|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basil, did you see Bob's post? *** Around the time of Marco Polo's HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN release, I think it was John Morgan who referred to Hans as "An A composer for B pictures," and of course the same applies to Frank. *** Remember, PDF, Duke Ellington's dictum: "There are only two kinds of music: the good kind, and the other kind."
|
|
|
|
|
I think you are right Ron. I get the impression the labels feel Frank Skinner cds might not sell very well. So far we don't even know that. No label has ever issued a Frank Skinner cd! I too would think Bruce K. would try at least one. Most of Skinner's films are long forgotten except for the Universal horror films. I don't think that for example the Douglas Sirk films scored by Skinner like ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS, WRITTEN ON THE WIND or IMITATION OF LIFE are forgotten. Just look around how many articles and even books have been written worldwide - particularly in France for example - about these movies and the director's style since their reevaluation during the early 70s. They are very famous among true cinéastes, although maybe less so among pure film music collectors. I suppose that Bruce would certainly have released one or even a few Skinner scores if he had access to Universal or even to UMG. But if you look at his Kritzerland CD releases, till now he simply hasn't access there. So only the other labels like Intrada or Lalaland who deal with Universal could release something provided that mastertapes are still available. But it probably also depends on how profitable this will be for them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I think those who know me and/or Kritzerland know I would champion Mr. Skinner if I could. I do now have an in in terms of straight LP reissues, but the deal is so prohibitive that I haven't yet taken the plunge with the first two titles I asked for, because I know one of them, despite being an all-time favorite score, would not sell anywhere near the 1500 I'd have to commit to - the second title, a show title, would, but I haven't even gone there yet. What I may check on is seeing if they'd allow some titles to be combined - the LPs are way too short to release on their own. And yes, we did record some Skinner bits for the Sherlock Holmes album.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 21, 2014 - 4:34 PM
|
|
|
By: |
PFK
(Member)
|
I think those who know me and/or Kritzerland know I would champion Mr. Skinner if I could. I do now have an in in terms of straight LP reissues, but the deal is so prohibitive that I haven't yet taken the plunge with the first two titles I asked for, because I know one of them, despite being an all-time favorite score, would not sell anywhere near the 1500 I'd have to commit to - the second title, a show title, would, but I haven't even gone there yet. What I may check on is seeing if they'd allow some titles to be combined - the LPs are way too short to release on their own. And yes, we did record some Skinner bits for the Sherlock Holmes album. Thanks for looking into it Bruce. Hope is works out, if possible.
|
|
|
|
|
Much obliged, big guy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm not sure why it still couldn't happen. Unlike the European Union, Canada is still following the "50-year rule" for copyright, which means that recordings made prior to 1964 would seem to be in the public domain there. The EU and USA are now using a 70-year rule, which sets us back to 1944. That's not true for the EU at all, because this new 70 year rule which has become effective in the EU countries last year does only apply to those recordings from 1963 onwards. However, everything before 1963 remains public domain throughout the EU just as before! Just read this directive from August 2013 which is valid for all EU countries since the end of last year: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/directive201177eu.pdf It is also of course valid for example here in Germany. I have informed myself at the German GVL agency who are really in the know about this and they have confirmed this new rule. So just one example: A score from 1962 is now in public domain in the EU countries, whereas one from 1963 will now have copyright protection for 70 years. Besides, what concerns DCM, I suppose that they have totally given up ripping those old Decca LP as probably UMG had stepped in towards them about two years ago and they even had to remove one title which they had already announced on their website. In the meantime, they have come back to their old terrain which is in releasing older and newer French scores. They even had correctly licensed the Pierre Jansen score LA DENTELLIÈRE from Sugar in Italy which came from the CAM catalogue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This just in: Happily, I've been in touch with Matt Tolentino, and he informs me that THE FRANK SKINNER PROJECT is indeed available as a CD after all, and you can purchase it by sending a check for $17.00 to: Matt Tolentino 5212 Junius St. Dallas, TX 75214 Yes, these are dance band arrangements of popular songs of the day, not film scores, but long before he ever came to Hollywood Skinner was the Nelson Riddle of his day, and I'm very excited to know that I will finally be able to hear some of his distinctive orchestral works, and in brand new recordings, apparently produced as a genuine labor of love.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 24, 2014 - 3:58 AM
|
|
|
By: |
panphoto
(Member)
|
Following the release of Man of a Thousand Faces I wrote to DCM to ask if there were any more Skinner releases in the pipeline and was told that 2 were planned (though not named) - but this was a year or so ago, so I guess their plans have been shelved. I have the impression that their brief excursions with Rosza, Skinner and Young were something of an experiment, and they now seem to have retrenched back to exclusively French repertoire. Pity. I know that DCM have received a few brickbats on these pages on the sonic quality of some releases - and probably justly so, but as someone who grew up listening to scratchy mono classical LP's, I am frankly grateful for any releases of film music from some of the more obscure pioneers of the medium. So, gun to my head, yes, I am a 'text at any price' man - it is possible to listen through the imperfections to reach the beauty of a score. I do hope that Bruce, who is an archeomusicological hero to us all, is somehow able to unlock the Skinner treasure store. Aside from the immediate pleasure we derive from his many obscure releases, he is also performing an important historical service by disseminating a valuable musical heritage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amen -- to all you've just said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|