May 30, 2014

  • More Rat Patrol and Unused North Score!

    La-La Land issued an excellent collection of music from United Artists’ The Rat Patrol back in 2011.  For a generation less familiar with The Rat Patrol, the series focused on the North African theatre of WWII inspired by the Long Range Desert Group that managed to provide great irritation to Rommel’s Afrikakorps.  The half-hour show ran from 1966-1968 and in syndication well into the 1970s.  This new release adds a few more cues for fans to explore including some original source cues and a couple of alternate takes on the series’ main title and end credits.  Of course, for some, the real discovery here will be Alex North’s unused score for “The Chase of Fire Raid.”

    Originally, Alex North was tapped to provide music for the series and he would write music for the pilot.  The resulting 13 minutes of music is set for winds, brass, and percussion and includes a theme  that was then varied throughout the pilot episode.  But, North’s work would be tossed out due to financial considerations by the time the series was picked up and Dominic Frontiere (The Outer Limits) was brought in to provide cues for the series.  North’s cues were essentially episode specific, though it is unclear whether that would have continued.  There are times in this score where one can certainly hear the sort of interesting rhythmic writing that no doubt made Jerry Goldsmith a kindred spirit.  Dominic Frontiere was then contracted and he would instead compose a number of cues that could then be reused throughout the series thus establishing a host of “library” music specifically for The Rat Patrol.  Many of these cues ended up on La-La Land’s superb first disc.  There are a few more of these added to the present release.

    First off, we get a sort of “overture” to open the disc.  It is possible that this more extended version of the theme was intended for release as a 45 rpm  single.  Alternate takes of the main title and end credits music are also included.  The cues here explore a lot of percussion writing which were used to add extra suspense to various scenarios.  Another march, “”The Germans on the Move” also appears.  Of further interest are a great number of source cues from belly dancer music to some dance band combos (“Before the War”, “After the War”).  “Rats on Parade” is one of the other highlights well scored with great wind and brass writing followed by an equally touching “Remembering an Old Friend.”  A love theme is heard in two variations as well (“In Love With a Rat”, “Remembering an Old Friend”).  Also included is a performance by Jack Jones of “That Tiny World” (2 versions) used in the 2nd season episode “The Do Re Mi Raid”.  Norbert Schultze is also heard in a performance of “Lili Marlene”, a period song popular during the period.

    The recording was made with the Graunke Symphony Orchestra which handles everything well in fine sound.  The premiere release of North’s score may be enough for some to consider exploring the rest of the music that did manage to end up in The Rat Patrol and will certainly be a welcome addition to  the collections of fans of the series who enjoyed the initial first volume.  The sequencing helps make for a rather good overall listening experience as well.  This is also a limited edition run of 1200 units.