This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Themeology: The Best Of John Barry.
John Barry.
Columbia, CD, 1997, 488582-2 Rating:
Though John Barry is probably best known for his extensive work on the James Bond films, this collection of score music demonstrates just how diverse his output is. Better still, there is not one dud note here, from the claustrophobic (‘The Ipcress File’) to the panoramic (‘Born Free’, ‘Dances With Wolves’) and the iconic theme from ‘The Persuaders’ television series. Though this collection concentrates largely on his work from the 1960s and 1970s, with only ‘Dances With Wolves’ representing the 1990s, there are so many memorable moments here that while ’Themeology’ may not be definitive, it remains a highly evocative and worthwhile addition to any collectors cd rack. Themeology: The Best Of John Barry. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Persuaders
2. Midnight Cowboy
3. Ipcress File
4. Knack
5. Wednesday’s Child
6. Space March (Capsule In Space)
7. Girl With The Sun In Her Hair
8. Vendetta
9. Danny Scipio
10. James Bond
11. Goldfinger
12. Diamonds Are Forever
13. From Russia With Love
14. You Only Live Twice
15. Thunderball
16. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
17. 007
18. Walk Don’t Run
19. Beat For Beatniks
20. Hit And Miss
21. Born Free
Cult Themes Television Soundtrack.
Various Artists.
Virgin/EMI, CD, 2005, VTDCD 748.
Rating:
Released to mark ITV’s 50th Year, this double CD collection contains many of the landmark ratings grabbers of the day including, ‘The Avengers’, ‘The Saint’, ‘The Sweeney and ‘The Prisoner’. Particularly interesting is the amount of space given over to American series, such ‘The Streets Of San Francisco’, ‘Hawaii Five-O’ and ‘Dragnet’, all of which made a mark on British television at a time (generally the 1970s) when home grown drama was far less common. The lack of liner notes may let it down but this is a great collection, perfect for retro addicts. Cult Themes Television Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Disc 1
1. The Avengers (1965)
2. Man In A Suitcase
3. The Saint
4. The Baron
5. Danger Man (1960)
6. The Prisoner
7. The Champions
8. The Persuaders
9. Danger Man (1964)
10. Department S
11. Jason King
12. The Sweeney
13. The Professionals
14. Dempsey and Makepeace
15. Randall & Hopkirk Deceased
16. Sapphire and Steel
17. Return of The Saint
18. Mr. Rose Investigates
19. No Hiding Place
20. Echo Two-Four
21. Top Secret
22. Front Page Story
23. The Human Jungle
24. The Avengers (1961)
Disc 2
1. Stingray
2. Thunderbirds
3. Supercar
4. Captain Scarlet
5. Joe 90
6. Aqua Marina
7. Fireball XL5
8. Four Feather Falls
9. Adventured of Robin Hood
10. William Tell
11. The Army Game
12. The Strange World of Gurney Slade
13. At Last the 1948 Show (The Ferret Song)
14. Strange Report
15. Hill Street Blues
16. Streets of San Francisco
17. Hawaii Five-O
18. The Six Million Dollar Man
19. Space 1999
20. UFO
21. Batman
22. Mission Impossible
23. Dragnet
24. 77 Sunset Strip
25. Rawhide
Carry On.
1958-78, Rank.
Eric Rogers/Bruce Montgomery.
Silva Screen, CD, 2004, SILCD1168. Rating:
The Carry On films may not be to everyone’s taste but this collection of music and dialogue from the series is a highpoint for fans. Compiled in categories, rather than the chronological line-up you might expect, the material is highly evocative of both the period and its British origins with ‘Rule Britannia’ making its debut in the first cue (‘Carry On Up The Khyber’). The dialogue clips, though at times overlong, are well-chosen and amusing; the fact that there are many more similar ones that didn’t make it however may be a reminder of the limitations of the series’ originality and this saminess becomes tired as the CD progresses. Songs written for the films, particularly spoof horror ‘Carry On Screaming’ and ‘Carry On Cowboy’ add something a little different and an incidental song from the latter’s score, ‘This Is The Night For Love’, sung by Carry On star Angela Douglas, is a reminder of just how good some of the music remains. Two detailed booklets, one containing synopses from the films, the other with production notes and poster art, demonstrate a true love of the subject that stretches beyond either the quality of the films themselves or their sometimes tired turns of phrase. If you love Carry On, you won’t be disappointed. An outstanding package! Carry On. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Carry On Up The Khyber.
2. Carry On Jack.
3. Carry On England.
4. Follow That Camel.
5. Carry On Sergeant.
6. Carry On Nurse.
7. Carry On Doctor.
8. Carry On Matron.
9. Carry On Again Doctor.
10. Carry On Constable.
11. Carry On Spying.
12. Carry On Screaming.
13. Carry On Teacher.
14. Carry On Cabby.
15. Carry On Regardless.
Disc 2
1. Carry On Camping.
2. Carry On Behind.
3. Carry On Cruising.
4. Carry On At Your Convenience.
5. Carry On Abroad.
6. Carry On Loving.
7. Carry On Emmannuelle.
8. Carry On Girls.
9. Don’t Lose Your Head.
10. Carry On Cowboy.
11. Carry On Dick.
12. Carry On Up The Jungle.
13. Carry On Henry.
14. Carry On Cleo.
