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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review Review
The appeal of Gerry Anderson's "supermarionation" puppet shows have charmed successive generations since the 60s. This collection from Captain Scarlet chronicles the music of, arguably, Anderson's most technically advanced and dramatically mature series, composed by his longtime collaborator Barry Gray. With its more realistic tone, Gray leans heavily on brassy, military music and evocative cues that recall some of John Barry's mystery enhancing work on the Bond series. Fans of Gray's distinctive pop-rock kitsch won't be disappointed by tracks such as "White as Snow" (in two versions, including a previously unreleased stereo mix), the electro-exotica of "Lunarville" or loungey charms of "The Inquisition" and "Big Ben Strikes Again." The action cue mini-suite "Spectrum Strikes Back" perfectly encapsulates the composer's energetic tack and use of unexpected, neo-Asian moods and modalities, music that often gracefully belies its modestly budgeted TV roots. --Jerry McCulley, Amazon.com
Review
In the 60s and 70s, programmes like Fireball Xl5, Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90 had kids all over the country in their grip. While we knew Steve Zodiac, Troy Tempest and the Tracy family were all, well, puppets, for a precious half hour a week we were enthralled as they cheated death in the face of overwhelming odds.
Though there were enough explosions and fantastic looking vehicles on display to keep the average eight year old happy, much of the power of Gerry Anderson's creations was provided by Barry Gray's memorable scores. Stirring and spooky by turn, they provided enough dramatic tension to make that all important suspension of disbelief possible.
Captain Scarlet was a change in tone for Anderson. Much darker than its predecessors it featured lots of deaths (often quite grisly) and a malevolent alien force who spoke with a very scary voice. The puppets were more realistic, and there were no laughs. Gray's incidental music reflected this (and would continue to so on the even darker, live action U.F.O); dissonant vibraphone chords shimmer under hovering, tremulous strings contrasted with urgent, militaristic drums and pulsing brass - driving the action ever onto its climax (and, no doubt, a big explosion).
This CD collects all the scores Gray made for the series, along with the superb theme tune, a few stings and an ice cream commercial. There's some classic cheesy space pop, complete with Joe Meek-ish electronic noises and robot vocal refrain; an Ondes Martenot provides some cosmic swoops on the incidental music, there's even a hint of Martin Denny in Gray's latin/exotica excursions.
The sleeve notes offer a wealth of information (down to the lengths of the recording sessions) and their author (and album co-producer), Ralph Titterton, is admirably obsessive in his approach. He and his associates have done themselves proud, producing an essential item for any serious soundtrack collection. S.I.G! --Peter Marsh
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Out Of This World,
By
This review is from: Captain Scarlet (Audio CD)
This is what I have been looking for since childhood. The complete music for Captain Scarlet. From the opening 21st Century sting, down to the end titles song from the group Spectrum, this CD just brings it all back. There is even an extra special ending to the CD which I will not give away, but Scarlet fans will just love. Buy this CD because you will love every second of it. "Spectrum Is Green"
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An album for mine and my son's generation,
By
This review is from: Captain Scarlet (Audio CD)
Following on from the hugely successful recent release of music from Thunderbirds comes this equally excellent round up of all that was best from Captain Scarlet. Not as instantly recognisable as that of Thunderbirds, this CD does explore many of the themes that to my knowledge have never before been released. Just reminicise those glory days of your youth and those now of my young son who is an equally avid fan of all things Gerry Anderson. I hear he is in the process of recreating Captain Scarlet in a revolutinary new format, I am sure with Gerry's track record it will be a huge success. However, can anyone possibly equal the sheer genius and creativity of Barry Gray music to go with it? Sadly I cannot see it. I look forward to the next release of Barry Gray's music, I do hope it will be either Space 2001 or UFO.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Refreshing !,
By Hilok "Eric P." (Quebec , Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Captain Scarlet (Audio CD)
At last, just when the Thunderbirds theme was becoming over exposed, new music from the world of Gerry Anderson ! This is a really refreshing album... The themes & suites from Captain Scarlet are better then ever. I am really amazed at the quality of the recordings, the editers & producers did a superb job on this release. I hope this will lead to other releases, such as JOE 90 & UFO ! Eric (From Montreal,Quebec)
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