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I was inspired by Guy's incredible, masterful demo to put something up myself - here is an album that uses all VSL (except for theremin) recreating a 50s sci-fi sound. I like the old movie scores, and tried to do something similar. On the "Space Heroes" it ws supposed to be like the Thunderbirds. Since I am a huge fan of Barry Gray I wanted to do something similar but without stealing!
http://www.productionmusiconline.com/public_jukebox_view.php?jukebox_id=1789
For some reason, the files wouldn't play through my cell phone as I usually like to listen to these in my car but from I could tell through my tiny laptop speakers excellent work William!
Each track puts you in the mind of the classic B rate horror and sci fi movies of the time period reminding us that the music was always better than the movie which is amazing because they had such a short post-production schedule with crushing deadlines. It wasn't enough to just be a good composer you had to be resourceful too.
I think "Giants of Titan" is my favorite. From what I understand, the theremin was, and still is, a very difficult instrument to master and you use it sparingly which is exactly how they would have used it back then because... well, it's a bloody damn hard instrument to play!
Also, to me, the themes for most of the tracks are simple reminding us of a simpler time which is so refreshing. I grew up in the 70's and 80's but I remember sneaking up late at night to watch TV and sometimes these movies would come on some Late, Late Show Double Feature. They were low-budget and cheesy but still a lot of fun to watch. So your music brings me back to a simpler time even though it was a time before mine.
All in all really nice work and I wish I were half the orchestrator you are.
Thanks Jason.
I often noticed how good the music was in various B-movies, including one called "Invisible Invaders" that obviously was on a tight budget, so had a ensemble of horns, electric organ, and some percussion. But it was really well done and effective use of the small resources. "It Came From Outer Space" had a bigger budget, and is really a fine piece of atmospheric music with interesting complex harmonies, great orchestration. And of course there is the pioneering "Forbidden Planet" which is still very avant garde - especially with the analog synthesizer renaissance that has happened. My favorite B-movie music, though it is not sci-fi, is Roy Webb's scores for "Cat People," "I Walked with a Zombie," "The Leopard Man," "The Seventh Victim" and several other Val Lewton films. They are truly great film music in a partly impressionist, partly modernist style that adds hugely to the atmosphere of those subtle psychological horror films.
Hi Bill,
excellent work, as usual. I really feel transposed in the 50's-70's sci-fi films, bravo !!. You know that i'm a big fan of Theremin / Ondes Martenot, so ... Barry Gray was using much the Ondes Martenot for his own compositions - easier to use than Theremin and with more sound capabilities (especially in "Doppelgänger" with Roy Thinness, aka "Jouney to the far side of the sun" un the USA), but he has made "special elctronic effects" for other composers too. The original Barry Gray's Ondes MArtenot have been completly restored back to full working order and have been used in this recording of Maurice Jarre "Lauwrence of arabia"
Best
Philippe
Excellent album, William!
I like the composition/orchestration, the reverb and depth are amazing and the sound in general is just so good.
Best regards
Francesco
Bill,
This must have been one huge labour of love. I offer double congratulations, firstly for the quality , and secondly for the perseverance. One couldn't hope to interest any clients today with this stuff (could they?). At any rate, as with others here I am sure, several nostalgic images sprang to mind while listening to those tracks; kudos for production as well!
I love Sci Fi movies and your tracks are perfect for the genre. I am a big fan of your work, and once again I am impressed.
These tracks are fantastic William! I still love to watch all the old B Sci-fi movies (most in black and white)...in fact I just recorded "Earth vs. The Flying Saucers". If you were born 50 years earlier, you would have been the primary screen composer for Ray Harryhausen! No doubt about it. These works are really awesome!
P Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on
