EXCELLENT COMPILATIONS OF LAURIE JOHNSON'S COMPOSING/ARRANGI
A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 07/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Forever associated with themes for UK television of the 60's/70's, Laurie Johnson's name might not mean a great deal to the average viewer, but mention of THE AVENGERS, THE PROFESSIONALS and THIS IS YOUR LIFE will immediately bring forth recognition of this composer's great talent with a career which includes arranging for Ted Heath's big band, musicals like LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS and a whole string of conducting chores for film and television.
This collection is proof of the man's range with the movie theme for DR. STRANGELOVE heading THE AVENGERS theme, his TWO CITIES SUITE and tracks from an album I have searched for on vinyl for a very long time. Now I can enjoy on CD the wonderful arrangements Laurie wrote for BALI HA'I, MY FAVOURITE THINGS, PAGAN LOVE SONG and IT'S A RAGGY WALTZ as well as some of his own compositions like the BEAUTY JUNGLE THEME, MINOR BOSSA NOVA, NEVADA plus a couple of songs from LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS. All have that special sound which resonated through his recordings during the above period and it's a real treat to finally be able to enjoy such quality in digital sound.
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