Customer Reviews

Neil Norman - Greatest Science Fiction Hits, Vol. 3

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This is the third volume of Neil Norman's synth-pop versions of Science Fiction music. If you are into Science Fiction soundtracks, you will probably enjoy it. Although "Raiders of the Lost Ark" isn't Science Fiction by any stretch of the imagination. Like on the other albums in this series, Neil cheats a little by throwing in a couple of his own original compositions that weren't actually written for television or the movies ("Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet" and "Into the Alternate Universe".) There is an unlisted 19th track here, which is a barely audible recording of a woman saying, "You have just interfaced the Greatest Science Fiction Hits by Neil Norman."

Have never been THAT huge of fan of TV themes as such, at least not enough to buy many CD's like this one. But a friend of mine suggested that I check this nineteen track release out. It's decent. I remember a good most of these TV shows and movie themes. Ones I liked best were "Land Of The Giants", "Space 1999 II", "Lost In Space I & II", "E.T." (who could forget this flick?), "Flash Gordon" and "War Of The Worlds". Sure to bring back some fond memories.

Neil Norman's third CD of SF music features a blend of themes from almost fifty years of Science Fiction cinema and TV. The best treatments are "The Thing from Another World", "War of the Worlds", and "Lost in Space 1 & 2". Norman's respect and affection for genre music is evident throughout the CD.

This third installment of "Greatest Science Fiction Hits" is getting better and probably the best thus far. Norman blends almost 50 years of themes with some surprises.

Howard Hawk's - "The Thing From Another World" was loosely based on a short story by John Campbell - "Who Goes There", excellent directing from Hawk's and a wonderful theme and score by Dimitri Tiomkin. Norman captures the moment with this arrangement of the title THE THING (1951). Another stand out - H.G. Well's classic - WAR OF THE WORLD'S (1953) this pretty scary and tense sci-fi thriller with fantastic special effects was and still is a trip to the viewer and listener. The highlight is - THE PRISONER (1967) star and creator Patrick McGoohan as Number 6, an unnamed agent who is sent to "The Village" for rehabilitation, Grainger's theme is an upbeat version of a piece originally called - "The Age of Elegance". THE PRISONER theme is not heard on many compilations, this is a refreshing and pleasant surprise.

A "must have" for all sci-fi and film collectors of scores and soundtracks.

Total Time: 39:13 on 19 Tracks/(19 track untitled and hidden)/GNP-Crescendo Records - GNPD 2163 (1986)