I bought volume 3 for the Rosenman and Lalo scores, but I did not buy the Herrmann releases. It is my understanding that some are from music and effects reels.
I love Herrmann but I have a ton of his stuff. I generally prefer hi-fi re-recordings of Herrmann's stuff over the originals.
How do these compare to his Twilight Zone scores? I did not particularly like the McNeely TZ album until I tightened up the crossfades and evened out some levels. It is now a good album, but the listener should not have to finish someone else's album.
Would you say, all things considered, that the Hitchcock Hour albums are as good as his TZ stuff?
are you asking about the content (are these as good as his Twilight Zone) or the audio quality on the CDs?
As you're an audiophile, you'll probably be disappointed with the audio quality. It was fine for me, but I prefer original recordings so mono or LoFi doesnt bother me. While I'm a Herrmann fan, the music didnt blow me away. Not as archetypical as his TWZ music. Some of it suggests other scores he wrote. But if you read the old threads on the cd releases, there are fans who really love his Hitch Hour scores like the episode "The Jar" which I found too repetitive (and I like Steve Reich music). I actually prefer the Lyn Murray music, which is reused alot thru the series.
The music is outstanding, as great as the music Herrmann wrote for the "Twilight Zone." "The Jar" in particular is a wonderful, beautiful, eerie score. The audio quality is very good - a few scores (like "The Jar") were I believe taken from stems so they aren't perfect but they sound just fine to me. This release was a real holy grail for me. Highly recommended.
They are fantastic, low-key, chamber scores - I'd think if you were even a borderline Herrmann fan, get them. If you only like his outlandish large orchestra works, you might not enjoy it. Knowing of your preferences, Onya, I would think you may enjoy these discs. And the sound is indeed very good considering the age and smallish ensembles.
I really enjoyed the first set myself - but haven't played it in a while (Maybe I'll take it for a spin tonight). But the second set... I think had some FX bleedthru, while by no means terrible, kinda put me off playing it again.
I love both sets. Several of the scores are superb, and the sound quality is archival but very satisfactory to me. Anyone interested in Herrmann should find something to like here.
Can anyone identify the eerie music heard in the episode "Sign of Satan" which starred Christopher Lee? The music had a quasi-electronic sound, with prominent use of an electric organ. Was that music included in any of the record albums? The episode was posted on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XW63cYBm9k
Can anyone identify the eerie music heard in the episode "Sign of Satan" which starred Christopher Lee? The music had a quasi-electronic sound, with prominent use of an electric organ. Was that music included in any of the record albums? The episode was posted on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XW63cYBm9k
it would help if you designated a specific time. The music at the start sounds like Herrmann's TWZone music for "Where is everybody?" so perhaps it's from one of his HOUR episodes. Finishes with an electronic effect Van Cleave used in "Perchance to Dream" (same bit when the greedy heirs take off their masks in "The Masks" episode). The twinkling-sounding electronic effect was used in "Time Travelers"(1964) the same year; not sure who did it, although the music was by Richard LaSalle.
Can anyone identify the eerie music heard in the episode "Sign of Satan" which starred Christopher Lee? The music had a quasi-electronic sound, with prominent use of an electric organ. Was that music included in any of the record albums? The episode was posted on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XW63cYBm9k
it would help if you designated a specific time. The music at the start sounds like Herrmann's TWZone music for "Where is everybody?" so perhaps it's from one of his HOUR episodes. Finishes with an electronic effect Van Cleave used in "Perchance to Dream" (same bit when the greedy heirs take off their masks in "The Masks" episode). The twinkling-sounding electronic effect was used in "Time Travelers"(1964) the same year; not sure who did it, although the music was by Richard LaSalle.
Sorry - I assumed the opening film viewing sequence was one extended cue that was repeated, but the specific part that interests me was the section from 8:26 to 9:06. I first saw that Hitchcock episode when it was first broadcast in '64 and I've never forgotten the atmospheric music.
oops, the droning effect near the start is similar but not the same as the effect in the Van Cleave music (at 22:50 if you want to hear it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j6Qd8YoVFA). Hopefully the rest of the segment was used in the series and someone will be able to ID it.
Thanks all. So it seems like these are things I should get around to picking up, but that I probably don't need to break a leg doing so. If I find them used, or if the label that released them has a sale, I will probably spring for at least one, probably the one with "The Jar."
But when I can get all these Blue Note and Prestige albums on CD for like $5 a throw, these overpriced Herrmann releases have some stiff competition.
Btw, here's a clip of episode music by Lyn Murray:
Thanks very much for the heads-up on the low-volume count on Volume 2 -- just ordered both from Varese! Don't know how I missed out on seeing these listed before.
Vol.2 release is more expensive because it's 3-cd set. The music would fit on 2 cds without breaking up an episode, but I guess they wanted the episodes in a particular order so they had to be spread out on 3 cds?
I typically have problems with scores that sound too archival and that is not a problem with these. Yes there is a little bit of hiss and they are in mono but they sound really clear. Though I don't keep the lossless rips of the CDs on my computer because it doesn't seem necessary for these. Musically, I enjoy the mix of themes from his other scores in here. The majority of the scores have a low key sound that I find works very well.
Though I should also note I couldn't stand volume 3 at all so if you like that maybe you won't like the first two.
