'mcq' film

[Seventies Kid]

Just as I was flicking through the TV channels before going to sleep last night, I came across this John Wayne 1974 cop movie on BBC1.

It has an amazing title theme with OTT wahwah, killer funky beats and some really moody orchestration. I didn't see the rest of it, but I bet the rest of the score is just as good.

I was surprised to find out that Elmer Bernstein was responsible for the score - does anyone know if it's available on LP?

Thanks.

[theeman]

it's not unfortunately. there's a cover version on a Jap-only 45 but it's not very good.

also check Dominic Frontiere's wicked theme for Brannigan (John Wayne flick from around the same time)... also sadly never released in original form, there's only a bad cover version somewhere.

some of bernstein's unreleased scores came out on alleged bootleg LPs on 'Cinema' records... apparently the master tapes were allegedly 'borrowed' from bernstein's house by his tennis trainer and then put out on that label!

[dr kraken]

Quote[/b] (theeman @ Jan. 26 2004,09:10)]also check Dominic Frontiere's wicked theme for Brannigan (John Wayne flick from around the same time)... also sadly never released in original form, there's only a bad cover version somewhere.

There is a version by Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass (which IMHO is quite good really ... though it is something of an open plains parping affair).

[theeman]

Quote[/b] (Seventies Kid @ Jan. 26 2004,08:10)]It has an amazing title theme with OTT wahwah, killer funky beats and some really moody orchestration. I didn't see the rest of it, but I bet the rest of the score is just as good.

btw, the rest of the score doesn't live up to the theme - there are only a couple of funky tracks in it, but they're bloody good, you're right! there's a wicked scene in a car park with this incredible, intense funky track behind it...

[Nick Cope]

Ed, do you know if during the early 70s, with the enormous output of crime drama with all the wah wah stuff, do you think some studios had they're own house bands - bringing in the big name composer to work with them? Or did the composer bring his own crew to do the job? Know anything about this...?

I wonder if the studios have all these reels of stuff like McQ, The Outfit, music from Alais Smith & Jones etc locked awy somewhere...

[theeman]

Quote[/b] (Nick Cope @ Jan. 26 2004,10:28)]Ed, do you know if during the early 70s, with the enormous output of crime drama with all the wah wah  stuff,  do you think some studios had they're own house bands - bringing in the big name composer to work with them? Or did the composer bring his own crew to do the job? Know anything about this...?

I wonder if the studios have all these reels of stuff like McQ, The Outfit, music from Alais Smith & Jones etc locked awy somewhere...

sometimes the studio has reels, sometimes the composer has reels, sometimes everyone's got 'em.

apparently many of the studios used session/orchestra bookers in the same way that major labels did. these guys obviously had favoured players from a pool they used regularly.

most of the big-name composers specified particular players to be used on their session (guys who were they were used to working with an knew could get the sound they wanted). schifrin almost always used earl palmer on drums in the early 70s (lalo even wrote out the drum parts) and carol kaye on bass.

[Nick Cope]

Know anything on the story of how Axelrod took on the score for Kelly's Heroes, Ed (or anybody)?

I know Axelrod claims this in the interview that appeared in Big Daddy, but I'm not sure if he specified the details of his involvement i.e. if he wrote all of the score or part of the score or conducted the recording sessions or what. I suspect he may have written some of the score, as certain tracks, like the version of Working on the Railroad sound VERY Axelrod, whereas tracks like Tiger Tank sound VERY Schifrin... See how I said VERY twice back then?

Anyone have anyone extra info on this? Maybe I'll ask the Axe myself when I go see him play at the RFH in March...

[sermad]

Are you going to see axe? I didnt know anyone going and didnt want to be billy no mates. Have you got your ticket yet?

[Nick Cope]

Yup, got it ages ago - going with my flatmate Bill, a LFH regular. Apparently there's a few seats left right at the back...

[wayne]

There DOES seem to be a McQ OST available - check scorebaby for details...

http://www.scorebaby.com/newreviews.html#mcq

CD only, though...

[Palmer_Eldrich]

See you at the 'Axe' Nick!

[Nick Cope]

Yay! I kept meaning to ask if you were going, but kept forgetting...!

[teddy rosso]

Quote[/b] (theeman @ Jan. 26 2004,09:10)]also check Dominic Frontiere's wicked theme for Brannigan (John Wayne flick from around the same time)... also sadly never released in original form, there's only a bad cover version somewhere.

This was recently released on CD in japan ..

[theeman]

that's two CDs for the Xmas list then... ta chaps!