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CD
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STAGO 186CD
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Subtitled: The (Second) Single Compilation 2015-2021. This record arrives exactly ten years after the first one, the highly successful Witches, Spiders, Frogs & Holes album (STAGO 068LP). At this moment, most "with it" or "aware" folks in our retro scene have common knowledge and informed opinions of that strange musical alchemist known as Mr. Marcel Bontempi. His phenomenal career arc from the 1998 debut of 1960s-beat band combo, The Montesas, to his "monster" solo hit of 2013, "Dig A Hole" (on Sleazy Records), has seen Marcel's star rise ever higher as a steady stream of his popular and clever recordings have been snatched up by an ever-widening fan base. Live stage appearances by Marcel and his gal "Friday," the effervescent Miss Ira Lee, and Marcel's own "hillbilly" gang, Dr. Bontempi's Snake Oil Company, at clubs and festivals throughout Europe (and even in Nashville and Las Vegas) have deservedly helped to spread the Bontempi infamy and infatuation far and wide. So, here is the second compilation of the wizard of rhythm -- packed full with his 7" output (all limited and sold out by now) from 2015 until 2021 and some unreleased songs and musical themes for theater plays among others. LP version includes bonus 7" of unreleased material; gatefold cover with info and photos.
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LP + 7"
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STAGO 185LP
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LP version. Includes 7" of unreleased material. Gatefold sleeve. Subtitled: The (Second) Single Compilation 2015-2021. This record arrives exactly ten years after the first one, the highly successful Witches, Spiders, Frogs & Holes album (STAGO 068LP). At this moment, most "with it" or "aware" folks in our retro scene have common knowledge and informed opinions of that strange musical alchemist known as Mr. Marcel Bontempi. His phenomenal career arc from the 1998 debut of 1960s-beat band combo, The Montesas, to his "monster" solo hit of 2013, "Dig A Hole" (on Sleazy Records), has seen Marcel's star rise ever higher as a steady stream of his popular and clever recordings have been snatched up by an ever-widening fan base. Live stage appearances by Marcel and his gal "Friday," the effervescent Miss Ira Lee, and Marcel's own "hillbilly" gang, Dr. Bontempi's Snake Oil Company, at clubs and festivals throughout Europe (and even in Nashville and Las Vegas) have deservedly helped to spread the Bontempi infamy and infatuation far and wide. So, here is the second compilation of the wizard of rhythm -- packed full with his 7" output (all limited and sold out by now) from 2015 until 2021 and some unreleased songs and musical themes for theater plays among others.
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7"
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STAGO 106EP
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There is no need to hype a new Marcel Bontempi record, as they are usually sell out on pre-order before they actually hit the stores. "Haunted House" on the A side is a self-penned '60s novelty song (lyrics by Marcels partner Paul Sheahan) and the self-penned instrumental "The Clock Strikes 3" on the flip side -- both with the wonderful Herr Doc Puky (of Ray Collins Hot Club fame) on the ghost flute. The record comes with a sturdy sleeve.
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CD
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STAGO 068CD
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Witches, Spiders, Frogs & Holes contains the solo output from 2009 to 2014 of the artist known as Marcel Bontempi. Unearthed from record bins all over Europe and the dusty archives of little-known specialty labels from as far afield as Frankfurt and Beverungen to Málaga and painstakingly gathered, this is the most comprehensive collection of this twisted genius's recordings. Born Marcel Sala Kelkel sometime in the early 1970s to a German mother and a Catalan father, Marcel was encouraged by his father, an accomplished sculptor in his own right, to doodle, draw, and paint for most of his waking hours, though it wasn't long before this simply wasn't enough and the young Marcel discovered music. Soon his affair with the devil's music began. Around 1994 Marcel formed the band that would eventually become The Montesas, who have since released quite a few records and are still active at the time of this release. In 2013 and 2014 Marcel explored his own personal take on "hillbilly" and "rootsy" styles and formed another combo under the moniker Dr. Bontempi's Snake Oil Company, with releases on Squoodge Records. Throughout the years of playing or singing in bands, Marcel has recorded solo material, from rockabilly and harmonious doo-wop to R&B, taking well known classics and warping them to his own vision or borrowing an obscure hillbilly song and adding a mambo, salsa, or beat influence to the mix, making it something unique. This album showcases just a small fraction of his recordings made over the years. They cross genres and styles, some originals, some cover versions. Some from as far back as the '40s and into the '50s and '60s, all bearing the unmistakable sound and imprint of Mr. Bontempi. Includes seven previously unreleased tracks.
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LP + 7"
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STAGO 068LP
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Gatefold LP + 7" version. Witches, Spiders, Frogs & Holes contains the solo output from 2009 to 2014 of the artist known as Marcel Bontempi. Unearthed from record bins all over Europe and the dusty archives of little-known specialty labels from as far afield as Frankfurt and Beverungen to Málaga and painstakingly gathered, this is the most comprehensive collection of this twisted genius's recordings. Born Marcel Sala Kelkel sometime in the early 1970s to a German mother and a Catalan father, Marcel was encouraged by his father, an accomplished sculptor in his own right, to doodle, draw, and paint for most of his waking hours, though it wasn't long before this simply wasn't enough and the young Marcel discovered music. Soon his affair with the devil's music began. Around 1994 Marcel formed the band that would eventually become The Montesas, who have since released quite a few records and are still active at the time of this release. In 2013 and 2014 Marcel explored his own personal take on "hillbilly" and "rootsy" styles and formed another combo under the moniker Dr. Bontempi's Snake Oil Company, with releases on Squoodge Records. Throughout the years of playing or singing in bands, Marcel has recorded solo material, from rockabilly and harmonious doo-wop to R&B, taking well known classics and warping them to his own vision or borrowing an obscure hillbilly song and adding a mambo, salsa, or beat influence to the mix, making it something unique. This album showcases just a small fraction of his recordings made over the years. They cross genres and styles, some originals, some cover versions. Some from as far back as the '40s and into the '50s and '60s, all bearing the unmistakable sound and imprint of Mr. Bontempi. Includes seven previously unreleased tracks.
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7"
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STAGO 037EP
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Stag-O-Lee proudly presents: a Marcel Bontempi vinyl 7" EP. Ever since we heard that Old Mad Witch EP on Witchcraft Intenational we kept our fingers crossed and hoped to release a Bontempi record on Stag-O-Lee. The knuckles broke when Migraine Records released that Spider 45 (since sold out), but the man from Northern Hessen has been nice and gentle and gave us three (yes, three) new tunes from his bottomless vaults. While there is a new 45 on Spanish label Sleazy out just now, we follow that up with a great 7" with three frog related tunes. There is a Rufus Thomas/Bear Cat-style answer to Big Mama Thornton's classic on side A and two tracks (on 33 rpm) on side B: "Do the Frog" by Billy Pitchock & The People and another self-penned frog-ish instrumental with a Diddley beat. A great little record that comes in a nice heavy duty cardboard picture cover.
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