Compilations: The Telarc CDs
Rants, Ravings and Reviews #5
by Dennis Logsdon
Label Series Compilations
A couple of years ago there was a fine daily on the Gerhardt
RCA Classic Film Scores series by R. Mike Murray. He pointed out that
they were essential to any serious film music enthusiast and I would agree.
However, there are many labels that have put out film theme series over
the years and I would like to cover a few here. I will not include the
LP years with the likes of United Artists, Decca and RCA (Boston Pops)
but start with the recordings of the CD years.
The Telarc Series - Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati
Pops
1. STAR TRACKS Telarc CD-80094, 1984
I remember some of the comments here in the Boston area on how the Cincinnati
Pops would not and could not last against the Boston Pops; they were wrong.
The CPO and Telarc brought new life to film music with great sound and
strong symphonic presentation. Love it or leave it they also included some
sound effects for the hi-fi showoff. This CD is 95% John Williams with
selections from the Star Wars Trilogy, Superman, Raiders, Close
Encounters, and E.T. The lone exception is Star Trek
by Courage. It's all been done before and since but this was well done
at the time.
2. TIME WARP Telarc CD-80106, 1985
A selection of music from 2001 with added cues from Star Wars,
Star Trek, Alien, Battlestar Galactica, and Superman. Same material
done over again but, again, done very well. CDs were fairly new at this
time and Star Tracks and Time Warp were well-recieved.
3. ROUND-UP Telarc CD-80141, 1986
The purpose of a compilation was enhanced by this CD. It was produced
in a manner to bring a mix of western music and sounds together in a total
entertainment package. Starting with the sounds of cowboys, cattle and
horses it sets the western tone followed by well-known movie/ TV themes
and western songs. It also started a trend that I really liked: suites.
Gunfight
at O.K. Corral is 8:33 long on this CD. Frankie Laine sang for this
CD and though his voice is strained, I for one am glad he did.
4. STAR TRACKS II Telarc CD-80146 1987
This is a true space compilation with no less than seven composers represented
with selections from Lifeforce, Space Camp, Cocoon, Star Trek 1, 2
and 3, Back to the Future, etc. My personal favorite on this
CD is a rousing renditon of The Right Stuff by Bill Conti.
5. HOLLYWOOD'S GREATEST HITS, VOL I Telarc CD-80168, 1987
No sound effects on this one, only a wide-ranging selection of themes
from Gone with the Wind to Terms of Endearment, featuring
15 composers from Alfred Newman to Vangelis. A good mix and I'm glad it
is Volume One -- I'm looking forward to Volume Two. My personal favorite
on this one is Steiner's A Summer Place done in an expanded manner.
6. VICTORY AT SEA, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, CASABLANCA, other selections
Telarc CD-80175, 1989
This is more of a military compilation than a war movie compilation.
Besides the title selections there are Warsaw Concerto, Battle of Britain,
Over There, Colonel Bogey March, The Valiant Years, The Longest Day, The
General March and an Armed Forces Medley. The Winds of War
is an nice change of pace.
7. MANCINI'S GREATEST HITS Telarc CD-80183, 1989
If you have no Mancini in your collection this is a good compilation
to add. It has some HTF cues such as the Thorn Birds that make it
a very good mix. Mancini collaborated on this CD and it shows.
8. CHILLER Telarc CD-80189, 1989
We are back to an entertainment-type CD and done very well. The title
is well-chosen for a mix of fine light classical and movie cues. Some hard-to-find
selections are "Sleigh Ride" from The Devil and Daniel Webster,
"Overture to Sleuth" from Sleuth and "Super Sleuth" from Without
a Clue. Three selections from Psycho are included with some
screaming sound effects to see if your listening companions are awake.
"The Light" from Poltergeist and The Bride of Frankenstein
are standouts on this CD. It is one of my favorites of the series and a
spooky, fun listen.
9. HAPPY TRAILS (Round-Up 2) Telarc CD-80191, 1989
How can a CD that has Roy Rogers singing "Happy Trails" and Gene Autry
reciting the Cowboy Code be bad? Again, mixing fine western cues from movies
and TV with a few songs makes for an entertaining CD. A stunning Sons
of Katie Elder starts excellent selections like Duel in the Sun,
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Wild Bunch, Lonesome Dove and
Sunset
The die hard film score fan may not be happy with the
Telarc series and their added songs and sound effects. However, they can
be credited with keeping film music in the limelight in the '80s and bringing
on-board more than just a few new fans. The performances were generally
excellent and the production values and orchestrations well done. It is
my understanding that they have sold well over the years and it does not
hurt, like the Boston Pops, that you find these CDs in the classical section.
There were other excellect compilations done by the CPO during the '80s
but they were not movie theme related.
Next Time: The CPO in the '90s.
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