Search - Various Artists :: Motorway: Production Music Of The 1960s (Various Artists)

IC B.
Reviewed on 5/23/2024...

This remarkable recording is one of a series that presents a historical look at a once-thriving, largely invisible musical world: orchestral music meant for Use with a capital U. This is not "art music"; this is the (mostly) jaunty music written by the yard for use in newsreels, classroom hygiene films and cheery television commercials. "Motorway" is the 1960s-era disc.

From the first notes of "Merrily Along" (by composer Alan Perry, real name Ernest Tomlinson) you step immediately into an classroom filmstrip world brought to you by Encyclopedia Brittanica, General Mills or maybe just the local Chamber of Commerce, proud to present the 1963 Turnip Festival.

This is wonderful stuff - really fun to drive to - and it's all kind of addicting once you start to play the "what was THIS meant for?" game. I really appreciate that Guild Light Music has collected these works, for exactly the same reasons that I loved visiting the old AV Club website. It's strange, charming, thought-provoking and sometimes absolutely hilarious. Recommended.

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