Category Archives: Media

Morricone: Ma Non Troppo Erotico

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morricone-peggy-moffit
I don’t want to turn into a YouTube repository here, but this one’s definitely worth the effort. Morricone turned the film soundtrack business on its ear, especially in the 60s when he was pushing the boundaries of traditional composition by using improvisation, vocalizations-as-instruments, and other innovations. One of his greatest collaborations was with Edda Dell’Orso, one of the most recognizable voices in music from that era…if you were paying attention.

Normally I hate these types of YouTube clips–they generally lack imagination and I wonder why people make the effort. This one’s a bit different, and I have to say much better than the other posts of this type. The model you see in all these images is the legendary Peggy Moffitt, who was featured in Blow Up, worked with Rudi Gernreich, and also appeared in William Klein’s Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo? Her career is just as interesting as Morricone’s for vastly different reasons.

This track is one of Morricone’s more straightforward Italian soundtrack tunes, but Dell’Orso’s voice over the top of the orchestra makes this a groovier affair…you’ll either be a Morricone convert or wonder why we’re bothering you with all this “Austin Powers” crap…either way, now you know.


Super Furry Animals Announce New Album

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super-furry-animals
Stereogum reports a new album by Super Furry Animals and a list of release dates between the US and UK:

Digital–16 March on www.superfurry.com, Physical–13 April on Rough Trade Records. 21 April for U.S. release. No word on vinyl, though. Bah humbug.

The Stereogum clip also mentions the Super Furries have disposed of the ballads for this one. Good news, lads. Turn it up, please.

I am hoping we’re on a quality level with Radiator and Outspaced here. Below, behold a classic Super Furries moment with “The Man Don’t Give a F*ck”. You’re welcome.

P.S. You get bonus points for spotting the blatant Steely Dan reference here.

The Yardbirds in Blow Up

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blow-up-soundtrack-yardbirds

Blow Up is one of my all-time favorites from the 60s. Shot during the heyday of Swinging London, this movie features a soundtrack by Herbie Hancock (listed in the credits as “Herbert Hancock”, heh) and an appearance by Jimmy Page and company as The Yardbirds. The crowd is completely motionless for the duration of the performance, til you get to the best part of this great clip—some apeshit guitar smashing.

Blow Up is one of the best movies of the mid 60s, and the soundtrack is amazing. Check out the discontinued 180 gram vinyl edition of this while you can, it’s going fast.

I also highly recommend the Herbie Hancock Blow Up Extra Sessions CD, if you can find it…


Deep Red Drive-In Trailer and Sountrack

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Dario Argento filmed Deep Red (original title: Profundo Russo) back in the mid-70s. Goblin did the soundtrack which alternates between truly excellent and totally goofy. I like both extremes of this, for better or worse. I’m a fan of this, but can’t seem to locate it on vinyl for a reasonable price. In the end I opted for picking up the Japanese import CD because I want my goofy Italian cheese (and the good tracks, too) in superior quality.

The trailer below seems to be custom made for the 70s drive-in circuit. Check out the great cornball voiceover and the lurid editing! Nice. For those who didn’t get to see great stuff like this first-run at a run down drive-in theater, it’s ALMOST a substitute. Why don’t they make trailers this entertainingly low-rent anymore? The movie iteself is a lot of fun, and it’s great to see a post-Blow Up David Hemmings creeping around trying to figure out who the killer is.