The first in a new collection of Barry Gray CDs to be issued by Silva Screen Records are the original recordings of Thunderbirds.

We hope to release this album either late February or early March.

Here is a sneak preview of the track listing

1. Main Titles 1.36
Without a doubt, one of the most famous television opening titles ever composed, instantly drawing the viewer into the excitement that is to follow. From Jeff Tracy’s commanding voice declaring “5,4,3,2,1, THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!” to the “this episode” sequence and on into Barry’s famous march as the characters and craft are introduced. This version of the main titles includes this dialogue (voice artist Peter Dyneley), and the sound effect of the Thunderbird 1 launch. The music itself has the remaining sound effects removed to allow the listener to hear the piece as originally recorded.

2. Sun Probe 2.05
One of the key elements within any Gerry Anderson programme is the classic countdown, full of suspense and anticipation. The music plays a vital part in this, as demonstrated here in the opening sequence to this episode. Tension builds for the launch of the Sun Probe, and its mission to collect samples from the Sun.

3. Tracy Island and International Rescue 1.10
3a. Tracy Island
This is the Tracy Island theme that introduces us to the home of International Rescue, somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean. Regularly used throughout the series, in various edited forms as a linking cue (whenever the action cut to the Island), here it can be heard in its entirety as scored for episode 1, Trapped in the sky.

3b
International Rescue
International Rescue go into action in The Perils of Penelope when it is discovered that Lady Penelope and Sir Jeremy Lodge are no longer aboard an express monotrain on which they were travelling following its exit from the long Anderbad Tunnel. This is a dramatic action cue that leads into this episodes’ second commercial break.

4. Monorail to Disaster 2.10
Staying with The Perils of Penelope, this track brings together Barry’s various music cues for Penelope’s monorail journey to Anderbad. The departure from Paris, “expectant” music as Virgil, Gordon and Parker await the exit of the train from the Anderbad tunnel, Lady Penelope in deadly danger as the villainous Dr Godber ties her to a ladder and lowers her directly into the path of the next Anderbad Express, and Virgil and Gordon’s rescue as the monotrain hurtles ever closer…

5. Thunderbirds are go! 4.28
High in Earth orbit is International Rescue’s space station, Thunderbird 5. Monitoring the world’s airwaves for messages of distress, and when heard, sending the signal that launches Thunderbirds 1 and 2 on their way. This is the music that accompanies the full launch sequence of both craft, as heard in episode 1, Trapped in the Sky.

6 Dangerous Game – Latin Rhythm instrumental – 2.08 STEREO
The Cass Carnaby Five play their hit number that is topping the international charts, Dangerous Game. Broadcast on Radio Maxwell from the exclusive Paradise Peaks Hotel in the episode The Cham Cham.

7 Vault of Death suite 8.47
This suite brings together all the elements that make up Barry’s delightful comedic musical interpretation of this story that takes place in the heart of England. Take London in the fog, and include The Bank of England, The Tower of London and an old fashioned policeman on the beat. Add Lady Penelope, and her faithful chauffeur-come-safe-cracker “Nosey” Parker, along with lashings of stealth and cunning. Add Lord Silton, an atypical member of England’s aristocracy, and a workaholic employee whose dedication to duty will lead to his possible death. Mix in an old-fashioned jail break, the life long ambition of Parker’s old cellmate “Light-Fingered” Fred, and a roller coaster of a ride at the hands of a woman driver, and you have all the elements that make up one of International Rescue’s more unusual adventures. “ Hairpin m’lady?”

8. The Man from MI.5 4.28
Of all the many distinctive themes that Barry wrote for Thunderbirds, one that stands out is his principal theme for The Man from MI.5. Written very much with James Bond in mind, the episode even features a British agent named Bondson. This track features the title theme, and the opening sequence. Night on the French Riviera, a frogman steals aboard a ship anchored in harbour, and shoots one Captain Blacker before thoroughly searching his desk and eventually locating secret papers. He then places a limpet mine on the ship’s hull and makes his escape. The ship explodes just as MI5 agent Bondson arrives on the scene……….

9. Desperate Intruder suite 7.27
Barry’s haunting desert themes come to the fore in this story of International Rescue’s ill-fated expedition to find treasure on the bed of Lake Anasta in the Middle East. Brains and Tin-Tin travel to the lake along with archaeologist, Professor Blakely. However, The Hood has learned of their plans, and arriving at the lake before them he launches a mini-submarine in the water, determined to set a trap for International Rescue and gain the treasure for himself.

10. Commercial Break 2.46
Time for an ad break, commencing with the commercial break sting recorded during the music session for Desperate Intruder. Lyons Maid Ice Cream had a long association with the various Gerry Anderson series throughout the 1960’s, promoting their Ice Lolly products such as Zoom, Seajet & FAB. Special arrangements of his television music were recorded by Barry for these commercials, and included here are four of these arrangements for Thunderbirds. The track ends with a reprise of the commercial break sting.

11. Dangerous Game 1.51
Lady Penelope, undercover at the Paradise Peaks Hotel, as provocative torch singer Wanda Lamour, sings Dangerous Game from the episode The Cham Cham.

12. Let’s Play Ad Lib 2.20
Barry composed a number of jazz tracks that were known by the generic title of “radio music”. In scenes where music was required to be played from a car or transistor radio, one of these tracks would be selected. Certain tracks would also be used in nightclub scenes, such as this one, played by The Cass Carnaby Five in the episode The Cham Cham.

13 Lady Penelope on the move - 1.37 STEREO
Commercial version of a theme that was recorded for inclusion on the Thunderbirds are Go! Soundtrack album, but later omitted.

The “Pit of Peril” suite
14. The fate of the Sidewinder 2.01
A very dramatic and powerful opening to this episode that introduces us to the US Army’s latest vehicle, the mighty Sidewinder. Barry uses the instruments of the orchestra to very descriptive effect as he sets the African jungle scene with his musical interpretation of monkeys, crocodile, elephant and lion before the Sidewinder theme takes over as its giant mechanical claws clear everything in its path. However danger lurks below as the weight of the Sidewinder causes the ground to give way, and the craft falls into a blazing pit.

15 Pit of Peril 2.49
The action moves on, and International Rescue is on the scene. In protective clothing Virgil is lowered into the pit to clear debris from around Sidewinder and increase the size of the pit rim through use of explosive charges. A variation on Barry’s “descending” theme clearly being heard here. The Mole with Scott aboard retrieves Virgil, and with a triumphant musical score this remarkable craft returns to the surface. The explosives have done their work. Two International Rescue Recovery Vehicles have attached powerful electromagnetics to the hull of Sidewinder. Hope is suggested in the music as the rescue begins. It is not easy however as the weight of Sidewinder is causing the Recovery Vehicles to skid and be dragged towards the pit. Using all their power Sidewinder is dragged on to its side from its upturned position, but then disaster strikes as one of the magnetic clamps comes loose, and Sidewinder falls back. The rescue will have to be tried again.

16 Rescue! 2.04
The magnetic clamp is fired again, and with successful contact the Recovery Vehicles start again. Slowly, but surely the Sidewinder is pulled up the side of the pit, the tracks of the Recovery Vehicles digging defiantly into the soft earth as they try not to loose ground. Barry’s score reflects this in a piece that is full of determined, resolute strength. The rim is reached, but suddenly Sidewinder starts to slip back. The Recovery Vehicles manage to maintain their position however, and with a final mighty pull, and triumph in the music, Sidewinder is back on the surface.

17 Jeremiah and Lady Penelope 2.06 - STEREO
In International Rescue nothing is as it seems, and no more so than with one Jeremiah Tuttle, a hillbilly living with his Ma in an old run down shack in the southern states of America. Hidden within his home however is the very latest in radio transmitters, and his battered old car has an engine that can out run the fastest modern sports car. Jeremiah is one of International Rescues’ agents based around the world, and this is his theme from The Impostors.

Suite from ‘Trapped In The Sky’
18 Deadly Plot – The Hood and the Fireflash 4.09
From his temple, hidden deep within the Malaysian jungle, The Hood learns that International Rescue are ready to start operating. Determined to learn their secrets, he travels to London Airport and places a bomb in the undercarriage of the Fireflash, the world’s first atomic powered aircraft. Various attempts are made to dislodge the bomb without success; “Only a miracle can save us now….” The Hood, London Airport and the Fireflash appeared regularly throughout the series, and this track introduces the principal themes used for each.

19 Fireflash Landing 1.15
This is Barry’s fast, dramatic score for what many consider to be the most exciting rescue sequence of the entire Thunderbirds series, landing the Fireflash on radio-controlled elevator cars at London Airport. Can International Rescue get the aircraft safely down before the plane’s anti-radiation shield expires, and will the landing set off the bomb within….?

20 FAB1 Pursuit 1.00
Lady Penelope is first introduced to the series with The Creighton-Ward Mansion theme, and very quickly she is in pursuit of The Hood, travelling up the M1 towards Birmingham. In her very special pink Rolls Royce, FAB1, she soon catches up with him, and on a quiet stretch of road the grille-mounted machine gun blows The Hood’s car off the road.

21 The Tracy Lounge Piano 2.00
On screen Virgil plays the piano in the Tracy Island lounge in the closing scenes of Trapped in the sky, leading on to the full orchestral “end of picture”. The actual recording however is Barry Gray on the piano, playing in his own very unique style.

Hal, right with you on DOPPELGANGER. There are OK sounding boot tracks available to download on the Net, but a great sounding CD would be preferable. The etherial "Sleeping Astronauts" cue might possibly be the most beautiful thing Barry composed.

As for Thunderbirds, there are sound clips now up on the Silva site, and they sound amazingly good. Along with the expanded Bonds, 2003 is already looking like it's going to be a classic year for soundtrack releases.

Thunderbirds clips at: http://www.silvascreen.co.uk/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=100

Okay, maybe not. Argh!

I can hardly wait!

Bummer! I presume you e-mailed etc?

By coincidence I'm playing Captain Scartlet when I saw the return of this old thread, what happened to the other Gray releases that were promised by Silva? Stingray, UFO???

quote:

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Originally posted by Timmer:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by psicorpsranger:
[b]I remember being one of the winning names for Thunderbirds 2 CD competition at Silva Screen and the CD never turned up. The problem was never resolved either.<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bummer! I presume you e-mailed etc?

By coincidence I'm playing Captain Scartlet when I saw the return of this old thread, what happened to the other Gray releases that were promised by Silva? Stingray, UFO???

[Message edited by Timmer on 09-20-2008][/B]

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---- Mark