Bob James's huge success with the album Touchdown officially confirmed that the men and women of 1978 wanted their music to rock them about as hard as a Holly Hobbie rag doll.
It's not inspiring per se, but Angela (The Theme to TAXI) does have a soothing, muzaky quality that takes my mind back to pediatricians' waiting rooms, where I can remember playing with Monkeys in a Barrel; the album's cover reminds of the basement rec rooms of friends' dads.
Why do I mention it now?
Because it's confirmed that the franchise that shaped by childhood, that started Johnny Depp's career, and introduced this fabulous song to the world (in a scene featuring invisible kung fu fighting no less) is finally getting the inevitable Offspring video director turned crappy movie director remake treatment, and essentially destroying a small part of me. At least we have the music and can reminisce.
Here's what I said back on 10/16/06:
I have been in love with this song since I bought the single in Jr. High and even then I was royally disappointed by the look of the band. Clearly, these dudes are not cool, even the band in Lost Boys was more respectable, and yet this song is cool–way cool.
It also became a mystery, I knew it was from a movie at some point, but which one? I thought Valley Girl, perhaps. Wrong – it is from the movie I was obsessed with for a long time – Nightmare on Elm St. 4 – The Dream Master . You know, the one with Alice, who starts meek but ends up doing nun-chucks; the one with her totally fine brother who has to fight an invisible Freddy in a Steven Seagal worthy set and ends up a meatball on Freddy's pizza; the one with the brainiac girl with asthma; the one with the girl who works out to Sinead O'Connor's “Put Your Hands On Me” only the be turned in a roach at Freddy's Roach Motel; the one that starts with Kincaid's death in the car junkyard…. Yes, that one! See I can remember nearly every frame, but couldn't remember that this, one of my very favorites, was in it. Oh, for shame, Brittany.
If you watch as much NY1 as I do, you'll be overjoyed by the prospect of becoming the next artist to perform their jingle. Join the ranks of Nncle Junior and the rap duo that plays violins. Of course, without any musical skills, it will be less probable that I will won (or even enter the contest), but I thought I'd pass the opportunity on to you.
24, 7… that's what we're here for!
Bombay the Hard Way combines the production and beats of producer Dan “the Automator” Nakamura with the groovy, vibrant, and mysterious music from classic Bollywood productions. Whether the music is whisking me off to exotic desert lands, a GoGo club filled with the criminal minded, or an action packed race against time, the album, loaned to me by a co-worker (thanks Sarafina!) has been easing me through the work week just fine.
Peppered with bits of dialogue lifted from the films like, “Sorry baby, better luck next time”, “I'm a gambler!”, and my favorite, “What?! There is a time bomb inside of 125?!” the album totally puts you in the mood to watch some vintage Bond-inspired action, or at least hope that Joel Hodgson and Mike Nelson can also get their hands on these.
It's a great companion piece to previously recommended Crime and Dissonance by Ennio Morricone.
I doubt there's many familiar with the work of Ennio Morricone who would argue his genius but, for those of you still unconvinced – or unfamiliar – there couldn't be a more compelling argument than the recent Crime and Dissonance collection. Compiled from several scores Morricone authored throughout the '60s and '70s by “What is it?” querying singer Mike Patton and friends, the films selected include Verushka, L'Uccello Dalle Piume Di Cristallo, and (in a rare instance of breaking my and repeating recommendations) Una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna.
It's a truly transportative collection that jumps from emotional landscapes and inventive musical techniques. In one sitting I took notes of the images the music conjured in my head as it washed over me and they include: the ethereal calls of a siren (Ninna Nanna Per Adulteri), sitting atop a lonely Himalayan mountain (Ric Happening), the flight of an insane bumble bee that grows melancholy (Il Buio), the lair of the phantom of the opera (Postludio Alla Terza Moglie), and being trapped in a German clock with wooden kids who then go on a groovy trip before being drafted into the army and getting married – just listen to Ricreazione Divertita and see if you still think my interpretation is crazy. The composer is also an expert heavy breather, which is highlighted in L'Uccello Con Le Piume Di Cristallo and Forza G (Quella Donna).
My absolute favorite number is the Jew's Harp-heavy Rapimento In Campo Aperto which, my friend (who used to work at Ipecac, the label that released the compilation) informed me, was the track selected as the radio friendly single. I know it's hard to imagine, but it seems that most stations just couldn't find a spot for it?
Italian horror movie soundtracks.
They did all the music for Dario Argento.
“Tenebre” is particularly good.
Amazingly enough, this is in the jukebox at the Phoenix.