Jerry Goldsmith composed the score to the 1968 Frank Sinatra film, THE DETECTIVE. The theme was turned into THE DARK SONG with lyrics by Estelle Leavitt.
Here singer Stephen Van Dorn channels Old Blue Eyes as he sight-reads this performance accompanied by pianist Mike Farrell.
THE DETECTIVE (The Dark Song) lyrics by Estelle Leavitt
That reminds me of a story I read some place that Anthony Newley approached Arthur Jacobs (Planet of the Apes' producer) about writing a theme song for BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES. Can you imagine? It would be like Sheetmusic Man here telling use there's lyrics for Goldsmith's theme to SHOCK TREATMENT.
This has to have to have something to do with Fox in the sixties having had 20th Century-Fox Records, and someone working there needing to justify their job. I mean, I can understand "And We Were Lovers" from THE SAND PEBBLES, but going to the trouble to write lyrics to the themes of lesser Fox films? Very curious.
I wonder if 100 RIFLES main title music was given lyrics?
That reminds me of a story I read some place that Anthony Newley approached Arthur Jacobs (Planet of the Apes' producer) about writing a theme song for BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES. Can you imagine? It would be like Sheetmusic Man here telling use there's lyrics for Goldsmith's theme to SHOCK TREATMENT.
This has to have to have something to do with Fox in the sixties having had 20th Century-Fox Records, and someone working there needing to justify their job. I mean, I can understand "And We Were Lovers" from THE SAND PEBBLES, but going to the trouble to write lyrics to the themes of lesser Fox films? Very curious.
I wonder if 100 RIFLES main title music was given lyrics?
Lukas wrote some pretty cool lyrics to 100 RIFLES if I remember correctly.
Definitely not the best, but I just don't think that this melody should have been given lyrics. You can do it with some soundtrack cues, but others, like this one, just aren't meant to be songs. Look at Sarah Brightman, who finally wore down Ennio Morricone and got his permission to make a song out of the principal theme from "The Mission" -- she was right to do so, and the song they created has had a life of its own.
Film composers didn't always participate in the song versions of their themes (Richard Rodney Bennett said he was surprised to see sheet music of a song "Silky" from his MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS theme).
I'm not even sure they did the arranging, since that ending doesn't sound much like Goldsmith.
The intention of the project has been to post obscure sheet music from Richard Kraft's collection and based on requests from FSM Message Board members, spend a day in the studio digging through the pile and doing light-hearted, first run-through sight-reading improvisations to capture on video and share on this board for those who might be interested and amused.
Not looking for anything beyond that. Just did it for the joy of doing it and sharing it.
