Blog to Watch: Spy Bop Royale

Spy Bop Royale isn’t really a blog per se–it doesn’t have daily posts, but the owner, known only as The Mastermind, promises occasional updates when he finds new material. It’s a bummer that this site isn’t a more regular concern, but for the beginning collector (OK, let’s be honest and call them “obsessives”) of 60s spy soundtracks, this site is a gold mine of information.

There is a lot of detailed info on rare, probably now-out-of-print, and reissued sounds related to James Bond films, The Prisoner, The Saint, and film including Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and even The Thunderbirds. If you’ve recently seen Danger: Diabolik and have become hooked, or are looking for a new vinyl junkie obsession to try out, Spy Bop Royale is an excellent place to begin researching titles. And those album covers are delicious…

I do wish I could report that this site, which started in 2002, was more obviously updated (the site isn’t set up like most blogs you’re used to seeing–you have to check out the What’s New section to find out the latest), but The Mastermind IS on top of the news and the site reflects the recent releases of the Jerry Cotton soundtrack from Allscore Media and the recent Prisoner series. This site is lovingly maintained and it’s obvious The Mastermind is a true lover of these sounds from the 60s.

… Continue Reading

Border Radio Original Soundtrack Vinyl LP

Border Radio was a great, low-budget indie film directed by Kurt Voss, Dean Lent, and Allison Anders over a period of four years in Southern California. It stars a who’s who of Cali punk luminaries including Dave Alvin, Chris D. and John Doe in a standout role as a grungy bass player in exile from the local music scene.

The film’s soundtrack is a combination of meditative guitar strumming and more energetic sounds from Alvin, Green On Red, DJ Bonebrake (John Doe’s bandmate in X), Lazy Cowgirls, and many more. The film–a potboiler about a club theft and the local heavies chasing down the most likely suspects)–holds up well and is still fascinating to watch for a variety of reasons. Partially shot in documentary style, the first half hour (after some intro scenes) feels a bit like Penelope Spheeris’s Decline of Western Civilization, but Border Radio is definitely working in its own idiom.

The soundtrack is awesome, and this edition comes with a strip of 16mm film from the movie. We’ve got one solitary copy of this for sale, and we strongly recommend it. The movie was originally released in 1987 and finally got a Criterion Collection release in 2006, which we also recommend…

Border Radio is a sealed, unopened vinyl LP released on Enigma (not a reissue). Buy it now from Turntabling for $23 plus shipping. Overseas shipping is extra.

Deep Throat Soundtrack LP

Controversy, exploitation, and a soundtrack that won’t quit! Deep Throat was literally the hottest thing in America back in the 70s when it came out. In the age of Internet porn it is difficult to imagine why this particular movie was so groundbreaking, but imagine living in a world where the only people who see movies like this are part of the dirty raincoat set–a world of “perverts” unknown to the likes of “respectable” citizens.

Now picture one movie–Deep Throat–suddenly exploding into theaters all over the country. It’s the Star Wars of its genre, to be sure, and it gave ordinary people the permission to see sexually explicit movies without feeling like they have to hide their faces.

This 2004 reissue of the soundtrack is awesome. Whether you’re into Deep Throat or not, the album is definitely worth a listen for the retro-groove vibes we at Turntabling know and love. This particular copy for sale here is a one-off. We only have one copy at press time–one that comes with a poster for the film as an added bonus.

The Deep Throat Soundtrack LP is a 180 gram vinyl record in a gatefold sleeve and comes with a Deep Throat movie poster. Buy it now from Turntabling for $18 plus shipping. Overseas shipping extra.

Tromeo and Juliet Picture Disc Soundtrack

Bucky Shakespeare is rolling over in his grave! He’s been spinning ever since Tromeo and Juliet hit the silver screen, the perfect antidote to that overblown, craptacular modernized version of this tired old story engulfed pop culture for a minute. People who barfed at the idea of a gun-toting romeo drooling on about his “swords” were probably very happy to see Leonardo and company skewered by Troma.

Now you can relive every splattery moment with the Tromeo and Juliet original soundtrack picture disc–a new, near mint (but not sealed) vinyl LP picture disc. The lineup on this soundtrack album is sure to please–how can you go wrong with Motorhead, the Meatmen, AND Wesley Willis? This one ain’t for everybody–but dyed in the wool fans of Troma who own record players are sure to love it. Sadly, this is a one-off. We only have a single lonely copy of this, available first-come, first served.

The Tromeo and Juliet Soundtrack Picture Disc is a near-mint vinyl record. Buy it now from Turntabling for $17 plus shipping. Overseas shipping is extra–we’ll let you know what the total is plus shipping depending on your location.

Track listing:
1. Tromeo & Juliet Theme – Willie Wisely
2. Sacrifice – Motorhead
3. Pope On A Rope – The Meatmen
4. Sunday – The Icons
5. Capulet Song, The – Valentine Miele & Stephen Blackehart
6. Drink That Whiskey – Wesley Willis Fiasco
7. Hyper Enough – Superchunk
8. La Migra (Cruza La Fronteta 11) – Brujeria
9. Gizzards, Scrapple And Tripe – The New Duncan Imperials
10. Mr. Superlove – Ass Ponys
11. Math – Supernova
12. I Am A Romeo – Sublime
13. TV Show Theme – Willie Wisely
14. Monster Island – Booterella – (featuring Jane Jensen)
15. Yes, We’ll Gather At The River – Willie Wisely/Sean Gunn/Valentine Miele/Patrick Connor
16. Alleged – Unsane

Morricone Il Serpente Soundtrack CD

Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for Il Serpente is just plain awesome. Many sides of the Morricone canon are represented well here–the sentimental, sweeping motifs he’s known for on films like La Donna Invisible, but the thriller sounds–discordant strings and experimental clatter also get a good look in. And then there’s the classic Ennio Morricone Italian lounge-pop freakout sound complete with waka-waka-waka guitars and a hyperactive rhythm section.

Il Serpente is definitely worth a listen or six–it’s rapidly becoming a repeated player on the Turntabling sound system and is not as easy to find as you might think. We have limited copies–order yours today to avoid missing out on this classic slab of Morricone goodness.

Il Serpente is a sealed, imported compact disc released on Dagored. Buy it now from Turntabling for $21 plus shipping.

• 

La Morte Bussa Due Volte CD

Piero Umiliani has been called one of the sexiest soundtrack composers ever, and they aren’t wrong. He’s the king of mixing grooviness with musical sex appeal, and this remastered reissue of the original 1969 soundtrack for La Morte Bussa Due Volte is no exception. This is a great release by Cinevox, and includes material not found on the original release.

If you’re a fan of the groovy sounds of 60s eurocinema, this is a must-own. Bossa nova? Check. Italian Lounge? Definitely. If you’re not convinced, have a go at the YouTube clip below…then just click Add To Cart. We know you want to.

La Morte Bussa Due Volte is a new, shrink-wrapped Italian import compact disc. Buy it now from Turntabling for $17.00 plus shipping.

Ennio Morricone Short Night of Glass Dolls OST CD

Ennio Morricone strikes again: La Corta Notte Delle Bambole Di Vetro, also known as Malastrana, and released in America as Short Night of the Glass Dolls, is one excellent soundtrack for a fascinating little film. This soundtrack has everything–Morricone’s classic dissonance and suspense-building sonic experiments, plus the vocal talents of Edda Dell ‘Orso rounding out the package.

The maestro’s genius is clearly on display on this CD. It’s true that any film his work shows up in is automatically more interesting as a result; in the case of La Corta Notte Delle Bambole Di Vetro it’s a case of a quirky Italian effort taken to a whole other level thanks to the soundtrack. The story? A man is found dead in the bushes, a victim of foul play? Maybe, maybe not, but the detective work is going on inside the dead man’s own head–he’s not really dead!

That’s not a spoiler at all, as it’s the first thing you learn as the opening of the film unfolds…the rest? You’ll have to see it to find out, but it’s a great Italian suspense film all round. You really shouldn’t miss this one. Both the film and the soundtrack are both big favorites on the Turntabling player.

La Corta Notte Delle Bambole Di Vetro is a new, sealed Italian import CD. Buy it now from Turntabling for $23 plus shipping.

Roma Violenta: Rare Italian Crime Soundtrack Sounds from the 70s

Stelvio Cipriani, Goblin, Paolo Vasile and plenty of other Italian names soundtrack fans know well make strong appearances on this awesome collection of soundtrack sounds from the best Italian crime thrillers of the 70s. La Polizia Ha Le Mani Legate? Got it. A Pugni Nudi? Yes indeed.

There are some great cuts compiled here on Roma Violenta, and if you’re just now discovering the Italian crime genre with all its delights, you owe it to yourself to check this Cinevox CD out–it’s a whole new world of 70s disco-rock madness just waiting for you. Consider this CD to be a gateway drug to a longtime obsession with collecting these soundtracks—we did.

Roma Violenta is a new, sealed import CD from Italy. Buy it now from Turntabling while supplies last for $16 plus shipping. Overseas shipping is available on this disc.

Piero Umiliani La Morte Bussa Due Volte Soundtrack CD

Piero Umiliani is a Turntabling favorite. If you’re not familiar with his soundtrack work from Mario Bava movies and films like La Morte Bussa Due Volte, this soundtrack is squarely in retro Italian lounge/retro territory. It’s great for anyone who loved the Beat at Cinecitta collection, or a hard-to-find disc called The Beat, The Shake, and the Lounge.

La Morte Bussa Due Volta, also known as Death Knocks Twice, stars Fabio Testi, Dean Reed and Anita Ekberg and is probably tough to pin down on DVD (we haven’t tried yet). The movie involves a bit of euro-mystery, a bit of serial killing, an dhis soundtrack is great fun, and if you’re loving the lounge sound, scoop this up. If you’re hunting for haunting, Morricone-esque experimentation this CD isn’t for you, but Umiliani fans won’t be let down.

La Morte Bussue Due Volte is a new, sealed import compact disc. Buy it now for $15 plus shipping.

Suspiria LP Temporarily Sold Out

Demand has gone crazy for the Argento titles…the Suspiria vinyl album is temporarily sold out (more are on the way) and there aren’t many copies left of a few of the other Argento LPs–the vinyl is going fast lately, probably thanks in part to an excellent post today on Listverse.com called 10 Brilliant Giallo Films.

MikeR wrote up a very nice collection of films including one of my  favorites–Death Walks On High Heels.  Not very keen at all on A Blade In The Dark, but his other selections are spot on…more posts like these, please!

–Joe Wallace