Stranger on the Shore

“Stranger on the Shore” is an instrumental written and first performed by Acker Bilk on the clarinet. It was subsequently used as the theme tune of a BBC TV drama serial for young people, Stranger on the Shore. It was first released in 1961 in the UK where it reached number 2 on the singles charts, and then in the US, making it to the top of charts.

In my arrangement I tried to imagine how the Shadows might have performed it. As it turns out, there is a live recording of the song by the Shadows in Paris from 1962. I was not aware of this when I made my recording. However, the Shadows version features then bassist Brian Locking playing the melody on harmonica. My version is all guitar.

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Blue Star

“Blue Star” was originally theme music for the television series, Medic, and was composed in 1955 by Victor Young under the title “The Medic Theme.” A set of lyrics were later added by Edward Heyman (who often worked with Young) and with those lyrics the new title was  “Blue Star,” a new copyright was issued on May 5, 1955.

The Shadows included an instrumental version of the song as the second track on their 1961 eponymous album.

My rendition is basically a cover of the Shadows version with some added instrumentation.

Fugitive

“Fugitive” was a track on the Ventures album “Fabulous Ventures”.  It was also released as a single in 1964, although it did not crack the hot 100. This is not the theme from the TV series “The Fugitive” (1963-67), although it is reasonable to assume it was inspired by it — although I can find nothing to confirm this other than the similar timeframes. This “Fugitive” was composed by Lou Josie, who also wrote “Midnight Confessions”, the Grass Roots hit.

My arrangement follows the form of the original Ventures, but makes several changes in rhythm and overall feel.

 

 

Theme from Hogan’s Heroes

“Hogan’s Heroes”, a highly improbable comedy series set in a WWII German POW camp, debuted in 1965 and stayed on the air until 1971.

The actors who played the four major German roles—Werner Klemperer (Klink), John Banner (Schultz), Leon Askin (Burkhalter), and Howard Caine (Hochstetter)—were Jewish. Furthermore, Klemperer, Banner, and Askin had all fled the Nazis during World War II. Werner Klemperer was the son of the great conductor Otto Klemperer and was an accomplished musician in his own right.

The theme music for Hogan’s Heroes was composed by Jerry Fielding. Fielding was a successful TV composer whose credits include the Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles”.

My arrangement is an instrumental guitar rock setting featuring a snare-drum driven march and a rockabilly solo break in the middle.

Mission Impossible

This iconic theme originally from the 1960’s TV series was written by Lalo Schifrin. It’s driving feel is heavily reliant on its irregular (5/4) time signature. I have given it a surf-rock setting (surprise!)

 

Joker’s Wild

In 1966, the Ventures released a “Batman” album with the Batman Theme and a bunch of other adventure/spy themes like “The Man from Uncle” and “Secret Agent.” This Batman-themed track was one of the “filler” cuts.

The Ballad of Paladin

This was the song used over the closing credits for the 1958-63 TV western “Have Gun – Will Travel”.  As played by actor Richard Boone, Paladin was the main character. Duane Eddy released an instrumental version that was a top-40 hit in 1962.