock (ghost written)
2. The Wishing-Well by E.F. Benson
3. That Hell-Bound Train by Robert Bloch
4. As Gay As Cheese by Joan Aiken
5. Madame Mim by T.H. White
6. Blood Money by M. Timothy O’Keefe
7. His Coat So Gay by Sterling E. Lanier (a Brigadier Ffellowes novelette)
8. They’ll Never Find You Now by Doreen Dugdale
9. The Widow Flynn’s Apple Tree by Lord Dunsany
10. In the Cards by John Collier
11. Strangers in Town by Shirley Jackson
12. The Proof by John Moore

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Introduction by Alfred Hitchcock (ghost written)
2. Premonition by Charles Mergendahl
3. A Shot from the Dark Night by Avram Davidson
4. I Had a Hunch, and… by Talmage Powell
5. A Killing in the Market by Robert Bloch
6. Gone as by Magic by Richard Hardwick
7. The Big Bajoor by Borden Deal
8. The Gentle Miss Bluebeard by Nedra Tyre
9. The Guy that Laughs Last by Philip Tremont
10. Diet and Die by Wenzell Brown
11. Just for Kicks by Richard Marsten
12. Please Forgive Me by Henry Kane
13. A Crime Worthy of Me by Hal Dresner
14. When Buying a Fine Murder by Jack Ritchie

Table of Contents:
Benson, E. F. The wishing well.
Bloch, Robert. That hell-bound train.
Aiken, Joan. As gay as cheese.
White, T. H. Madame Mim.
O’Keefe, M. Timothy. Blood money.
Lanier, Sterling. His coat so gay.
Dugdale, Doreen. They’ll never find you now.
Dunsany, Lord. The widow Flynn’s apple tree.
Collier, John. In the cards.
Jackson, Shirley. Strangers in town.
Moore, John. The proof,

If you’re a David Bowie fan, this is a must-buy. This lavish set includes all the early Bowie music in remastered sound. In addition to the CDs in this boxed set, there’s a accompanying book, 128 pages in the CD box featuring rare photos as well as technical notes about each album from producers Tony Visconti and Ken Scott. In addition, an original press review for each album and a short foreword by legendary Kinks front man Ray Davies rounds out the goodies. This would make a great present for the holidays! Do you have a favorite David Bowie song?
TRACK LIST:
Disc 1, DBX1-1 – “David Bowie” [aka “Space Oddity”] 2015 REMASTER (46:18 minutes):
1. Space Oddity
2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed
3. Letter To Hermione
4. Cygnet Committee
5. Janine [Side 2]
6. An Occasional Dream
7. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
8. God Knows I’m Good
9. Memory Of A Free Festival
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “David Bowie” – released 14 November 1969 in the UK on Phillips SBL 7902 and in the USA as “Man Of Words/Man Of Music” on Mercury SR-61246 but with slightly altered artwork. It was reissued in the UK in November 1972 – again with altered artwork. Photos of the original US LP and the British repress are featured on Page 6 of the Hardback Book. Each of the CDs in this Box Set comes in a rounded protective plastic housed inside an exact repro of the British LP sleeve. “David Bowie” has a matt gatefold card sleeve and even sports a paper repro of the Inner Mercury Records protective LP Bag. The CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 2, DBX1-2 – “The Man Who Sold The World” 2015 REMASTER (41:16 minutes):
1. The Width Of A Circle
2. All The Madmen
3. Black Country Rock
4. After All
5. Running Gun Blues [Side 2]
6. Saviour Machine
7. She Shook Me Cold
8. The Man Who Sold The World
9. The Supermen
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “The Man Who Sold The World” – released 4 November 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR 61325 and 10 April 1971 in the UK on Mercury 6338 041. The US, UK and GERMAN releases all famously sported different artwork. The single-sleeve British issue is housed in what’s commonly known as the ‘Dress Sleeve’ – which is what the CD here uses (complete with its textured feel). The Cartoon Drawing of the US original and the ‘Flying Bowie Face’ artwork of the German LP are reproduced in the booklet – as is the British October 1972 UK LP reissue on RCA Victor LSP 4816 – again with different artwork (the black and white photo of Bowie kicking his leg in the air). The CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 3, DBX1-3 – “Hunky Dory” 2015 REMASTER – 38:37 minutes:
1. Changes
2. Oh! You Pretty Things
3. Eight Line Poem
4. Life On Mars?
5. Kooks
6. Quicksand
7. Fill Your Heart [Side 2]
8. Andy Warhol
9. Song For Bob Dylan
10. Queen Bitch
11. The Bewlay Brothers
Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Hunky Dory” – released 17 December 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8244 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4623. The CD cover artwork for some reason has a ‘Parlophone’ logo in the top left corner when it should read RCA on the left with VICTOR on the right. The correct artwork is pictured in the booklet with a rare alternate rear sleeve where Bowie has hand-written all the credits including the musicians. The lyric insert that came with all original LP copies is also reproduced and the CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 4, DBX1-4 – “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” 2012 REMASTER (38:37 minutes):
1. Five Years
2. Soul Love
3. Moonage Daydream
4. Starman
5. It Ain’t Easy
6. Lady Stardust [Side 2]
7. Star
8. Hang On To Yourself
9. Ziggy Stardust
10. Suffragette City
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide
Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” – released 16 June 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8287 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4702. This CD is the 2012 Digital Remaster.

Disc 5, DBX1-5 – “Pinups” 2015 REMASTER (34:01 minutes):
1. Rosalyn [The Pretty Things cover]
2. Here Comes The Night [Them cover]
3. I Wish You Would [Billy Boy Arnold cover]
4. See Emily Play [Pink Floyd cover]
5. Everything’s Alright [The Mojos cover]
6. I Can’t Explain [The Who cover]
7. Friday On My Mind [The Easybeats cover] – [Side 2]
8. Sorrow [The Merseybeats cover]
9. Don’t Bring Me Down [Johnnie Dee cover]
10. Shapes Of Things [The Yardbirds cover]
11. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere [The Who cover]
12. Where Have All The Good Times Gone [The Kinks cover]
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album “Pinups” – an entire LP of cover versions released November 1973 in the UK on RCA RS 1003 and in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0291. The CD repro has the insert that came with original LPs and the CD is a new 2015 Remaster.

Disc 6, DBX1-6 – “Aladdin Sane” 2013 REMASTER (41:47 minutes):
1. Watch That Man (New York)
2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) (R.H.M.S. “Ellinis”)
3. Drive-In Saturday (Seattle – Phoenix)
4. Panic In Detroit (Detroit)
5. Cracked Actor (Los Angeles)
6. Time (New Orleans) – [Side 2]
7. The Prettiest Star (Gloucester Road)
8. Let’s Spend The Night Together
9. The Jean Genie (Detroit and New York)
10. Lady Grinning Soul (London)
Tracks 1 to 10 are the studio album “Aladdin Sane” – released 13 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1001 and in the USA on RCA Victor LSP 4852. The card repro has the original gatefold sleeve, inner lyric card and the ‘Fan-Club Invite’ that came with some original copies of the vinyl LP. The CD is the 40th Anniversary RAY STAFF REMASTER issued in 2013.

Disc 7, DBX1-7 – “Live Santa Monica ’72” 2008 REMASTER (74:20 minutes):
1. Introduction
2. Hang On To Yourself
3. Ziggy Stardust
4. Changes
5. The Supermen
6. Life On Mars?
7. Five Years
8. Space Oddity
9. Andy Warhol
10. My Death
11. The Width Of A Circle
12. Queen Bitch
13. Moonage Daydream
14. John, I’m Only Dancing
15. Waiting For The Man
16. The Jean Genie
17. Suffragette City
18. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide
Tracks 1 to 18 were recorded at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles, 20 October 1972 – officially released worldwide 30 July 2008 as “Live Santa Monica ’72” on EMI BOWLIVE 201702. The Inner sleeve is reproduced and this CD is the 2008 Remaster.

Disc 8, DBX1 – “Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars – The Motion Picture Soundtrack” 2003 REMASTER
CD1 (40:34 minutes):
1. Introduction
2. Hang On To Yourself
3. Ziggy Stardust
4. Watch That Man
5. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud
6. All The Young Dudes
7. Oh! You Pretty Things
8. Moonage Daydream
9. Changes
10. Space Oddity
11. My Death

CD2 (42:57 minutes):
1. Introduction
2. Cracked Actor
3. Time
4. The Width Of A Circle
5. Let’s Spend The Night Together
6. Suffragette City
7. White Light / White Heat
8. Farewell Speech
9. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide
Recorded 3 July 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London – original mix UK released October 1983 as a double-album on RCA Victor PL 84862(2). This version is the 2003 “30th Anniversary” Remaster released 1 April 2003 on EMI ZIGGYRIP 3773.

Disc 9, DBX1-10 – “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (2003 Mix)” (38:29 minutes):
1. Five Years
2. Soul Love
3. Moonage Daydream
4. Starman
5. It Ain’t Easy
6. Lady Stardust [Side 2]
7. Star
8. Hang On To Yourself
9. Ziggy Stardust
10. Suffragette City
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide
Tracks 1 to 11 first released in 29 September 2003 in 5.1 on the SACD of “Ziggy Stardust” on EMI 521 9002. First released in Stereo at 48Hz/24bit on 4 June 2012 on the EMI 40th Anniversary DVD/LP Edition of “Ziggy Stardust”. First time on CD outside of those two previous versions. 2003 Remaster.

Disc 10, DBX1-10 – “Re:Call 1” (Non Album Singles, Single Versions & B-Sides)
CD1 (40:09 minutes):
1. Space Oddity (Original UK Mono Single Edit)
A-side of a UK 7″ single released 11 July 1969 in Mono on Phillips BF 1801
2. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (Original UK Mono Single Version)
B-side of “Space Oddity” – it’s a different earlier version to the one re-recorded for the LP
3. Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola
An Italian Version of “Space Oddity” recorded in the UK in December 1969 (after the release of the album) and released February 1970 in Italy on Philips 704 208. It came in a very rare Picture Sleeve that is reproduced in the hardback book. The title translates into English as “Lonely Boy, Lonely Girl”.
4. The Prettiest Star (Original Mono Single Version)
Rrecorded in London in early January 1970, it was released 6 March 1970 in the UK as the Mono A-side to Philips MF 1135. Tony Visconti plays Bass and Marc Bolan of T.Rex plays second guitar.
5. Conversation Piece
Non-album B-side to “The Prettiest Star” (as per Track 4) – features Mick Wayne on Guitar, John Lodge on Bass and John Cambridge on Drums – all of the UK group Junior’s Eyes
6. Memory Of A Free Festival Part 1
March 1970 re-recorded ‘electric’ version of the album track from the “Space Oddity” LP – released 26 June 1970 as the Stereo A-side to a UK 7″ single on Mercury 6052 028
7. Memory Of A Free Festival Part 2
Stereo B-side of Track 6. Song features Mick Ronson on Guitar and Solo backing Vocals, Tony Visconti on Bass, Ralph Mace on Piano and John Cambridge of Junior’s Eyes on Drums.
8. All The Madmen (Mono Single Edit) –
9. Janine (Mono)
Tracks 8 and 9 were a planned US 45 on Mercury 73173 but was cancelled (demos exist on Mercury DJ-311 with the mono edit of “All The Madmen” on ‘both’ sides). The A-side (track 8) is a Mono Edit of the longer Stereo cut on the LP and “Janine” is a Mono version of the full Stereo LP cut.
10. Holy Holy (Original Mono Single Version)
Non-album single – the Stereo A-side was recorded November 1970 and UK released 15 January 1971 on Mercury 6052 049. Its flipside was “Black Country Rock” from “The Man Who Sold The World” LP. Alan Parker from Blue Mink, Rumplestiltskin, CCS and Ugly Custard played Guitar, Herbie Flowers (later with Sky) played Bass and Barry Morgan from Blue Mink played Drums.
11. Moonage Daydream (The Arnold Corns Single Version)
12. Hang On To Yourself (The Arnold Corns Single Version)
Tracks 11 and 12 are credited to THE ARNOLD CORNS and are early versions of two tracks that would be on the 1972 “Ziggy Stardust” album. They were recorded February 1971 in London and UK released 7 May 1971 on B&C Records CB 149.
NOTES: Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are MONO while 3, 6 and 7 are STEREO – all 2015 REMASTERS.

CD2 (40:43 minutes):
1. Changes (Mono Single Version)
2. Andy Warhol (Mono Single Version)
Tracks 1 and 2 are a USA 7″ single released 7 December 1971 on RCA Victor 74-065 – 7 January 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2160.
The B-side “Any Warhol” is in Mono and edits out the studio chatter that’s on the “Hunky Dory” LP version
3. Starman (Original Single Mix)
Remixed by he original Producer Ken Scott in London in March 1972 – released 28 April 1972 with the “Ziggy Stardust” album version of “Suffragette City” as its B-side
4. John, I’m Only Dancing (Original Single Version)
Recorded in London with Mick Ronson on Guitar and Mick Woodmansey on Drums on the 26th of June 1972 – it was released 1 September 1972 as a UK (and European) 7″ single on RCA Victor RCA 2263 with the “Ziggy Stardust” album version of “Hang On To Yourself” as its B-side. It was considered ‘too risque’ for the American market (oh dear)
5. The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix)
Recorded and Mixed in October 1972 in New York and Nashville – it was UK and US released 24 November 1972 on RCA Victor RCA 2302 in the UK and RCA 74-0838 in the USA. Ken Scott later remixed it again for inclusion on the 1973 album “Aladdin Sane”
6. Drive-In Saturday (German Single Edit)
Released 6 April 1973 around the world as a 7″ single – however – the German version on RCA Victor 74-16321 was a unique ‘edit’
7. Round And Round
A Chuck Berry cover version originally recorded during the “Ziggy Stardust” album sessions – turned up as the non-album B-side to “Drive-In Saturday” released 6 April 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2352. Features Mick Ronson on Guitar and Mick Woodmansey on Drums
8. John, I’m Only Dancing (Sax Version)
Recorded in London on the 20th of January 1973 – this ‘Saxophone’ Version eventually replaced the first pressings of RCA Victor RCA 2263. Ken Fordham plays the Saxophone.
9. Time (U.S. Single Edit)
A unique ‘edit’ of the longer album version – issued in two territories – 1 June 1973 in the USA on RCA APBO-0001 with “The Prettiest Star” as its flipside – and with “Panic In Detroit” as its B-side in Japan on RCA SS-2299
10. Amsterdam
A Jacque Brel cover version with English translation lyrics by Mort Shuman. It was recorded during the “Ziggy Stardust” album sessions and considered for release on that album – but eventually showed up 12 October 1973 in the UK as a non-album 7″ single B-side to “Sorrow” (from the “Pinups” LP)
11. Holy Holy (Spiders Version)
A re-recording of a 1971 single – turned up 14 June 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APBO 0283 as the non-album 7″ single B-side to “Diamond Dogs”
12. Velvet Goldmine
A “Ziggy Stardust” outtake finally released 26 September 1975 on RCA Victor RCA 2593 in the UK along with “Changes” as a B-side on the 3-track ‘Maximillion’ single for the reissue of the album version of “Space Oddity”
NOTES: Tracks 1 and 2 are MONO while all others are STEREO. All tracks are 2015 REMASTERS except 3, 4, 5 and 8 which are 2014 REMASTERS that first turned up on the 2014 “Nothing Has Changed” 2CD and 3CD sets.

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I’d get into the mood with a H. P. Lovecraft pastiche. Dan Carter is a former policeman who is now a private eye. He inherits a bookstore in Providence, RI run by Emily Lovecraft, an African-American woman. Her uncle disappeared seven years ago. He’s been declared dead and his will gives the bookstore to Carter. Carter had never met Emily’s uncle and has no idea why he now owns a bookstore. Then, a college professor calls Carter, but before Carter can respond, the professor is found dead in his car. He drowned, but there’s no water. Yes, we’re in H. P. Lovecraft territory here. At 306 pages, this pastiche is a little too long. A good editor could have made this a better, tighter book. But if there’s a sequel to Carter & Lovecraft I’ll read it. GRADE: B-

This new Blu-ray version of Burn Witch Burn looks great. Charles Beaumont and Richard Mathewson wrote the script to this movie based on Fritz Leiber’s classic Conjure Wife. Originally titled Night of the Eagle, Burn Witch Burn is a good movie to put you in the Halloween spirit. What movies put you in the mood for Halloween?

So far, the Fall TV season has been disappointing when it comes to new shows. Diane and are watching Blindspot for its 24 elements. But so far, it’s mediocre. Tonight on CBS, the highly hyped Supergirl begins. The Flash and Arrow have modest audiences on the CW network. The same company that produces them is producing Supergirl. Will Supergirl draw a big enough audience on a major network like CBS? Will you be watching?

By the time you read this post, the Bills and the Jags will be playing in Wembley Stadium. Kickoff is at 9:30 A.M. EST. The big feature about this game is that YAHOO is going to stream this game online. And CBS will be broadcasting it in “selected areas.” The Bills’ starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, is out with a knee injury. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is out due to an ankle injury. LeSean McCoy should play even though he’s hampered by a hamstring problem. The Bills should win this game, but the Jags could surprise them. How will your favorite NFL team fare today?

Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin present a portrait of a genius, warts and all. The stars of this movie–Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, and Seth Rogen–are at the top of their game as Sorkin’s script gives them plenty of drama and strong dialogue to work with. Fassbender is convincing as Steve Jobs, a driven perfectionist. You would NOT want to have Steve Jobs as your boss. He was demanding and ruthless. Sorkin’s story shows how Jobs’s success came at a steep price. I’m sure some of the actors in this movie will be in Oscar contention. GRADE: B+

Last week I reviewed Special Wonder: The Anthony Boucher Memorial Anthology of Fantasy and Science Fiction. This week it’s the companion volume: Crimes & Misfortunes. Anthony Boucher was a wonderful editor, book reviewer, and fiction writer. He’s a seminal figure in both the mystery and science fiction worlds. I really liked the short essays before these stories where the writer tells about his or her relationship with Anthony Boucher. If you haven’t read Special Wonder and Crimes & Misfortunes you’re in for some great reading! These are two terrific collections.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Come into my parlor/ Gloria Amoury
Dead phone/ Poul and Karen Anderson
A good imagination/ Robert Bloch-
Donoghan’s wife/ R. Bretnor
Town wanted/ Fredric Brown
The gentleman from Paris/ John Dickson Carr
The Moors Murder/ Miriam Allen deFord
The competitors/ Richard Deming-
The question/ Stanley Ellin-
The adventure of the Adam bomb/ Robert L. Fish
In the shade of the old apple tree/ Fletcher Flora
File #4: Lincoln sedan headline/ Joe Gores
Reunion/ Edward D. Hoch
Hangover/ John D. MacDonald
Find the woman/ Ross Macdonald
The Iranian Farmer Commission/ Frank McAuliffe
The man who danced/ James McKimmey
The couple next door/ Margaret Millar
Memoirs of a mystery critic/ Lenore Glen Offord
The old lady shows her prejudices/ Lenore Glen Offord
The reason/ Arthur Porges
A lot on his mind/ Bill Pronzini
No parking/ Ellery Queen
Plan nineteen/ Jack Ritchie
All of God’s children got shoes/ Howard Schoenfeld
Stan the killer/ Georges Simenon
Bullet for one/ Rex Stout
L as in loot/ Lawrence Treat
Never shake a family tree/ Donald E. Westlake