Thank you Working

At last! somebody mention Kenyon Hopkins...Totaly agree with you, listening to his music is a real joy...Let's hope FSM will consider it in next projects, though it will be hard to sell even 1500 copies :( .

filmmusicparis, November 16, 2007; 4:49 AM

I have a feeling if "The Hustler" were produced on a quality CD release it would sell quickly.

It was always something special to unearth a new Kenyon Hopkins score. The first one I purchased was "Lilith" and that led to an interest in anything else with his name on it.

victoravalentine, November 17, 2007; 12:16 AM

Mr. Hopkins belongs to the unlucky group of composers from the early 60s, which seem to be
completely forgotten by record label executives.

coma, November 16, 2007; 12:27 PM

I'd like to see a first ever release of the Kenyon Hopkins score to the Montgomery Clift film "Wild River".

As it goes, most of the people working in jazz film scoring in Hollywood were based on the west coast. The west coast sound it was called. Mancini, Shelly Manne, Neal Hefti and all those guys. Kenyon Hopkins was a New Yorker and one of the few east coasters who scored films.





victoravalentine, November 16, 2007; 1:39 PM

Hi 'killer knives'!... Good topic... too tired.

I think my feelings for Kenyon Hopkins music has been evident for some time now. I really like his music.

His music must be for the selective few since nobody mentions this composer.

Perhaps the master tapes to his compositions are now lost but if you wish, you can email Lukas Kendall from FSM and ask him why any of Kenyon Hopkins' music has not been released yet. The man is quite responsive and I'm sure he must have some explanation.

In any case, you are very lucky to have his music on LP's. I would assume that these are hard to come by.

I have his film scoring from ''Hustler'', ''Baby Doll'', ''East Side/West Side''... ''The Reporter'', ''Mister Buddwing''... I'm afraid that is it and I find every single one of these enjoyable music scores to listen to.

I noticed that he has also contributed music for "Mannix". I ought to get this one.

BTW, what is your opinion on Duke Ellington's few soundtracks like ''Anatomy Of A Murder''? Any more title suggestions with scoring by Duke Ellington?

Also, Johnny Mandel's ''I Want To Live'' is another great soundtrack that all soundtrack enthusiasts should have in their collection.

I don't recall anyone ever mentioning this film score.

Also... the documentaries with music by Kenyon Hopkins you have mentioned would be interesting to get my hands on.

Cheers!...

serifiot, November 16, 2007; 7:16 PM

(serifiot) Off hand I don't know of any other Duke Ellington scores other than "Paris Blues". I have an old soundtrack recording of a musical special that featured staged jazz numbers. "Anatomy Of A Murder" is a one of a kind score. Don't you think? I've always considered it an all around work of art with the Saul Bass cover design. Right now I'm thinking of the theme composed for Lee Remick. I don't have the recording at hand as most of my belongings are stored away right now due to living space and circumstances. I believe the piece is called "Flirtibird". There is a second recording of some of the themes from the film performed by a jazz group with a shot of the court scene on the cover.

The Kenyon Hopkins scores pop up on ebay from time to time. Saw a copy of "The Strange One" go unsold several months ago.
If you're into vinyl get ahold of "The Fugitive Kind" stereo pressing. It is one of the best.

I have a copy of "I Want To Live". What's the stand out piece on the score that went on to be recorded by a bunch of other jazz musicians over the years? Black Nightgown. A great score. The film is dismal as hell. There's a second recording from "I Want To Live" featuring the jazz combo numbers in the night club with Gerry Mulligan and I can't remember who else right now.

I was just thinking a couple of days ago about the Kenyon Hopkins scores and how they always stand out as something special.

victoravalentine, November 17, 2007; 12:45 AM

Gerry Mulligan and... Shelly Manne, Art Farmer, Bud Shank and Red Mitchell. Great combo!

And how about Pete Rugolo? His scores for Richard Diamond and Thriller are simply outstanding.

coma, November 17, 2007; 3:11 PM

Pete Rugolo is always great! Purchased "This World Then The Fireworks" not long ago. Stange hearing Rugolo music in a more or less recent film.

"The Sweet Ride", from the late 1960's is, I believe his only score released from that period.

Pete Rugolo is the absolute tops in my book as well. "Richard Diamond" is a classic television score recording. The Silva disc of music from "The Fugitive" is exceptional and very well produced.

Here's a funny story. Awhile back while living near Santa Monica California, my brother and I did our laundry every Wednesday morning around 8:OO am at a laundrymat. Every week the same people were there at that time doing theirs as well. Us two, my dog John (who made himself at home in the place), an older woman and her young crazy ass daughter who always made it a point to hold her panties high in the air as if giving then a visual inspection after retrieving them from the dryer and actor Bill Rasch who appeared in the TV series "The Fugitive" as the one arm man.

He'd stand there and just stare at the dryer as his cloths tumbled around and around without saying a word. John would mosy about checking everyone out and he would smile and pat him on the head. I remember sort of feeling sorry for the guy for some reason. He's in a great Kirk Douglas film called "Lonely Are The Brave" scored by Jerry Goldsmith.

Anyway, back to Pete Rugolo. I love his old Mercury label L.P's.

victoravalentine, November 18, 2007; 1:59 AM