The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe: TV soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Description

This 13-part TV adaptation of Defoe's classic story is one of the most comprehensive of the many versions made for large or small screen over the years. It was a huge success when broadcast on both sides of the Atlantic in the mid-1960s. One aspect of its appeal was the title theme, which was so popular it was released as a single. The "Main Theme" is an adventurous piece with a slightly melancholy lilt. Thankfully it doesn't re-appear endlessly throughout the score. One effect that does--and takes a little getting used to--is a manipulated bass guitar which strikes what can only be described as "wet" notes! Overall the score is a very varied work, as you'd expect from so much material, including flashbacks that expanded beyond Defoe's original island perimeters. This allowed the composers to stretch beyond merely painting a portrait of loneliness and to capture the quaintness of the English countryside ("Escapades in York") as well as lush beauty of a tropical paradise ("Exploring the Island"). --Paul Tonks