GUEST HOST: DOUGLAS LACEY
This week on FILM MUSIC MIX guest host Douglas Lacey makes his Cinematic Sound debut with part one of his tribute to composer Michael Convertino.
On the program, you will hear music from some of Convertino’s early scores including THE HIDDEN, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, BULL DURHAM, QUEEN OF HEARTS, WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY, A HOME OF OUR OWN and many more.
PLAYLIST • THE HIDDEN (0:00) • FRANKENWEENIE (4:35) • ALADDIN AND HIS WONDERFUL LAMP (11:!5) • CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (15:05) • THE HIDDEN (19:45) • BULL DURHAM (29:06) • QUEEN OF HEARTS (33:49) • THE DOCTOR (41:28) • THE WATERDANCE (44:23) • BODIES, REST & MOTION (53:14) • WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY (59:43) • A HOME OF OUR OWN (1:03:52)
I thoroughly enjoyed this selection of music from a composer I knew nothing about.
Waiting for part two! Would love to hear some music from The Santa Clause. Thanks Douglas Lacey and Erik.
Favourite cue is the track from Bull Durham.
Thanks for the kind words, Josh! Parts 2 and 3 are coming; just a bit more delayed than expected. The Santa Clause will be featured in Part 2. 🙂
Great to hear that news Doug. I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed part one. I have a lot of movie scores but am embarrassed to admit I had not heard of Michael Convertino.
I know I will enjoy to hear some more of his music.
I’ve been a fan of Michael Convertino’s soundtracks for years. Mr. Lacey, thank you for this show. Convertino’s music is very hard to find.
You’re welcome for the show, Susanna! It was a pleasure to put together for Erik.
One of these days, I will be able to finish Parts 2 and 3. I never intended there to be such a delay. I have all of the music selected. I just can’t find the time to record the narration. 🙁 (Sorry, Erik!)
You made a wonderful anthology. I agree that it is a shame that Convertino left film scoring, his musical voice is unique and of a rare artistic quality. There are several cues in your show that I didn’t know! I am also happy to hear you credit the brilliant John Neufeld, too bad for us he has retired. Thank you Douglas, and thanks to Michael Convertino.
Thanks for a wonderful show! I can’t think of another composer with so little information available. There’s just that one photo, no web presence, no interviews… so this was great stuff. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years. Really looking forward to Part II (hope it’s still on the cards). I’d love to see more of him on CD, but those talked-of promos don’t even turn up on Ebay.
I watched Wake Wood last night. Not my type of film, but bought the DVD just to hear Convertino’s return to film scoring. I would have identified him immediately. There’s a brief quote from Lesser God and Mother Night Track 2 (The Jews Are Eating The Future) is re-used a lot. Not the whole thing, but the opening, and the general tone (the bells don’t even sound like they’ve been re-recorded).
Great work, roll on Pt II. I counted 10 CD releases incidentally. The 9 on the pic above and Liberty Stands Still. It’s a bummer that with all the new specialist labels, we didn’t get more Convertino save Straight Into Darkness. How many single-film promos are out there? Just We Don’t Live Here Anymore and Where’s Marlowe? He really deserves a website chronicling his many works.
Convertino’s work in Bull Durham is an incredible piece of music. I wish it was available for purchase somewhere. Thanks for providing it here!
Thanks for the comments Hal, Colin, & Michael! I hope to have Part 2 finished over the next few weeks, if all goes well. (fingers crossed)
Regarding Liberty Stands Still, I would categorize it as a single-film promo, and not as a commercial release. I don’t recall ever seeing it being sold by the usual outlets (I picked mine up on eBay), and the clunky bar code on the back seems to give it away.
Oh, didn’t think Liberty Stands Still was a promo. Always thought it was a genuine release. Although a search on my email account just confirmed I bought it on Ebay too in 2007. Just bought Where’s Marlowe (promo, but it had an Amazon.com listing and a seller) and a classical disc (Bill Booth: Balancing Act) which has some Convertino compositions. Its all the fault of this show, my sudden need to listen to every Convertino note. I just love this guy’s music. Those composer promos are the holy grail though and my eyes are peeled.
Thanks for the tip on the Bill Booth CD, Colin! Wasn’t aware of it until you mentioned it. For those interested in the CD (like me!), this site features 29-second samples from each track: http://www.ariama.com/albums/balancing-act-%28bill-booth-crystal%29
Also, FYI, there is a commercial release for The Last of the High Kings (EMI Records), but while it features three short tracks of Convertino’s score (each < 1 minute), they're marred by dialogue/sound effects. Therefore, I didn't count it. 🙂 Here's the Amazon link for it (buyer beware!): http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Elvis-Costello-Michael-Convertino/dp/B0020MOI3G/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1322411002&sr=1-1
I’m looking forward to hearing the classical tracks but I’m in the UK so could be a while before it shows up. Oddly enough, whilst I was searching for details on that disc, I came across a country CD called Heart in Hand by Bill Booth and the Convertibles. CONVERTIbles!! And the pic of the guy is entirely consistent with the sole mugshot of MC that’s out there. I’m sure it’s just a mad coincidence and that MC isn’t moonlighting as a country crooner, but it messed with my head for a moment.
Thanks for the mention of High Kings. It popped up on Convertino searches but the only tracklisting I found was all pop songs. Will add it to the collection with Jungle 2 Jungle.
Hello, I was just listening to the soundtrack Michael Convertino composed from the film ‘Bed of roses?’ My question – what is the bell type instruments used in the music at 5:55? What are those instruments?
Hello, listening his socer is very interesting experience. Very varius, emotional, his great, magic composer.
Is there any chance get these recordings BULL DURHAM, QUEEN OF HEARTS,A HOME OF OUR OWN, THE DOCTOR, THE WATERDANCE, ALADIN AND HIS WONDERFUL LAMP, SNOW WHITE, THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHNE YOU’RE DEAD,MILK MONEY ?
Thank you for any anwear.
Martin
Douglas, Did you ever make part 2 of Convertino? As a young composition student Michael wrote a beautiful piece for me to sing at my voice recital and accompanied me on piano. I have a recording. I have been trying to find more of his music. Thank you so much for recognizing this wonderfully talented composer.
Mary Ann Friedman