Search - Meco :: Best of

Imaginative combo of disco and soundtracks

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 11/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Through design, fate, call it the elements of chance manipulated to affect yours truly, but some friends of my parents, more hip than they obviously, copied Meco's disco 10 minute+ version of the music from Star Wars for me and my brother in 1978. Not only was that the hippest I ever got into music in my pre-/early teens but well, now you know disco is the first kind of pop music I got into. That may be why I have such an affinity for classic disco string synths and horn ensembles. And those special sounds subbing for space sounds is so otherworldly.However, I never got to hear the single version of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" which went to #1 on the pop charts and #8 on the R&B charts in October 1977. Then again, after hearing the full version, I probably wouldn't have been satisfied with this version, smashing those it is.Then comes the #18 single "Empire Strikes Back (Medley)" incorporating the Imperial March and Yoda's Theme, the latter made more heroic and upbeat. I wish I'd heard that when it first came out. Some shrieking TIE fighter special effects, lightsabre sounds, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 can be heard. Is Vader boogeying down to this number? However, "Asteroid Field/Finale" from ESB may be lost for people who never saw the movie, as the original score may not be familiar. However, Chewie and some TIE fighters remind people where this is from.Two classic movies are done next. The "Theme from Close Encounters" is another triumph, taking the five notes communicated to by the alien spaceship" And the "Themes from The Wizard of Oz" segue together "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off To See The Wizard," sung by some female backup singers. Included is some dialogue by Janet Burnham (Wicked Witch) and the Cowardly Lion. Music for the four travelers for skipping down the Yellow Brick Road."Star Trek Medley Pt. 1" incorporates the ST theme introduced with The Motion Picture before seguing into the theme of the 1966-1969 TV series. The initial electric guitar and burst of synths would be something repeated by Blondie in their hit "Call Me." I can just imagine Spock saying to Kirk: "Dancing to disco music while awaiting for warp drive is not logical." or McCoy grumbling "I'm a doctor, not an employee of Studio 54.""Topsy" is Meco's take on the Cozy Cole of the same name, incorporating disco beats and strings on a swing tune."Meco's Theme/3 W. 57" is an original tune, with the usual punchy disco. It sounds like the theme from CHIPS with the theme from Gremlins combined at times. The name of the second part is taken from the address of Meco's record company."Moondancer" is another original tune, taken from his 1979 album of the same name. However, the R2D2 synths are revisited, as are some other robot-like synths. "Spooky" is another song from Moondancer and is less uptempo, more the pace of the Stones' "Missin' You."If the Star Wars improv was Meco's "Stayin' Alive" then "Love Theme From Superman (Can You Read My Mind)" with the lush romantic strings, is his "How Deep Is Your Love". It includes some dialogue Lois Lane thinks at Superman when they're flying, done by Janet Burnham.I haven't seen An American Werewolf In London, so I can't adequately comment on "Werewolf (Loose In London)" featuring lead vocals by Michael Falcon.Now for the 15:46 version of the Star Wars single, which is the intro of pop music to yours truly. The medley taken from John Williams' original score is as follows: Title theme, Imperial Attack, The Desert and the Robot Auction, The Princess Appears, The Land of the Sand People, Princess Leia's theme, Cantina Band, The Last Battle, and The Throne Room and End Title. R2-D2 has some guest appearances here, with some special effects by Suzanne Ciani emulating laserbolts."Other Galactic Funk" is a 12:28 exercise of drum machines, horns, and sundry sounds.After his work with Gloria Gaynor (he co-produced "Never Can Say Goodbye") and association with Casablanca Records' Neil Bogart (Donna Summer, KISS), Meco seemed to vanish as disco's popularity plummeted during the early 80's. Question now: for a one-shot thing, when is Meco going to do the disco versions for the Harry Potter them, something that even Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy would jam to? And he's a commodities broker in NY? What a waste of talent!"

The Master of Disco Arranging-Meco

Scott Shingle | Chester Springs, PA USA | 04/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think I was maybe 7 or 8 when I heard Meco's version of 'Close Encounters' and was blown away by it. As soon as I found out this CD had been released the credit card jumped out of the wallet and the mouse started clicking. Yes, it is disco, but it rocks. And if you're an ELP fan, you'll love Meco's cover of the Jerry Goldsmith Star Trek theme. It's arranged and performed similar to ELP's version of Copelands 'Fanfare for the Common Man'. I had heard this arrangement at a parade once, but had no idea that Meco had done it. He's a genius. Now if I could just find the 45 version of 'Close Encounters' I'd be real happy. It was slightly different from the album version-a little slower if I recall. Anyway, buy this album. And if you like it, look into Neil Norman's work as well. More rocky than Meco, but just as cool."

MECO'S MUSIC WAS ALWAYS AWESOME

robsiegel | Minnesota | 12/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is fantastic, a compilation of the best, though the Intergalactic Funk could have been replaced with some of the music from the encounters album, the rest is fantastic. Meco sent me an autographed picture with a gold Wizard of Oz album when it came out after I wrote him-now I have another request if he reads this-PLEASE release the full albums on CD of SUPERMAN, ENCOUNTERS, STAR TREK, and especially WIZARD OF OZ. All of these are classics to me, and the albums just don't do it compared to the sound of the original masters. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD"