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Correct, The Knack is one of the rare few times John Barry re-recorded the score for album rather than assembling an album from the original tracks, and there are definite differences!
This score is one of John Barry's most perfect creations.
Cheers
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Posted: |
Mar 22, 2025 - 11:01 AM
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By: |
SchiffyM
(Member)
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This is a wonderful score! It's been a while since I've seen the film, so I don't recall how the album I know differs from the film recording. But I'm intrigued to find out.
What a time capsule this film is. At the time, it was widely lauded, and won the Palme d’Or. But now, it's kind of shocking. For those who haven't seen it, it's about an inexperienced bloke who turns to a womanizing chap (a drummer, no less) for help bedding birds. He meets a shy girl, who is sexually assaulted by the drummer. The girl faints, then wakes up and goes around the town telling everybody she’s been raped, which is all played for laughs (she knocks on a door and tells a woman “Rape!” and the woman replies “No thank you”). The guys believe this indicates she has a rape fantasy. In 2025, it feels incredible that this was fodder for comedy, but of course, times change, and we just have to accept that.
None of this makes the score any less delightful!
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We shall see what it is. The fact that it's not two disks, but just one, suggests that it is not similar to Quartet's previous releases of "The Thomas Crown Affair" or "Midnight Cowboy." We will know in due time, but my guess would be that the LP master will be used as the primary source (probably put in film order) and augmented by bonus tracks from whatever stems exist. The limitation to one disk makes me think that we will not see the full release of the film score probably because the source for these recordings is not a music stem, but the mfx (as the term "archival edition" suggests some kind of limitation). All mere speculation. Anyway - will be ordered on Wednesday 
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Well it's definitely expanded with **something** because Quartet says it is.
The album re-recording is 33 minutes and contains music, such as the song, that's not in the film. The never before released film version has short cues not represented on the album.
I don't have a length to hand for the film version, but I'd wager it's of similar length to the album, with the give and take on both sides, and there's 40 minutes of capacity for expanded material on a single CD.
Conceivably, then, that could be the film recording.
This could be like Intrada's single CD of King Rat, which contained both film and album version on one CD.
Or like Intrada's Wrong Box with suites of previously unreleased music.
Or just those bits that can be lifted cleanly from the DVD, like the main title.
But then again, it could also just be expanded with the Alan Haven single for all we currently know.
I look forward to Tuesday to find out.
Cheers
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OK, I pulled the film out and notated all the film cues that are audible in the film.
To be clear, I have no idea what's on Tuesday's CD, but to anyone doubting that the album and film version could fit on one CD, I give you this info.
Bear in mind what's audible in the film could be cropped.
THE KNACK — FILM VERSION
Main Title — 03:16
Here Comes Nancy Now: Nancy Arrives on the Bus — 01:46
Tolen's Gives His Award — 00:17
Tolen Takes Off on With the Girl on a Motorbike — 00:53
Here Comes Nancy Now: The Photo Booth — 01:38
The Clothes Shop Sequence — 00:43
Colin's Water Ski Moment — 00:15
Here Comes Nancy Now: How to Cross a Busy Road — 00:53
Fantasy Girls in the Bathroom — 00:08
Colin's Home Improvements — 01:35
Here Comes Nancy Now: The Café and Telephone Box — 00:46
Nancy Meets Colin and Tom — 00:11
Colin and Nancy's Eyes Meet — 00:04
Three on a Bed — 05:09
Something's Up — 01:48
Doors and Bikes and Things — 02:50
Albert Hall Fantasy (Church Organ) — 00:57
It's Love — 01:18
End Title (Main Title Reprise) — 02:22
Total Time — 26:49
THE KNACK — ALBUM RECORDING
Main Theme — there's a film version
Here Comes Nancy Now! — various versions in different lengths are in the film
Photo Strip — unusued, may be an alternate of The Photo Booth sequence
Three on a Bed — there's a film version
Blues and Out — not found in film
The Knack (vocal) — not in film
And How To Get It — partially matches Colin's home improvement sequence
Something's Up — there's a film version
Doors and Bikes and Things — there's a film version
Ecstasy!—partially matches the clothes shop sequence
End Title — first part matches It's Love, second part unused
Total Time — 33:15
THE KNACK — ALAN HAVEN SINGLE VERSION — 2:18
Cheers
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The re-recorded album of The Knack is perfect. Whatever faults the film has, and I agree with Schiffy that it has aged very badly, the score is in the top tier of JB scores.
Plus, it's atypical in that the theme, catchy as it gets, is heartwarming and manages to evoke swinging sixties London and capture that thrill of young love. There's a humorous variation of the theme, another catchy secondary theme, and a bluesy organ feature.
It's been years since I've seen the film in its entirety, but I recall on the main title Alan Haven really pulls out all the stops on his organ solo.
Once again, Quartet delivers.
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Again, I'm thrilled about this. I'm grateful that, with Midnight Cowboy, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, Mary Queen of Scots, and now The Knack, Quartet will release great John Barry scores.
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Posted: |
Mar 25, 2025 - 3:14 AM
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By: |
Amer Zahid
(Member)
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Quartet Records, in collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the iconic score composed by John Barry for the classic Richard Lester film THE KNACK… AND HOW TO GET IT, winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965—a symbol of its generation, a true witness of its time.
The “Swinging Sixties” marked a period of significant social, cultural and innovative change in the UK. John Barry played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural revolution of the era, swiftly becoming one of England’s most influential and sophisticated film composers. His GOLDFINGER soundtrack even surpassed The Beatles, reaching number 1 on the Billboard charts in March 1965. Barry’s music for THE KNACK is vibrant, funny, powerfully melodic and well-remembered as an icon of the “Swinging London” movement.
The recording took place at CTS Studios in Bayswater with engineer Eric Tomlinson, the composer’s favorite combination of the era. It seems John Barry elected to make separate takes for the film and album as no two appear identical. Given the consistency in orchestra size, overall performance and acoustic, it seems that these were recorded concurrently rather than days or weeks apart.
The soundtrack album of THE KNACK was released on LP by United Artists Records at the time of the film’s release. It was reissued on CD by Ryko in 1998 and by us in 2011 but has been out-of-print for the last 14 years. Both releases were mastered from 2-track stereo tapes, but the recent discovery of the original 3-track, 15 ips, first- generation master tapes has given us the opportunity to transfer it in high resolution and offer a more precise and detailed stereo mix.
Whatever the reason for the difference, we are now able to proudly premiere almost all the film-specific recordings, amounting to 21 minutes, derived from the film’s monophonic music and effects (M&E) track. Even though the most critical listeners will hear some anomalies, we have employed every available technique to remove sound effects and ensure the music is as clear and enjoyable as possible. The result is convincing, and it’s the only way to listen to the long-lost, historical original film recording. We kindly invite you to listen to our samples and make your own decision about the sound quality before you buy.
We have also included organist Alan Haven’s 45-RPM single version, arranged and conducted by John Barry for Fontana Records. And we conclude with lead actor Michael Crawford’s performance of the Leslie Bricusse lyrics with accompaniment conducted by David Whitaker. This was also the first-ever recording by the brilliant future star of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and BILLY.
The entire collection has been painstakingly produced, remixed, restored, assembled and mastered by Chris Malone. The package includes a 20-page booklet with an indepeth essasy by film music journalist and writer (and major Barry connoiseur) Jon Burlingame.
Now, celebrating the film’s 60th anniversary, enjoy John Barry’s THE KNACK, music that is as fresh, vibrant and inventive as ever.
Tracklist:
The Soundtrack Album
1. The Knack – Main Theme 3:15
2. Here Comes Nancy Now! 2:59
3. Photo Strip 2:42
4. Three On A Bed 5:33
5. Blues And Out 2:54
6. And How To Get It 3:10
7. Something’s Up! 2:18
8. Doors And Bikes And Things 2:44
9. Ecstasy! 2:38
10. End Title – The Knack 2:40
11. The Knack Vocal: Johnny De Little 2:52
Film Versions
12. Main Title (Film Version) 3:28
13. Here Comes Nancy Now! (Film Version) 1:46
14. Tolen’s Bedroom / Try It On! / Colin’s Bedroom 1:11
15. Carpentry Job 1:41
16. Here Comes Nancy Again! 1:01
17. Three On A Bed (Film Version) 5:18
18. Doors And Bikes And Things (Film Version) 2:56
19. End Title – The Knack (Film Version) 3:49
Bonus Tracks
20. The Knack Organ by Alan Haven 2:25
21. The Knack Vocal: Michael Crawford 2:15
Total Disc Time: 59:44
https://quartetrecords.com/product/the-knack-and-how-to-get-it-2/
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Excellent.
So the previous releases of the album on CD was from a 2-track copy of the session masters, but for this they've gone to the recently discovered first generation session masters for the best sound possible. Brilliant.
And although they weren't quite able to get everything, the majority of the film versions is there from an M&E track. Also brilliant, too.
I imagined they'd include the Alan Haven single version, but I completely forgot about the Michael Crawford version of the song!
This is a lovely, as definitive as possible release of one of the best British film soundtracks of the whole 1960s. It deserves to sell extremely well.
Cheers
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By the way, the fact previously missing materials from the 60s—these 3-track session masters for the album version—is still being discovered fills us all with hope, I'm sure!
Cheers
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