THE TWILIGHT ZONE – Original Television Soundtrack

Music by

Craig Safan/ Basil Poledouris / William Goldstein / Christopher Young / Elliot Kaplan / Arthur Kempel / Dennis McCarthy / J.A.C. Redford / Fred Steiner / Kenneth Wannberg

World premiere 3-CD release of music from 1980’s revival of classic Rod Serling TV series, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, featuring fantastic work from composers Basil Poledouris, Christopher Young, Craig Safan, Fred Steiner, Dennis McCarthy, William Goldstein, Elliot Kaplan, Arthur Kempel, J.A.C. Redford, Kenneth Wannberg! Taking reins for new CBS series was Philip DeGuere, directors included Wes Craven, John Milius, William Friedkin, supervising music was Robert Drasnin, who worked on original series.

The scores are bound together by the composers’ willingness to chart that middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition—a “dimension of sound” that could only have emerged from the Twilight Zone.  In conjunction with keyboardist and longtime Dead-associate Merl Saunders, the Grateful Dead collaborated on the main title, which conjures a uniquely creepy vibe, while incorporating Constant’s iconic motif.  Additionally, the following episodes are included, moving from purely orchestral to entirely electronic, sporting a myriad of styles reflecting the range of colorful story lines.

Merl Saunders and The Grateful Dead – The Twilight Zone ’85 Main Title
Christopher Young – A Small Talent for War, A Matter of Minutes
Basil Poledouris – A Message From Charity, Monsters!, Profile in Silver, Song of the Younger World
Kenneth Wannberg – Still Life
Dennis McCarthy – Voices in the Earth
Merl Saunders and The Grateful Dead – The Twilight Zone ’85 End Title
J.A.C. Redford – What Are Friends For?
Craig Safan – Dead Woman’s Shoes, Wong’s Lost and Found Emporium, The Uncle Devil Show, Opening Day, To See the Invisible Man, Tooth and Consequences, Teacher’s Aide
Fred Steiner – A Day in Beaumont
Elliot Kaplan – The Last Defender of Camelot
Arthur Kempel – The Elevator
William Goldstein – Her Pilgrim Soul, The Card, Time and Teresa Golowitz

From its earliest years, The Twilight Zone has been synonymous with visions of wonderment, weirdness and terror.  Originally created by TV-legend Rod Serling as a high-concept blend of fantastical storytelling grounded in human drama spanning the late ’50s to mid ’60s,  its 156 episodes set a high-water mark for anthology television. The mid-eighties saw a surge in the return of anthologies, amongst which was a revitalized The Twilight Zone which ran for three seasons.

Format offered multiple stories of varying lengths within each episode. Christopher Young features on two brief scores, “A Small Talent For War”, “A Matter Of Minutes”, both with complex scores featuring chimes, orchestra bells, intense piano, percussion. Basil Poledouris contributed four lengthier scores with “A Message From Charity” featuring 20-piece orchestra with harpsichord, beautiful lyricism standing out, “Monsters!” featuring meld of rhythmic energy, gentle nostalgia, “Profile In Silver” unfolding with darker, intense undertones, “Song Of The Younger World” offering several colors ranging from sensitive woodwind colors to dramatic brass material. Craig Safan provides music for seven shows, ranging from jazz-influenced “Dead Woman’s Shoes” to exotic mystery of “Wong’s Lost And Found Emporium” with cello over harp and piano, from airy floating music of “Opening Day” to “To See The Invisible Man.” J.A.C. Redford offers strongly melodic music for “What Are Friends For?” featuring vast array of woodwinds plus horn, harp. Fred Steiner gives “A Day In Beaumont” degree of old-fashioned color and jaunty pace (Steiner also worked on original series). Dennis McCarthy scores Earth’s barren wasteland in “Voices In The Earth” with music both serene, severe, using strings, horn, oboe, piano. Kenneth Wannberg goes for dynamic, rhythmic material with piano, percussion figures getting spotlight during “Still Life”. Elliot Kaplan scores “The Last Defender Of Camelot” with plethora of brass fanfares as Sir Lancelot scrambles about modern-day London, with beautiful melody of English landscapes close at hand. Arthur Kempel gets to imbue nightmare Ray Bradbury tale, “The Elevator”, with horrific strings, percussion, synths. William Goldstein scores three tales: “Her Pilgrim Soul” is haunting and romantic, “The Card” is edged and chilling, “Time And Teresa Golowitz” is poignant with piano getting center stage. Lukas Kendall, Roger Feigelson supervise entire production, John Takis provides informative liner notes, Joe Sikoryak wraps all in handsome package. Presented from original stereo session mixes vaulted by CBS in pristine condition. Grateful Dead and Merl Saunders compose & perform main theme. Basil Poledouris, Robert Drasnin, Dennis McCarthy, J.A.C. Redford, Craig Safan, Fred Steiner, Elliot Kaplan, Arthur Kempel, William Goldstein conduct.

INTRADA Special Collection Vol. 348