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This is a comments thread about FSM CD: Dead Ringer
 
 Posted:   Nov 18, 2011 - 11:42 PM   
 By:   Lukas Kendall   (Member)


I am writing the blurbs for the next installment of "FSM catalog low quantities and memories" and got to this title... I am trying to be fair in assessing the quality of our projects... some were fan-favorites, others obscure gems, some "archival" in sound quality, etc. Obviously I'm fond of all of them or I wouldn't have released them, but I won't try to pretend they are all the greatest thing since sliced bread.

But when I got to DEAD RINGER... this is such a great score! And it BARELY sold!

Do you love John Williams's macabre harpsichord style (Family Plot)? This is where it came from.

I appreciate that people don't have the money to buy things sight-unseen (or sound-unheard—though we do have ample sound clips) but this is one of the rare CDs where it is delightful and chilling and thrilling and romantic... I feel completely confident in recommending it to all Williams fans, without a doubt. You'll love it.

Lukas

 
 Posted:   Nov 18, 2011 - 11:56 PM   
 By:   SchiffyM   (Member)

This really is one terrific score. This post inspired me to put it on right now, and it's got everything: it's dark, it's romantic, it's brimming with melody. As you say, times are tough. Believe me, I know. But this is a CD I can't imagine most people here not loving. (To remove the double-negative: I imagine most people here will love it!) What a shame it's barely sold!

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:05 AM   
 By:   AHerrera83   (Member)

I'll chime in too; this one's quite lovely. For those of us asking where the melodies are nowadays, the answer is: right here.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:17 AM   
 By:   Bob DiMucci   (Member)

After 40 years, my LP was nearly worn out, so this CD was a godsend. More than 25 minutes of extra music too.

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:38 AM   
 By:   Steve Johnson   (Member)

Hell, I've know it was great since I saw it on the late show in 1974, found a stereo copy of the LP at A-1 Record Finders in 1977 , the FSM cd in 2006 and have played it ever since.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:46 AM   
 By:   manderley   (Member)

I am stunned that we have gotten this far in posting and no one --- NO ONE --- including the esteemed Mr. Kendall has seen fit to mention the composer's name---Andre Previn!!!

Any score by Andre Previn is top notch and this is no exception. It has been a classic of its type since it was released in the '60s, and it should be in everyone's collection.

Symphonic---to creepy (with that ubiquitous harpsichord!!)---to jazzy. Highly recommended!

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:51 AM   
 By:   Steve Johnson   (Member)

Love the music around the scene when Duke rips Peter Lawford's throat out. big grin

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 12:57 AM   
 By:   manderley   (Member)

......Love the music around the scene when Duke rips Peter Lawford's throat out.....


Poor June Allyson.....no more French lessons for Peter after that! smile

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 5:27 AM   
 By:   Jeff Eldridge   (Member)


Of the nearly 250 FSM CDs I've worked on, this is one of my favorites---and not just because I wrote the liner notes. The booklet features one of my all-time favorite Joe Sikoryak covers:



For many CDs, Joe has access to a plethora of studio artwork, but in this case (for reasons Lukas may wish to reveal in one of his posts reminiscing about the FSM history) Joe could only use the handful of black-and-white photos included on the back of the original LP jacket. And yet he created a gorgeous booklet to go along with this phenomenal Previn score. Not that you shouldn't buy this CD even if Lukas had released it in a paper bag...

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 5:59 AM   
 By:   kossjak   (Member)

Lukas, when are you going to post the next installment ? Next Monday?

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 6:02 AM   
 By:   Timmer   (Member)

I think it's a superb score, it had long been one of my "grails".

A real shame to hear it hasn't sold that well? I hope this thread helps to move more copies of a score that deserves to be heard.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 6:41 AM   
 By:   Simon Underwood   (Member)

It's on my list of FSM titles still to get. FYI, that list is 76 titles long. (That's what I get for only discovering Ltd Editions in 2008!)

You can definitely rely on my custom for a while yet, Lukas, and these lists are helping me prioritise and plan when I have the money to spare.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 9:03 AM   
 By:   eriknelson   (Member)

I think this is one of Previn's best scores, and seem to remember reading that Previn said it was one of his favorite efforts. The theme he wrote for Bette Davis harks back to the lush music that Steiner and Korngold wrote for her in her heyday. This disc should have been a major seller.

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 9:10 AM   
 By:   goldsmith-rulez   (Member)

DEAD RINGER is a terrific, very powerful Previn score.

I'm not surprised it didn't sell though. Most people would rather buy a new STAR TREK:TMP because it contained 3 minutes of unreleased music.

Scores to best-forgotten movies are a hard sell. One would wish people paid more attention to the music as such, and less to the popularity of the film.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 9:24 AM   
 By:   jpteacher568   (Member)

Of the nearly 250 FSM CDs I've worked on, this is one of my favorites---and not just because I wrote the liner notes. The booklet features one of my all-time favorite Joe Sikoryak covers:



For many CDs, Joe has access to a plethora of studio artwork, but in this case (for reasons Lukas may wish to reveal in one of his posts reminiscing about the FSM history) Joe could only use the handful of black-and-white photos included on the back of the original LP jacket. And yet he created a gorgeous booklet to go along with this phenomenal Previn score. Not that you shouldn't buy this CD even if Lukas had released it in a paper bag...




Not only did Joe create a memorable black and white cover with Bette Davis, but for me, was a nod to the great Saul Bass who created the original poster art used on the album release and Joe kindly reprinted it on the back of the booklet. Joe has a wonderful cinematic eye and would have made a delightful art director or production designer in motion pictures.

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 9:31 AM   
 By:   jpteacher568   (Member)

I have always been a great champion of Andre Previn film scores and although I have the album, rushed to buy this cd release -- the same with Lukas's release of INSIDE DAISY CLOVER -- a double cd release no less!

Thank you for taking a leap of faith regardless of financial risk.

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 2:24 PM   
 By:   'Lenny Bruce' Marshall   (Member)

well, it was available on Lp
but, yeah its a real cool score.
The ony two Previn's I own are both FSM - the other is SUBTERRANEANS
check 'em out!!!!
Bruce

ps thanks to Joe Sik for my copy!!!!!

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 2:31 PM   
 By:   governor   (Member)

I am writing the blurbs for the next installment of "FSM catalog low quantities and memories" and got to this title... I am trying to be fair in assessing the quality of our projects... some were fan-favorites, others obscure gems, some "archival" in sound quality, etc. Obviously I'm fond of all of them or I wouldn't have released them, but I won't try to pretend they are all the greatest thing since sliced bread.

But when I got to DEAD RINGER... this is such a great score! And it BARELY sold!

Do you love John Williams's macabre harpsichord style (Family Plot)? This is where it came from.

I appreciate that people don't have the money to buy things sight-unseen (or sound-unheard—though we do have ample sound clips) but this is one of the rare CDs where it is delightful and chilling and thrilling and romantic... I feel completely confident in recommending it to all Williams fans, without a doubt. You'll love it.

Lukas


This in why I bought the CD in 2006. One of your greatest releases. Thanks once again !

 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 3:53 PM   
 By:   Mr. Jack   (Member)

Fantastic score. Got it in one of FSM's $14.95 sales, and it was a terrific "blind buy".

 
 
 Posted:   Nov 19, 2011 - 4:00 PM   
 By:   Erik Donovan   (Member)

Well, I am a big Williams fan and I owned this, but sold it becuase it was not to my liking.
One of the few scores I have sold. I really would not compare this to Williams.

 
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