A beginner's guide to swinging Sixties soundtracks.

It has only been in fairly recent times that 60s soundtracks have crept into the common vernacular of many producers, DJs and other hipsters who dig on setting their own groovy party scenes. However, for years the most sought after 60s soundtracks languished in thrift stores -forgotten and ignored - except by astute members of the 60s scene and horde-ish record collectors. Like so many other things mods have known for years, the popularization of DJ culture caused prices of original pressings through the roof. Finding an "Italian Job" soundtrack, for example, for less than $50 can be a major coup these days. More recently, overground bootlegs and legitimate reissues of some of these gems have been surfacing, much to the delight of more casual (or frustrated) collectors and 60s music enthusiasts.

Below are ten essential soundtracks which every Uppers reader should own. Luckily, many are available in reissue form on CD, and sometimes vinyl.

Barbarella - The Bob Crewe Generation/Glitterhouse
Chicago based writer, arranger and producer extraordinaire, Bob Crewe played an understated role in the careers of many musicians who passed through the doors of the Dynovoice label (see: The Toys, Mitch Ryder). The "Barbarella" soundtrack is much more than mere background music. It is a psychedelic pop masterpiece as fun to listen to as it is to look at The Black Queen (Anita Pallenberg) in the movie. Crewe teams up with Glitterhouse for as near a perfect soundtrack as I've heard. Stunning. Also investigate Glitterhouse's Crewe produced LP.

Bedazzled - Dudley Moore Trio
Dudley Moore's recordings, by and large, are nothing to write home about. However, for this late 60's romp with the Devil (Peter Cook) and a brief romp with Raquel Welch (Lillian Lust), Dudley's muses responded with playful elegance, and to swinging effect! Austin Powers could learn a thing or two from this soundtrack. It's just too bad they remade the movie last year.

Blow Up - Herbie Hancock/The Yardbirds
This modern jazz soundtrack nearly defines 60's cool, and matches Michelangelo Antonioni's directing style of the movie to a tee. Hancock also hands over one of the most recognizable samples of all time in "Bring Down the Birds", as used by Deee-Lite in "Groove Is In the Heart". The addition of the Yardbirds with both Beck and Page only solidifies this soundtrack's place in great soundtrack history. Keep an eye out for a bootleg of Herbie's out takes from these sessions. I have no idea of whether they are authentic recordings from these sessions, but it's a fare packaging of rare Herbie Hancock recordings not otherwise available.

Bullitt - Lalo Schifrin
Schifrin made so many movies shine with his soundtracks. My bias to "Bullitt" is due both to Steve McQueen's style and one of the coolest themes I've ever heard. Warner Brothers turned out a rare gem in this one. Keep your eyes out for the recently released bootleg release of it. The original cost me a mere $5 in Iowa City, IA. What a lucky man I was that day.

Call Me Mr. Tibbs - Quincy Jones
The first of two contributions by Quincy to this list. I have yet to see the movie, but the theme has long been a favorite of mine, and was also sampled by United Future Organization. The whole soundtrack drips of funk and perfectly illustrates the genius of Quincy Jones as writer, arranger and director.

Get Carter - Roy Budd
As Herbie Hancock's "Blow Up" soundtrack matched the director, I can't think of a soundtrack that better matches the cool of Michael Caine than "Get Carter". Finally issued properly to the world in 1999 (it was only available in Japan, previously) not only do we get wickedly cool sounds from Roy Budd, but classic quips from the mouth of Our Man Caine! "I remember what your eyes look like. They're still the same. Pissholes in the snow." Unforgettable.

The Italian Job - Quincy Jones
As Quincy reappears, so does Caine in the (bungled) caper of all capers! "Something's Cookin'" sounds like a lost track from The Small Faces "Ogdens Nut Gone Flake" album, and no self respecting Mod or mini fan will ever forget the sensation of hearing "We are the self preservation society, we are the self preservation society" from "Get A Bloomin' Move On" for the first time.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service - John Barry
John Barry could be on this list for any number of works, but the soundtrack to "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was the best of all James Bond soundtracks to me. Lavish production, master arrangements and to quote Alex DeLarge from "A Clockwork Orange", "Devil trombones". George Lazenby may not have been the best Bond, but he benefited from the best Barry.

The Party - Henry Mancini
I pick this as much for Peter Sellers and the beautiful Claudine Longet as I do for Mancini's actual music. A couple of cool jazz tracks, sure, but the standout is far and away the title track (in both of its instrumental and vocal versions). Easily one of the best Sitar pop tunes of all time.

Up the Junction - Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann are certainly well known and respected for their early raw r&b sounds, but their second phase let their jazz heritage fuse with their soulful sensibilities, and this is probably best exemplified with this soundtrack. "Up the Junction" follows my favorite years with singer Paul Jones, but herein we get some wickedly cool pop tunes, and Ramsey Lewis styled jazz with Mike Hugg's cool vibraphone nearly taking the spotlight away from new vocalist Michael D'Abo. Surprisingly solid (then hunt down their instrumental album and EP's!).

Call it cheating if you want, but I have to note a few Honorable Mentions: Casino Royale - Herb Alpert, The Cincinnati Kid - Lalo Schifrin, Lady In Cement - Hugo Montanegro, The Lost Man - Quincy Jones

Comments:

Dave the Rave aka Simon	apr 3 2007 6:19PM
http://www.simoncolquhoun.co.uk

One that I never see mentioned anywhere that is one of my favourites is the soundtrack to 'Here We Go 'Round The Mulberry Bush', featuring original material by SDG, Traffic and Andy Ellis. Surely 'Looking Back' is worth the price alone?

Michael	maj 25 2005 4:32AM

Lets not forget Sonny Rollins on "Alfie".

Ian	aug 18 2003 11:21AM

check out http://www.moviegrooves.com - they got lots of 60's soundtracks!

Marcel	jul 22 2003 3:44PM

Not quite in the same league, but I was suprised to hear The Who's "My Generation", "Magic Bus" and Georgie Fame's "Yeh Yeh" used in the soundtrack to Jackie Chan's movie "Shanghai Knights"

Brian Poust	maj 31 2001 12:14AM

Morricone certainly does rate among the best. No doubt about it.

Bengt	maj 29 2001 3:26PM

I think Ennio Morricone deserves a mentioning here as well. Ok, so The Good the Bad and the Ugly does not really 'stomp' but who can honestly say they haven't whistled it at least once? Among my favorites are the instrumental rock soundtrack to Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) and the eerie freaked out choirs of Who Saw Her Die?(1972) btw this film features George Lazenby disguised in long hair & beard! probably to avoid getting stomped by Bond fans.

Joel	maj 22 2001 6:05PM

Get Carter is an absolutely superb recording, but I don't think I've ever heard anything from it played at a club, (which is a shame) although I haven't ventured much into lounge nights.

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A beginner's guide to swinging Sixties soundtracks.

You don't have to be a major film buff to appreciate the great sounds sometimes hidden away in a 1960's soundtrack. Brian Poust is your tour guide.....

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