BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE A TO Z OF FANTASY TV THEMES {Cover Album} (by Various Artists)

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 37 Min.

Released by Silva Screen, in 1999-2000, this two-disc cover album consists of thirty tracks (primarily instrumentals) as homage to U.S. and British sci-fi/fantasy television programs dating back to the 1960’s.  Among the various artists are The Daniel Caine Orchestra and The City of Prague Orchestra.  The thirty tracks are:

Disc 1:

1. Battlestar Galactica (Main Theme/Medley)   5:11     Composers: Stu Phillips & Glen A. Larson
2. The Addams Family                                 2:22     Composer: Victor Mizzy
3. Airwolf (1984)                                        3:02     Composer: Sylvester Levay
4. The Avengers (Pre-Credits & Theme)        3:17     Composer: Laurie Johnson
5. Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century                2:26     Composer: Stu Phillips
6. Doctor Who                                          2:22     Composer: Ron Grainer
7. Fireball X-L5: Fireball                          2:24     Composer: Barry Gray
8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Suite)   4:46     Composer: Joseph LoDuca
9. Knight Rider (1982)                              2:40     Composer: Stu Phillips
10. Land of the Giants (Suite)                      5:23     Composer: John Williams
11. Lost in Space (Series 1 & 3 Themes)       3:17     Composer: John Williams
12. The Munsters                                       2:32     Composer: Jack Marshall
13. The Outer Limits                                 3:31     Composer: Dominic Frontiere
14. The Prisoner (Main Titles)                    3:24     Composer: Ron Grainer
15. Quantum Leap                                   3:04     Composer: Mike Post

Disc 2:

1. Red Dwarf (Interlude/Main Theme)                 4:57       Composers: Howard Goodall & Ian Hu
2. SeaQuest DSV (Main Theme/Concert Version) 3:21       Composer: John Debney
3. Space 1999 (1^st Series Theme)                          3:10       Composer: Barry Gray
4. Space: Above and Beyond                                4:02       Composer: Shirley Walker
5. Star Trek: The Original Series (Main Theme)  2:23       Composer: Alexander Courage
6. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Concert Version)  3:57       Composer: Dennis McCarthy
7. Star Trek Voyager (Main Theme)            1:59       Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
8. Thunderbirds (March)                            3:38       Composer: Barry Gray
9. The Time Tunnel                             2:19       Composer: John Williams
10. The Twilight Zone (Themes)  2:48 Composers: Bernard Hermann & Marius Constant
11. Twin Peaks                                      2:46       Composer: Angelo Badalamenti
12. V: The Series (1984)                          2:42       Composer: Dennis McCarthy
13. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (Seaview) 2:03       Composer: Paul Sawtell
14. Xena: Warrior Princess (Overture)        4:23       Composer: Joseph LoDuca
15. The X-Files                                      3:27       Composer: Mark Snow

Note: Evidently, an alternate version of this album exists, with an expanded total of forty-four tracks.  

REVIEW:

In terms of both audio and production quality, virtually all the tracks sound close to the originals.  Considering how many of these  tunes are near-impossible to find, Battlestar Galactica: The A to Z of Fantasy TV Themes presents the best practical option for nostalgia fans.      

PACKAGING:

While the CD case effectively protects both discs, the artist credits are relatively skimpy.  Silva Screen acknowledges original composer/artists, but crediting cover performers or even a source album apparently was not a priority.  In some instances, it is entirely possible that Silva Screen licensed the original artist/composer’s version.  Still, consumers may not catch not how many of the thirty tracks were performed by very competent stand-ins – credited or not.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

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