...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
Here's another shout out for a soundtrack I first recommended summer '07 that I've been listening to again recently.
With the gigantic success of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in "I Love Lucy," film studios clamored to get the red hot red head and her Cuban born husband teamed up on the big screen. The Long, Long Trailer, the delightful 1954 comedy directed by Vincente Minnelli shows off the couple and their by then well developed comedic teaming to great effect. The story followers newlyweds Nicky and Tracy as they cross the country on their summertime honeymoon in their super deluxe monstrosity wreaking havoc and martial turmoil each mile of the trip.
Adolph Deutsch's score, which centers around the breezy song "Breezin' Along with the Breeze," is as jaunty and whimsical as the screen action. "Bouncy" is perhaps the best adjective to describe Deutsch's music and stand out cues include the main title, "Wedding Reception/Departure/Miles and Miles" and the track in which Lucy and Desi sing the title song followed by a heavy duty orchestral reprise. Deutsch, who labored for many years at MGM, who produced the film, provides his usual patented lush arrangements, heavy on the string, a hallmark of the MGM sound.
Two years after the success of Trailer, the couple tried another summer themed outing with Forever, Darling. This time the jaunty score, thought not quite as memorable, was provided by the esteemed Bronislau Kaper. Together, these two scores, never before available, provide a wonderful aural trip back down memory lane for fans of the movies and the memorable music provided by their talented composers. Available from Film Score Monthly in a limited edition CD, each with the standard copious notes and lavish jewel case booklet.
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Next Recommendation: TBA
Adolph Deutsch (left) and Bronislau Kaper, the two gentlemen who provided the excellent scores for the two feature films that capitalized on the I Love Lucy phenomenon, The Long, Long Trailer and Forever, Darling