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Posted: |
Jun 17, 2016 - 9:47 AM
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By: |
dofbus
(Member)
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Here's the true story about the music for ROOTS - take it for what it is - the truth, or not
it's up to you:
Quincy Jones failed to complete even the first episodes scoring, so Gerald Fried was brought in at the eleventh hour to save the day - and, save it he did!
Of the 25 music cues included in the first episode, Gerald Fried composed eight of
these, including two which feature his "ROOTS Theme", which later came to be known as
the ROOTS Mural Theme.
But, of the remainder of music, it cannot be known what, if any was actually composed by Quincy. The opening African chant was composed by Caiphus Semenya, a South
African musician, and other cues were composed by J. J. Johnson and Dave Grusin
(who has confirmed this).
Quincy was well-known in Hollywood music circles as a "music producer" - in other words,
he would turn up with music for a film, but it was not always known if he actually composed it himself.
Just check out the names of the people co-nominated with Quincy for THE COLOR PURPLE. The music branch of the Academy had had it with him receiving credit for
his non-work, and so they nominated everyone who had anything to do with that music -
Fred Steiner, Chris Boardman, Andre Crouch, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hay, etc.
The Wopler Organization sued Quincy for 'breach of contract' for failing to deliver
the goods, and Gerald Fried had to sue Quincy to get him to stop taking credit for
Fried's "ROOTS Theme", which he was doing publicly.
Finally, if you doubt that it was Gerald Fried's music that saved that mini-series - consider that he, not only finished the first episode, but composed 2 hours and
49 minutes of music for the remainder of episodes, and on time, alloowing the
the show to be broadcast on schedule, which was of great importance, not only
to the production company, but the TV network, as well.
And, consider that Gerald Fried's ROOTS Theme became a standard and it was not
even broadcast until the the third episode!
Gerry was, rewarded with all of the other ROOTS productions because of his
great service to the Wolper Company. He had proven, time and again, that
he could deliver the goods.
And, if you want to discuss the quality of his ethnic African music - try comparing
it to John Williams' music for AMISTAD. You'll find that Gerry's, not only compares
favorably, but even surpasses Williams efforts.
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Posted: |
Jun 17, 2016 - 12:24 PM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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Quincy was well-known in Hollywood music circles as a "music producer" - in other words,
he would turn up with music for a film, but it was not always known if he actually composed it himself.
That's interesting stuff about ROOTS, dofbus. I had no idea that J.J. Johnson and Dave Grusin were involved along with the great Gerald Fried.
I've singled out your comment about Quincy Jones simply to ask if you mean that the "music producer" tag was stuck to Jones after his involvement as producer on many pop albums of the time (he did very few films between 1972 and 1977's ROOTS), or if this is a view which would tar the exemplary, innovative work of Quincy Jones starting way back with THE PAWNBROKER. I'm guessing you mean the former (that he got that reputation after moving away from films), but one would still think that Jones' incredible, landmark work in films from between '65 and '72 would have put paid to any ideas that "it was not always known if he actually composed it himself". As I say, the ROOTS story reflects badly on him, as does the shenanigans with THE COLOR PURPLE, but it's not as if his credentials hadn't been firmly established well before that. It sounds a bit like somebody saying, "Don't call that Miles Davis hack. He plays plastic trumpet for Cyndi Lauper".
Whatever, interesting info on ROOTS, and it's always good to have an excuse to mention how great Gerald Fried is (and Quincy Jones)!
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