Customer Reviews

Lost In Space: Original Television Soundtrack, Volume Two

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

 

 

Being a huge fan of Lost in Space, I was excited to see that there were 3 CD volumes containing original soundtracks from the show. I purchased all 3 and was very pleased with Volume 1 and Volume 3, but with the exception of the 3rd Season opening title, there was not much on this CD that was featured throughout the entire TV series. Most of the tracks were featured only in the episodes in which they are credited for, (Wild Aventure, The Haunted Lighthouse, and The Great Vegetable Rebellion)so therefore the music is not what I would call "franchise" themes. For those of you who are collectors of soundtracks, by all means add this to your collection, but if you are looking for familar tracks from the series, I would bypass this one and purchase Volumes 1 & 3 only.

The star of the show here is Joseph Mullendore's Haunted Lighthouse score. Mullendore's name is not well known, but he composed plenty of fine music, including much that was heard in the original Superman TV series. His score here is so good, it outshines the works on the same disc by the more famous Alexander Courage. In my view, the Mullendore recording, with its fine blend of drama and pathos, justifies a 5-star rating for the disc.

The "Lost In Space" main title for season three composed by John Williams sets the stage and mood for "Volume Two" in this nostalgic trip back in time and memories of our youth, when television was young. Remember the punctuating scenes with lines like, "Oh, the pain...the pain..." or "Never fear, Smith is here", and his never-ending series of insults to the Robot, chiefly "you bubbleheaded booby", always brought a laugh.

"WILD ADVENTURE" (1966) was the first episode scored for the second season by composer Alexander Courage, who was a veteran film score composer hired by producer Irwin Allen. Courage supplied highly dramatic music for each cliffhanger at its conclusion. "THE HAUNTED LIGHTHOUSE" (1967) was the seventh episode aired during the third season by composer Joseph Mullendore, who composed early scores for - "The Adventures of Superman", the big hit series starring George Reeves as the "Man of Steel". Courage scored "THE GREAT VEGETABLE REBELLION" (1968), his final score for the series, with light and charming to sensitive music for flute and harp, suggestive of Debussy.

GNP/Crescendo Records and Kevin Burns, Executive Album Producer have shared another volume with their fans. But we owe a "Big Thanks" to Neil Norman for creating this label for fantasy and sci-fi soundtracks, to cherish now and forever!

Total Time: 45:29 on 9 Tracks/ GNP-Crescendo Records - GNPD 8045 (1996)

Though most fans remember the themes/cues created by John Williams during the show's first season, the music on this compilation (by such genre stalwarts as Joseph Mullendore and Alexander Courage) is just as NOTEworthy as the compositions by the Oscar winner.

Courage would have the distinction of composing the theme for the original "Star Trek", as well as several episodes of that landmark show. Those familiar with his style and structure will recognize the like in his work for "Wild Adventure" and "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" (the series' most infamous episode).

Mullendore's score for "The Haunted Lighthouse" is alternately playful and adventurous, fitting for a show that tried to be a little bit of something for everyone.

But the disc would not be complete without the addition of Williams's thrilling third season theme, presented here in both "main title" and "end title" versions.

For the legion of LIS fans, this is the showcase tune for which the show is remembered.

Well produced album with many interesting production facts. It was nice to hear the uncut music from this classic show. All in all a real treat. Worth it just for the 3rd season theme song! There is a lot more music from Lost In Space not yet brought to CD. I hope they release volume 3 soon!

When LOST IN SPACE was revamped in its 3rd year in a genuine attempt to recapture the quality of the 1st (an effort that simply didn't go far enough) one of the highlights was a new theme song. Unlike the quirky paranoia of the original, the new tune musically evoked a sense of ADVENTURE and excitement. This is the song that was SO good, it got remade (in hi-tech style) for the feature film's end-credits. The remainder of this CD is okay, but I suspect there must be more and better scores unissued from the series awaiting further installments like this one.