Category: Soundtracks (Digital)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 1:25 MIN.

Released by the generically-named Music Factory, this tune provides the opening credits theme to Lindsay Wagner’s vintage 1970’s TV series.  The track appears on Music Factory’s 1996 album: TV Series Vol. 2: Hits Collection. 

REVIEW:

If this track is a cover, then it’s simply flawless.  It may well be the official version, since the same album also has a complete rendition of “The Six Million Dollar Man” TV theme (including its original voice-overs and sound effects).  For those fans seeking an authentic rendition of The Bionic Woman’s hard-to-find theme, this track is highly recommended. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                10 Stars

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SUMMARY:                      RUNNING TIME: 1:01 Min.

Released by the generically-named Music Factory, this tune provides the opening credits theme to Lee Majors’ hit 1970’s TV series.  Both the voice-overs and the sound effects are faithfully included.  The track appears on Music Factory’s 1996 album: TV Series Vol. 2: Hits Collection. 

REVIEW:

If this track is a cover, then it’s simply flawless.  However, it’s probably the official version since the narratives by actor Richard Anderson (as OSI boss Oscar Goldman) and producer Harve Bennett (briefly introducing Steve Austin) are still intact.  Even the computerized background sound effects are exactly the same.  For those fans who seeking a hard-to-find rendition of The Six Million Dollar Man theme, this track is highly recommended. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  10 Stars

Note: This same album also offers a pristine recording of The Bionic Woman’s TV theme.  

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SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 1:13 MIN.

With a running time approximate to the original theme, this cover is performed by The Gordon Lorenz Orchestra & Singers for 2009’s Your 101 All-Time Favourite TV Themes album.  The track is available as a digital download purchase.

Note: There isn’t an official Scarecrow & Mrs. King soundtrack release for composer Arthur B. Rubenstein’s theme from the CBS TV series (1983-87).

REVIEW:

In spots, it’s merely a competent cover – mostly in the repetitive second half.  However, the track’s first half is as close to the original tune that one could reasonably expect.  Since Rubenstein’s version evidently is unavailable, this track offers a solid alternative for fans of Amanda King and Lee “Scarecrow” Stetson.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 2:11 MIN.

Keeping in mind an official Remington Steele soundtrack doesn’t exist for NBC’s 1982-1987 TV series, musician Dominik Hauser recorded Henry Mancini’s ‘Laura Holt’ theme as a 2011 single.  While Mancini’s version initially accompanied actress Stephanie Zimbalist’s voice-over for the first season’s opening credits, it also surfaced as a background theme throughout the series.  With the onset of a streamlined Season 2, Mancini’s theme appears over each episode’s closing credits. 

REVIEW:

Few can replicate Henry Mancini’s jazzy instrumental magic so flawlessly, but TV theme cover specialist Dominik Hauser comes close.  This subdued yet somewhat sultry melody is near-identical to Mancini’s work.  Considering the improbability of a Remington Steele soundtrack ever being released, Hauser’s first-class effort is likely the next best thing.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    9 Stars

Note: Hauser also has available Mancini’s Remington Steele opening credits theme (at least, starting with Season 2) as a single.  It’s also an excellent facsimile.

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