Search - Perrey & Kingsley :: Essential

Switched-on Nostalgia

Joseph Ekaitis | Southern California | 10/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(with apologies to Wendy Carlos)



"Dang! Now, WHERE have I heard THAT before! "



If you're over 30, you'll be saying that a lot as you listen to "The Essential Perrey & Kingsley". In the late 1960s, while Wendy Carlos was switching on the music of "Papa" Bach and Dick Hyman was charting with "The Minotaur", both performed on the Moog Synthesizer, the music created by Jean Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley wound up in TV commercials and as themes for TV shows.



"The Unidentified Flying Object" became the theme for the later seasons of "Wonderama", a Sunday morning 2-hour extravaganza of cartoons, games and live entertainment hosted by Bob McAlister and aired over Metromedia (which eventually became Fox TV). "Barnyard in Space" backed up a commercial for some toy made by Ideal, though I can't remember exactly which toy it was. "Visa to the Stars" may or may not be a tribute to the late Joe Meeks's instrumental masterpiece "Telstar" but is similarly evocative of the early space age. "The Savers" was the theme of "The Joker's Wild", hosted by Jack Barry who, much earlier, hosted TV's first interactive TV show, "Winky-Dink and You" (in the 1950s!).



The various pop covers received no more radio airplay than as fill music late at night.



The most sought-out gem is "Baroque Hoedown". Play it for anyone who has visited either of 2 well-known theme parks in Anaheim, California or Orlando, Florida in the past 20 years and they'll recall an electrified parade. This, however, is the original "Baroque Hoedown" before it was buried under "It's a Small World" and "The Mickey Mouse Club March". "Baroque Hoedown" is also the most satisfying sonic experience of the whole album, with a rich stereo soundfield reminiscent of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and fewer of Perrey and Kingsley's cutsie-pie trademark special effects.



Any collection that includes the music of Wendy Carlos, Isao Tomita and Dick Hyman won't be complete without a little Perrey & Kingsley. "The Essential Perrey & Kingsley" is all the serious collector will need. Though they may not have become household names like the other three, their music was certainly heard in many more places."

Original Electronic Music Returns in spectacular compilation

David A Marshall | United States | 02/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Essential Perrey Kingsley is a compilation of two older vinyl albums from the late 60s, "Spotlight on the MOOG" and "The In, In Sound From Way, Way Out". The first soundtrack I ever heard that used real computers to generate music was Forbidden Planet from MGM. The same process used by Perrey & Kingsley was used to create the music you are listening to on this album. Instead of being random tones to set a mood, the guys who put this album together made some fun music. This CD contains music that is fun for kids and adults. Some serious attempts at recreating serious music are included as well including The Umbrellas of Chermborgh, and The theme from the Jokers' Wild game show (which goes some completely different name on this album).The sounds are far different than what you hear on music with an "Electronic" label hung on them nowadays. Most of todays music is made with keyboards, MIDI sequencers, and some computers to control the various elements. The songs on this disc were created using old fashioned computers, and rows of data banks and every sound is artificial and sounds like it.It may not call up memories of the first time you saw Forbidden Planet, but I promise you it will be a CD you listen to for years to come.The disc frequently goes out of print and then is silently reissued every few years. So keep your eyes open and order this disc while you can. It may not be around for long."

"Joker's Wild" theme and more!

Art Kurtz | BROOKLYN, NEW YORK United States | 05/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Remember your days off from school in the seventies when you would wake up (late) to the fast and fun theme of "The Joker's Wild"? You knew that a morning of fun and games were about to begin! Well that theme (known as The Savers) is featured on this great CD along with other "Moog" instrumentals. You'll enjoy these upbeat tunes!"