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With Volume 3 expected sometime this year, I thought it might be both fun and helpful to post ideas for what scores we'd like to see included. As the third set should finish out the original 65 episodes, it would be best to limit suggestions to that batch only and avoid anything that came later. While the best scores have arguably been done already, my memory tells me there should be several left worthy of a release. Slowly working through the unreleased episodes, I can so far come up with two. What are some of yours? "See No Evil" by Shirley Walker A somewhat underrated Walker score, this one has some nice thematic elements and a fun climatic sequence between Batman and the villain, starting with Batman riding the hood of an invisible car and ending with the car's head-on with a train. The episode probably didn't deserve to be on either of the first two volumes, but it's a very cool Walker effort that plays to the action well and would be great to hear on its own. "Fear of Victory" by Lisa Bloom and Carlos Rodriguez A short score - it can't be more than ten or fifteen minutes - that nicely interpolates the Scarecrow's theme, perhaps better than any other episode featuring the character, and might be one of the creepiest scores of the series thanks in part to that.
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What a great idea! I'm ashamed I didn't think of it myself. At one point before any Batman: TAS scores had been released I watched through Vol. 1 and the beginning of Vol. 2 (the DVD releases) and noted down *all* of the music in the scores, with times and made-up names and everything, followed by my feelings about the episode and score (never finished the project because well...I got married -- you know how that is!) I'll have to go back and look at my files to see if there are any unreleased scores out of the first 30 or so that I went through that particularly stood out to me. Yavar
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MV already mentioend some of the episodes on it (no full listing, of course): July 1st, 2012: While working on Vol 2 a number of episodes of the first "65" got the axe and will be featured on Vol 3: Robin's Reckoning Parts 1 and 2, Day of the Samurai and The Clock King to name a few. Our plan is to have Vol 3 out next year (possibly another 4 disc set). That would be all the music we would release from the first 65. We are also contemplating releasing an empty box when vol 3 comes out so people can put all 3 volumes inside. It would be like $5 (or around there) if people wanted to buy it separately or free with purchase of Vol 3...something like that. Then we would focus on the "Adventures of Batman and Robin" and "The New Batman Adventures." Hopefully, Superman TAS, Justice League (TAS and Unlimited) and the two BTAS animated direct to DVD movies (Subzero and Batwoman) will also see the light of day in the next few years. This is some of the finest music written for television. It's been a joy and honor to bring these out and we hope to continue to mine this incredible slate of superhero music. We are also looking into stuff like Animaniacs and Tiny Toons. The ealry 90's was truly the 2nd Golden Age of Animation at Warners Bros. We are doing our part to preserve that legacy. MV
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Ah, I had forgotten about that, thanks. I'm still planning to continue what I'm doing though, and hope others add their voice. Volume 3 will obviously be more than just four episodes. And rundowns certainly aren't essential. Just whatever titles you remember or perhaps what you've seen recently.
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Definitely "The Clock King" (I love his theme) and "Heart of Steel" (there's a cue - by Carl Johnson, I believe - where Barbara is sneaking down the hall while a robot sneaks behind her that has stuck in my brain for the last two decades). You and I both! Funny how we both focused in on the same cue. At this point I'm more interested in knowing what didn't make the final cut, since Volume 3 is the final volume. Something I want, or more, isn't going to get released. :-( Already had one of my favorite episode scores, the "Two-Face" two-parter, chopped in half for Volume 1.
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"The Clock King" by Carlos Rodriguez Nice blend of quirky clock sounds coupled with traditional Bat sounds. Distinct and definitely deserving of a spot on Volume 3.
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Working through these unreleased episodes, it's become quite clear there are some really great moments from shows that aren't, frankly, deserving of a full release. As such, it would be wonderful to cap off (or start off?) Volume 3 with some sort of Extended Suite - much like "Gotham City Overture" from the first issue of Volume 1 - that hits the highlights of shows that won't be included. Especially if this is it for the original 65.
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Though I've not seen the episode in sometime (though a full revisit of the series is in order soon) I seem to recall "I Am The Night" had a rather effective, emotionally charged score - it'd be nice to see that one represented in some way on this volume. I also seem to remember "The Forgotten" having some great music for the sequence where Bruce Wayne regains his memories. Will edit to reflect thoughts on other episodes & scores as I revisit the series. Regardless, am looking forward to seeing what's in this third volume - whenever it comes out.
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"Heart of Steel Parts 1 and 2" by Harvey Cohen I agree with others: this one should certainly be included. Primarily action-based music that really drives momentum better than just about any episode, with the opening sequence of a robotic briefcase infiltrating Wayne Enterprises a real treat and highlight.
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Great idea for a thread. I'm a big fan of this series and its music. Last summer I was floored by LLL's announcement of BTAS Vol. 1 (missed it the first time), Vol. 2, and all the other animated DC goodness yet to come. This really is some of the best music written for television. So glad it's being released. Of the first 65 episodes, there are 33 not yet released. As already mentioned in this thread, four episodes are already confirmed for Vol. 3: "The Clock King" (Carlos Rodriguez), "Robin's Reckoning, Pt. 1" (Carlos Rodriguez), "Robin's Reckoning, Pt. 2" (Peter Tomashek), and "Day of the Samurai" (Carlos Rodriguez). All great scores, though I'm most excited for "Day of the Samurai". Of the other 29 remaining, this is my Top 10 for what I'd like to see make Vol. 3: 1. "The Forgotten" by Shirley Walker This one's got a really fun and catchy main theme that pops up frequently throughout the episode on harmonica, guitar, and brass, but sometimes plays more quietly on sad strings. A lot to enjoy here. 2. "Tyger, Tyger" by Todd Hayen Dark and mysterious with some tribal undertones, a perfect score for the episode's jungle setting and theme of genetic tampering. There's a great final cue with one last reprise of the episode's mysterious main theme as Tygrus emerges from the ruins, gives up his dream of a life with Selina, and tragically resigns to his fate alone. 3. "Blind as a Bat" by Steve Chesne and James Stemple Surprisingly, a Penguin episode with very little use of the Penguin theme. This one opens with upbeat military-type music for the debut of the Raven X1-11 aircraft. Some excellent action music (in ways reminiscent of Elfman's own Batwing music) accompanies the Batwing's aerial fight with the Raven. There are also some nice dramatic cues for Batman's struggle with blindness. 4. "I Am the Night" by Michael McCuistion Several brief cues speak to the pain in Batman's crisis of self-worth while still imbuing the Dark Knight with all the dignity he's due. There's also some good propulsive action music for the warehouse assault and the climax in Gordon's hospital room. 5. "Terror in the Sky" by Shirley Walker More terrific Man-Bat music in the vein of "On Leather Wings": sweeping, menacing, thrilling. And this time there's a new action theme that gets used a couple of times, perhaps most memorably when Batman's bike is being pulled toward an oncoming train. 6. "Heart of Steel, Pts. 1 & 2" by Richard Bronskill and Tamara Kline (Pt. 1) and Carl Johnson (Pt. 2) Part 1 kicks off with a suitably ominous main theme and features quite a lot of action music, but the real highlights for me are in Part 2: scenes like the rooftop fight with the Bullock duplicant, the chase up the elevator shaft at the Gotham Club, and Barbara's infiltration of the H.A.R.D.A.C. headquarters. 7. "P.O.V." by Shirley Walker Walker develops a really nice new heroic theme for this episode. It appears a number of times throughout amidst a great deal of action music. There's also a nice somber cue when the officers are required to turn in their badges, and another more uplifting version at the end when they receive them back. 8. "Mudslide" by Shirley Walker I feel a touch greedy asking for more of the same Clayface themes already so well represented on Vol. 2, but they're simply great to hear in any incarnation and the material in "Mudslide" is no exception. I also rather like the old-fashioned, overblown romance music used in the Warner Bros. flick Stella watches. 9. "Cat Scratch Fever" by Harvey R. Cohen There's a really nice new theme for Catwoman here, played a bit on the sad side but nothing too heavy since ultimately it's an episode about Selina searching for her lost cat, so there's a lightness and sweetness to the score. The new theme gets incorporated into a couple of the action cues as well, including a particularly fun short one where Batman slides down a slope of snow on his butt. The theme receives its most beautiful rendition at the end, beginning sadly and turning sweetly celebratory as Isis returns to Selina. Darker notes follow to reveal what we already know: that it was Batman who returned her lost cat. 10. "The Mechanic" by John Tatgenhorst and Peter Tomashek I'm not the biggest fan of the Penguin theme, but it's used nicely in the opening car chase here. I also really like the brief cue that plays during Cooper's flashback of designing the Batmobile and the urgent melody in the action music during the airport climax. And beyond my Top 10, there are several more episodes I'd love to see released: "Dreams in Darkness" by Todd Hayen Some rather dark music for a rather dark episode exploring Batman's fear-wracked psyche. A highlight of the score is the dramatic music featuring Penguin's and Two-Face's themes as Batman's hallucinations surmount one atop another. "Fear of Victory" by Lisa Bloom and Carlos Rodriguez Despite a couple of cues from "Nothing to Fear" being tracked here and there, there are two very good longer original cues as well: first, when Batman and Robin are scaling the face of the building after the robbers, and second, when they check on Scarecrow in Arkham (with brief appearances by Joker's, Ivy's and Two-Face's themes). Those two tracks would definitely be nice to have. "Moon of the Wolf" by Richard Bronskill Horror music by way of wailing electric guitar proves an interesting and memorable departure for the music of the series. The horror vibes feel a bit 80s, almost tongue-in-cheek in places, but the more dramatic and suspenseful parts of the score do well to keep it all in check. There's also some breathy aerobics source music in the gym. Wonder who they got to do the heavy breathing. "The Man Who Killed Batman" by Shirley Walker This one has a main theme that resembles Luke Skywalker's theme from Star Wars (of all things!) and an ominous organ used during the main title, the Joker's introduction, and Batman's mock funeral––and one last time in Thorn's office as an organ plays Batman's theme! I'd be surprised if this one doesn't make the cut. "Zatanna" by Nerida Tyson-Chew and Peter Tomashek I like the upbeat magic show music and there's some nice action work here as well. "See No Evil" by Shirley Walker Some rather good suspense music with a creepy, lullaby-like main theme. "The Worry Men" by Lolita Ritmanis Some nice tribal action and suspense music and some cool jazzy source music for Veronica's party. "His Silicon Soul" by Carl Johnson and Harvey R. Cohen A return of the H.A.R.D.A.C. theme from "Heart of Steel", this time combined with Batman's theme. "Eternal Youth" by Lolita Ritmanis Mostly dark action and suspense music featuring Ivy's two-note theme. There's also source music for the spa and the advert video. "Prophecy of Doom" by Shirley Walker Not really a must-have for me as a complete episode, but it does have some cool climactic action music based on Mars, the Bringer of War. And here are the remaining episodes I haven't mentioned yet: "The Underdwellers" by Stuart Balcomb and Lars Cutterham "Be a Clown" by Michael McCuistion "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy" by Beth Ertz and Mark Koval "Night of the Ninja" by Mark Koval "Joker's Wild" by Todd Hayen "What Is Reality?" by Richard Bronskill "Off Balance" by Mark Koval and Michael McCuistion "Paging the Crime Doctor" by Shirley Walker I could live without those last ones, but there are still nice moments among them, like the higher-pitched fluctuating sounds used for Vertigo's disorienting device in "Off Balance" and the short, gentle rendition of Batman's theme in "Paging the Crime Doctor". There's also some good music in "Night of the Ninja", but I think the oriental woodwind sounds are probably covered again and elaborated upon in "Day of the Samurai" so this might not be an essential episode to have if we're already getting "Day". Could be wrong though. As you can see, I like quite a lot of what remains from the first season. Whatever makes it onto Vol. 3, there will be plenty to enjoy. Still, fingers crossed for my favorites. Roll on Vol. 3!
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Nice list. I look forward to rewatching many of those I haven't gotten to yet. I could live without those last ones, but there are still nice moments among them... I earlier suggested another extended suite (like "Gotham City Overture" from Volume 1) could serve to address the best themes, ideas or even just tidbits that will otherwise be omitted. It would be a great way to do justice to what can't be included as program material as well as a nice way to "finish off" the original 65. Hopefully it's doable and will happen.
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I earlier suggested another extended suite (like "Gotham City Overture" from Volume 1) could serve to address the best themes, ideas or even just tidbits that will otherwise be omitted. It would be a great way to do justice to what can't be included as program material as well as a nice way to "finish off" the original 65. I agree, that would be a nice way to fit in the "best of the rest" - or maybe to just add select standout cues at the end in a kind of bonus track section. All up to LLL how they arrange it. However, I think the suite on Vol. 1 was something Shirley Walker had put together back when working on the show, maybe as a kind of demo track, and not something arranged specifically for the CD. Each and every instance of Batgirl's theme. Me too! That theme was what I was most excited about for Vol. 2. There isn't any Batgirl music left for Season 1, but I think it pops up again in "Batgirl Returns" in Season 2 (a.k.a. "The Adventures of Batman & Robin"). I'll be looking forward to that episode too when we get there.
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However, I think the suite on Vol. 1 was something Shirley Walker had put together back when working on the show, maybe as a kind of demo track, and not something arranged specifically for the CD. This is correct. Didn't know that, thanks. If nothing like it can be assembled for Volume 3, a selection of bonus highlights would indeed be nice.
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Several more... "Robin's Reckoning Part 1" (by Carlos Rodriguez) and "Part 2" (by Peter Tomashek) Probably the best two-parter of the series, these are both scored even more like features than the regular episodes. Fantastically dramatic and, importantly, fantastically subtle in just the right spots. The reveal of the broken trapeze rope is one of the series' great stings. "Night of the Ninja" by Mark Koval Great blend of Bat mood coupled with oriental sound. Fight theme nicely adds drama to those sequences. "Day of the Samurai" by Carlos Rodriguez Another seemingly short score with better woven, and heavier, oriental sound. "The Man Who Killed Batman" by Shirley Walker Great theme for Sid the Squid (even if it only plays a couple of times), plus some fun organ music including a rendition of the Batman phrase. "Mudslide" by Shirley Walker Great follow-up to Walker's music for Feat of Clay, with more emphasis on the Clayface theme.
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