A new soundtrack to the H.G. Wells classic featuring Richard Burton
October 25, 2013 2:53 PM Subscribe
Ollie Teeba from The Herbaliser:
"A few years back I was given, as a Christmas gift, the 'Collectors Edition box set of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds'. As well as tons of interesting facts about the creation of the original recordings it had several CD's of alternate takes, remixes etc. On one CD, I excitedly discovered that they had included all of Richard Burton's dialogue parts, without music. Having already created and performed an alternate live DJ score to silent film 'The Lost World' from 1927, this seemed like a great opportunity to do a similar project with one of my favourite childhood stories."
"This is by no means intended as an improvement to Mr Wayne's recording but a tribute to H.G Wells, Jeff Wayne, Richard Burton, Orson Welles and of course Solid Steel."
Listen here (It's the second hour)
It was definitely an enjoyable listen - got wind of it earlier today. In the end, my favorite part was the fact that there was just so much narration recorded that I'd never heard before. So much more that didn't end up being used in Jeff Wayne's final version.
But it was definitely strange to hear even the familiar voice audio paired with such completely different music. From missing the fanfare right after the opening, to not having that eerie music coupled with the descriptions of the red weed - and the lack of the songs.
Not that I'm putting it down in any way. It's just that I've listened to Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds since I was little, when my dad picked it up on vinyl. Heard it so many times that I can pretty much sing/"play" the whole thing in my head.
posted by evilangela at 3:04 PM on October 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
But it was definitely strange to hear even the familiar voice audio paired with such completely different music. From missing the fanfare right after the opening, to not having that eerie music coupled with the descriptions of the red weed - and the lack of the songs.
Not that I'm putting it down in any way. It's just that I've listened to Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds since I was little, when my dad picked it up on vinyl. Heard it so many times that I can pretty much sing/"play" the whole thing in my head.
posted by evilangela at 3:04 PM on October 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
yeah I found it eerie. Almost like listening to it afresh. In his introduction he says how he learned it as a kid too.
This is only my second post. I been holding back from posting a link here each time my mind is blown by a mix on solid steel but I figured that this one has enough general appeal
posted by looeee at 3:24 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is only my second post. I been holding back from posting a link here each time my mind is blown by a mix on solid steel but I figured that this one has enough general appeal
posted by looeee at 3:24 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wayne's War of the Worlds is the only music to ever give me nightmares. Looking forward to getting a chance to settle in with this. Thanks.
posted by ob1quixote at 3:29 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ob1quixote at 3:29 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wayne did an update to it recently, entitled Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: The New Generation, with Liam Neeson as the Journalist.
As a friend of mine noted, "I imagine the live show is a bit less disturbing now that they're no longer using the Giant Robot Zombie Head of Richard Burton."
posted by mephron at 3:58 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
As a friend of mine noted, "I imagine the live show is a bit less disturbing now that they're no longer using the Giant Robot Zombie Head of Richard Burton."
posted by mephron at 3:58 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
See also erwtenpeller; 2009 dubstep.
posted by ifandonlyif at 4:34 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ifandonlyif at 4:34 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
awesome, thanks for posting this!
posted by mannequito at 5:01 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by mannequito at 5:01 PM on October 25, 2013
I am very much in the same boat as EvilAngela. Ive been listening to this album for decades and hearing presented in such a different format is sort of jarring.
posted by DWRoelands at 6:02 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by DWRoelands at 6:02 PM on October 25, 2013
Wayne's War of the Worlds is the only music to ever give me nightmares.
And the illustration book. My 9-year-old self was way too young to be given this. I'd stare at those illustrations so intently while listening to it, feeling my stomach knot up at the picture of the red weed-covered village. That paper and ink had such a distinctive smell that I still feel distress whenever I encounter something printed that has the same odor.
posted by sourwookie at 7:16 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
And the illustration book. My 9-year-old self was way too young to be given this. I'd stare at those illustrations so intently while listening to it, feeling my stomach knot up at the picture of the red weed-covered village. That paper and ink had such a distinctive smell that I still feel distress whenever I encounter something printed that has the same odor.
posted by sourwookie at 7:16 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Soon as she heard "Oooo-laa" come out of the speakers my daughter would beg me not to play that ... seriously frightened her.
Definitely one of the best-conceived and produced works to come out of the Prog era. Burton effortlessly added just the right touch of class.
What a coincidence, I just finished watching the 1952 George Pal movie.
posted by Twang at 9:16 PM on October 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Definitely one of the best-conceived and produced works to come out of the Prog era. Burton effortlessly added just the right touch of class.
What a coincidence, I just finished watching the 1952 George Pal movie.
posted by Twang at 9:16 PM on October 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
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posted by Artw at 2:56 PM on October 25, 2013