Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Book Excerpt of the Day

"While some mainstream films relied on studio regulars like Mancini, Bernstein and Jones, others turned to popular songwriters. One of the most famous examples is the soundtrack for the award-winning blockbuster The Graduate. With songs by Paul Simon (and performed by Simon & Garfunkel), and additional music by jazz pianist Dave Grusin, the film struck a big chord with audiences and record buyers. The soundtrack enjoyed immense popularity, hitting number one on Billboard. It was the first modern soundtrack to repackage previously released pop songs that the filmmaker appropriated to fit certain scenes in the movie. This is a common practice today, and a regrettable one at that, as it tends to coerce music fans into purchasing music they may already own in a context that has nothing to do with the musical artist's original vision... While director Mike Nichols' use of Simon's songs is spot on, the practice of pop song appropriation has become little more than a marketing strategy for albums that feature 'music from and inspired by' the latest formulaic flick in lieu of an actual soundtrack release that features the original score."

– from Chapter 7: Rockin' Revolution of Kristopher Spencer’s Film and Television Scores, 1950-1979

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