Teasing the Korean Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 (edited) On this 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, I thought I'd share the following: "...Notoriously taciturn first man on the moon Neil Armstrong reveals his choice of fly-time music in a book that just been published. And his musical tastes open up undreamt of connections to Russian government research projects, Soviet agents and Communist propaganda films. Moon Dust by Andrew Smith is a new study of how the lives of the Apollo astronauts were changed by their lunar experience. Most of the nine surviving astronauts agreed to be interviewed for the book, but true to form the first man on the moon did not. But in an email exchange Armstrong identified the cassette of ' strange electronic-sounding music' that fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins had reported him taking to Luna. The cassette in question was transcribed from Neil Armstrong's own LP of Music Out of the Moon featuring Dr Samuel Hoffman..." http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/03/neil-...eveals-his.html Edited July 21, 2009 by Teasing the Korean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasing the Korean Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 In the era of US postwar instrumental mood music, a number a space-themed albums were released. The best of these featured striking, novel combinations of orchestral instruments and tastefully-integrated electronic effects. The selection of tunes could include space-inspired original compositions, or such otherworldly standards as "Out of This World," "Stardust," or "The Moon was Yellow." Of course, these albums reflected the national interest in futurism and space exploration. This sub-genre has retroactively been dubbed "Outer Space Exotica" by many of its enthusiasts. The aforementioned "Music Out of the Moon" (Capitol, 1950) by Les Baxter, Harry Revel and Dr. Samuel Hoffman is the earliest example of outer space exotica. There are probably only about 15 or 20 LPs (not including soundtracks) that fully meet the criteria for this genre. I have been collecting these LPs for many years. Among enthusiasts of this sub-genre, there is a fair amount of consensus regarding the best of these outer space albums. Typically, two albums top the list, and these are also my two favorites. Here they are: Russ Garcia - Fantastica (Liberty, 1959). Arranger extraordinaire Russ Garcia composed an original suite of space-themed music for this LP. The music is arranged for percussion, brass and woodwinds, with electronic effects featured in the intros and during key sections of the compositions. The gorgeous track "Venus," featuring combinations of vibes and alto flutes is the most seductive tune on the album. The stereo version of "Fantastica" has been reissued recently on CD on Basta Records. Russ Garcia supervised the mono mix of the album, while Ted Keep of Liberty Records did the stereo mix. There are distinctive differences between the electronics on the two albums. Trivia: The voice doing the countdown at the beginning of the album is Liberty label-mate David Seville, a.k.a. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (the latter of which was named after Liberty engineer Ted Keep). Frank Comstock - Project Comstock: Music from Outer Space (Warner, 1962). Arranger Frank Comstock (perhaps best known for his work with the Hi-Los) arranged this album of original compositions and space-themed standards. The instrumentation includes electric violin, the Paul Tanner electro-theremin, novachord, hammond organ, electric guitar, bass, harp, two percussionists, five woodwinds, five trombones, and four cellos. The version of "Out of This World" by Harold Arlen is definitive. Are there any other enthusiasts of outer space exotica on Organissimo??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasing the Korean Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 Here are two tracks from Russ Garcia's "Fantastica:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6t-7u7iIjY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oH_HolBFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasing the Korean Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 And here is "Moon Moods" from "Music Out of the Moon:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv-OLaZO06E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Russell Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 David Seville, a.k.a. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore (the latter of which was named after Liberty engineer Ted Keep). TTK, I have read that Simon, Theodore and Alvin were the first names of the three owners of Liberty Records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasing the Korean Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 TTK, I have read that Simon, Theodore and Alvin were the first names of the three owners of Liberty Records. Alvin, Simon and Theodore were named after Liberty Records' Al Bennett, Si Waronker and Ted Keep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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