I bought the two DVD boxset volumes recently, and I just finished watching Part 1 of the Pilot episode. I'm slightly annoyed that they had to BREAK OUT INTO SONG in the very first episode, but aside from that... wow, is this show ever great!
I noticed immediately how much of a role Christopher Stone's score plays in this series. The major plus being that it's orchestral as opposed to synthesized... it makes the atmosphere of the show feel that much more vibrant, seeing as (based on my judgment of only the first episode alone) most of the action takes place in the air.
I'm aware of the promo disc released eons ago, but I certainly can't afford such a thing right now. Add this to another of my holy grail wishlists... I'd love to see a more comprehensive TaleSpin soundtrack album released. I realize it's Disney and I don't think it'll see the light of day for a long time yet (if maybe never at all), but I can still hope.
This is a not only a great show, but one of my favorite scores. It really proves that great work can be created even for a children's cartoon tv show. This was a tv show that I grew up with and absolutely love even to this day.
I always loved this music from when I watched the show back in the day (20 years ago now. ), and my CDR of the promo disc is great, even if it omits several recurring cues (where's Wildcat's theme?).
Disney's television animation projects in the 80's was far above all previous efforts at that time. Both in animation and music. They appear to have lush scores and fuller animation. I remember them fondly.
I should get those Talespin DVD sets, even if Disney didn't finish releasing them all...
As far as I know, there's only 11 episodes that have yet to see a DVD release.
If you live in Canada, you can find both sets for $15 apiece at Future Shop. Best Buy might be another option, since I found Volume 1 of Darkwing Duck there for $15 as well.
In fact, every Future Shop I've stopped at in the past month or so should have all of the DVD volumes for TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, DuckTales and Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers. DuckTales had 3 DVD volumes released; all of the other shows have 2 volumes released.
I totally loved the show as a kid (I still do), and remember how often I watched the pilot episode ("Plunder And Lightning") just to listen to the beautiful music. I managed to get a copy of the promo too and it was like a dream come true for me, even if some great cues are still missing. Ron Jones' DuckTales TV score is another on my most wanted list too, I totally adore even the smallest of the cues in these. Hope Disney loosens their hold on these gems and allow them to be released, instead of rotting in some dark vault for no good reason.
Little OT but I really wish Stone would release the music to the video games Dragons Lair and Space Ace. I emailed him once about this and never got a reply. Oh well......
I never cared too much for Jones' Ducktales, which I found too saccharine and repetitive in the dramatic cues. Too over emotional for a cartoon. I think some of his adventure cues were fun though. Ultimately however, I much prefer Newman's music for the Ducktales movie.
By the way, Joel McNeely scored an episode of Darkwing Duck. Most episodes were credited to Philip Giffin, but McNeely gets a rather lavish "conducted and composed" credit on the episode "Beauty and the Beat", which is the origin story of the villain Bushroot. It's very imaginative fun!
By the way, Joel McNeely scored an episode of Darkwing Duck. Most episodes were credited to Philip Giffin, but McNeely gets a rather lavish "conducted and composed" credit on the episode "Beauty and the Beat", which is the origin story of the villain Bushroot. It's very imaginative fun!
I was quite surprised to see that Joel McNeely credit, myself.
I think that after revisiting all four of these Disney Afternoon classics, the one I'd love to have an official soundtrack release most is TaleSpin. Chip 'n' Dale would be my last choice. It's still a good show, but it feels like it drags on with its storylines for a bit too long.
I think I adore DuckTales and Darkwing Duck equally, and I couldn't decide which series' music to have put out on disc first. (the other common thread between the two shows is that Launchpad McQuack stars in both)
For reference, he sold two more copies to other people about a month ago, both with positive feedback. I'm not sure if any of them are legit, but they're worth investigating, in any case.
No, I didn't buy it from eBay... the seller actually sent me an e-mail back in early October asking me if I wanted one. I paid $46 total, including shipping of $11.
Another one of his listings ended for $25 recently.
), and my CDR of the promo disc is great, even if it omits several recurring cues (where's Wildcat's theme?). 
