V: The Series..
There have been three soundtracks of V music released — one for each incarnation of the show.. V: The Original Mini – Series was scored by Joe Harnell, while the music for V: The Final Battle and V: The Series was composed by Dennis McCarthy..
The tracklisting for the V: The Series soundtrack is as follows:
1. V: The Series Main Title
LIBERATION DAY
2. Space Chase
3. Martin’s Death
DREADNAUGHT
4. Elizabeth’s Rebirth
5. Enter Diana / Elizabeth Grows Up
6. The StarChild
7. Lift Off Into Space
8. Farewell / Dreadnaught
THE SANCTION
9. Elizabeth’s Theme
10. A Sunny Day
11. Kyle and Elizabeth
VISITORS CHOICE
12. Lounge Lizards
THE DECEPTION
13. Seductive Dream
REFLECTION IN TERROR
14. Doppelganger’s Demise
THE CONVERSION
15. Rats ‘ R ‘ Us
THE BETRAYAL
16. Nathan’s End
17. Lizard Courtship
THE RESCUE
18. Wedding Fanfare / Banquet Music
19. Reception Music
20. Adios, Charles
THE RETURN
21. Finale
22. V: The Series End Credits
Although Warner Brothers has never released any official V soundtracks, some of the composers for V have released their own promotional CD’s that include themes from V.. Music from V also appears occasionally on some collections of science – fiction theme songs..
Note that the original main title theme to V:The Final Battle ( The one appearing during the opening credits ) has apparently never been released on disc.. The composers for that theme were Barry de Vorzon and Joseph Conlan..
Dennis McCarthy’s Suite From V is available to purchase from the iTunes Music Store ( iTunes required )..
The Film Music of Joe Harnell..
Five Jay Records FJCD 001/002 [promo]
Joe Harnell, the composer for V: The Original Mini – Series, released a 2 – disc set of his work from various television shows.. Included on Disc 2 is a suite of his Emmy – nominated music for V.. The suite consists of 13 tracks lasting 43 minutes..
The tracklisting for the The Film Music of Joe Harnell soundtrack is as follows:
1. Opening Credits – Part 2 / Donovan Looks Up / Main Title – Part 1
2. ” It’s Opening ” / ” Good Luck!”
3. ” Just William ” / Lizard Love
4. Shuttle Buddies / Mealtime / Lizard Wrestling
5. The Resistance
6. Ben’s Fatal Flight
7. Go Tell Your Friends
8. The Trap / Tony and Donovan Captured
9. Abraham’s Music / Abraham’s Letter
10. Escape from the Mothership / Air Chase / Donovan’s Luck
11. The Wounded Fall / Julie’s Stand / Donovan to the Rescue
12. Kathleen’s Death
13. ” The War Is Just Beginning!” / End Title: ” Gloria, Victoria!”
V: The Original Soundtrack Recording..
Super Tracks Music Group JHCD – 01 [ Promo ]
Super Tracks Music Group released this promotional soundtrack in 1998.. The music is the same as the V suite on Joe Harnell’s promotional CD set ( See above ), with the addition of four bonus tracks.. Of notable interest are tracks 17 and 18, which are samples of the 80′s background music used in the mini – series..
1. Opening Titles / Donovan Looks Up
2. ” It’s Opening ” / Good Luck
3. Just Buddies / Lizard Love
4. Ruthless / The Car / 1st Victim / Flashback
5. Shuttle Buddies / Meal Time / Lizard Wrestling
6. The Resistance
7. Into The Trap / Tony & Donovan Captured
8. Ben’s Flight
9. ” Go Tell Your Friends “
10. Abraham’s Music / The Letter
11. Storage Area / Watertanks / Food! / Attack
12. Escape From The Mothership / Air Chase / Donovan’s Luck
13. The Wounded Fall / Julie’s Stand / Donovan To The Rescue
14. Kathleen’s Death
15. Finale / Gloria Victoria
16. ” V ” Theme – Bonus Track
17. Elias’ Radio – Bonus Track
18. Street Music – Bonus Track
19. Finale / Gloria Victoria without Choir – Bonus Track
V / V: The Series: ( Joe Harnell and Dennis McCarthy ) Bridging the gap between the Star Wars phenomenon on the big screen and the soon to come resurrection of Star Trek on television, V was the most popular sci – fi series on television from its premier in 1983 to its untimely end in 1985.. The original pilot mini – series, alternately known as V: The Final Battle, was, in concept, supposed to be a literal drama based on the rise of the Nazis in Germany, but given the popularity of science fiction at the time, NBC insisted that the Nazis be mutated into an alien race.. That race advertised themselves as friendly, but in reality their own planet was dying and they needed the resources of the Earth and its humans to survive.. The resistance was on, and so was a follow – up TV series.. For two years and 19 episodes, V explored the aftermath of the human’s partial victory over the aliens.. But budget restrictions didn’t allow for miniature models of the 50+ alien motherships to be made, and laser effects were limited due to their exorbitant costs.. To save on make – up costs, aliens could also disguise themselves as human.. The production, while worthy in some of its concepts, was a failure of its own restricted expenditures, and its inevitable cult following continues to hope for NBC to explore the series once again, which the network has expressed an interest in remaking for years.. Some merit should probably be given to such rumors because the series did, after all, attract 80 million viewers for each episode ( NBC‘s top show for two years ) and gain a few Emmy nominations.. One nomination was for Joe Harnell’s score for the opening mini – series.. Harnell’s relationship with director Kenneth Johnson from the days of The Incredible Hulk would lead to only the score for V‘s opening story.. His music has a spirited, albeit occasionally hokey feel perfect for the equally cheesy visuals, though his work isn’t without its own merit.. Several creative inspirations can be heard.. For instance, the four – note motif used upon the arrival of the alien ships represents the letter V in Morse code, used, of course, during the resistance in World War II.. It also owes to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and pieces of Wagner and Herrmann are evident in various parts of the score as well..
Otherwise, Harnell tones back the intelligence and allows for a plethora of genuinely fun B – flick sci – fi music, complete with sparsely brassy marches and squeaky strings.. Over one lengthy listen, Harnell’s music has definite congruency, despite a title theme that barely registers with any memorable melody whatsoever.. A re – recording of this title theme by The City of Prague Philharmonic for the Silva Screen label is among the least interesting pieces they have ever performed.. Still, the now – antiquated spirit of the genre for that era is alive and well in V‘s score, and it’ll be worth the investment for any fan of the series.. The music for the concept would take a drastic turn with the arrival of Dennis McCarthy on the scene for the actual 19 episodes that followed.. In his pre - Star Trek fame, McCarthy managed to retain only some of Harnell’s flair with his music, taking the series further away from Johnson’s vision.. As the show became more of a character – driven soap opera ( And less of a purely sci – fi action concept ), the music began to shun all of the Harnell characteristics.. McCarthy’s music for V, apart from the show, doesn’t sound much different than that of a regular Star Trek: Next Generation episodic compilation.. His more memorable cues include ” Dreadnaught “ and ” The Sanction,” and they succeed because they exhibit a touch of synthesized choral accompaniment and even some light jazz to break the consistency.. As the show neared its doom in 1985, the music also suffered a decline; the bizarre and unnecessary wedding, banquet, and reception music from ” The Rescue “ is quite irritating.. The only time that any original music from the universe of V was released came in the summer of 1998, when the now defunct Super Tracks label issued two promos, one each for Harnell and McCarthy.. On album, it is absolutely essential to place these two releases in perspective with the TV show and its plot.. Outside of that context, it won’t serve any digital age listener or more recent sci – fi fan well.. Harnell’s album is no masterpiece, but it embodies more of the spirit of the show than McCarthy’s album, which still maintains some of the best individual moments on either product.. They are both promotional items, originally available at a slightly higher cost than a usual CD, and both are completely out of print.. If sampling on neutral ground, go with the Harnell promo..
V: The Final Battle, Original Soundtrack Recording..
Vangelos Management DMC-001 [promo]
Dennis McCarthy released a CD entirely of his music from the second miniseries. McCarthy scored most of the second episode of the six-hour miniseries, and all of the third episode. The CD also includes his second main title theme — the title theme featured in a portion of the weekly series episodes. The disc has 16 tracks, and total playing time is just over 50 minutes.
1. ” V ” – The Final Battle : Main Title
2. Lizard Raid
3. New Headquarters / Ruby’s Final Curtain Call
4. Memorial For A Heroine
5. Aqueduct Attack / Planting The Charges / Brad’s Sacrifice
6. The Balloon Theme
7. Maggie Mourns / Maggie And Brad
8. Pop Goes The Lizard / The End Of Father Callahan
9. His Father’s Looks / Lizard Twin Dies / Elizabeth Spits Venom
10. Robin’s Revenge
11. Donovan Really Pissed / Donocan And Tyler Debate Te Issue
12. Love Theme
13. Into The Lizard’s Lair / ” They Haven’t Got A Chance “
14. V- Day
15. The Doomsday Weapon / Diana Rants And Raves16. Elizabeth Saves The Day / Diana Escapes / Finale
V The Series: Original Soundtrack Recordings..
Super Tracks Music Group DMCD-02 [promo]
Super Tracks Music Group released this soundtrack of Dennis McCarthy’s music in 1998.
The tracklisting for the V: The Series soundtrack is as follows:
1. ” V “: The Series Main Title
2. Space Chase
3. Martin’s Death
4. Elizabeth’s Rebirth
5. Enter Diana / Elizabeth Grows Up
6. The Star Child
7. Lift Off Into Space
8. Farewell / Dreadnaught
9. Elizabeth’s Theme
10. A Sunny Day
11. Kyle And Elizabeth
12. Lounge Lizards
13. Seductive Dream
14. Doppleganger’s Demise
15. Rats ‘ R ‘ Us
16. Nathan’s End
17. Lizard Courtship
18. Wedding Fanfare / Banquet Music
19. Reception Music
20. Adios, Charles
21. Finale
22. ” V “: The Series End Credits
Track Listing: ” V “: The Theme
Side A:
1. Theme from ” V ” ( Dennis McCarthy )
Side B:
1. Space Patrol
2. Patrol Beat
Fantastic Television Themes..
PrimeTime USA PTD 3006
This disc includes a collection of several television theme songs, such as those from Quantum Leap, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Battlestar Galactica, and Airwolf.. One of the themes from the V: The Series is included.. Though not the originals, these themes are fairly good reproductions.
- V: The Series ( 2:43 )
Fantastic Voyage: A Journey Through Classic Fantasy Film Music..
Silva Screen FILMCD 146
This UK import contains a 77 – minute collection of sci – fi themes that sound very close to the original scores.. Track 11 is Joe Harnell’s Main Title Part 2 from V.. Other themes include Alien, 2010, The Terminator, and Total Recall..
- V For Victory – Main Title
The soundtrack discs are extremely difficult to find, but there are a few online mail order companies you may want to try.. ( None of these companies are officially endorsed by this site; they are mentioned here as a service only ) If you have success with any of these companies, please let me know, and let them know where you heard about them!
There’s another CD featuring music from V which isn’t as rare as the others.. GNP / Crescendo’s Super Scary Monster Party features a track titled ” Suite from V..”
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