Lazy Mary - Lou Monte

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This is a song that plays at work from time to time.  It always seems to put me in a better mood.  And anything that can accomplish that feat in my workplace deserves some appreciation.

Here's a blurb from Wikipedia:

"Lazy Mary," a remake of the traditional Italian song "Luna Mezzo Mare", tells the tale of a conversation between a young woman who wishes to be married, and her mother. The somewhat risque song mixes English and Italian verses. The two use double entendre to compare the occupations with the sexual appetities of the various suitors.

The original folk song has many verses, each presenting a different suitor.  The sexual innuendo is quite vivid - the fireman will hose you down, the butcher gives you his sausage...  You get the idea.   

Dean Martin did a big-band version of the song on an album of Italian love songs.  It's nice, but not as playful and bouncy as this version, which I prefer.  

Check it out in the player above.  If you like it I've provided a download link as well. 

Bullitt - Complete Score

How did I go so many years without seeing this movie?  And hearing this awesome score?

I love it when I find a little nugget of treasure like this.  It has existed my entire life and I never once knew about it.  Now I can't get it out of my head.

Lalo Schifrin underscores this film with a nice mix of orchestral jazz and lounge music.  This isn't any of that retro-fusion nonsense.  This is the real thing!  It's all very low-key and sets a nice mood for web surfing or...other pursuits.

The first two tracks are the most memorable in the film.  Track 1 accompanies the bizarre opening titles and track 2 leads into the big car chase.  There is no music for the chase istelf.  Only squealing tires and revving engines.

Lalo Schifrin at his jazziest!  Highly recommended.

http://rapidshare.com/files/383160390/Bullitt_-_Complete_Score.zip

TRON - Complete Score

Another item from the early 80's electronic front is the score to TRON, one the most original films ever created. The composer is Wendy Carlos, who uses almost the exact same set of sounds from A Clockwork Orange, which she composed as Walter Carlos. The effect meshes well with the ethereal landscape presented in the film.  AND it features Journey!

This is the remastered and complete score.

http://rapidshare.com/files/377491581/TRON_Complete_Score.zip

Blue Thunder Promotional Score

Continuing with the thread of early 80's electronic scores, I present Blue Thunder.  This is a perfect example of the standard at the time.  It's a decent enough score with some high points.  Nothing flashy here.  It gets the job done and then some, but it's no E.T.

Rubinstein's other notable score was WarGames, which I'll have to dig up for this blog.

http://rapidshare.com/files/373976657/Blue_Thunder__Promotional_Score_.zip

Salem's Lot

This one's for Greg. Haven't listened to it yet.

http://rapidshare.com/files/371797153/Salem_s_Lot.zip

Mass Effect

As long as I'm praising scores to video games I might as well include Mass Effect.

The game was pretty neat, but the two noteworthy elements were the production design (which is drawn from early 80's sci-fi concepts) and the music.

The score is heavily influenced by 80's classics like Blade Runner, Dune, and TRON. It adds a surreal quality to the game and is very atmospheric and moody on its own.

http://rapidshare.com/files/370233199/Mass_Effect_Score.zip

Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura

Here's a little gem from 2001. It's the score to Arcanum, a steampunk D&D style video game - really cool. The music is composed for string quartet, so it's nice and soothing.

If you get a chance to play the game, definitely check it out. Some of the most fun I've had while sitting at a computer.

http://rapidshare.com/files/369086169/Arcanum_Score.zip