Pondering John Williams & Soundtracks...

Peg takes the lead in this piece about soundtracks and John Williams documentary on “the Plus” of Disney. Read on!

Peg here. Surprised?

You shouldn’t be. While my buddy TC is resting, I’ve commandeered his keyboard to… Let’s just say, I’ve got LOTS to say. And my TC? Well, he’s a little down. This room seems to be getting smaller and smaller. My TC likes movement and adventures. He loves his shopping trips —The quest for deals to make his limited funds stretch in ways he’s quite proud of actually. So I looked at what he was submitting to his editor and was like…

Nah, Nah, Nah!! Me try!

The subject is the very fine documentary on John Williams he and I watched (thank you, Disney+!).

But that’s a misnomer. This isn’t a review of a documentary, but rather a sort of why it matters in his (our) world. TC and housemate Brother James were raised under the roof of an absolute audiophile.

Their Dad was rockin’ the quadraphonic sound system well before anyone else (early adopter, yes??).

[Note: Means having sound coming from four different directions.]

I checked in with Mr Pete who confirmed the “Look Don’t Touch!” atmosphere in their household. The Quad system was for Dad’s Sunday jazz and Big Band. The kids would be invited into that room to listen… but Don’t Touch.

Of course, you know what that meant. Whenever Mr G was out for the evening, Mr Pete would sneak down and carefully put the needle on the record — giving the kids a concert consisting of Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd and Brother James’ favorite —Queen’s “Night at the Opera.”

Now I turn this fine ponderable back over to my buddy, TC…

The Sounds of Music…

In our household, I would experience various “concerts” in our living room (quadraphonic), mostly encouraged by my Dad. An avid music lover, Dad’s influence had spread to most of us siblings. More so to Brother James. His nick name, “Little Daddy,” stuck for most of our Dad’s life. They both had an affection for the music of Maynard Ferguson, and to some smaller effect, Chuck Mangione.

I could try to keep up with these two. Considering my attraction to musical instruments expired after my short time as a clarinetist ended as fast as it started. Going to a Maynard Ferguson concert was highly amusing, and yet enjoyable.

Peg: Okay… We’ve established a Brother James – Dad connection, but as Steve Jobs would often say, “There’s more!”

The Sibs Heart Soundtracks!

The big similarity amongst us siblings is our admiration of movie soundtracks. We each had a collection. I had worn out my copy of Jerry Goldsmith’s Poltergeist and the musical score of Victor/Victoria. James had every single John Williams Score.

Peg: The Editor, also a sibling, pulled some of her favorite soundtracks out of an old carton.

Moulin Rouge
Much Ado About Nothing
Secret of Roan Inish
Singing in the Rain
and… John Williams Conducts John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy.

Peg: See the thread?

Back to TC as he describes the influence of John Williams on their household.

Songs in the Key of Williams…

First comes the music and then the Dad bonding…

John Williams created the soundtrack of our childhood segueing into adulthood.
Including, but not limited to: Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, The Empire Strikes Back, E.T., and…
There’s so much more!

Brother James and I knew Dad the engineer and music lover would certainly appreciate the compositions of Mr Williams, yet he really wasn’t into trips to the movies.
[Find a way to put a soundtrack to his Phillies and … we could have had a great starting point… ]

It’s the Experience that Counts…

Brother James was well versed in the sound + image connection to storytelling (his time at Ithaca College served him well), so he took it upon himself to gently guide / persuade Dad into going to the movies — to experience John Williams in full context.

For sure, it was an ear opening / eye opening experience.

Brother James cracked open the door and we all ran through it — cherishing opportunities to bond with Dad at the movies.

I am especially fond of my time with him watching “Pleasantville” on “Bargain Night Tuesday.” It was a chance to absorb a soundtrack with a variety of artists including soundtrack Miles Davis, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, and Etta James.

I observed my father relishing movie magic (and enchantment). Caught him by surprise how enjoyable the movie-going experience was…

John Williams & The Soundtrack of Our Lives…

Circling back around to the master, Mr John Williams…

He has been a major part of the soundtrack of our lives. Thus, the Disney+ documentary on him in our household became a must see (and hear). Produced by fellow colleagues, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Ron Howard, the review of John Williams’ career is extensive and vast. If Dad was around, he would have enjoyed it— sound-bar on max (LOL).

That’s a Wrap…

The first rule of soundtracks… Don’t talk about soundtracks.

Peg here. My turn to jump back in.

TC captured the emotional impact of soundtracks — facilitating storytelling in film format and really, in life as John Williams served as a gateway to bonding with a very reserved engineer. Worth noting that TC, Brother James, Mr Pete and even editor Annie have remarked on the twinkle in their Dad’s eye when listening to music that truly resonates.

Mr G (the Dad) embedded a love of rhythmic, contextual, quality sound into each of them, which as editor Annie has stated, is “Fantastical!”

So pencils down. Get thee to Disney+ if you so desire, to learn more about the man behind the sound. Or better yet, go dig up your old CDs / cassette tapes — re-introduce yourself to the joys of listening while in your mind’s eye, re-visiting the context.

Gotta go. My buddy is stirring. Duty calls! —Peg

Thanks for reading and pondering with us. — Peg & TC