Dudley Simpson

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

This guy is a legend. It's such a tragedy that pretty much all of his scores are gone.  I prefer some of his more unusual scores like The Underwater Menace, but his most unique and memorable style hit its hight during the Tom Baker era with brilliant scores such as Genesis of the Daleks, Robots of Death, The Talons of Weng-Chiang and City of Death. There's way too many great ones to name. What are your favourite scores or pieces from Dudley?

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

His work for Blake's 7 is arguably even better.

8:06-8:33 in particular is terrific. 

Stardrive is probably my favourite Blake's 7 score: 12:20 - 13:05. 

[Ludders II]

Blake's 7 is one of my favourite theme tunes, but I also love this one.

[Ludders II]

Impressive list of Who scores. I didn't know he'd done as many as 12 scores in the '60s.


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Simpson#Doctor_Who_credits

[Deleted]

I don't like Classic Who music whatsoever, in fact most of the time I think it's positively rancid, as well as very unsubtle. The weird psychedelic stuff from the 60s is pretty cool but 70s and especially 80s are awful

[Ludders II]

Must admit that as much I appreciate this music in context, I rarely listen to any Dr Who incidental music on its own terms. For me, music thats sole purpose was to underscore the action on the screen is not always a great listening experience. It's not meant for that.
Sometimes film scores can work in isolation, but it depends what it is. I only have a very few of those in my collection as well.

[rushy]

I fully believe Simpson felt more proprietorial over Blake's 7. The crew and the Federation both have recurring motifs, and some of the other music is really inventive too (like the Space Princess tune).

His work on Doctor Who comes off as being purely for the money. Yeah, it works to underline the scenes, because he's a professional, but there's nothing interesting about them at all.

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

Mar 9, 2024 20:52:35 GMT Ludders II said:

Must admit that as much I appreciate this music in context, I rarely listen to any Dr Who incidental music on its own terms. For me, music thats sole purpose was to underscore the action on the screen is not always a great listening experience. It's not meant for that.
Sometimes film scores can work in isolation, but it depends what it is. I only have a very few of those in my collection as well.

I'm the opposite. I actually enjoy listening to that kind of music more in isolation. If anything it makes me appreciate the piece properly without things like dialogue and sound effects drowning it out. The Bond scores are especially great. This piece from John Barry honestly stands on its own even without the visuals:

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

Sorry to go off topic, but I bloody love Moonraker. Absolutely gorgeous film.

[Ludders II]

Mar 9, 2024 23:27:41 GMT Cherry Pepsi Maxil said:

Mar 9, 2024 20:52:35 GMT Ludders II said:

Must admit that as much I appreciate this music in context, I rarely listen to any Dr Who incidental music on its own terms. For me, music thats sole purpose was to underscore the action on the screen is not always a great listening experience. It's not meant for that.
Sometimes film scores can work in isolation, but it depends what it is. I only have a very few of those in my collection as well.

I'm the opposite. I actually enjoy listening to that kind of music more in isolation. If anything it makes me appreciate the piece properly without things like dialogue and sound effects drowning it out. The Bond scores are especially great. This piece from John Barry honestly stands on its own even without the visuals:

Yeah film scores work better f'sure, but even though Genesis is my favourite Who story and I rate the incidental music, it's not something I'd listen to on its own.
I have a few Hammer film soundtracks, but it's rare I listen to them even though I love the films. I occasionally give Jaws a spin.