Customer Reviews

Autumn Thunder: 40 Years NFL Films Music

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(8)
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I've been a fan of NFL Films since the 1970's when they used to show "NFL Game of the Week". The highlights were great, the announcers were great (usually Harry Kalas on the highlights shows, John Facenda on most everything else), but the music is what made these shows magical. NFL Films, through composer Sam Spence, just knew how to combine the right music with the right situation (a low and somber mood when showing players walking to the line of scrimmage in slow motion in the freezing cold, an up-tempo ditty when showing several high-yardage plays in succession, a victory march at the end of a game, etc).

For years, I wanted to get my hands on this music. NFL Films sold several albums (the vinyl kind) of music in the 1970s, but I didn't partake and these went out of print. About 5 years ago, they issued "The Power and the Glory" CD which contained numerous tunes plus snippets of the late John Facenda. That was neat, but it just scratched the surface (and a small scratch at that). The CD was well-received and I hoped would pave the way for more NFL Films material to be released.

It took a little longer than hoped, but there is now a 10-disc set of over 180 instrumental tunes used by NFL Films over the years. A lot of my favorites are here. I don't know them by name, but I know them when I hear them and its great to have them in my CD library. It appears the first half of the set is dominated by Sam Spence creations while the remaining discs are those containing the composers who came on board after Spence. I am much partial to the Spence numbers, which were the ones that got me excited about football. The others are fine and should be included, but they just aren't the same.

The set is missing several of my favorites. Again, I don't know the names, but I would recognize it if I heard it. Spence says in the liner notes that he himself created over 1,000 pieces of music for NFL Films, so I guess you can't have everything. Hopefully we'll see another set in a few years time.

All-in-all, it's a very good set for the NFL Films fan and I'm glad that Ed and Steve Sabol listened to the fans and did this.

By the way, NFL Films also is releasing the old vinyl records from the 1970s again in a limited edition set (although it doesn't appear to be available via Amazon currently). All the songs on those albums are on the CD set.

PS - By the way, the person asking if "Touchdown Jubilee" sounds an awful lot like Simon and Garfunkel's song "Cecilia", ever since the 1970s, when that tune plays, I have sung ("Cecilia, you're breakin' my heart, you're shakin' my confidence daily..."). Yeah, I think so!

Three years ago, I wrote a review for the NFL Films Music CD entitled "Power and the Glory" (...). I tried to capture the effect the CD had on football fans, such as myself, who love the music behind NFL Films programs and I believe much of what I wrote for "Power and the Glory" holds true for this review. What strikes me is what I wrote towards the end of that review when I suggested that the Sabols were sitting on a gold mine that was the rest of the NFL Music Library collection. As I've come to learn of the many folks who love this music, it seemed the next logical thing for the Sabols, Sam Spence, Tom Hedden and David Robidoux to do was release a multiple CD compilation of the works of NFL Films Music. It does my ego good to even remotely think that maybe one of them stumbled upon my review and, fast foward to the present, the dream is now reality with the ten CD "Autmn Thunder" compilation. The reality is that the music is SO good and SO popular that, in this age of nostalgia, the release of this music collection was inevitable.

Enough of my dribble ... onto the review! This collection represents a fairly thorough collection of music from the NFL Music Library that was used in the NFL Films programs from their early inception in the mid 1960s all the way to the present. The music contained on the CDs is presented in chronological order with CD #1 containing the earliest music pieces and progressing through to CD #10 and the present. Folks who are familiar with the five "Music of National Football League Films" albums, released in the 1970s, will be happy to learn that they can now toss out their scratchy vinyl LPs as "Autmn Thunder" contains EVERY track from these albums in CLEAR and PRISTINE condition! I promise that they sound better without the scratches!!! In addition, several other popular NFL Music Library tunes that never were released are also included which pleased me to no end. Folks who receive the NFL Sunday Ticket and listen to the present NFL Films music as the scores are shown will enjoy the higher numbered CDs as all of those great tunes are included in this collection. What I enjoy most about the track arrangement on the CDs is that, depending whether I feel like listening to exclusively older or newer tracks, I can choose a single CD and the music will be consistent with that time frame the CD encapsulates.

"Autumn Thunder" is contained in a pigskin (same material used for NFL footballs) binder which is a very appropriate idea for this collection. Within the binder, in addition to the 10 CDs, is a storybook manual which talks about the history of NFL Films, the origins and significance of the music behind the action, the legendary narrator John Facenda and the key composers (i.e. Spence, Hedden & Robidoux) and the in-depth information behind each track in this collection. In all, the package is attractive, insightful and quite perfect for housing the NFL Films music we all know and love.

For only the most hardcore NFL Music Library fans, I will quickly summarize the limitations, or "sins of omission," in this otherwise superb package. This collection represents, to my estimation, approximately 90% of all the great NFL Music Library tracks ever used in their programs that we love so much (not counting the other great music library tracks NFL Films used over the years from KPM, Network, DeWolfe, Bruton, OmniMusic, APM and Chappell - to name a few). Though the NFL Music Library contains music from several different genres which were not appropriate for NFL Films programs and not included here, there were many tracks from their complete collection that weren't included that should have. Furthermore, there are still other tracks from the early 1970s that I was hoping to appear in this collection that didn't. Finally, the enclosed storybook doesn't credit some of the lesser known composers from the early years such as Hermann, Weber, Luisi (one of my favorites who composed much of that funky synthesizer music from the early 70s), Ascher and Soden ... among others. All of them helped to create the great NFL Music Library and I felt they deserved a mention.

To summarize, the NFL Films music fan cannot go through life without owning this collection. It is well worth the investment and is guaranteed to offer countless hours and years of musical enjoyment. For this collection, I wish to personally thank everyone associated with this project (Cherry Lane, the Sabols and everyone at NFL Films) for giving the fans what they've truly wanted for years. At the same token, any hardcore NFL Films junkie like me can go through those NFL Films programs from the early 1970s and realize that there is still more NFL Films unique music to be unearthed. As NFL Films has successfully marketed their "Lost Treasures of NFL Films" programs, is it possible that perhaps a "Lost Treasures of NFL Films Music" looms on the horizon? With that, I ask the Sabols to stroke my ego one more time to make it so and I promise I'll be back here in a few years to provide yet another long-winded review!

Wow, wow, wow and did I fail to mention WOW! I remember when the Power and the Glory CD first came out and how it was sold out in a matter of days, well it seems that this 'Box Set' did not get the same or if any recognition at all. As a matter of fact, I just happened to come across this fantastic complilation by mistake because I was looking for more music by Sam Spence.


Well, the wait is over Spence fans! The music here in this Box Set is astounding to say the least. You almost feel like a superhero when listening to the music while at other times tears begin to form in the corner of your eyes. The beauty and spendor of these pieces are timeless! Whether you grew up in the jazzy 60's, groovy 70's, rockin' 80's or hip 90's, you'll find music here that will get your head to boppin'!


The cover of this Box Set is made out of football pigskin and there are 10 that's right 10 CD's inside with over 45mins of playing time each. That gives you over 8 hours of football fanfare to enjoy. And even some of the music in the P and the G that was shortened are played in it's entirety here in this Box Set.


What more can I say, this is by far one of the best CD's I have "EVER" bought! But I must warn you, you won't be able to listen to a CD without picking at least 2 to 3 music pieces that you'll play over and over and over again. (trust me)


LONG LIVE SPENCE, HEDDEN AND ROBIDOUX....you guys set the benchmark for giving the fans what it is they want.... EVERYTHING!

Oh my. Where is that awesome song that they play in Super Bowl III, when Unitas takes over in the 4th quarter and drives the Colts to their only TD. Or where is "Doomsday in the Dome" for crying out loud, that somber, American-Indian type song played in many NFL Films shows, but most memorable in Super Bowl XII when Dallas spanks the Broncos. Or better yet that song in Super Bowl VII that they play when Kilmer rallied the troops and drives the skins down the field. Man, you think they could have gotten all of those favorites fit in on 10 freeking CD's. Whoever produced this didn't do their homework. There are some good ones in this set don't get me wrong, but it is missing a ton of those songs that still make the hair stand up on my arms. I am VERY disappointed!

I first heard the greatness of Sam Spence's music when I purchased a BETA copy of the 1979 Dallas Cowboys highlights. I have been hooked ever since. I managed to purchase, through mail order, 5 of the original NFL Films LPs (remember those things?!) in the early '80s.
I gave this set 3 stars as an overall rating, packaging being included. I would give 6 stars, if possible to the music of Sam Spence! No offense to the other two composers, but I could have done with out the last 3 or 4 cds. Their music is fine, but I associate the classic NFL Films productions with the music of Sam Spence.
As happy as I am with the selections of the first 6 CDs, there are still so many more tracks that should be released. What about the Monday Night Football Theme, the music you hear "on the rocks of the Colt defense" in SB V, and "Doomsday measured Miami for defeat" in SB VI, and the music used for the Doomsday Defense in SB XII, just to mention a few? There was also some other music composed in the 60s and used for the seldom seen "The Young, the Old and the Bold/Try and Catch the Wind" feature from 1969. It's all GREAT stuff!
Again, it's wonderful to have these pieces of musical history available, but NFL Films Productions needs to release at least one more set, and, like another reviewer said, maybe call it "The Lost Music of NFL Films". I'd pay for it!!!

Now I can die a happy man. I've gotten everything I wanted out of this life :-)

I picked up the P&G a couple of years back and was very happy with it, except that it seemed to omit a number of my favorite tracks from the NFL Films genre in favor of some other (more obscure, less interesting) pieces. It did contain the track I will always associate with NFL Films (Round Up) and other favorites (The Raiders, Pony Soldiers), so I was OK...for awhile. But then every time I saw one of the older NFL Films episodes which had one of the omitted pieces, I couldn't help but wonder when the next installment of P&G was coming out.

Fortunately, there was no second installment. Instead, we got everything in one huge package. While there may be a few pieces missing even from this collection, I can't for the life of me identify a single one in my head that isn't here. All of those favorites that P&G missed (Generals of Autumn, Range Rider, March to the Trenches), and a bunch more tugging at the fringes of recognition, and still a bunch more that I honestly don't remember but am growing to love (Headcrasher Suite, Touchdown Jubilee).

The later Hedden/Robideaux music does have a bit more of a tendency to blend in together so that it's harder to pick out distinct tracks. I think Hedden/Robideaux generally went in for slightly longer, more movie-score type music. Nevertheless, there are a few that do stand out -- Heavy Hitters, No Huddle Offense, Underdog's March. Part of this may also be that the music is newer, and so the element of nostalgia is missing.

My one complaint has to do with the packaging. I like the cover and the concept, but the cd packaging within is poorly thought-out. The 10 cds are in 5 sleeves, and pairs of cds are separated only by cardboard glued together. When I opened the package, 4 of the 5 sleeves had come partially or completely apart, and the cd's in the sleeve had slid into the glued area. So 8 of the 10 cds had sticky glue partway around the perimeter. This was more of an annoyance than anything, as the recorded surface wasn't affected and they all played ok, but that glue is a bear to get off.

Finally, a question for the other person in the world who is familiar with both of these pieces: Is it just me, or does the main theme to the Championship Chase pieces (4 total) seem like it's lifted right out of Gustav Holst's March from his 1st Suite in F? The middle passage in that march is virtually identical to the CC melodies, if slightly slower. Spence's notes give credit for a couple of pieces to his inspirations, but not this one (and nothing about how Touchdown Jubilee's chorus sounds an awful lot like S&G's "Cecilia")

NFL Films music is great, this is when football was so entertaining I love the NFL of the 1970's & the NFL FILMS MUSIC still gives me chills listening to it, WoW!!! I just got my NFL FILMS MUSIC from AMAZON.COM & I must say that it's worth every penny & more, just listening to my favorites like "SUNDAYS WITH SOUL","FOREARM SHIVER", "STREET WARFARE" just to name a few are awesome, and I been started my VHS & DVD collection of "NFL FILMS-GAME OF THE WEEK" of the 1960's 1970's 1980's & it has all of the music in these films so I'm very much pleased...
So if you are a football fan you have to get this music...Ed & Steve Sabol, Sam Spence & the whole NFL FILMS CREW...Gets much love from me & major props, they are my idols.

Clay Howard from Detroit, MI

I have been waiting for a comprehensive collection of NFL Films music for a long time. "The Power and the Glory" was a teaser but this is the real thing. The music of Sam Spence is spectacular and is predominantly in the first 6 discs. The last 4 discs is forgetable. The first 6 discs is worth the price alone!

I wrote my first Amazon.com review on THE POWER AND THE GLORY and asked where is volume 2? This is better. This is the ultimate soundtrack. I only need listen to this collection and I can, like any NFL Films devoute place each track with its most distingushed (film highlight) moment: GAME PLAN TO SUDDEN DEATH, 1974 Thanksgiving Day, Washington -v- Dallas, Clint Longley's final seconds TD pass to Drew Pearson; BIG GAME AMERICA and THE OVER THE HILL GANG, the dramatic opening and closing themes that graced 100 great highlight shows, be it THIS WEEK IN PRO FOOTBALL or the NFL GAME OF THE WEEK. This was worth the wait. I wonder if Sam Spence would score a soundtrack for our group?

Great collection, but for the price it shouldn't be missing so many tracks.