|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I think I was maybe 7 or 8 when I heard Meco's version of 'Close Encounters' and was blown away by it. As soon as I found out this CD had been released the credit card jumped out of the wallet and the mouse started clicking. Yes, it is disco, but it rocks. And if you're an ELP fan, you'll love Meco's cover of the Jerry Goldsmith Star Trek theme. It's arranged and performed similar to ELP's version of Copelands 'Fanfare for the Common Man'. I had heard this arrangement at a parade once, but had no idea that Meco had done it. He's a genius. Now if I could just find the 45 version of 'Close Encounters' I'd be real happy. It was slightly different from the album version-a little slower if I recall. Anyway, buy this album. And if you like it, look into Neil Norman's work as well. More rocky than Meco, but just as cool.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD is fantastic, a compilation of the best, though the Intergalactic Funk could have been replaced with some of the music from the encounters album, the rest is fantastic. Meco sent me an autographed picture with a gold Wizard of Oz album when it came out after I wrote him-now I have another request if he reads this-PLEASE release the full albums on CD of SUPERMAN, ENCOUNTERS, STAR TREK, and especially WIZARD OF OZ. All of these are classics to me, and the albums just don't do it compared to the sound of the original masters. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Through design, fate, call it the elements of chance manipulated to affect yours truly, but some friends of my parents, more hip than they obviously, copied Meco's disco 10 minute+ version of the music from Star Wars for me and my brother in 1978. Not only was that the hippest I ever got into music in my pre-/early teens but well, now you know disco is the first kind of pop music I got into. That may be why I have such an affinity for classic disco string synths and horn ensembles. And those special sounds subbing for space sounds is so otherworldly.
However, I never got to hear the single version of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" which went to #1 on the pop charts and #8 on the R&B charts in October 1977. Then again, after hearing the full version, I probably wouldn't have been satisfied with this version, smashing those it is.
Then comes the #18 single "Empire Strikes Back (Medley)" incorporating the Imperial March and Yoda's Theme, the latter made more heroic and upbeat. I wish I'd heard that when it first came out. Some shrieking TIE fighter special effects, lightsabre sounds, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 can be heard. Is Vader boogeying down to this number? However, "Asteroid Field/Finale" from ESB may be lost for people who never saw the movie, as the original score may not be familiar. However, Chewie and some TIE fighters remind people where this is from.
Two classic movies are done next. The "Theme from Close Encounters" is another triumph, taking the five notes communicated to by the alien spaceship" And the "Themes from The Wizard of Oz" segue together "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off To See The Wizard," sung by some female backup singers. Included is some dialogue by Janet Burnham (Wicked Witch) and the Cowardly Lion. Music for the four travelers for skipping down the Yellow Brick Road.
"Star Trek Medley Pt. 1" incorporates the ST theme introduced with The Motion Picture before seguing into the theme of the 1966-1969 TV series. The initial electric guitar and burst of synths would be something repeated by Blondie in their hit "Call Me." I can just imagine Spock saying to Kirk: "Dancing to disco music while awaiting for warp drive is not logical." or McCoy grumbling "I'm a doctor, not an employee of Studio 54."
"Topsy" is Meco's take on the Cozy Cole of the same name, incorporating disco beats and strings on a swing tune.
"Meco's Theme/3 W. 57" is an original tune, with the usual punchy disco. It sounds like the theme from CHIPS with the theme from Gremlins combined at times. The name of the second part is taken from the address of Meco's record company.
"Moondancer" is another original tune, taken from his 1979 album of the same name. However, the R2D2 synths are revisited, as are some other robot-like synths. "Spooky" is another song from Moondancer and is less uptempo, more the pace of the Stones' "Missin' You."
If the Star Wars improv was Meco's "Stayin' Alive" then "Love Theme From Superman (Can You Read My Mind)" with the lush romantic strings, is his "How Deep Is Your Love". It includes some dialogue Lois Lane thinks at Superman when they're flying, done by Janet Burnham.
I haven't seen An American Werewolf In London, so I can't adequately comment on "Werewolf (Loose In London)" featuring lead vocals by Michael Falcon.
Now for the 15:46 version of the Star Wars single, which is the intro of pop music to yours truly. The medley taken from John Williams' original score is as follows: Title theme, Imperial Attack, The Desert and the Robot Auction, The Princess Appears, The Land of the Sand People, Princess Leia's theme, Cantina Band, The Last Battle, and The Throne Room and End Title. R2-D2 has some guest appearances here, with some special effects by Suzanne Ciani emulating laserbolts.
"Other Galactic Funk" is a 12:28 exercise of drum machines, horns, and sundry sounds.
After his work with Gloria Gaynor (he co-produced "Never Can Say Goodbye") and association with Casablanca Records' Neil Bogart (Donna Summer, KISS), Meco seemed to vanish as disco's popularity plummeted during the early 80's. Question now: for a one-shot thing, when is Meco going to do the disco versions for the Harry Potter them, something that even Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy would jam to? And he's a commodities broker in NY? What a waste of talent!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An amazing tribute to sci-fi.
You've probably heard Meco's disco version of the Star Wars theme many times. You may have even heard a few of their pieces of music here and there. Read more
Published on October 8, 2008 by RW Griffith
The Best of (a musical genius) Meco
This CD is a very good recompilation, and short, from the original records of Meco. It's a short because the original tracks are larger than those, especially in 3rd kind... Read more
Published on August 20, 2005 by Gerardo Perez Monter
Memories that brought tears
Ten years old - Star Wars and Close Encounters are my life - and Meco is on the Radio. 1977 was a GOOD YEAR.
Meco's hits made me laugh, dance and cry. Read more
Published on December 31, 2003 by Gavin Steiner
The ultimate sci-fi disco inferno!
I've seen (or, rather, heard) the title theme and other notable music from the `Star Wars' trilogy re-worked into several different musical genres, including Big-Band/Swing, Jazz,... Read more
Published on December 30, 2001 by Zagnorch
Someone who knew how to bring the brass.
Call it disco, call it whatever you want. I am glad someone besides Bill Conti, Chicago, and the Three Degrees knew how to employ all those great brass instrument players. Read more
Published on December 14, 2001
MECO STILL THE BEST
I had to post a 2nd review of this disc because it is so great...Meco's music will live forever for me. I am hoping that Meco reads this... Read more
Published on July 26, 2001 by "robsiegel"
PUT ALL OF MECO'S MUSIC ON CD
THIS CD IS GOOD BUT I WISH THEY PUT OUT ALL OF HIS MUSIC ON CD. THE ALBUMS "THE WIZARD OF OZ","SUPERMAN" AND THE SONGS "HOT IN THE SADDLE" AND... Read more
Published on March 11, 2001 by Gerard Freeman
Cool!
There's not much I can say here that hasn't already been said. This is a good collection of good stuff. Read more
Published on January 11, 2001 by Darthjal
This is REAL music
This is music, this is REAL music. I started playing keyboardsat a very young age of 6, but it wasn't until the late 70's when Iheard Meco's music that I realized what real music... Read more
Published on June 20, 2000 by BigMike
The best disco music!
And of course it is because these are the Meco versions to the themes of the most memorable movies of the 70's & 80's; his "Star Wars /Cantina Band" theme is... Read more
Published on May 4, 2000 by Carlos Santillan
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
