Just curious if you think Russ's style and creativity would qualify him to write and record a sound-track for a movie.

I think soundtracks are a different creative process than a stand-alone CD because someone else has first written the plot and dialogue --the musician has to use this as the starting point for instrumentation, and is bound by it, so to speak.

I believe Pat Metheny did the sound track for the movie Map of the World, and quite frankly, I was disappointed with the result. The soundtrack sounded like Pat in many spots, and it just didn't fit properly. I gotta admit, I watched Map of the World soley because Pat did the soundtrack and I found it un-moving.

So, my question about Russ -- and if you think affirmative to the initial question -- what kind of a movie would his style and approach be most suited? Or do you think he could create a soundtrack for just about any movie genre?

BWard,

I've often thought Russ' music would lend itself to making a soundtrack.

Of course, my favorite soundtrack composer is Dave Grusin.

Movies
————
"Havana"
"The Firm"
"Tootsie."
"On Golden Pond."
"Three Days Of The Condor."
"The Cure."
"Fabulous Baker Boys"

TV
——
"St. Elsewhere"
"Good Times"

That's just a small list of Dave Grusin's work. Simply, the man.

And hey, Grusin, along with his partner Larry Rosen, brought Russ Freeman to GRP in the late-1980s in the first place.

Signed,



Eric Viccaro
Wayne Brady shows off starting Sept. 16!!!

Interesting thought...
I've never considered it as a project for Russ and friends, but I'm sure it could be done if he wanted to.
It's possible his music has been licensed to be used in a movie- the movie makers can choose to use any songs, new, pre-existing, or custom made soundtrack....but I have no idea if that's ever happened.

If I could choose a genre or style of movie for a Rippingtons soundtrack, I think a Bond movie, or maybe the next Mission Impossible style flick- something with action, chase scenes, etc, that would allow for some high energy stuff.
His mellower music would work well in a "chick flick" style too, but....nah. They always have to include some love interest for the hero/heroine in action stuff, and there'd be a place for something light and pretty there...
Let's stick with action and adventure
And no cover tunes, for crying out loud....

Yeah, Bond movie- I like it Bassix!

Absolutely...I think Russ F. could not only pull it off, but would rock a movie soundtrack!

Some of Russ' contemporaries who've scored films or performed music scored by another:
David Sanborn
Chick Corea
Tom Scott

IIRC from a discussion I had with him many years ago, he was going to or had tried to test the waters of film and television. Someone should just ask him.

Tom Scott did a lot of TV Themes, which I think is a good starting place for someone wanting to cut their teeth on soundtracks -- The Theme from Starsky and Hutch, as well as the Theme from Melrose Place for Tom Scott. Both of those tunes were definitely not disappointments!

BWard,

Tom Scott also did the fantastic TV theme for "Family Ties."

Another winner there.


Signed,



Eric Viccaro
Peak Records No. 1 Fan
Welcome to Peak, Peter White

Bob James "Angela - Theme from Taxi" and several other tracks that were used in the show.
Quincy Jones (though not necessarily a jazz artist) did themes for numerous shows, probably the most popular being Sanford & Son and "Hicky Burr" from Bill Cosby's early sitcom.
Larry Carlton didn't write it but that's his guitar solo on the theme from Hill Street Blues.