« Back
The Phantom of the Organ/Vampyre of the Harpsichord


The Phantom of the Organ/Vampyre of the Harpsichord


Similar Products
Customer Reviews
Kit A. Hickman Said: Creepy Pipe Organ & Harpsicord ( Mar. 30th 2009 )
Verne Langdon is a master of the creepy pipe organ sound desired for Halloween, Gothic, or other scary party scenes. This disc combines two of his creepy music albums: one of pipe organ music, and the other of strictly harpsichord music -- both giving that Halloween night dissonant and creepy feel. I have used his music for haunted house shows, magic shows, and private parties since I was a teenager. The organ music on this disc perfectly fits the bill for such events, or just setting a creepy mood for that weird moonlit night of swiftly moving veils of silvery clouds. There is one track of scary and creepy sound effects mixed with the occasional organ. Some people may find this track distracting, but it actually adds to the ambiance. The harpsichord music is a welcome change from Gothic party scenes that play only organ or Goth music. It is intentionally dissonant and eery. His music is also less intrusive to whatever action you are setting it to, adding to the mood without being distracting. This album is a must for every Halloween aficionado!
Random McNasty Said: Disney Haunted Mansion Vibe ( Oct. 29th 2008 )
I have been collecting sound effect and horror soundtracks for 20 years, and have a reasonably extensive collection, including the Nox Arcana and Midnight Syndicate albums to which this is occasionally being compared. This album isn't like any of those, and it isn't trying to be. This album is Disney's Haunted Mansion. It's a B-grade movie featuring Vincent Prince and produced by Roger Corman. Which is not to say it is cheesy, because it isn't. It is amazingly well-engineered, well-played, fun to listen to, and evocative of horror movies from the 40s and 50s. Think early Hammer films without the inevitable soft-focus love-theme cropping up. This is also my favorite cd to use for my family's haunted house/cemetery, particularly the Vampyre of the Harpsichord side. It is evocative, not "scary" so even young children won't be overwhelmed. Because of its bright sound, it works very well outside, carrying over ambient street noise without requiring distortingly loud volumes (I use my regular 165 watt per channel Denon receiver.) Because it isn't a synthesized multi-track remix, it mixes well with any other atmospheric music (like a thunderstorm, windstorm or other sound effect CDs) you might be playing. It doesn't have any talking, although it does have at least one short piece with carriage wheels on cobblestones, the cracking of a driver's whip and a woman shrieking. This is a great little album if you know what you are getting. If you are looking for a modern dark soundtrack album, brooding and with plenty of "gotcha" moments, ideal for small environments, this isn't it. But if you are looking for something a bit bigger and more evocative of a time when vampires weren't misunderstood heroes, outcast for their penetrating insight into the futility of modern society, but blood-sucking fiends in need of a good staking, this may be just the (e-)ticket.
J. Smith Said: Organ/Harpsichord Music ( Nov. 5th 2007 )
The shipper did a great job. The CD was not what I thought it would be though. Oh well, live and learn.
Charles R. Hoynowski Said: the music of Famous Monsters ( Dec. 5th 2005 )
I saw this music in the back of a 1970's era issue of "Famous Monsters of Filmland". I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across the CD on Amazon, so I checked. Both Phantom of the Organ and Vampyre at the Harpsichord were originally sold via the back page ads in "Famous Monsters" as individual LPs at $2.95 each. By the sound of it, and the liner notes (penned by Forest J. Ackerman himself!) it appears they were recorded specifically for sale within "Famous Monsters", possible as music to read "Famous Monsters" by? Each of the two albums on the CD is a single instrument recording, the first being pipe organ and the second being Harpsichord. The recording are crystal clear and sound to be from original masters and professionally done. The intent was to provide creepy (and Eerie?) atmospheric music as one might overhear coming from the Phantom's piper organ under the Paris opera house, or from Dracula's spider web encrusted castle, and it succeed well at that, bringing a sense of old horror films (the best kind) to any setting. Although, if your setting is a cube farm at the office, well, you will get some odd looks from the co-workers. They may even think you're a bit out of step with today's music. Ignore the timorous stares and go back to reading Vampirella.
Drew Davenport Said: THE ORIGINAL PHANTOM WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS! ( Jan. 13th 2005 )
Remember the great silent movie actor Lon "Man of a Thousand Faces" Chaney? Well, his legendary portrayal of Erik the Phantom of the Paris Opera house is instantly brought to mind when you listen to this grand pipe organ played in the true spirit of that unforgettable screen classic. Played on a Robert Morton/ Wurlitzer hybrid instrument, the album used to be sold in the original Warren Publishing Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine. It's been digitally re-mastered from the ORIGINAL MASTERS now, so The Phantom of the Organ is back and better than ever! Paired with The Vampyre at the Harpsichord on the same CD, you couldn't ask for a bigger bargain, or better mood music for monsters! This one is world-famous, and was way ahead of its time. It's still great, and is a must for horror music collectors everywhere.

« Back