Customer Reviews

The Outer Limits: Original Television Soundtrack (1963-65 Television Series)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this CD, at least for those of us who loved Dominic Frontiere's music for this series and were waiting for it to appear on CD. We are in a small minority, really. The majority of TV viewers pay little or no attention to background music. A minority of viewers notice the music, for better or worse. And a tiny, tiny minority not only notice background music but love certain scores to the point of buying them on CD. And so labels like GNP Crescendo stay in business.

Frontiere's music for "The Outer Limits" recalls Ravel and Bartok, especially in its half-step modality and the parallel dominant-11th chords that move in whole steps at the close of the opening title and throughout the end title. Frontiere's bag of tricks also includes perfect fourths and fifths in parallel chromatic motion, interlocking perfect fifths, and other minimalist devices that sound anything but minimalist in the hands of such a gifted composer. I know these things because this CD has given me the ideal chance to transcribe some of these cues and plunk them out on my keyboard for my own nerdish pleasure. To actually hear cues from "The Man Who Was Never Born" on my very own Casio. "Nerdvana," Scott Adams calls it.

At any rate, the sound reproduction is fantastic, even if hearing this music in clear, unmushy fidelity tends to demystify it a little. That is to say, the orchestra sounds smaller, even cramped in spots. But one can hear every last glorious note, score shuffle, and studio acoustic. And the sound effects are a revelation in digital. Now, if only I can mimick those on my Casio....

Neil Norman and GNP/Crescendo Records give us the long awaited original television soundtrack to - "The Outer Limits", music composed and conducted by Dominic Frontiere. This classic series has some of the greatest science ficition music ever composed for television. We have the unedited masters from the series and cues utilized in multiple episodes.

Dominic's music for this series established a certain aire by which science fiction scores have been judged ever since. The music was a big part of the series success. Several volumes hopefully will follow this one, as we take control of your "entertainment center". So don't touch that remote, sit back and enjoy the sound effects from - "The Outer Limits"!

Total Time: 26:11 on 38 Tracks/ GNP/Crescendo Records - GNPD 8032 (1993)

A#1. I agree with the other reviewers. It's wonderful but where's the rest of it? I have had the cassette version for at least 6 years. They call it Vol. 1. But after several years, there is still only this one volume. I love it. I've listened to it over and over. But I want the rest. And you will too! You all gotta buy this recording. If you remember the original Outer Limits, You'll drool listening to this!!!
Update 08-26-04: I found out from the number one man (Neil Norman) that they have no plans for any more volumes. I've written several letters and they're probably tired of hearing from me. How about you all writing some? Thanks
10-29-04: Since Mr. Norman has the original masters, that means no one else would be able to release any of this music. Maybe he doesn't want to take the time to clean it up. Well, I for one would take it anyway I can get it. Why doesn't he release the masters to another record company? Let someone else give us what we are craving for? PLEASE???

I was rippled with goosebumps when I discovered this disc & when I played it I nearly wept. It's all here, Folks - after 36 years of waiting , here is Dominic Frontiere's heart-wringing music re-born ( and the original soundtrack to boot ! ). Plus an OUTER LIMITS showcase of original sound effects ! I must say thank you, Neil Norman ! Excellent, excellent job done with much love, I can tell ! How about a Vol.II ? QUERY:Are any other recordings of Dominic Frontiere's music available ?

This CD is truly phenomenal. Absolutely stunning. A musical masterpiece which displays the incredible genius of Dominic Frontiere. Unfortunately, some even better (believe it or not) music from episodes such as "The Forms of Things Unknown," "The Zanti Misfits," "The Sixth Finger," "The Guests," and others is omitted and is yet to be released on CD. The score from the opening portion of "The Forms ..." brings tears to my eyes; I recommend purchasing the video solely for the musical score. Buy this CD and hope that GNP/Crescendo releases more material from Mr. Frontiere, truly one of the musical geniuses of the twentieth century.

I'd nearly forgotten about this superb work from the incomparable Dominic Frontiere. This music, as much as anything else, is what gave the original Outer Limits its "creep factor" which terrified me so when I was little. (My mother usually refused to let me watch the show then just for that reason!).

In addition to OL, Mr Frontiere also scored such 60's TV shows such as "That Girl" and "The Flying Nun". (Anyone who's music can make such a whimsical premise as a flying nun seem wonderful is a talented composer indeed! )

It's been a long time coming, but well worth the wait. Hats off to Neil Norman, and especially to Dom Frontiere.

Well this disk has been around since 1993. That was ten years ago. To discover the release was for me the music find of all time. However there is a flaw in its conception. It was meant to be part of a trilogy. The advent of the 32 story DVD set must reveal that the first series is rich with the most unique pieces of music ever made for a television series. What is missing are the other most essential soundtracks; "Don't Open Till Doomsday"(Robert Van Eps) and "Forms of things Unknown"(Dominic Frontiere). The music from these stories, demonstrate both a subtle and intense atmosphere. Chilling creepiness, dire tragedy and complete horror. The closest music to rival the work of Bernard Herrmann. What happened to these? What happened to the trilogy? Disk One provides us with the first essential "Outer Limits" soundtrack, "The Man Who Was Never Born". It encompasses all the elements I described about the latter two. We hear the original main theme music in all of its dramatic power and majesty. We also have "The Hundred Days of the Dragon " and "Nightmare". These are exceptionally good. The sound effects were really unnecessary and I would gladly sacrifice them for more of the great first series music. So I would like to plead with GNP Crescendo to revisit their plan to complete the Outer Limits Trilogy for the year of its 40th Anniversary....

Truly the best of the best, Dom Frontiere's Outer Limits soundtrack is simply in a class by itself. After all this time, however, I think we can conclude that GNP has no intention of releasing the rest of the music.

When I think of all the monotonous and corny science fiction ST music that's available, its really sad that something this brilliant remains buried.

There is a GREAT DEAL missing! Another reviewer nailed it. Where is Part 2? Or Part 3? So much is missing. "The Galaxy Being", of all things, is not here. It is worth getting since the quality of the recording is far superior to anything you'll get off the TV.

If you're a fan, get it.

The first volume is tremendous! I just found out today, that a new 3cd set is being released from Dominic Frontiere's personal archives!! It will contain cues from several of the first season Outer Limits shows. Available from Buysoundtrax now, Amazon will probably pick it up soon. As an aside, the first season of "The Invaders" was just released on DVD, and Frontiere did the great music for that, even cannabilizing some Outer Limits cues for the Invaders! Very cool!!