Neil Norman performs more classic sci-fi music on the compilation SCI-FI IN HI-FI. Famous sci-fi artist Jim Burnes painted the cover.
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Science Fiction Meets Rock & Roll in SACD

THIS WEEK'S RECOMMENDATION

Neil Norman, the maestro of rock and roll interpretations of science fiction film music, is back in the Control Voice Cockpit with a new recording, Sci-Fi in Hi-Fi (Audio Fidelity AFZ 012). The CD is a dual layered hybrid disc, meaning it is recorded both as a standard audio CD, playable in all CD players, and as a Super Audio CD (SACD), playable only in SACD players, with enhanced audio dynamics and near DVD sound quality. 20 tracks of familiar science fiction theme music STAR TREK, STAR WARS, SUPERMAN, ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER, and many others are given the Norman spin. All but two of the cues have put in appearances on Norman's previous collections, although not in the SACD format. In addition to the soundtrack selections, there are a pair of original science fictionesque cues specially composed for Norman by Les Baxter (of AIP soundtrack fame) and Bill Burchell. The music is performed by a full symphony orchestra enhanced by Norman's rock and roll band. The result is a musical hybrid equal to that of the CD technology itself faithful recreations of the orchestral film music but given a rock & roll edge.

The combination may be suspect, but over the years Norman has made it work. The anthem-driven themes from these films translate very well into a rock idiom, and Norman's interpretations of this classic science fiction film music creates something quite listenable (perhaps, should I say it, even danceable?). Whether approached as a new, rockified transformation of (mostly) orchestral film music, or as classic guitar-driven rock and roll instrumentals drawn from science fiction soundtracks, the result is quite likable. It might also have a benefit of encouraging die-hard rock and rollers to listen to real film music, but that's secondary if anything. The main thrust of Norman's electronic translations of classic science fiction film music, from Herrmann and Tiomkin and Ifukube to Williams and Goldsmith and Vangelis, is one of straightforward celebration, the merging of two musical idioms morphed into something... well, deliciously alien and very pleasing.

The CD contains notes by Norman on each track, and boasts a wondrous cover painting by science fiction artist Jim Burnes.

SOUNDTRACK & FILM MUSIC NEWS

Hans Zimmer has been signed to score Antoine Fuqua's demystified interpretation of KING ARTHUR, scheduled for release on Christmas, 2004.

The new series of theatrical LOONEY TUNES shorts, being produced by Warner Bros' to coincide with the November full length feature, will be scored by John Frizzell. Jerry Goldsmith is scoring Joe Dante's live action/animated feature, LOONEY TUNES BACK IN ACTION.

MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES reports that one of the most anticipated Swedish films this year, ONDSKAN (EVIL), has been scored by the British composer Francis Shaw, best known among collectors for his MERLIN OF THE CRYSTAL CAVE television score. The dramatic thriller is based on Jan Guillou's bestselling novel and directed by Mikael Håfström, for whom Shaw previously worked on the television miniseries SKUGGORNAS HUS ("House Of Shadows") and the feature VENDETTA. The film opens in Sweden on September 26th.

Jesper Kyd, [IMG2R]the music composer of the award-winning game series Hitman (see Hitman: Silent Assassin 2 CD review in this column for July 10, 2003), has composed and produced the music for the upcoming gaming title Freedom Fighters, a third person action adventure for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC, developed by Hitman creators IO Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. The game's soundtrack, available on CD exclusively from www.music4games.net/freedomfighters.html, features a rousing choral performance by the Hungarian Radio Choir. "The Hungarian Radio Choir is simply fantastic", Kyd says of the recording. "We have combined this powerful live choir with techno beats and other electronic instruments for a very unique sounding score."  More information is available at www.jesperkyd.com.

A new [IMG3L]website devoted to respected French film composer Georges Delerue (DAY OF THE DOLPHIN, MALPERTUIS, the unused SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES) has been launched at www.georges-delerue.net. The website is posted in both English and French versions, and contains extensive material on Delerue and his music.

Dave Stewart, previously known as the male half of pop group Eurythmics, has been hired to score the remake of the 1966 classic ALFIE, directed by Charles Shyer and starring Jude Law in the title role. Reported by MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES, the film is scheduled to premiere in 2005 and filming should begin shortly. According to Stewart's agent, he recently also wrote additional music and performed guitar solos on LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER 2 - THE CRADLE OF LIFE, the film better known for its score by Alan Silvestri. Stewart's previous film scoring credits include HOSTILE HOSTAGES, COOKIE'S FORTUNE, and SHOWGIRLS.

On October [IMG4R]21^st, Aleph Records will release the first ever soundtrack CD to THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE, a remarkable 1971 documentary with an innovative atonal score by Lalo Schifrin. Unlike previous releases, Aleph, Schifrin's specialty label, will release HELLSTROM as a limited edition of only 3000 copies. See www.alephrecords.com.

John Debney [IMG5L](SCORPION KING, SPY KIDS 2, BRUCE ALMIGHTY) will next be scoring the music for New Line Cinema's ELF, currently in production. The film stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Edward Asner in a story about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is in search of his true identity. The film is scheduled for release in November 2003. No word yet as to whether Debney will have a soundtrack or not. Based on recent practice, it's likely a promo will be pressed if there is not a commercial soundtrack.

According to his website (www.johnottman.com), John Ottman's score for the HBO cable movie, POINT OF ORIGIN, a fact-based arson thriller, will be released by La-La Land Records this month.

Gino Marinuzzi, Jr.'s [IMG6R]complete score for Mario Bava's 1967 Euroshock classic PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (TERRORE NELLO SPAZIO) has been released on Digitmovies (MUTAC007). Issued in stereo, the soundtrack was restored from the original Cinevox Records master tapes, and this limited edition CD contains the complete score as recorded in 1967. Available from www.screenarchives.com.

Speaking of rare music from European cinema, Digitmovies will issue Pino Donaggio's score for Sergio Rubini's 2002 comedy L'ANIMA GEMELLA and Maurizio Abeni's score for Sergio Stivaletti's 1997 horror giallo WAX MASK (MASCHERA DE CERA) in mid October.

Saimel Records in Spain has re-released two long out-of-print soundtracks of Ennio Morricone. From Adolfo Celi's 1969 comedy L'ALIBI comes an expanded soundtrack CD with a number of extra tracks, as compared with the first CD (1995) and the original LP (1970). The second is from Elio Petri's psychedelic horror thriller UN TRANQUILLO POSTO DI CAMPAGNA (A Quiet Place In The Country), also 1969, and is the first time the score has been released on CD. The release will contain more tracks than the 1970 LP.

DRG Records [IMG7L]will release the original cast soundtrack to the first Broadway mounting of the stage musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. The new production, opening at the Virginia Theatre on October 2, stars Hunter Foster (star of Broadway's URINETOWN), Douglas Sill (Tony nominee for THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL) and Kerry Butler (co-star of last season's runaway hit HAIRSPRAY). DRG's new recording is scheduled to include a new number written by Alan Menken not seen in the previous stage production or the film version.

On September [IMG8R]29^th, Silva Screen Records will release the 4-CD set The Music of John Williams 40 Years of Film Music, with over 220 minutes of themes and suites from famous John Williams scores, from THE RARE BREED (1966) and JANE EYRE (1970) to MINORITY REPORT (2002) and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2003). All the music has been performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus, conducted by Paul Bateman, Nic Raine and Mario Klemens. None of the tracks are reported to contain unreleased material. And on October 27^th, Silva Screen will release The STAR TREK Album, a 2-CD set dubbed the most comprehensive collection of STAR TREK music. Also performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus, conducted by Nic Raine, the recording features 24 tracks, including themes and sound effects tracks from all of the TREK TV series and feature films. See www.silvascreen.co.uk.

If you'll be in London on November 10^th, you might want to take in a rare UK event Ennio Morricone conducting the Rome Symphony Orchestra in a special 75^th birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall. To mark Morricone's birthday, a short documentary about the man and his work will be screened before the concert, from 6.30pm (doors open 5.45pm). Admission to the screening is free with a valid concert ticket. Tickets go on sale (£13.50 - £58.50) on September 12th, available from the Royal Albert Hall. See www.royalalberthall.com.

But, if you'll be in Monte Carlo on December 28^th, you can attend a Jerry Goldsmith concert. He'll return to Monte Carlo to conduct their Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert of his music in the Auditorium Rainier III. More details at http://www.monaco-congres.com.

Whether episodic TV or a documentary feature - what are the creative and practical concerns facing the composer working in television today?  The Film Music Network is offering an audio CD from a recent panel discussion at the organization's July, 2003, Film Music Network Event in New York. The panel, "Scoring For Television: What to Do When They Need It Yesterday," was moderated by veteran TV scorer Richard Fiocca (LAND OF THE MAMMOTH, 48 HOURS) and featured the participation of TV composers Rick Baitz, Ahrin Mishan, and Anton Sanko discussing various aspects of composing for television. The audio CD is available for $9.95 from http://store.yahoo.com/fmstore/scfortewhtod.html.

Soundtrax is our weekly Movie Soundtrack column.