Syd Dale, Legend of Library

October 8, 2011 8:11 AM

There is no questioning Syd Dale's [mid-60s UK NSFW] place amongst the legends of library music. ... his lavish big band inspired compositions were quickly brought to the public's attention through their use in countless t.v. shows and advertisements. Much of his work could be as classed as easy listening however Dale was also adept at incorporating elements of funk and spy jazz.* [The music of the 1967 Spider-Man animated TV series - to which he so memorably contributed - has been discussed previously.]

He possessed a particular genius for writing memorable melodies that, while often complex, were always designed for the ear to follow. He excelled at marrying them to modern rhythms (usually funk-based), and coupled with his rich, colourful style of orchestration, gave his music a unique and distinctive sound. Whether he was writing a hard-hitting theme for a detective or documentary series, a delicate underscore for a romantic interlude, a period piece or a humorous ‘throwaway’ number, the common factor uniting them all were his lavish, flamboyant arrangements.

posted by Trurl (10 comments total)

Pat Mustard, Milkman-about-Town, featuring Syd Dale's "Penthouse Suite"
posted by infinitewindow at 8:39 AM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

This is not what I expected when I clicked a link called Library music! I expected this.

Yes I will now go read the links....
posted by jessamyn at 8:52 AM on October 8, 2011

Fantastic. This caused me to buy a bunch of KPM compilations.
posted by bongo_x at 8:58 AM on October 8, 2011

Dale's work is just sublime. It's amazing how much he put out, too.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 9:00 AM on October 8, 2011

Oh shit, that first link is the intro music to SWV's Dusk-to-Dawn Drive-in Trash-o-rama. ("Now you listen, and you listen well. You're damaged merchandise and this is a fire sale.")

The Retro Cocktail Hour program runs similar music. Great stuff.
posted by cog_nate at 9:30 AM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

I love library music. Wax Poetics #38 had a really interesting story on European libraries.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:38 AM on October 8, 2011

I had no idea "spy jazz" was even a separate genre. However, I now know that I must find more of it.
posted by ZsigE at 10:04 AM on October 8, 2011

I had no idea "spy jazz" was even a separate genre.

See also: Laurie Johnson. (This compilation is on El.)
posted by octobersurprise at 10:34 AM on October 8, 2011

Also the godlike Edwin Astley - Danger Man , The Saint, The Baron, Department S (totally magnificent, by the way), Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)
posted by Grangousier at 12:57 PM on October 8, 2011

Also the godlike Edwin Astley - Danger Man , The Saint, The Baron, Department S (totally magnificent, by the way), Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)

All of those are fantastic, but the Department S track really takes the cake (plus, duder had a killer mustache)... Hey, you were in my MeFiSwap group; why the hell wasn't there any of that awesome shit in your mix?!
posted by cog_nate at 4:26 PM on October 15, 2011