Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Hello Old Thing, Hello Even Older Thing: 3

Alan Parker: Frozen Stream (KPM, 1973)
Pictured here is the original 1973 sleeve from the KPM Library files. However, in a mixed-media presentation that would wow even those who know all about mixed-media presentations - someone like Natasha Kaplinsky maybe, or Ronnie Corbett? - I've purloined this from a marvellous (and a great deal easier to access) reissue on Tummy Touch that I would warmly recommend if - like me - you are interested in instrumental music that conjures up the majesty and mystery of the Dark Continent through the liberal usage of some none-more-fluid guitar lines and a breakbeat I fully expect to hear turned into a hit single by Christmas.


John Barry: Alone Blues (CBS, 1965)
As you may have surmised from the picture, this perfectly-poised slice of Barry-ology comes from the brilliant soundtrack to Ver IPCRESS File, innit. As soon as you hear this you'll want to put on a mac and smoke filterless gaspers while trolling about various London locales but that - CAUTION! Gag Approaching! - is caused purely by my skilful Induction of Psycho-neuroses by Conditioned Reflex Under StrESS.

Do you see what I did there?

18 comments:

BLTP said...

Rob,
Isn't the Alan Parker used on the new Go team album? the discs at home for me to check up. I must admit the ipcress files is always spoilt (a little bit) for me by how badly he makes coffee at the start.

Rob said...

it probably is, bltp. But I once had the misfortune of meeting and interviewing The Go Team and they were (on the whole) so unbearable I promised myself I'd never listen to their music again. I admire your hardcore attitude re: the coffee, BTW...

davyh said...

He cooks a mean omelette mind.

Jude Rogers said...

Oi, I was going to use this on my own blog you BASTARD innit.

I forgive you :)

Rob said...

I never had you down as a fan, Davy...

Sorry Jude!

BLTP said...

I can see the Go-Team being "nuisances".
RE: Caine't make coffee. It's just so jarring having gone to the trouble of grinding your own beans not to give it stir and let brew for a minute or two is madness. Although if he did let it sit it would probably turn the whole thing into french film: cue slow meaningful coffee stirring.
ps I have a reprint of Len Deigton's "ou est le Garlic" cookery strips from 60's which this all stems from, not bad in a retro lot's of things in aspic way.

BLTP said...

After all this talk of beverages I tried downloading the track and it loops back to the post is it just me or had MI5 hacked you site and is playing with my mind.

Rob said...

all sorted now - a nonsense on my part, apols

Mondo said...

Another great over looked JB classic is the Orson Welles Mysteries theme- it's like The Persuaders Pt 2. I will be blogging it soon, along with a posting about where have all the decent opening (TV or Film) title sequences gone? Ironically When I can come up with a snappy enough title.

Rob said...

How about THEME OF THE CROP.
or THE THEME TEAM
or THE THEME TICKET
*kills self*

Mondo said...

The Theme Team,

*snaps fingers, stares into middle distance*

That could be the kiddie!

For when the theme tune/titles team up is 3 minutes of magic - Persuaders, Avengers.....

Rob said...

Laurie Johnson's Whicker's World, innit

BLTP said...

The old Money Programme theme kicked harder than a mule! Also I always liked the minor key downbeat end credit theme for The sweeney.

Anonymous said...

The Money Programme theme was called "The Cat" and was originally from the film The Carpetbaggers, it does indeed kick harder than a mule and swing more than a monkey. The Ipcress File is in my book the best thing Barry ever did, every note is perfection. I loved your anecdote about the Go team Rob, they sound just as annoying as their music.

Rob said...

I have a fantastic version of The Cat by Jimmy Smith - I'll post it sometime soon. Go Team? Ghastly... It's funny how unforgiving people are when they meet a group who aren't willing to play the game / think they're somehow above it all.

BLTP said...

I thought I had the theme from the carpet baggers but on closer inspection it's the the insipid "Love" theme very string heavy and not very memorable.
Another theme which was good was the into to "waldens world" which was a mad organ intro from some prog band, any ideas anyone?

Rob said...

Mountain's Nantucket Sleigh Ride - choon

BLTP said...

good stuff, I do like this new vogue for posting tunes on youtube by filming the record or in this case putting the music on and then leaving the webcam staring at a fuzzy image of a sewing machine.