Category Archives: Soundtracks

Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani, Goblin, John Barry, and too many other greats to name.

Kriminal Soundtrack 12- Inch Vinyl Picture Disc LP

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A treat for eyes and ears is the stylish picture disc of the soundtrack to the Italian/Spanish criminal mastermind thriller Kriminal.  Directed by Umberto  Lenzi in 1967 , the film is based on a comic book character with a crafty ideas for eluding and terrorizing the law enforcers assigned to stop him. To complete his capers, Kriminal is often dressed in a black and yellow skeleton suit. Other times, he is a well-dressed fellow as he pursues a cache of diamonds across Europe and Asia.

This partnership of composers Roberto Pregadio and Romano Mussolini is more than up to the task of highlighting Kriminal’s globe-trotting exploits. This soundtrack is a perfect example of 60s Jazz, sure to get the hips moving and toes tapping.

Released in 2009, the picture disc LP of Kriminal features the mysterious protagonist in the skeleton outfit overlooking a beautiful woman. Side one is the film’s poster of the couple close up. Kriminal’s mask looks like a glowing greenish yellow skull near the woman’s face.  His eyes and the rest of his features fade into the darkness. Side two has the two characters in a film long shot and a cartoon sketch . It is apparent that Kriminal has surprised this woman in her bedroom. Who is the lovely lady? Does she need to fear Kriminal?  You’ll have to see the film to find out.

The spooky picture disc would compliment the wall of any soundtrack fan. But, one listen, and you’ll want the soundtrack to continue spinning on your turntable, enticing dancers to the floor, even more!

Turntabling has a copy of the limited edition Kriminal 12-Inch vinyl picture disc for sale on Discogs. It is first come, first served.

Kriminal Soundtrack 12-Inch Picture Disc for sale

Popshopping Volume 1 Double-Vinyl LP

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Popshopping Volume 1 is a collection of German advertising soundtracks from the late ’60s and early ’70s.  Lovingly presented, over 30 years after they sold the wares, the tracks are now prized as nostalgia  and sonic art. They are not lost to time. By being catchy and memorable, these  jingles and background tracks led consumers to the sales counter (Moulinex is a kitchen appliances brand), the store shelf and beyond. The auto showroom was a frequent path in advertising then and today.



Sometimes these commercial soundtracks showed an affinity for tunes that brought the masses to movies of the day. The track below is reminiscent of a famous theme from the ’70s.  Action cinema orchestration used to sell cars?  What a surprise!



Turntabling has a mint copy of the double-vinyl LP of Popshopping Volume 1 for sale . This is a limited edition release  from 2000. This item is first come, first served.

Popshopping Double-Vinyl Set for sale

 

Vinyl for Sale: Ascenseur Pour l’échafaud (Lift to the Scaffold) Soundtrack LP

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Moody, desperate, and tragic, Miles Davis plays his trumpet to clips of the movie Ascenseur Pour l’échafaud (Lift to the Scaffold). Louis Malle’s  film noir outing is credited for advertising the beauty Jeanne Moreau to future directors of The New Wave.

The soundtrack follows her character around Paris at night as she searches for any news of her absent lover.

She’s involved in a murder plan, first involving, then complicated by a building closing down for the weekend. The thriller, also called Elevator to the Gallows, makes one wistful for some aspects of Paris in the ’50s. In this story, people actually weren’t keen on keeping the office open all the time.

The French in the ’50s were keen on Jazz. French film directors had a great time using  the art form for ambiance in night club scenes, to build energy in car chases, and to highlight the emotions of their stars.

Later in this clip, Louis Malle, the director, is interviewed about, Miles as a  music innovator and the icon’s participation in the film. This interview doesn’t include subtitles. Anyone can tell by his body language, Malle is more than pleased with the progress. They’re on the way to a great movie with an amazing soundtrack.



Turntabling has a vinyl LP copy of the 2010 reissue of Ascenseur Pour L’échafaud (Lift to the Scaffold) for sale –first come, first served.

Elevator to the Gallows For Sale Vinyl LP

 

 

An Amusing Story About Two Great Soundtracks

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Danny Baker shares an anecdote on the television show Q.I. (Quite Interesting) from the superstar Anthony Newley about the soundtrack for the James Bond film, Goldfinger. Stephen Fry provides a brief description of Anthony Newley. Jeremy Clarkson mistakes him for the film’s writer.  Bill Bailey and Alan Davies listen in.

Further investigation has revealed, though the two songs are alike, most of this story is not correct on many levels.  The Goldfinger soundtrack did not win the statue for either soundtrack or song at the 1965 awards show.

Perhaps these events happened when  Newley was holding the Oscar for a friend.  He was nominated for a song in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1972, but not the winner that year.

Apparently, the connection between two songs is an open secret. How long did Henry Mancini know about this and his choice of action is lost to time.

Anthony Newley was quite a character, known for his energy as an all around (stage/screen/music) entertainer.  Look at the delight Newley’s  mention brings  the two (Stephen Fry and Danny Baker). One of my favorite performances from him is in the film The Cockleshell Heroes, an underrated war film from the mid ’50s.

The soundtrack for Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) was almost three years old by the time the song Goldfinger came on the scene. Mancini looks like a class act in this situation.

Both soundtracks are classics among collectors.



Turntabling loves to hear great music and soundtrack yarns. Unfortunately, they aren’t always true!

Jen Kilzer