Junion

I guess it must have been a typing error. The Checkmate album was recorded on November 17, December 1 & 9, 1960 and released in February 1961.

1984 is correct! The original West Germany pressing of „Raiders of the Lost Ark“ on CD (Polydor 821 583-2) was released in summer 1984 along with the first pressing of „Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom“ (Polydor 821 592-2). I will change it accordingly.

The new digital album is added to the discography.

Oh, that’s a bad mistake. This album from 1955 features John Thomas Williams and not John Towner Williams! I have just mailed to J. Joes J. Edizioni Musicali to make them aware of this confusion and also asked to change the cover.

Finally, I managed to listen to the second episode of that podcast. Again, this is a brilliant episode compiled by Thor and a must for all John Williams fans who are interested in his early compositions when he still was in his 20s! Especially, the presentation of TV series Alcoa Premiere is very interesting as a lot of unreleased cues can be heard. Hopefully, there will be an official soundtrack release in the future. There are several fascinating clips like - A Moment of Decision (wonderful action cue with an excellent piano solo (maybe played by JW himself?), - Pattern of Guild (the clip lasts 2:30 minutes and is full of suspense), - Mr.Easy + Guest in the House (nice and easygoing lounge style clips) - Blues for a Hanging (great jazzy style) - Blow High, Blow Clear (cool trumped theme with a film noir vibe) - Jeenay Ray (playful and pleasant cue) By the way, I did a little research to figure out why there are different names of the series Alcoa Premiere. Well, season 1 was produced at Revue in 1961 & 1962 and fully sponsored by Aluminium Company of America (=Alcoa). For this reason the series was called "Alcoa Premiere" in the US by that time. Season 2 in turn was only half-sponsored by Aluminium Co. of America. The other company that participated in the second season was R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. Therefore, with the beginning of season 2 the formal title of the show changed to "Alcoa Premiere, presented by Fred Astaire" one week, sponsored by Aluminium Co. of America alternating with "Premiere" or "Premiere, presented by Fred Astaire" the other, then sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. In Australia and England, on the other hand, the show was broadcast in the early 1960s under the title "Fred Astaire's Premiere Theatre". So, I guess most uploaded videos on Youtube are recordings from Australia or England as they contain that show name.

Yeah, me too. Would be awesome to get a confirmation.

Many thanks. Actually, some statements in this thread even support my assumption that John Williams was involved. I haven’t seen this episode either but @filmmusicdid. And according to his description and screenshot of the end credits Johnny Williams provided the music score. By the way, here is another hint that “George Gobel Presents” was part of Alcoa Premiere. On page 4 of The Tri Star Defender, January 26, 1963, is written the following information.

Thor, I still need to listen to the second episode of your amazing podcast. But I am quite sure that "George Gobel Presents" is an episode of Alcoa Premiere. I have read somewhere that this variety show was explicitly produced as a spin-off on Alcoa in December, 1962. Since this show aired as an Alcoa Premiere episode one month later on Jan 31, 1963, I cannot imagine that it was taken from other sources. Therefore, I believe that John Williams was involved during the production.

'Bentley and the Talent Contest' (S01E09) is not credited to John Williams! Do you mean this video here? That is not 'Bentley and the Talent Contest' but 'Bentley, The Stage Mother' (S03E28) directed by Norman Abbott which aired April 07, 1960. John Williams scored this episode as all ones of season 3!

This is a wonderful project that has certainly taken a ton of time and effort. It really gives a fantastic insight into John Williams' TV scores of his early career years. Finally, I have found time to listen to the first episode and am very impressed with your background knowledge, quality and presentation of the webcast. Great work:-) My musical highlights are: General Electric Theater-Journal of Hope (S09E02). I really like the beautiful flute and string melodies. BTW, this episode featuring actor Leslie Nielsen was filmed in mid-August 1960 and thus John Williams composed the music around the time when his youngest son Joseph was born. M Squad 'The Discovery' is a marvelous jazzy track by John Williams where he plays the piano himself. Wagon Train The 3 tracks 'Jumpin Jack Rabbit' (from The Kittel Angel Story (S02E14) as well as 'Golden West' and 'Tomorrow' (from The Jenny Tannen Story (S02E38)) are absolute catchy tunes and fortunately were released on the music album for the series. In episode 'The Jenny Tannen Story' actress Ann Blyth sings the two original songs 'Golden West' and 'Tomorrow' with a lot of passion and it is good to know that she is still with us at the age of 94. Another remarks: Bachelor Father Actually, the first episode scored by John Williams aired February 01, 1959 (not March 01, 1959). It was 'Bentley and The Kleptomaniac' (S02E11). Playhouse 90-The Right Hand Man (S02E28) This episode was a live one that aired in March, 1958. Like you, I hope it was recorded and will be unearthed one day. In the same Playhouse 90 season, for example, the live television drama "A Town Has Turned To Dust" featuring a young William Shatner was broadcast and taped on June 19th, 1958 (S02E38). As this one is available on DVD I'm hopeful that a recording of 'The Right Hand Man' also exists! Alright. I'm already looking forward to listening to the second episode very soon :-)

Yeah. Interesting to know is that Damone‘s album version of „Make me Rainbows“ was arranged and conducted by Perry Botkin Jr., the former trombone player in John Williams‘ jazz band during their time at North Hollywood High School.

Actually, there are even 7 songs for release on single John Williams did in collaboration with Vic Damone! As you said, 4 songs were released as two singles which are: - Adrift On A Star - The Pleasure Of A Company - Theme from "By Love Possessed" - If It`s The Last Thing I Can Do Another two songs, recorded in 1961, were released as part of the compilation "On The Street Where You Live: Vic Damone`s Best": - The Second Time Around - Maria The 7th song, "Come Live With Me", was released as single in 1968 and is an arrangement of the title of the same name that appeared on OST "Valley of the Dolls". All these songs are listed on JW`s discography. And there is another song both artists recorded in 1967 called "I`ll Plant My Own Tree", very likely an arrangement of "I`ll Plant My Own Tree" that was released on "Valley of the Dolls". This one is still unissued. Hopefully, there will be a release of this song one day.

Great find! FYI, John Williams joined Bobby Darin’s show to celebrate Darin‘s 10th anniversary in show business at the Cocoanut Grove. This event took place on March 8, 1966, just one month after Williams’ 34th birthday and 2 weeks after scoring „The Time Tunnel“.

All 3 singles are part of the discography now. https://www.goplanete.com/johnwilliams/music/disco/singles.htm

Is this video still available? Can`t find it anymore.