Here is a new radio interview with pianist and composer Tom Pierson (Quintet, A Perfect Couple) on his beginnings as a child prodigy, his jazz compositions for fusion and big band, and working for Robert Altman.
I look forward to listening to this. I remember Pierson from the 70s since I was one of three people who actually saw Quintet, and one of four who saw A Perfect Couple. I don't remember APC music, but I remember enjoying Quintet's music; if I recall, it was a bit on the chilly side, suitable for the setting and nature of the film. Pierson also arranged the orchestral versions of Gershwin songs for Woody Allen's Manhattan.
Tom wrote a concerto in the Romantic style for the opening scene where's he is conducting the piece in an outdoor concert when it begins raining and the audience runs for cover. Along with Herrmann, were there any others who appear in their film conducting?
Quintet is indeed appropriately chilly. I've always been fascinated by the film, and it is a main feature of the interview.
Lalo Schifrin conducts in Red Dragon, John Barry in A View To a Kill and Deadfall.
Just listened to the interview. Very refreshing to hear someone so blunt, outspoken, and a bit bitter. I'll have to explore some of those big band albums he speaks of.
Thanks for posting this. I sampled some of his music and downloaded Hidden Beauties and one other. I heard a jazz rock thing by him and Turning Point on youtube called "Ramblin' Askew" which I liked but I can't even figure out what album it's from.
I haven't played the interview yet. Does he talk about Popeye? His score to that film was finally released on CD by Varese in their deluxe edition a few years ago. I don't think he arranged the songs though. That was Van Dyke Parks I think? I've always been curious to see and hear Quintet, but never gotten around to it yet.
He talks about Popeye quite a bit on the "extended edit" (without music) on the blog below the link to the broadcast version (that has music). He is pretty frank about it.
Here are Tom's responses to the earlier questions:
""Ramblin' Askew" is from a demo. The song never appeared on an album."
(and about Popeye)
"Regarding the next post: Van Dyke participated in making the rhythm tracks. However, when adding other instruments ("sweetening"), he put everything off until the last minute. The recording date was scheduled for a Monday. The Thursday prior, Van Dyke booked a huge orchestra for Monday and called 6 or 7 nameless arrangers in LA to do all the work over the weekend. The result was a mishmash, since, of course, none of those arrangers have any idea what the others are doing. I rewrote and rerecorded the sweetening for a few of the songs, and remixed everything."
