SOUNDTRACKS
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Soundtracks are a lot more than movie music...
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
Here's another shout out for a soundtrack I first recommended summer '07 that I've
been listening to again recently.
With the gigantic success of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in "I Love Lucy," film studios
clamored to get the red hot red head and her Cuban born husband teamed up on
the big screen. The Long, Long Trailer, the delightful 1954 comedy directed by
Vincente Minnelli shows off the couple and their by then well developed comedic
teaming to great effect. The story followers newlyweds Nicky and Tracy as they cross
the country on their summertime honeymoon in their super deluxe monstrosity
wreaking havoc and martial turmoil each mile of the trip.
Adolph Deutsch's score, which centers around the breezy song "Breezin' Along with
the Breeze," is as jaunty and whimsical as the screen action. "Bouncy" is perhaps
the best adjective to describe Deutsch's music and stand out cues include the main
title, "Wedding Reception/Departure/Miles and Miles" and the track in which Lucy and
Desi sing the title song followed by a heavy duty orchestral reprise. Deutsch, who
labored for many years at MGM, who produced the film, provides his usual patented
lush arrangements, heavy on the string, a hallmark of the MGM sound.
Two years after the success of Trailer, the couple tried another summer themed
outing with Forever, Darling. This time the jaunty score, thought not quite as
memorable, was provided by the esteemed Bronislau Kaper. Together, these two
scores, never before available, provide a wonderful aural trip back down memory
lane for fans of the movies and the memorable music provided by their talented
composers. Available from Film Score Monthly in a limited edition CD, each with the
standard copious notes and lavish jewel case booklet.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
been listening to again recently.
With the gigantic success of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in "I Love Lucy," film studios
clamored to get the red hot red head and her Cuban born husband teamed up on
the big screen. The Long, Long Trailer, the delightful 1954 comedy directed by
Vincente Minnelli shows off the couple and their by then well developed comedic
teaming to great effect. The story followers newlyweds Nicky and Tracy as they cross
the country on their summertime honeymoon in their super deluxe monstrosity
wreaking havoc and martial turmoil each mile of the trip.
Adolph Deutsch's score, which centers around the breezy song "Breezin' Along with
the Breeze," is as jaunty and whimsical as the screen action. "Bouncy" is perhaps
the best adjective to describe Deutsch's music and stand out cues include the main
title, "Wedding Reception/Departure/Miles and Miles" and the track in which Lucy and
Desi sing the title song followed by a heavy duty orchestral reprise. Deutsch, who
labored for many years at MGM, who produced the film, provides his usual patented
lush arrangements, heavy on the string, a hallmark of the MGM sound.
Two years after the success of Trailer, the couple tried another summer themed
outing with Forever, Darling. This time the jaunty score, thought not quite as
memorable, was provided by the esteemed Bronislau Kaper. Together, these two
scores, never before available, provide a wonderful aural trip back down memory
lane for fans of the movies and the memorable music provided by their talented
composers. Available from Film Score Monthly in a limited edition CD, each with the
standard copious notes and lavish jewel case booklet.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
| Adolph Deutsch (left) and Bronislau Kaper, the two gentlemen who provided the excellent scores for the two feature films that capitalized on the I Love Lucy phenomenon, The Long, Long Trailer and Forever, Darling |