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As I mentioned in a previous thread, I'm going through a Michael Kamen bender at the moment (lol), but one thing caught my attention among his work of the late 80s: collaboration, or "association" with other composers on a project.
Kamen himself called action movies "violent comic books"; the liner notes for the Lethal Weapon box suggested he disliked them, but I'm inclined to think the opposite, simply by looking at the sheer number of action movies he scored through the late 80s-mid 90s, often produced by Joel Silver. Among this clutter, however, are two projects from the late 80s that apparently faded into obscurity: Action Jackson and Dead Bang.
They couldn't be more different, and yet Kamen essentially acted as co-composer on both projects; I don't know what the circumstances were for the first movie, but he received equal billing with Herbie Hancock. On the second movie, apparently Gary Chang had finished (or was finishing) his score before the producers hired Kamen to provide an "edgy" atmosphere with his music, after the success of Die Hard according to Imdb; on that instance, Kamen is only credited for additional music. It's fascinating to watch the movie and try to pick out which piece of music was composed by Chang or Kamen, although Kamen's mix of piano, electronic pizzicato, and electric guitar is a dead giveaway.
I haven't looked at Action Jackson too closely (frankly I think it's an appalling movie, and I'm surprised Kamen accepted the job), but what about the rest of his fans? Is there any demand for a proper score release for these two flicks?
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I dont know if this is OOP or rare but is there a video recording of this because I can spot a few LDs on ebay.
I've got the video. Basically its the Concerto played over some artyfarty videos - city scenes, landscapes etc. Kamen makes fleeting appearances in some (crossing a busy road, etc). Intercut with that are some scenes of Kamen conducting, surrounded by a few musicians. This has clearly been shot for the DVD and doesn't seem to be from any recording sessions.
There are interviews with Kamen, as well as Ray Cooper, George Harrison, David Gilmour etc, again accompanied by some behind the scenes shots of the actual recording sessions with the National Philharmonic (although they're brief).
Kamen talks a bit about some of the music (although ISTR more about the jazz-rock pieces). For instance, the piece called 'Zoe' reflects the times he would call to his daughter: "Ohh Zoe-ey...!" and that phrase is reflected in Sanborn's playing in the opening seconds of the piece (around 7 secs in). Play the track with that in mind and you'll see what he means...!
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It's fantastic and the way Kamen turns up temperature with each section is amazing. The last 30 minutes is pure action heaven.
Ksrol
Currently listening to "Fight On The Wing" on repeat (even if it is missing those piano overdubs!)
Oh well, judging by the responses here, it seems Kamen's contributions to Action Jackson and Dead Bang don't have much appeal on their own. Carry on lol
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I haven't looked at Action Jackson too closely (frankly I think it's an appalling movie, and I'm surprised Kamen accepted the job),
You're welcome!
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So, you had something to do with Action Jackson? If you wrote the story and/or screenplay, then you, sir, need to be brought up on charges of crimes against humanity.
He did, and he's already admitted it. It's not like he wrote Dead Bang or Leonard Part 6.
I've been wanting to hear "Building Up Action Jackson" (the only score cut on the OST) but no luck.
I have to admit I liked Dead Bang. If nothing else, it's got Ken Adam sets, and it's more lively than some Frankenheimer films of that era (I'm looking at you, Year of the Gun).
Leonard Part 6, could have really used Ken Adam sets. I don't even remember the Elmer Bernstein score, and that's not a good sign.
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For Queen And Country is an obscure 1988 Kamen film which also features music from Simon Goldenberg and Geoff MacCormack (from Wild Orchid fame).
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