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''Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space'' is underrated
Give this gem a spin!
The year was 1967. The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Mrs. Robinson was trying to seduce Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate. Muhammed Ali was stripped of the heavyweight championship for his conscientious objection regarding the war in Vietnam. These were heady times.
As the Space Race captured the world's imagination, so too did the adventures of the Enterprise crew on Star Trek. Captain Kirk may have been the leader, but it was easy to see why a certain Vulcan remained a fan favorite. Something about Leonard Nimoy as Spock created this passion and demand among fans. People were desperate for more Spock, and executives were eager to capitalize.
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Pairing Spock's popularity with Leonard Nimoy's real-life love of music created Mr. Spock's Music From Outer Space, an eleven-track recording of music, spoken word poetry, and outer space noises. Join us, as we take a track-by-track look back on the album. You can decide for yourself where it ranks in the pantheon of great sci-fi TV series non-soundtrack musical tie-ins!
1. "Theme to Star Trek"
This is a re-recording of the classic Alexander Courage/Gene Roddenberry composition. However, this version is tied much more to its era. Rather than the soaring orchestral arrangement of the TV series, this album cut features a surf rock take on the famous tune. Catch a wave!
2. "Alien"
"From the land of endless night come I, an alien from afar." So begins the second track, a spoken recording of a Cy Coben poem. Although the Coben composition pre-dates Star Trek, the lyrics still seem very specific to Spock. "No heart or feelings show in me."
3. "Where is Love?"
Bet you didn't know Spock did show tunes! If you've ever fantasized about Leonard Nimoy singing a song from hit West End music Oliver!, we have great news for you. This is the one that Oliver sings after getting thrown into the basement of a funeral parlour (also "parlor"). Neat!
4. "Music to Watch Space Girls By"
Hey now, this one's.... groovy. Apparently, this is a melody that began as a jingle demo for a Diet Pepsi commercial before its transformation into a full-on space odyssey. The musical instrumentation might not necessarily have anything to do with Nimoy, but the lounge-y vibes are warm and relaxing regardless.
5. "Beyond Antares"
"Beyond Antares" is, in the Star Trek universe, a love song from the 23rd Century. Lieutenant Uhura, as portrayed by Nichelle Nichols, was particularly fond of the tune and sang it on a few occasions. Here, though, the song is stripped of its lyrics, leaving behind a lush, captivating instrumental that is no less moving.
6. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Earth"
This is absolutely unhinged. Under the guise of Spock, the narrator addresses Earthlings regarding intergalactic points of view. To a Vulcan like Spock, Earth sayings like "Catch a falling star" and "Wish upon a star" are meaningless, he explains. From where he's floating, the stuff we say is goofy. That's it! That's the song!
7. "Mission: Impossible"
This makes less than zero sense. The Mission: Impossible theme appears on Leonard Nimoy's album a full two years before he ever stepped foot onto that show. Talk about "Highly illogical!" Nevertheless, this is a great recording of a fun spy theme!
8. "Lost in the Stars"
Lost in the Stars was a Broadway musical that premiered in 1949. So, anyone with "Spock covering not one, but two musical numbers" on their Bingo card gets a bonus point. In addition to Leonard Nimoy, notable artists who have covered "Lost in the Stars" include Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, and even William Shatner!
9. "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
More space age intrigue as Alexander Courage re-works his own arrangement from the Star Trek theme. Fans of the series will recognize that tell-tale French horn that charted a course through the stars on TV. It may be low-stakes, but it's a fun twist on a familiar tune!
10. "You Are Not Alone"
This is the best song on the album in terms of Nimoy's quality of singing. Here, he is a smooth, baritone crooner, imploring Earthlings to prepare for First Contact. Someday soon, we'll meet our galactic neighbors. Spock just wants to set us up for success!
11. "A Visit to a Sad Planet"
This spoken word track is presented as an entry into Spock's "First Officer's Log." He then documents an investigation into an unknown planet into a ruined planet. It's basically an audiobook version of a Star Trek episode. So, if that's your thing, you'll probably love this!
30 Comments
It's Gene RoddenbErry, you idiots!
And, as for
"The Mission: Impossible theme appears on Leonard Nimoy's album a full two years before he ever stepped foot onto that show."
The expression is SET foot, not "stepped foot." Idiots again.
Float like a butterfly
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With Muhammad Ali!
