According to IMDB, there's no such documentary.

coma, August 30, 2008; 5:42 PM

It is not a documentary but you may be interested that the DVD of Get Carter (1971) has a few minutes of film of Mr. Budd playing the theme from the movie while it is being recorded for the soundtrack.

df789, August 30, 2008; 6:55 PM

Overdue indeed!

A very talented composer and masterful piano player! A favorite composer of mine. There is no disappointing film score of his that I have and I believe I have everything that has been released by Roy Budd minus one I cannot recall at the moment. I enjoy all of them. Every single one has something to say. More of his film music should be released.

An old thread of mine... I luv his music! :- )

***ROY BUDD***

I recently got myself introduced to the perhaps under appreciated wonderful music world of Roy Budd and I'm wondering from the people who truly appreciate his music, what are your favorite and least favorite Roy Budd film scores and what film scores by this composer are 'Must~Listens'!?

Faves I've listened to so far are:

Foxbat
Get Carter
The Intercine Project
Something To Hide

serifiot, January 10, 2007; 4:45 PM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


has to be zepplin-wish it would be released on dvd and a complete soundtrack issued

rjhibbs, January 10, 2007; 5:51 PM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Hello Serifiot!

Nice to hear about Roy Budd here! One of his less known scores is THE MARSEILLE CONTRACT, and I love it!

He has also composed some excellent symphonic scores, like KIDNAPPED (highly recommended) and FLIGHT OF THE DOVES. There are very few of his soundtracks issued on Compact Disc, and the majority of them were released by "Cinephile / Castle Music". I think they released more or less 12 or 15 Budd CDs. I think it's worthy to try and get them all. It's an excellent collection.

Best regards,
Angel

angeldibujo, January 10, 2007; 6:46 PM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


My favorite of his is "Wild Geese," and "Sea Wolves" and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger" are right up there too, along with others already mentioned.

I have two Budd CDs available to trade in mint condition: "Paper Tiger" and "Tomorrow Never Comes";



If anyone is interested, let me know.

betenoir, January 10, 2007; 7:30 PM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Hi serifiot, I've been a fan of Roy Budd's film scores for many years - I purchased the vinyl Lp of Fear Is The Key in the early 70's and several others shortly after. The CDs issued by Cinephile/Castle Music are great and are, mostly, available at very reasonable prices. They all have extensive sleeve notes, too, which usually provide good information about Mr. Budd and the score rather than just the usual biography/film score lists.

I particularly like the aforementioned Fear Is The Key (though admit it works better in the movie than on disc) and Kidnapped (superb melodies). Also, the Stone Killer has a great main title and is brilliant in its driving action pieces (but does include a dire vocal - be warned).

As the notes on the Get Carter booklet point out, his output was not always - in retrospect - a good choice and I do find his scores can be variable (but then so can most other composers').

Whilst I love his Get Carter main theme the rest of the score is very miss, miss, miss, hit! I don't class his Sinbad score too higly either, prefering his more jazz-orientated modern-setting scores. He was a brilliant pianist - especially jazz - just witness his "much-in-demand" / "no official release" score to Who Dares Wins (aka The Final Option) a brilliant mix of jazz-orientated action cues with light jazz instrumentals - (ignore the cues by Jerry & Marc Donahue!) another example is his score to The Carey Treatment (a fabulous FSM release)

You mention The Intercine Project - again a great listen, though not one of the best (Tomorrow Never Comes is much better in a similar style) - but this does raise a smile with me. Having complemented Cinephile / Castle Music on their releases, I do wonder who was responsible for this fundamental error - not getting the correct title of the movie!

I know the word is not used in everyday (English) language but I do think the proof reading should have spotted that the word in the title is:

Internecine (not Intercine) - an error copied into this database

I'm also bemused why (I think it is) track 2 of Tomorrow Never Comes is repeated on one of the other scores. It will take a few trial & error plays to identify the repeat but if anyone is interested I will check it out.

And finally, though not available - as far as I know - I remember thinking his theme to the TV series The Sandbaggers was first-rate, too.

Mitch, January 11, 2007; 4:37 AM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Hi serifiot,

the more I read from you, the more I think our film music tastes are very similar.

What I love most in Roy Budd's scores is what is sometimes called the "urban" sound in his blend of jazz and sometimes funk. To me, it reminds me a bit of Bill Conti's ROCKY scores which I always loved a lot.

I can second Mitch's recommendation - I am just listening to FEAR IS THE KEY again and loving it. However, I am pretty sure you will like almost everything Budd composed for the thriller/cop/action genre. The 'Catlow/Zeppelin' CD is good as well, but I would say it is not typical Budd.

Urs

P.S.: If you feel like it, get in touch with me once in a while (see my email address in my profile).

handstand, January 11, 2007; 5:45 AM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


I also love Roy Budd's scores. The main reason is that the music perfectly fits to the movies. People who are not that interested in film music often feel excited after having seen a movie, but don't really know why. I guess that as one possible reason the soundtrack as a whole piece of art was a perfect companion to the action. And I always feel this about the scores by Roy Budd.

Separated from the movies, I needed some more time to get used to the sound of Roy Budd. As more often I played the scores, the more I have learned to love the music. It is full of atmosphere, and it is worth listening to more than only as a background. Thus I agree with you: The wonderful music of Roy Budd is perhaps deeply underrated.

My favourites are:

Diamonds
Fear Is The Key
The Marseille Contract

(followed by)

Get Carter
The Black Windmill
The Stone Killer

Not my fav (average only):

Kidnapped

I'm curious of getting to know more from Roy Budd.

Greets


mister_gs, January 11, 2007; 6:17 AM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Thanks for your interesting input, keep it coming!...

I must say that I like all the Roy Budd soundtracks I have purchased and are listening to so far which I am taking my time with as to absorb everything.

There is melody and warmth in his music with strokes of hidden melancholy and a lot of passion.

I don't know if some of you agree, but I would even go as far as to compare his warm and melodious music to his European counterpart Georges Delerue.

From the SC's mini biography I read and just by listening to this composer's work, this person knew his stuff. This person breathed and lived music as many of the great composers. It is a shame that he passed on so abruptly at such a young age.

Even though it seems he is widely most recognized by a lot of people for his *Get Carter* score, besides of course the movie itself and Michael Caine's strong performance, it is the main theme music which really showcases the rest of the whole soundtrack album and perhaps what has attracted such a cult following.

This composer has collabotated in quite a number of films whose soundtracks I would like to own and get to know in due time.

I was once more just listening to Cinephile's passionate Something To Hide, 'Concerto For Harry' & 'How Can We Run Away'. Very moving!
The whole album which includes Foxbat and The Internecine Project and which all are different, is absolutely wonderful.

Right now "Kidnapped " is constantly being played in the cd player. What impressive, truly beautiful melodies!

So far, I personally find this man's passionate film music quite unique which become memorable and instantly recognizable and sometimes even hummable.

serifiot, January 11, 2007; 10:15 AM

Edit Answer Delete Answer


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Roy Budd has been one of my favorites ever since I watched Fear is the key on German TV,
sometime in the early 80s. It took me almost 15 years before I unearthed the Car chase cue
with its incredible sax solo (on a non-Budd sampler entitled House of Loungecore - The Easy
Project II). Another 3 years later I happened to stumble upon the Castle release, at a time I
had abandoned all hope to find the complete score. Apart form the car chase I am still thrilled
by the magnificient main theme where mystery and suspense are interwoven brilliantly. (The
above mentioned release also features Budd's lesser known but nevertheless great tune Mr.
Rose.)

However, my favorite Budd score is Diamonds, which I like because of its variety, the easy
listening and genuine jazz arrangements, and well, the song and its variations are a great
listen, too.

The Marseille Contract is also fine, but not quite as good as The Stone Killer and the other two
I already mentioned. Somehow MC lacks a backbone, and so there is little development. Most
of the tunes for themselves are fine, but I don't think it works very well as a score.

I was somewhat disappointed by Kidnapped and the Wild Geese. That's why I shunned the
Sea Wolves. It seems, it's the crime department where Budd made his best achievements.

Seri, there are two compilations which offer a good survey over Budd's work: Buddism (Castle
©2000) and Rebirth of the Budd (Sequel ©1997). The latter features some non-movie
music, most of it from Budd's early years.

Christian.Quatremain, January 29, 2007; 9:52 AM


Response to ***ROY BUDD***


Thanks for the tip Christian, I'll consider acquiring those compilations as well. I just got myself a copy of ''Soldier Blue'' including some other Budd titles and look forward to listening to all of them. I must say that I really like this man's music and appreciate and respect his talent a great deal.

serifiot, January 29, 2007; 5:35 PM

serifiot, August 30, 2008; 7:30 PM

Thanks Coma, Df789 and Serifiot

I have got the clip of Roy playing the cue for the main titles of 'Get Carter'. It's really fantastic and shows what a true professional he was.
I have all the releases most on vinyl as well as the 7" original of the Get Carter theme. The only thing I don't have is the Japanese Pressing of the Get Carter soundtrack. A little out of my price range.
He is one of my top score composers.

I wondered if there had ever been an audio release for ' The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins' a british film from 1971. Most of the score is classic Roy Budd, Chris Karan and Peter McGurk doing what they do best. I don't think they've got the master tapes tho?

Anyone know?
Also Serifiot, I left a post on an old thread of yours - here it is again

Response to The Stone Killer

I know this is an old post but wanted to mention that several years ago I was luckily invited, with a few of my film colleagues, to a one off performance at London's EMI Headquarters of Roy Budd's score to the 1925 version 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

Not only was this the only time it had ever been played live apart from when originally recorded but his wife was there, who was happily surprised by the response to her late husbands last piece of recorded music (the place was packed) but managed to talk about their sad struggle getting it recorded and that they sold quite a lot (inc. his piano) to be able to pay for an orchestra to record it somewhere that was reasonably cheap in Europe (sorry can't remember exactly where but will def have it written down somewhere).
The added bonus was that she talked about many of his other scores and some great memories of her late husband, Roy Budd.
It was a privilege and very moving experience.

richtea69uk, August 30, 2008; 8:39 PM

It's a shame we have no search engine here to revamp old threads... oh well.

I do recall a Stone Killer thread or threads. Great score!

I remember reading somewhere about this piece of work of his. Perhaps the stress involved in trying to get his ambitious work for "Phantom Of The Opera" released is what killed the man. He took it very seriously. I would love to see this last work of his receive some type of a release. He certainly wanted that and did not live to see the day.

I would have loved to have been there to witness the concert. Any specific orchestra playing in the concert?

http://tinyurl.com/5w3ks6

I can't believe the following is the one in the latest FSM release... sounds great!

http://tinyurl.com/6e4lqn

BTW, "Field Of Honor" is the one Roy Budd score I don't have.

serifiot, August 31, 2008; 7:50 AM

Actually it was an 'In honour' performance and I think it was the 10th anniversary of the original recording date. They played the film with Roy Budd's original recorded score behind it. This was at the former EMI HQ London in Manchester Square (where the Beatles did the photo pics for the front cover of Please, Please Me).
It was Budd's widow, the French television journalist Sylvia Noel who spoke and said that Roy had dedicated the piece to her before his death.
Yes she thought the stress of it all, had not helped and may have contributed to his haemorrhage.
It was the most unusual Budd score I had heard - a complete turnaround from most of his others - it was a very sombre classical score with sharp moments of excitement and fear.

Wish I could find the sheet that came withit that night, If I do I'll post it up.

richtea69uk, August 31, 2008; 8:17 AM

That would be cool if you did post!

Has any effort been made to have this piece of work by Roy Budd released after his death through any means? I'm sure it's not an easy task. Perhaps a DVD release of "Phantom Of The Opera" with the Roy Budd score included would be one way. He would have liked that very much.

serifiot, August 31, 2008; 9:10 AM

Well that's down to EMI I guess. At the time of the concert they were muttering about the possibility but that was a long time ago.

Time to get a campaign together to get it released and to definitely get a documentary made about him. Criminally overdue!

richtea69uk, August 31, 2008; 9:38 AM

I really like The Carey Treatment, a great score.

philkws, August 31, 2008; 10:27 AM

Another great score but forgotten.....

WHO DARES WINS!

I have this on vinyl!

tonye, September 1, 2008; 7:37 PM

There is a link above...

This was just released by FSM.

serifiot, September 1, 2008; 9:13 PM

serifot...Who dares wins aka the final option has been released?? I can't find it on FSM or anywhere else? Am I getting confused?

royteague, September 2, 2008; 8:58 AM

It is included in the limited FSM BOX #3 that was released in August amongst many other wonderful film scores such as "The Apartment", etc.

http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=27212

serifiot, September 3, 2008; 5:36 AM