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
Flambards Television Soundtrack.
1979, LWT.
David Fanshawe.
Phillips, CDR, 1979, CD03 Rating:
LWT adapted K.M. Peyton’s children’s novel set in 1901 about an orphan, Christina, sent to live on a grand crumbling estate, Flambards, with her mother’s half-brother, Russell, a violent cripple and his son Mark. David Fanshawe’s highly original score, turns what may have been an entertaining, if slight, drama into an atmospheric, haunting piece of classic television. Ominous vocals, whistles and swooping brass all make the mix, particularly effective in the ‘Main Theme’ and ‘Childhood Memories’. ‘Song For Christina’, written for the main character, is a wonderfully evocative cue, elaborating on the main theme with lyrics by Alan Plater (who also wrote some of the episodes) and accompanying a scene where Christina is taken up in an aeroplane by her inventor lover, William. There are also some upbeat flapper-esque themes for Chrsitina’s best friend, Dorothy (’Dorothy’s Theme’, ’Elm Park Café’) and the mischievous adopted son Tizzy (’Tizzy’s Theme’) which add a lighter dimension. Available through David Fanshawe’s website; just click the link. Flambard’s Television Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Flambards Theme
2. Aunt Grace’s Two Step
3. Childhood Memories
4. Mr Johnson’s Rag
5. Mark Russell’s Pomp
6. Dick Teaches Christina To Ride
7. Uncle Russell’s Wrath
8. Rhapsody - Looping The Loop
9. Lady Bountiful
10. A Misty Ride
11. Battersea Urchins
12. The Whistle (a)
13. The Whistle (b)
14. Dorothy’s Theme
15. Song Of Christina
16. Will Proposes To Christina
17. Wedding Reception
18. Danger In Flight
19. Mr Dermot’s Funeral
20. Elm Park Cafe
21. Sandy’s Death
22. Young Widowed Ladies
23. Echoes Of Lost Love
24. Tizzy’s Theme
25. Elegy
26. The Last Waltz
27. End Theme
28. Main Theme (Alternate Version)
29. The Hunt
Battle Of The Planets.
1979, Sandy Frank Entertainment.
Hoyt Curtin/Bob Sakuma.
Silva Screen, CD, 2004, SILCD1167. Rating:
This Japanese animated action series, first produced in 1972, aired on British children’s afternoon television back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, becoming an immediate hit. Translated for American audiences – much of the ‘violent’ content was removed – the score was also adapted and new material written, drawing from popular musical styles of the day, such as disco and Japanese pop. This double CD edition includes most of the original material written for the Japanese version of the show by Bob Sakuma, plus all of Hoyt Curtin’s compositions added to the U.S. edition. It is an oddball concoction, veering from mainstream disco to action to strange noises, percussive and electronic effects but it’s rather endearing and certainly never dull. Collectors and fans of the show will love it; everyone else will probably be amused and puzzled in equal measure. Battle Of The Planets Television Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
