A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 41, The Evolving Sound of Science Fiction Cinema, Part 2- The 1960's

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode I continue on to the next chapter of a multi-part deep dive, into the evolving music of Science Fiction cinema through the decades, with my focus today being the 1960’s. Thus far, we’ve journeyed through the 1950’s scores which were brimming with electric violins, theremins, Novachords, jarring stinger chords and harsh onslaughts of brass and percussion.

Now, as we advance into the 1960's, we'll hear sumptuous symphonic scores for THE TIME MACHINE (1960) and MASTER OF THE WORLD (1961), pop and jazz influences in PANIC IN YEAR ZERO! (1962) and BARBARELLA (1968) and avant garde concert techniques expressed in the music for FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966) and PLANET OF THE APES (1968). Composers represented here include Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, Les Baxter, Russell Garcia, Akira Ifukube - plus vocal crooning by Frankie Avalon! I also include samples of Alex North's original, unused score for the Stanley Kubrick directed, game-changing classic 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. 

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

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A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 40, The Evolving Sound of Science Fiction Cinema, Part 1 - The 1950's

Welcome to this new episode of the podcast - the 40th! Beginning with this episode, my plan is to present a multi-part analysis into a specific cinematic genre, that being the music of science fiction through the years. The 1950's is often considered the initial Golden Age of Science Fiction, when the genre showcased its own distinctiveness onscreen and gained notoriety in part due to films such as THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951), CONQUEST OF SPACE (1955) and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956). Music from this decade's theatrical entries is where my listening journey will start, including selections composed by Bernard Herrmann, Leith Stevens, Herman Stein and Nathan Van Cleave. 

Of course, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive or definitive overview in any sense of the word, consisting instead of my own observations of how music for science fiction movies, those involving outer space, invading aliens and time travel, developed its own personality and evolved over time. With luck, my reach won't exceed my grasp and I will endeavor to produce an episode for each decade at least up until the 1990's. As a teaser, I've created a special suite of musical selections from various Sci-Fi film scores from the 50's to the 90's. 

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. 

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

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A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 39, Composer Benji Merrison ("SAS: Red Notice")

Hello again and welcome back to the podcast! On this episode, I am joined by the brilliantly skilled composer Benji Merrison. Benji is based in London and has provided music across a wide spectrum of media, from TV to film, documentaries and art installations. His background includes both formal music schooling as well as music production and engineering. Some of Benji Merrison's previous projects include TV series for BBC 1 such as FORCES OF NATURE, DYNASTIES and GREEN PLANET. Today, I have welcomed him to my podcast to talk about his latest feature film, the action thriller SAS: RED NOTICE, directed by Magnus Martens. The soundtrack for SAS: RED NOTICE is available from Lakeshore Records.

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. 

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

ASTS on iTunes

ASTS on Spotify

A Score to Settle Podcast - Episode 38, Composer Matthew Head ("Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia")

Welcome back to the podcast! Marvelously proficient composer, arranger and songwriter Matthew Head joins me on this episode to discuss his background and diverse career. Matthew's soundtracks have garnered Grammy, Emmy, Peabody and NAACP awards and nominations, all while working from his home in Marietta, Georgia. His notable projects include TV series such as GREENLEAF (on OWN), Boomerang (on BET), THE FAMILY and P-VALLEY. Here I talk with Matthew about composing and arranging score and songs for the new Lifetime feature, ROBIN ROBERTS PRESENTS: MAHALIA, which details the life of gospel music legend Mahalia Jackson, starring Danielle Brooks and directed by Kenny Leon.

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. Everyone stay safe out there, wear a mask, take care of yourself and each other!

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

iTunes

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A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 37, composer Grant Fonda ("The House That Rob Built")

Welcome to this next new episode of the podcast! I am joined by the wonderfully innovative composer Grant Fonda. Grant has contributed music to various multi-media projects, including notable documentaries such as THE DATING PROJECT and the award-winning DOWN THE FENCE, and is graciously taking time to talk about his score for the new documentary feature film entitled THE HOUSE THAT ROB BUILT, which premiered in February 2021. THE HOUSE THAT ROB BUILT was directed by Jonathan Cipiti and Megan Harrington and focuses on the formation of women’s collegiate basketball in the state of Montana, specifically the Lady Griz basketball team as coached by Rob Selvig. Both the documentary and Grant Fonda’s music is now available to purchase through the major streaming music services. 

As always, I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. In this instance, there is construction noise that is audible during portions of the interview. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. Everyone stay safe out there, wear a mask, take care of yourself and each other!

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

ASTS on iTunes

ASTS on Spotify

A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 36, composer Enis Rotthoff ("Love Sarah")

Hello again everyone! In this new episode of my podcast, I chat with multi-talented composer Enis Rotthoff. Enis, born in Berlin, is a well established and distinct voice in German cinema and in recent years has been been cultivating an impressive reputation here in the United States. He has composed music for diverse films such as GUNS AKIMBO and THE SUNLIT NIGHT and I'm pleased to welcome Enis to the podcast to discuss his latest feature, LOVE SARAH. Released in January 2021, LOVE SARAH was directed by Eliza Shroeder and is now available on all major streaming platforms. Rotthoff collaborated closely with director Eliza Schroeder on the score, recording the music with the Budapest Art Orchestra and also blending electronic sounds with acoustic instruments.

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. Everyone stay safe out there, wear a mask, take care of yourself and each other!

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

ASTS on iTunes

ASTS on Spotify

A Score To Settle Podcast - Episode 35, Guest Neil S. Bulk, soundtrack album producer and editor, 2020 in review

Welcome to the first episode of the podcast of 2021! I am joined once more by soundtrack album producer and editor Neil S. Bulk to review his projects from last year and discuss surprises, roadblocks and highlights. covered in this episode include THE KARATE KID II and THE KARATE KID III, music composed by Bill Conti, both deluxe editions released from La-La Land Records, completing the trilogy alongside their previous release of 1984's THE KARATE KID. Following on from this, we discuss HOFFA (David Newman), DARKMAN (Danny Elfman), MR. MOM (Lee Holdridge), JACOB'S LADDER (Maurice Jarre) and a batch of 1960's era Jerry Goldsmith scores presented on the new GOLDSMITH AT 20TH (formerly 20th Century Fox) series from the aforementioned La-La Land Records. Neil also adds some comments about working on the recently expanded 2-CD edition of Goldsmith's final theatrical score, LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION, from 2003.

I hope that everyone who listens will enjoy the episode and kindly forgive any technical or factual gaffes. Below is the embedded player from which you can listen or simply click on the website link to head directly to where the podcast is hosted on Podbean. Everyone stay safe out there, wear a mask, take care of yourself and each other!

Feel free to subscribe and download the episode via iTunes, just search their store for "a score to settle" or launch from the link below. If you do listen through iTunes, take a moment to rate the show and write a review, it will help bring more notice. The podcast is also available on Spotify! Check out the links to the Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which can be found at @score2settlepod. Thanks again!

On iTunes

On Spotify

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