Meco - Moondancer - 1979 (not available)
After four albums of disco versions of movie music, Meco finally decided to record an album of straight disco music. The sound is pretty different, partially because some of the songs are original, and partially because he did the album without the same collaborators from the last four.
As a result, Moondancer is a little less fun to listen to than the others. He tries to keep up the same science fiction theme--the album cover, designed by Meco, is apparently inspired by a dream he had of "creatures of the night" dancing at a disco in a gorge on the moon. If only the album were as interesting. (Take that as you will.)
There are only six songs on the album. The opener, "Moondancer," is the only track actually (co-) written by Meco. Even with the sound effects and the nice instrumental break, the song sounds like background music to a video game. "Love Me, Dracula" is background with a really, really cheesy chorus. "Grazing in the Grass" has some energy, but it's not a patch on the original version by The Friends of Distinction.
Flipping over to side B, "Spooky" is the high point of the album. A disco cover of the hit by The Classics IV, it totally justifies itself. This is one of Meco's best tracks. And despite its cheesiness, "Devil Delight" is campy fun. The album closes with "Living in the Night," a track so subdued and uninteresting that I've already forgotten what it sounds like.
"Spooky" is on The Best of Meco, which is available, and it's the only one you need.
Grade D+
A Side: "Spooky"
BlindSide: "Devil Delight"
DownSide: "Living in the Night," I think
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