Charles Fox
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Intrada recently released the score for BUG (1975, firestarting cockroaches film). I love that film, although many see it as just a schlocky drive-in movie. Whatever, even in 1975 I was absolutely intrigued by – not so much the score – but the fact that it was a Charles Fox score. The master of catchy pop themes doing this was fascinating, probably moreso now that I have the CD.
There were some “bah, humbug” reactions over at FSM regarding this release. “It’s just sound effects.” “There are so many better Charles Fox scores which remain unreleased.” Etcetera, and you can add nausea if you like. I find BUGto be the perfect antidote to catchy pop themes, and especially to sappy orchestral music. And it brings up a nice little question (often discussed – but maybe not here?) – “When is music not music?” Nice timing seeing as there’s a new release of the “electronic tonalities” from FORBIDDEN PLANET just out.
Short answer to your question: Music is organized sound. Period. The “tonalities” thing was forced by the musicians union.
But that is not the reason that I am replying. I have a crazy Charles Fox story:
Between LPs and CDs, we must have close to 10K albums, all kinds of crazy genres.
Anyway, among all these albums, there are handful that are singular and do not sound like anything else. One of these is the Barbarella soundtrack, which if I were one to make lists, would easily make my top-100-albums-of-all-time-in-any-genre list. I initially associated it with Bob Crewe, and did not know the name Charles Fox.
Anyway, years and years after having Barbarella, I’m buying LPs at the flea market, and I come across the H.R. Pufnstuf film soundtrack on Capitol, by Charles Fox. I don’t know Charles Fox. I give it scrub on the trusted Nitty Gritty, and spin it. There are four instrumentals on the album, and I’m thinking, “Wow, this totally sounds like Barbarella music! And I figured out that Charles Fox was the connective thread.
I can’t think of another such extreme example of composer/artist recognition happening to me.
Another Charles Fox story: In the early 90s me and some mates saw the 1990 Leslie Nielsen comedy film REPOSSESSED. The score was by Charles Fox. In the first floor, my friend’s grandfather lived, his name was Charles. After that day we only called him “Fox”.
The discussion of where the line goes between music, and…well, something else, is an interesting one, perhaps more of an off-shot of this thread or this thread, for example.
Now, Charles Fox is an interesting character, still around at 85. I’m a big fan of his THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY II (which also, along with its predecessor, is one of my alltime favourite comedies…very un-PC in today’s environment, but I don’t care). I also dig his OH GOD! BOOK II, which I’ve never seen.
I remember trying to get into BARBARELLA years and years ago (the film is a nostalgic memory of mine; I saw it as a child at our neighbour’s place in Denmark in the 80s), but didn’t really grab on to it. Perhaps it’s ripe for a re-evaluation.
I should try that BUG thing that Graham speaks about, but I probably have to be in the mood for heavy aural lifting.
I don’t think I started this Charles Fox thread, but evidence points to evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that I did. I will go to the hangman’s noose pleading my innocence. Only after I have swung my last will the real culprit step from the shadows, and I shall be re-buried on hallowed ground.
Haha, no you posted it in the Billy Goldenberg thread, by mistake I think. So I moved it into its own thing, hope that’s okay.
Phew! And yet, despite my phewing, it is somewhat worrying that I posted it on the Billy thread. Could I have momentarily mixed up Billy Goldenberg and Charles Fox without knowing it? Could I have put the black cat in the sarcophagus, erased my beloved’s name from the marble, thrown a cabbage at the Lady, all these things without knowing it?
The esteemed Dr Jacoby mentions BARBARELLA . That’s a good story he spinneth, and an even better LP. It also illustrates nicely what BUG is not. I challenge Dr Jacoby to stop by my Hoola Hoop ranch and identify BUG as being related to Bob Crewe and the Fox.
Regarding FORBIDDEN PLANET ,yes, “organised sound” is music and vice versa. I really enjoy the opening track to FANTASTIC VOYAGE , and that’s compiled from the Universal sound effects library.
Short answer to your question: Music is organized sound. Period.
100% this. Music is sound organized to be listened to. Even John Cage’s 4’33” is music, and it’s also a meta-comment on music.
I’ve heard about Bug, but never actually saw the movie and have no idea what the music sounds like, but Graham sure peaked my curiosity.
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