Malcolm Lockyer Orchestra - Themes For TV (1975)

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A really tremendous album this.  Malcolm Lockyer's wonderful TV Themes album, which were all the rage at the time.  Side One is uptempo and funky and side two...er, isn't.

This is his version of Alan Tew's Hanged Man, AKA The Detectives. And Midweek.

Ray Martin and His Orchestra - Favourite TV Themes Volume 2 (1975)

As promised, here's Volume Two of Favourite TV Themes from Ray Martin and his Orchestra.  Why not go on a Red Carpet Ride?

Ray Martin and His Orchestra - Favourite TV Themes (1973)

Ray Martin & his Orchestra showcase some great early 70s TV themes here.  Particular favourite on here is Wheelbase, though The Big Match, AKA La Soiree brings back wonderful memories of watch footy on tele in the 70s.  Good old Brian Moore!

Look out for Volume 2, which is even better. 

BBC Space Themes (1978)

Thirty-two years ago tonight my late Mother put this record under the Christmas tree for me, along with Parallel Lines, Another Music In A Different Kitchen by the Buzzcocks and The Man Machine.  She always knew the records I wanted.

However, this record was a surprise as I hadn't asked for it (or knew it existed).  She said she got it as she knew I loved Blake's Seven.  I've not listened to this album for years and only recently dug it back out of the loft due to positive comments received for its sister BBC album, Sporting Themes.

So, three decades later this is a Christmas present for you lot now.  I hope you and yours have a good one.

Barry Gray - Music From The 21st Century (1987)

This was an excellent EP issued to us Fanderson members back in the late 80s.  It contains some superb material, some of Gray's best:  White As Snow (otherwise known as TVR-17, which is what I was originally going to call this blog), Theme From UFO, Thunderbirds and the fantastic vocal version of Captain Scarlet recorded by The Spectrum which included drummer Keith Forsey who famously went on to co-write Flashdance and Don't You Forget About Me by the Simple Minds.

Richard Harvey - The Theme From Terrahawks (1983)

For the last year or so I'm been pretty successful in brainwashing my four-year-old son into liking stuff I do.  He loves music, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Thunderbirds, Back To The Future, etc.  Over the weekend I thought I'd try Terrahawks.  He wasn't to impressed with the DVD - and neither was I, to be honest, I'd forgotten how much it had dated - but he loved the theme tune, so I dug my 12" single out and encoded it for your listening pleasure.

OK, so Richard Harvey is no Barry Gray, but this is the beginning of the 80s and is a theme very much of its time. 

Apologies as  there is a slight jump but it doesn't detract too much.

Barry Gray - Space 1999 - Original Television Soundtrack (1976)

Another gem from Barry Gray, the soundtrack to Season One of Space 1999.  Gray only scored the first season and then dropped out for the second series.  This ended a long-run of soundtracks Gray had done for Gerry Anderson including classics such as Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and UFO.

Apart from the main titles there are some corkers on here, particularly Black Sun and Death's Other Dominion.  Genius!

Morton Stevens Orchestra - Hawaii Five-0 - Television Soundtrack (1968)

Fabulously funky soundtrack from Morton Stevens.  A really great album and there's so much more than the theme on here to enjoy.  Ignore at your peril!

Graham Walker Sound - Famous TV Themes (1969)

AKA Alan Hawkshaw.

Barry Gray - UFO - Original Television Soundtrack (1969)

You know the old chesnut; your house is on fire and you can only rescue one object, what would it be?  Well, for me it would be this little beauty.  The 2004 Trunk soundtrack release of Gerry Anderson's first live-action series, UFO.  Set far in the future, 1980.  All the cars were sleek with gull-wing doors (eat your heart out Delorean) and all the girls had purple wigs and wore silver boots.

The musical formula will be familiar to Supermarionation fans, indeed some of the cues sound like they were nicked from Captain Scarlet.  The Main Titles are obviously the highlight with some sterling work from Harry Stoneham.

Ed Bishop who starred in this actually lived in the village next to me when I was a kid and his daughter went to my school.  You used to see him driving around town in his Hillman Imp.   I said hello to him a couple of times in the Co-Op and the Post Office, but always went bright red so as I got older I just worshipped him from a distance.

There is only one scan here too as the rear of the sleeve is blank.  Still, it's the music that counts.

Geoff Love and his Orchestra - Play Your Top TV Themes (1972)

One of the seemingly hundreds of albums released in the early 70s that gave us lots of TV themes.  Usually with the same kind of cover.  This is a great little album.  Geoff's version of Strange Report is top notch.  This album includes the self-penned theme to Bless This House.  Did he write anything else?

He released a similar album; Plays Your Favourite TV Themes.  I'll dig that one out sometime.

Bruce And The Robin Rockers - The Batman Theme (1966)

Wonderfully silly album released on the great Marble Arch label.

Cy Payne and his Orchestra - Children's TV Themes (1972)

Well, not really just for kids as there are some crackers on here.

John Schroeder - TV Vibrations (1972)

Listen to the best thing you'll hear all day, The Main Chance.

Brian Fahey - Time For T.V. (1967)

Brian Fahey and his Orchestra - Time For T.V. (1967)

Hugo Montenegro - Original Music From The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1965)

I loved U.N.C.L.E. from the very first time I saw it in the early 70s.  I recently splashed out a small fortune on the complete DVD box set thing and have been driving my wife mad watching episode upon episode.  The soundtrack is fantastic too and here it is.

Jackie Lee - Rupert (1970)

One of the best ever TV theme tunes.  Now where are my checked trousers?

Jacky - White Horses (1968)

Ah, this takes you back doesn't it?  Reminds me of coming home from school and turning on the tele.  Lovely.

Johnny Pearson & His Orchestra - Theme From The Rat Catchers (1966)

I thought I'd start posting a few of my favourite singles too.  This is a classic from Johnny Pearson.  The theme from a short-lived TV series called The Rat Catchers.