Customer Reviews

Impact / Double Impact

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Catchy if kitsch. Be aware that if you are buying this disc for the Rawhide theme (track 2) don't: It is painfully obvious that the master reel broke during the re-mastering/transfer process (or was already broken) and the result is a shabby spliced attempt to salvage the track, with little success. Aside from this there are some great, powerful tracks on this disk with ballsy brass. The Perry Mason theme among others sparkle. An enjoyable CD for sure. This ain't no Beethoven's 9th but it is excellent theme music.

These are state-of-the-art vintage stereo recordings of 1959 and 1960 TV themes, all brilliantly arranged by the famous Austrian-born British light music composer Ray Martin. The two LPs reissued here are the best television-theme collections ever made, with title music by the likes of Elmer Bernstein, David Rose, Pete Rugolo, Fred Steiner, Nelson Riddle, and Jerry Goldsmith. Highly imaginative sound effects grace a number of the selections, and there are some amazing bits of engineering, especially on Bernard Herrmann's (apparently unused) "Twilight Zone" theme. The swirling, psychedelic flutes and "Revolver"-style sonic manipulation on this track are more akin to a 1967 LSD movie than a 1960 mood-music offering. Note, also, the closing narration, something that never appeared on the show (and which could not possibly have been written by Rod Serling): "That space of timeless, endless infinity...that center of everything and nothing; everywhere and nowhere: that is the Twilight Zone. And, you--have you ever been there?" Who in the blazes wrote THIS? Weirder yet are the LYRICS to Mack David and Jerry Livingston's "Bonanza"! But the weirdness is enjoyable in the extreme and perfectly in keeping with the joyous flamboyance of this wonderful musical trek through the vast wasteland. Don't miss out on these classic LPs-turned-CD. Collectables did a great job with the sound, but a liner-notes editor is sorely needed.

I purchased this primarily because I love the "Theme from Markham" which was done as a bolero. I did a bolero exhibition at the Atlanta Star Ball at the Knights of Columbus hall in 1982 with a lady who was a student of mine at the time. I still teach ballroom dancing and this is one of my favorite bolero recordings. There are other songs that are very nice and there are a couple of real good east coast swings on the album as well. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who loves to dance.