Thunderbirds [Soundtrack]

Barry Gray, Gerry Anderson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Silva America
• ASIN: B00008BXI9
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,761 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Main Titles

2. Sun Probe

3. Tracy Island and International Rescue

4. Monorail to Disaster From "The Perils of Penelope"

5. Thunderbirds Are Go!

6. Dangerous Game (From the Cham Cham) [Instrumental]

7. Suite From "Vault of Death"

8. The Man from MI.5

9. Suite From "Desperate Intruder"

10. Commercial Break

11. Dangerous Game From "The Cham Cham"

12. Let's Play Ad Lib From "The Cham Cham"

13. Lady Penelope on the Move/Suite From "Pit of Peril"

14. The Fate of the Sidewinder

15. Pit of Peril

16. Rescue!

17. Jeremiah and Lady Penelope From "The Imposters"/(from Trapped in ...)

18. Deadly Plot/The Hood and the Fireflash

19. Fireflash Landing

20. Fab I Pursuit

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

By bringing his ambitious, action-packed sci-fi visions to life via detailed, miniature props and puppets (a process he dubbed "Supermarionation") UK producer Gerry Anderson carved out one of TV's most unique bodies of work. The genre arguably reached its zenith with the 1965 debut of Thunderbirds, the spectacular saga of the Tracy family their air-sea-land-space spanning organization, International Rescue. This collection marks the debut soundtrack release of music by series composer--and longtime Anderson collaborator--Barry Gray. Culled from a treasure trove of long-neglected original recordings, the music here is book-ended by the show's signature, energetic theme march, and encompasses everything from Gray's trademark, '60s-urgent action cues to cocktail jazz and exotica--though few as kitschy as an undercover Lady Penelope's Dietrich-esque vocal turn on "Dangerous Game." The producers have carefully utilized the nine episodes for which Gray wrote complete scores (the remainder of the show's music was largely edited from those sessions) as their source material here, producing a loving, remarkably pristine-sounding collection supplemented by colorful, well-annotated notes. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Labor of Love, May 8, 2003

By 

Kevin S. Schemerholtz (Sunny Oakland, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thunderbirds (Audio CD)

This CD takes the idea of a soundtrack to a whole new level. It is designed as a true labor of love with wonderful selection and attention to detail. The product succeeds on two levels - it is a triumph of presenting music like this in the best possible format and also reveals just how great something like this can be when people really invest their whole hearts in a project. If you love Thunderbirds you OWE it to YOURSELF to buy this CD. Buy it now!... This CD honors all the people involved with the series and it is a just and fitting tribute to Barry Gray.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Thunderbirds fanatics, March 27, 2003

By 

"aldo100" (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thunderbirds (Audio CD)

Being a Thunderbirds fan (albeit not "hardcore"), I did buy this CD as soon as I saw it on the music store shelf, having heard of its release a week previous. I am not dissapointed.
The recordings are clean and crisp, with great depth of tone. The composer of the Thunderbirds theme Barry Gray was an adept musician and creative force, as exemplified here. The original opening credits have the familiar 5,4,3,2,1, then the clap of thunder, which sends shivers down your spine on first listening. Much of the music here is of a dramatic nature, in keeping with the action within the plots of the series. There are however some exceptionally funky tunes here, particularly if you are into the "retro" groove. The "Lets Play Ad Lib" (which was used in nightclub scenes in the series is very cool indeed, as is the "Tracy Lounge Piano" (how shattering to discover that Virgil didn't actually play this!).
All good stuff, a nice balance between the brass section dominated dramatic music, the the thematic militairy march style recurring theme, to the more laid back jazzy numbers (including a "Dangerous Game" as sung by Lady Penelope in the series).
The booklet that comes with the CD is also very high quality, as is the entire packaging, with great colour and photographs. I read with interest the story of how the CD came to be through the devoted efforts of Ralph Titterton and others, rescuing original master tapes from a storage garage in London. The story that follows is interesting and engaging. Clearly a labour of love. This CD sets a standard that other TV soundtrack labels would do well to follow. Well done to Titterton and Silva Screen Records. No more bad cover versions of the Thunderbirds theme on nasty Sci-Fi compilations... this is the real deal, and a very welcome addition to my CD collection.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Barry Gray composes & Gerry Anderson produces ~ Great", March 25, 2003

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thunderbirds (Audio CD)

Silva America takes us back to 1965 with one of the most popular television series ever to hit the small screen "Thunderbirds". Bringing three-dimensional puppet animation adventures of International Rescue to our living rooms. When you heard that familiar opening theme "MAIN TITLES", stirring march and we're ready for the weekly action. Our composer Barry Gray writes powerful cues that will make any youngster leap for joy. Besides the opening track, one highlight stands out "SUITE FROM DESPERATE INTRUDER", adventurous suspenseful arrangements blends prevailing Middle Eastern themes. This album delivers twenty-two explosive cues from Gerry Anderson's hit show that thrilled us ~ his many, many fans.

Total Time: 61:25 on 22 Tracks ~ Silva America SSD-1149 ~ (3/25/2003)