Sunday, 6 April 2025

Fireball XL (Take-) Five


Regular readers will know that I have a fondness for musical pieces in the 5/4 time signature - when it is done well (which is usually phrased as a syncopated 10/8 - or 3/8, 3/8, 4/8 - rather than 5/4).

Well here is another, by the great theme composer Barry Gray - from the early 60s Gerry Anderson puppet show Fireball XL5; and called Formula 5. 

It's a pleasing pastiche/homage to the famous Paul Desmond/ Dave Brubeck tune Take Five.  


LATE BONUS FEATURE:


Alfie Pugh's arrangement of the Joe 90 theme - another Barry Gray classic; great tune and this version really builds!

It evoked nostalgia for the superb and danceable arrangement of the Joe 90 theme done by Arthur 2-Stroke and the Chart Commando's which I heard live at The Cooperage (Newcastle) one memorable in 1981 - as I recall the band included Arthur on vocals, plus two trumpets, tenor sax, maybe keyboards, electric guitar and base, drums, and bongos. 

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