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From: jcr@mitre-bedford
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: SF in music....
Message-ID: <2899@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 16:12:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.2899
Posted: Wed Jul 24 16:12:39 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 00:49:02 EDT
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Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: jcr@Mitre-Bedford


> From: ttrdc!levy@topaz.arpa (Daniel R. Levy)
> 
> There's the song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" from a
> few years back... anyone remember the artist?

Sure do, and I've been wondering how long it would take for someone to
mention this song. The 'popular' version was done by The Carpenters and,
to my taste, was pretty awful, bordering on elevator music.

The much better original version was on the first album of a group
called Klaatu (obviously not afraid to show their SF leanings, are
they?). Virtually this entire album, titled simply "Klaatu," as well
as their second, titled "Hope," is SF-influenced, or outright SF.
My personal favorite is a song called "Little Neutrino," from the
first album, which relates the thoughts of a neutrino as it passes
through the listener. Another nice one, from the second album, relates
the plight of an interstellar lighthouse keeper who's the last of
his race. Beyond the unusual lyrics, the guys have no lack of musical
talent. I recommend them if you can find them (their first album appeared
around '75 or '76).

Another excellent album that I believe no one has mentioned yet has
the awkward title of "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of 'The War of the
Worlds.'" This is a double-album set which re-tells, though music,
song, and narration, Wells' classic story. I remember thinking, when
I first saw this album, "Oh, no! What a great chance for someone to
produce some really tacky music." But I was pleasantly surprised;
it's really quite well done. Richard Burton (the actor) plays the
protagonist (from whom we hear most of the story); other voices
heard on the album (both singing and speaking) include: Justin
Hayward, Phil Lynnot, and David Essex. (BTW, Jeff Wayne is the
producer.) I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys both
SF and music, but I'm afraid it's not easy to find; it appeared
around '78 and I rarely see it anywhere. Don't expect to find it
anywhere but used or collector's record shops. (Actually, I'm
curious as to how many people on this list may have heard this
album. If you've heard it, send me mail.)

Still more SF-related music can be found on several of the albums
of Uriah Heep, most notably "Demons & Wizards" and "The Magician's
Birthday." From the song "Circle of Hands" on the former:

     "Circle of hands
      Cold spirits plan
      Searching our land
      For an enemy

      Came across
      Love's sweet cost
      And in the face of beauty
      Evil was lost"

And from the title song on the latter:

     "Let's all go to
      The Magician's birthday
      It's in the forest but
      Not so far away
      Much to do and so
      Much to say
      While we listen to the
      Orchid orchestra play"

(Sorry if the quotations are a little off; they're from memory.)
I believe these two albums appeared in the '70 to '73 period, but
they're probably easier to find than the others I've mentioned.

Gee, I hope I'm not the only one to appreciate these gems.

				   Regards,
					    Jeff Rogers
					    jcr@Mitre-Bedford.ARPA