A Score To Settle

Brian McVickar
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  • Music Commentary

A Score To Settle is both a podcast and blog about music composed for Film and Television.

  1. 9 Jun

    ASTS 058: Listening To... GODZILLA! (The Showa Era, Part 1)

    Hello and welcome back to the podcast! Starting with this episode, I present another entry in my "Listening To... " sub-series, this time focused on that long running film franchise with a massive pop cultural footprint, GODZILLA!   While it’s a pop culture reference known the world over, GODZILLA is perhaps best understood by one country and culture, that being Japan and its people. But what does GODZILLA music sound like? We might know it when hear it, but where did it begin? The scaly behemoth has been a towering figure of science fiction and monster movie cinema ever since the original movie, GOJIRA, premiered in Japan in 1954, inadvertently beginning what emerged as a popular sub-genre called "kaiju eiga".   During the more than 70 years of big screen adventures, this series has journeyed from apocalyptic, black & white installments, to colorful kid-friendly monster mashes, topical storylines and splashy, big budget epics. Keeping pace with this is a great wealth of musical variety, from a number of talented composers, but the originator of it all is Akira Ifukube, a legend in Japanese film and music circles. It is Ifukube's music for the Showa era that is the focus of this first episode.   Title playtime index: Intro - 00:00 "Modern Monster Movie Music Suite" - 00:05:33 GODZILLA (1954) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:13:23 KING KONG VS GODZILLA (1962) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:20:30 MOTHRA VS GODZILLA (1964) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:32:46 GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:36:42 INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER (1965) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:40:48 DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:47:44 GODZILLA VS GIGAN (1972) (Akira Ifukube) - 00:54:33 TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975) (Akira Ifukube) - 01:04:30 Wrap up - 01:14:22   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Connect with the podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Bluesky: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod https://bsky.app/profile/score2settlepod.bsky.social   Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 18min

  2. 2 Mar

    ASTS 057: Guest Neil S. Bulk, soundtrack album producer - All James Bond Special Part 2

    Just as James Bond was promised to return at the close of each of his installments, I am back with a sequel to part 1 of my extended interview with Neil S. Bulk, soundtrack album producer and editor. In Part 1, I caught up with Neil specifically about his work on the expanded and remastered soundtracks from these select James Bond movies - GOLDFINGER, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, MOONRAKER and LICENCE TO KILL.    Here in part 2 we turn our attention to two album releases from earlier in 2025 - THUNDERBALL (1965) and ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969). My thanks to Neil for talking with me for an extended time and thanks to all of you for listening and the continued interest in and support of the podcast!   Below are the films and artists represented in this episode, with the time index for quick reference: Intro - 00:00:00 ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969) (songs and score by John Barry, song lyrics by Hal David, vocals by Louis Armstrong on "We Have All The Time In The World" and Nina on "Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?") - 00:03:50 THUNDERBALL (1965) (songs and score by John Barry, lyrics by Don Black, with vocals by Tom Jones on "Thunderball" and Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey, respectively, on "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang") - 00:30:14   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Albums discussed now available at: La La Land Records   Connect with the podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Bluesky: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod https://bsky.app/profile/score2settlepod.bsky.social   Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 2min

  3. 24/10/2025

    ASTS 056: Guest Neil S. Bulk, soundtrack album producer - All James Bond Special Part 1

    Greetings everyone! No need to adjust the streaming app on your device, this is indeed the podcast returning (briefly) from hiatus - and with two brand new episodes! This is to engage in a lengthy conversation with soundtrack album producer and editor, Neil S. Bulk, about his work on the remastered and expanded editions of selected James Bond soundtrack albums, released by La La Land Records.    Since I last spoke with Neil, a fistful of more James Bond titles have received the deluxe treatment. In order to freefall into the excitement and labor involved in producing the definitive editions capturing this timeless music, I will be devoting two episodes to my discussion with Neil. Please enjoy Part 1 today and expect Part 2 to be published before the end of the year!   Below are the films and composers represented here, with the time index for helpful reference: Intro - 00:00:00 GOLDFINGER (1964) (song and score by John Barry, lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, vocals by Shirley Bassey) - 00:07:18 THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974) (song and score by John Barry, lyrics by Don Black, with vocals by Lulu) - 0:20:35 MOONRAKER (1979) (song and score by John Barry, song lyrics by Hal David, with vocals by Shirley Bassey) - 00:42:59 LICENCE TO KILL (1989) (score composed by Michael Kamen, title song performed by Gladys Knight) - 01:15:28   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Albums discussed now available at: La La Land Records   Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod   Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 37min

  4. 19/02/2024

    ASTS 055: Guest Neil S. Bulk, soundtrack album producer and editor-2023 in review

    Welcome all listeners out there to the new year and also to the inaugural episode of 2024! To launch into this new year, in this episode I am accompanied once more by perennially popular soundtrack album producer and editor Neil S. Bulk, to continue our conversation in recapping his standout projects from the prior year, in this instance 2023. His work can be heard on album releases from the La La Land, Quartet and Varese Sarabande record labels. As always, I appreciate when Neil can spend time to share the details and experiences on these albums!   Below are the films and composers represented here, with time index for helpful reference:   Intro - 00:00:00 GORKY PARK (1983) (James Horner) - 00:02:36 DAD (1989) (James Horner) - 00:13:15 SNEAKERS (1992) (James Horner) - 00:20:01 THE MASK OF ZORRO (1998) (James Horner) - 00:26:01 MULAN (1998) (Dolby Atmos album releases, score by Jerry Goldsmith, songs by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel) - 00:38:12 LIVE AND LET DIE (1973) (music by George Martin, title song by Paul McCartney & Wings) - 00:45:34 OCTOPUSSY (1983) (music by John Barry, title song "All Time High" by Barry and Tim Rice) - 01:00:00   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Albums discussed now available at: La La Land Records Quartet Records   Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod   Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 24min

  5. 20/11/2023

    ASTS 054: Now Playing... ”Barbie”, ”Oppenheimer”, ”Tetris”, ”The Marvels” and more!

    Welcome back, everyone! To close out 2023, I’m concluding with an episode of the Now Playing sub-series of the podcast to spotlight notable film scores throughout the calendar year. This year provided some surprise blockbusters, such as BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER, along with new entries from major franchises like INDIANA JONES, CREED and THE FAST & THE FURIOUS - with memorable music from many. Enjoy music from a cavalcade of composers - John Williams, Lorne Balfe, Christophe Beck and Hans Zimmer, among others!   Below are the films and composers represented here, with time index for helpful reference.   Title playtime index: ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA (Christophe Beck) - 00:01:37 SHAZAM: FURY OF THE GODS (Christophe Beck) - 00:06:12 CREED 3 (Joseph Shirley) - 00:10:09 TETRIS (Lorne Balfe) - 00:17:29 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES (Lorne Balfe) - 00:24:06 THE SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE (Brian Tyler/Koji Kondo) - 00:34:09 FAST X (Brian Tyler) - 00:38:24 INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (John Williams) - 00:42:33 BARBIE (Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish) - 00:53:00 OPPENHEIMER (Ludwig Göransson) - 01:04:02 THE CREATOR (Hans Zimmer) - 01:10:50 THE MARVELS (Laura Karpman) - 01:19:01   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod     Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 36min

  6. 10/08/2023

    ASTS 053: TV Goes To The Movies - ”The Transformers”

    Hello and welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, prepare to be transformed as I continue my mini-series entitled “TV Goes To The Movies” and now explore the music for THE TRANSFORMERS franchise. As before, my focus is musically what was or was not carried over from the television episodes of a particular series to its respective theatrical feature, such as the main TV theme or scoring style.   During its near 40 year history, from the original 1984 syndicated cartoon series, to the animated and live action movies, the Japanese-only series and more, music for the THE TRANSFORMERS has been remarkably varied. The vocal and score tracks have often reflected current or trendy musical approaches, leading to elements of lush symphonic strains, synth pop, hard rock and jazzy funk all being heard in various incarnations. Now, hold on to your crankshafts and let's transform and roll out!    Title playtime index: Intro - 00:00:00 THE TRANSFORMERS (US, 1984 cartoon series, theme by Anne Bryant & Ford Kinder, score by Johnny Douglas and Robert J. Walsh) - 00:06:17 TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE (US, 1986 animated theatrical film, songs by Stan Bush, Lion & Spectre General, score by Vince DiCola) - 00:16:45 THE TRANSFORMERS: HEADMASTERS (1987), TRANSFORMERS: SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE (1988) and TRANSFORMERS: VICTORY (1989) (Japan, songs & score by Ishida Katsunori, Toshiya Igarashi, Michiaki Watanabe) - 00:31:45 TRANSFORMERS (2007), TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (2011), BUMBLEBEE (2018) and TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS (2023) (US, live action theatrical films, song "What I've Done" by Linkin Park, scores by Steve Jablonsky, Dario Marianelli and Jongnic Bontemps) - 00:38:18*   *This segment also contains an excerpt from BATMAN BEGINS (2005), composed by Hans Zimmer and James Newtown Howard   Additional tracks heard but not referenced -  "Calling You", Theme from TRANSFORMERS: SUPERLINK (Japan, 2004), by Takayoshi Tanimoto "Time Limit", from TRANSFORMERS: LEGEND OF THE MICRONS (Japan, 2002), composed by Hayato Matsuo   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod   Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 7min

  7. 21/05/2023

    ASTS 052: TV Goes To The Movies - ”The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”

    Welcome all to the podcast! In this episode, I continue my mini-series entitled "TV Goes To The Movies", a topic in which I intend to explore TV shows that migrated over to the big screen. As expected, my focus is musically what was or was not carried over from the television episodes of a particular series to its respective theatrical feature, such as the main TV theme.   This time I open Channel D to examine "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." - a popular spy series which aired on NBC from 1964-1968. Its musical template was initially set by legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith, while still early in his career, and subsequently experienced many unexpected tonal shifts. Afterwards I discuss the eight "Man From U.N.C.L.E." "movies", each built from 2-part TV episodes and primarily released theatrically internationally, and lastly wrap up with the 2015 feature film, directed by Guy Ritchie, starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer, with music composed by Daniel Pemberton.   Title playtime index: Intro - 00:00:00 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Theme (Concert Version) (Jerry Goldsmith) - 00:03:59 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Theme (Season One broadcast version) (Jerry Goldsmith) - 00:06:15 Early Jerry Goldsmith TV & Film works - DR KILDARE (TV, 1961), CITY OF FEAR (Film, 1959), THE PRIZE (Film, 1963) - 00:07:10 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (TV, Season One) (Jerry Goldsmith, Morton Stevens, Lalo Schifrin) - 00:15:50 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (TV, Season Two) (Gerald Fried, Robert Drasnin) - 00:28:28 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (TV, Season Three) (Gerald Fried, Robert Drasnin, Nelson Riddle) - 00:39:11 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (TV, Season Four) (Richard Shores) - 00:50:40 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. "movies" (released theatrically internationally) (Gerald Fried) - 00:56:22 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (Film, 2015) (Daniel Pemberton) - 01:02:49     Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod     Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 23min

  8. 27/03/2023

    ASTS 051: TV Goes To The Movies - ”Mission: Impossible”

    Hello everyone! With this episode of the podcast, I begin a new sub-series entitled "TV Goes To The Movies", a topic intended to explore TV shows which migrated over to the big screen.   In mapping out a potential plan for the podcast this year, I felt motivated to explore this scenario in terms of musically what was and was not carried over from the television episodes of a particular series to its respective theatrical feature. For example, was the TV series' main theme referenced? Was the style of episodic scoring repeated? Was the series composer, or composers, hired on for the cinematic adventures? My plan is to feature music released officially on album from a selected TV series, followed by the films and see if we can identify recurring attributes.   The initial episode in this sub-series is fraught with danger and intrigue... that being MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE!   Title playtime index: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (TV, 1966-1973) (Lalo Schifrin, et al) - 00:00:00 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (TV, 1988-1990) (Lalo Schifrin, Ron Jones) - 00:36:28 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (Film, 1996) (Danny Elfman) - 00:44:15 M:I 2 (aka MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2) (Film, 2000) (Hans Zimmer) - 00:55:37 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 (Film, 2006) (Michael Giacchino) - 01:05:47 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (Film, 2011) (Michael Giacchino) - 01:10:03 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION (Film, 2015) (Joe Kramer) - 01:22:27 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT (Film, 2018) (Lorne Balfe) - 1:34:22   Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!    Connect with the podcast on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ascoretosettle https://twitter.com/score2settlepod     Email the show at ascoretosettlepodcast@gmail.com

    1hr 48min
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About

A Score To Settle is both a podcast and blog about music composed for Film and Television.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian McVickar
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    A Score To Settle

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