Never understood why Barry Gray wasn't more widely employed across other films/tv shows. His brilliant ability to find a memorable melody and then orchestrate it so wonderfully could have graced many a blockbuster. Can't help thinking he could have been a British John Williams.
Think he was already semi retired when Gerry Anderson commissioned him to compose music for his shows, but without any doubt this was his finest work and ensured his lasting fame, we boomer kids really were royally entertained back then with great stuff that's stood the test of time.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. 77 seconds of perfection. Has anyone else noted that there is a tambourine marking the beat almost all the way through?
staffsyeoman it is most likely that the tambourine was affixed to the hi-hat on the drum kit used by the band which played this theme. This seemed to be common in the 1960s, but only in the 1960s.
THE STRING SECTION AT 1.03 IS SHEER VELVET, ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PIECES OF MUSIC EVER WRITTEN FOR A KIDS TV SHOW. BARRY GRAY A VERY UNDERATED COMPOSER ARRANGER PRODUCER R.I.P.
I reckon there was some very subtle orchestration and mixing of voices and vibes into the track at this point. It's all very cleverly done and sounds wonderful.
Soaring magnificence that gets almost unbearably ecstatic near the one minute mark. It may not be as 'mod' as the opening title version but in its gloriousness I can distantly hear the sound of a door opening in my infant heart, rapt before the telly long long ago. Graphics, typography and sequencing make for terrific visuals to go with the dazzling music.
I really wish I could have expressed it in this way. When you speak of an infant heart I have to surpress a tear. It's the loss of innocence which is most painful I think. Sometimes the internet is just a wonderful thing.
gwangi64 if you like the drums in this theme check out the quadruple fill at 0:28 in the Captain Scarlet there here: ua-cam.com/video/-2_ApL9OZKs/v-deo.html. It defies description!
Pure nostalgia, thanks for posting this. I wore glasses as a kid, and was nicknamed Joe 90, but I saw it as a compliment, and I agree, this should be made into a live action big budget movie. They have a TV series based on a similar idea, it's called Dollhouse, but a nine year old secret agent would be so cool.
the themes of any gerry anderson show were never lost on me as a child, just watching and hearing the stingray theme and other themes such as ufo still make my heart rate increase they just personify action, thrills, and great music... and when i have a quite moment to myself i can be seen popping in a dvd from thunderbirds etc and loving every second of it,
So many classic tunes back then, all the Gerry Anderson programs, and the I.T.C secret agent series, The Champions, The Baron , The Saint, Man in a Suitcase, The Prisoner, Strange Report, Danger Man, Jason King, Department S, The Protectors, The Persuaders, anymore for anymore?
1969. I was seven. I had short red hair and glasses. No guessing my playground nickname. But I love this. Captain Scarlet better? Nah. Level par for me.
If you want to see what Len Jones looks like (who provided Joe's voice) he can be seen in the Sam Pekinpah film "Straw Dogs"....A million miles away from Joe 90 but in there all the same :)
wow wow a sheer materpeace it was wonderfull growing up with these themes also put it on with the 2 sub woofers on and loud turn the bass up 2 knots with a bar of dark chocolate on the easy chair... fantastic ..do it..!
It is just so beautifully put together. Woodwind, brass, the soaring strings and the occasional punctuation from the guitars. I loved 40..bleagh years ago and love it still. Better than the opening theme! Oh, good luck with the briefcase: they were SO expensive in 1968! I did get the gun (the silencer was a whistle too) and a badge for Christmas..
I had that suitcase as a kid, including all the gadgets and items shown, some bastard stole my silencer for the gun and I was devastated, best toy set ever.
Sooooo wanted one of those briefcases when I was a kid. Thanks for bringing back that distant longing. Will now spend the rest of the day on eBay trying to find one.
It’s sweet and innocent that the factory workers dance with their wives at the end of a long day in the factory. I prefer the end music to Camberwick Green, that one’s lovely.
1969, I was five, and saw some great shows/serials from the BBC broacasted of all places - Taiwan. The Saint, The Avengers (oh, Emma Peel), and of course Gerry Anderson and his timeless creations. The ending credits has a better "twang" to it, but hey, I am just glad to be part of that awesome 60's generation.
Hi M8 Yes Plugg was for real...he was a chap from the Far East who worked with Mary Turner on the puppets in the series...He is credited in most of the Anderson shows....Have to agree though it is a funny name!.....Rather akin to the guy who walks into a Chinese Restaurant and shouts "Hey you!....to which the owner replies "How you know my name" :)
I have a confession. I grew up in Slough in the 60's and used to pinch odd bits of old polystyrene scenery from the back of century 21 studios on the trading estate there. Me and a mate would get through the fencing round the back on a Sunday when it was quiet & there would be old stacks of polystyrene mountains etc stacked up in the open ready to be skipped I assume. They were brilliant for playing with toy soldiers. Sorry Mr Anderson - I'm a good boy now honestly!
Whatever happened to TV themes? I love the way this one sings without words. You know precisely when this one is singing 'Joe 90'. Nowadays they're almost all shite.
those were the days when continuiety anouncers did't rudly interup the credit or squash them into one of the screen whle presneters of CBBC & CITV just praceled on about load of bull
Hate to have to say this. But, 'THE END' music was my favourite part of 'JOE 90.' It was not as good as 'THUNDERBIRDS' or 'STINGRAY.' BTW, did the '90' stand for '1990?' God, that's so 24 years ago! Time flies, my friends!
I agree. One of the things I disliked the most about Joe 90 was the cheesy episode endings. All this after the dark and violent world of Captain Scarlet!
@ffjkhguhgft I have thought about it but you know what kids are like - the said polystyrene invariably ended up being broken up & mum telling me to get rid of it. Sigh.
tv just isant the same anymore endless mindless shows like towie , bgt , and all the cookery progs who can afford to buy the ingredients anyway also homes for sale progs and shit the list go,s on
THE best ever score written for any Children's TV show and one of the very best pieces of TV music ever! Memories of childhood hmm
:)
Never understood why Barry Gray wasn't more widely employed across other films/tv shows. His brilliant ability to find a memorable melody and then orchestrate it so wonderfully could have graced many a blockbuster. Can't help thinking he could have been a British John Williams.
Think he was already semi retired when Gerry Anderson commissioned him to compose music for his shows, but without any doubt this was his finest work and ensured his lasting fame, we boomer kids really were royally entertained back then with great stuff that's stood the test of time.
Such an upbeat song. Always uplifting.Great composer
Thanks
This piece of music is outstanding. From about 32 secs it gets very special.
Agree 100%. Pure class 👍👍👍👍👍
I've said it before and I'll say it again. 77 seconds of perfection. Has anyone else noted that there is a tambourine marking the beat almost all the way through?
staffsyeoman it is most likely that the tambourine was affixed to the hi-hat on the drum kit used by the band which played this theme. This seemed to be common in the 1960s, but only in the 1960s.
well, yeah..love it/
Going on a 1960's nostalgia binge. Can't get enuff of this theme. OMG It's a perpetual eargasm.
I was Joe 90. I'm now retired, but am available for fetes and opening new supermarkets. What a comedown.
This is just over a minute of sheer unadulterated class.
THE STRING SECTION AT 1.03 IS SHEER VELVET, ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PIECES OF MUSIC EVER WRITTEN FOR A KIDS TV SHOW. BARRY GRAY A VERY UNDERATED COMPOSER ARRANGER PRODUCER R.I.P.
I reckon there was some very subtle orchestration and mixing of voices and vibes into the track at this point. It's all very cleverly done and sounds wonderful.
77 seconds of pure magical musical bliss!
It's a mark of how good this piece is when nearly everybody gets emotional at the 30 second mark.
Just wonderful.
How can you work, so much greatness into such a short piece, love it.
A truly wonderful piece of timeless music. Barry Gray was a genius.
Soaring magnificence that gets almost unbearably ecstatic near the one minute mark. It may not be as 'mod' as the opening title version but in its gloriousness I can distantly hear the sound of a door opening in my infant heart, rapt before the telly long long ago.
Graphics, typography and sequencing make for terrific visuals to go with the dazzling music.
I really wish I could have expressed it in this way. When you speak of an infant heart I have to surpress a tear. It's the loss of innocence which is most painful I think. Sometimes the internet is just a wonderful thing.
this is possibly the best comment to any you tube video ever...
I think it is miles better than the opening (and generally recognised) theme.
Very eloquently put. I particularly love the machine gun drumming about 55 seconds in.
gwangi64 if you like the drums in this theme check out the quadruple fill at 0:28 in the Captain Scarlet there here: ua-cam.com/video/-2_ApL9OZKs/v-deo.html. It defies description!
Pure nostalgia, thanks for posting this. I wore glasses as a kid, and was nicknamed Joe 90, but I saw it as a compliment, and I agree, this should be made into a live action big budget movie. They have a TV series based on a similar idea, it's called Dollhouse, but a nine year old secret agent would be so cool.
even as a kid I appreciated this as something special
Outstanding theme especially the orchestration from 0:31 - totally lost on kids, or is it? Here we all are discussing it 40 years on!
Totally agree. Love this theme - puts me in a great mood.
the themes of any gerry anderson show were never lost on me as a child, just watching and hearing the stingray theme and other themes such as ufo still make my heart rate increase they just personify action, thrills, and great music... and when i have a quite moment to myself i can be seen popping in a dvd from thunderbirds etc and loving every second of it,
I've been whistling this tune at work and at home non stop.
Oh, this let me remember my childhood. Good film, good music, fantastic ITC production!
I’m a kid again, and I’m loving’ it 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
So many classic tunes back then, all the Gerry Anderson programs, and the I.T.C secret agent series, The Champions, The Baron , The Saint, Man in a Suitcase, The Prisoner, Strange Report, Danger Man, Jason King, Department S, The Protectors, The Persuaders, anymore for anymore?
Quality stuff. Barry Gray didn't get the recognition he deserved.
Superbly skillful composition, uplifting and inspiring when I watched this as a little boy.
Great theme from Barry Gray. The end theme differing slightly from the opening theme. Great alternate version with great drumming too.
1969. I was seven. I had short red hair and glasses. No guessing my playground nickname. But I love this. Captain Scarlet better? Nah. Level par for me.
Superb piece.
If you want to see what Len Jones looks like (who provided Joe's voice) he can be seen in the Sam Pekinpah film "Straw Dogs"....A million miles away from Joe 90 but in there all the same :)
I OWNED THE BRIEFCASE. It was identical in every detail
Perfection.
wow wow a sheer materpeace it was wonderfull growing up with these themes also put it on with the 2 sub woofers on and loud turn the bass up 2 knots with a bar of dark chocolate on the easy chair... fantastic ..do it..!
Joe 90 = WIN !
Love the bridging section at 1:08 -1:11.
What a fantastic arrangement, and that machine-gun drumming at 0:56.
It is just so beautifully put together. Woodwind, brass, the soaring strings and the occasional punctuation from the guitars. I loved 40..bleagh years ago and love it still. Better than the opening theme!
Oh, good luck with the briefcase: they were SO expensive in 1968! I did get the gun (the silencer was a whistle too) and a badge for Christmas..
I had that suitcase as a kid, including all the gadgets and items shown, some bastard stole my silencer for the gun and I was devastated, best toy set ever.
Compare this to the Beginning Credits, this is much more hip, especially with the tambourine in the background - go Barry Gray!
0:31 - that rising crescendo is mega,
This song is made well
None of those were BBC shows, all made by ITV...what a contrast to the modern ITV with its endless reality shows.
Sooooo wanted one of those briefcases when I was a kid. Thanks for bringing back that distant longing. Will now spend the rest of the day on eBay trying to find one.
Very cool
It’s sweet and innocent that the factory workers dance with their wives at the end of a long day in the factory. I prefer the end music to Camberwick Green, that one’s lovely.
Gets better the longer it goes on...
1) They should make more shows about 9 year old brainwashed assassins.
2) Exactly the same specs as Harry Hill wears - can he pick up brainwaves too?
Captain Scarlet for President
1969, I was five, and saw some great shows/serials from the BBC broacasted of all places - Taiwan. The Saint, The Avengers (oh, Emma Peel), and of course Gerry Anderson and his timeless creations.
The ending credits has a better "twang" to it, but hey, I am just glad to be part of that awesome 60's generation.
l got caught doing 60s dancing to this around 7 yrs old,lol,ahhh,the 60s!!!!!!!!!!!!!
adoro Joe 90 ótimo seriado que eu assistia na TV gaúcha de poa
Quite agree...this closing theme is a favourite of mine of Barry Grays work
Great version!
Hi M8
Yes Plugg was for real...he was a chap from the Far East who worked with Mary Turner on the puppets in the series...He is credited in most of the Anderson shows....Have to agree though it is a funny name!.....Rather akin to the guy who walks into a Chinese Restaurant and shouts "Hey you!....to which the owner replies "How you know my name" :)
Stop at 0:33 and you will see a sculptor with the name Plugg Shutt.
Prototype 3D glasses.......way ahead of its time
@Apophisguard I think Joe 90 lived in Haringey and Sharon Shoesmith investigated his circumstances. She found everything in order.
@Ashworth6 Don't 'diss' Plugg - he made most of the characters!
From "Business Holiday."
this was the end credits
Who didn't want one of those briefcases? I want one still but with a real pistol!
"Plugg Shutt" ???? Er, who?
I have a confession.
I grew up in Slough in the 60's and used to pinch odd bits of old polystyrene scenery from the back of century 21 studios on the trading estate there.
Me and a mate would get through the fencing round the back on a Sunday when it was quiet & there would be old stacks of polystyrene mountains etc stacked up in the open ready to be skipped I assume.
They were brilliant for playing with toy soldiers.
Sorry Mr Anderson - I'm a good boy now honestly!
how did the strings never got twisted in the " Big Rat " ?
Whatever happened to TV themes? I love the way this one sings without words. You know precisely when this one is singing 'Joe 90'. Nowadays they're almost all shite.
Puppet operator Wanda Webb at 0.35? Surely she should be on dressmaking?
"Who can afford to buy the ingredients anyway"
Uhh... people?
those were the days when continuiety anouncers did't rudly interup the credit or squash them into one of the screen whle presneters of CBBC & CITV just praceled on about load of bull
Hate to have to say this. But, 'THE END' music was my favourite part of 'JOE 90.'
It was not as good as 'THUNDERBIRDS' or 'STINGRAY.'
BTW, did the '90' stand for '1990?' God, that's so 24 years ago! Time flies, my friends!
I agree. One of the things I disliked the most about Joe 90 was the cheesy episode endings. All this after the dark and violent world of Captain Scarlet!
@AtollK1950 I couldn't have put it better.
@ffjkhguhgft I have thought about it but you know what kids are like - the said polystyrene invariably ended up being broken up & mum telling me to get rid of it. Sigh.
tv just isant the same anymore endless mindless shows like towie , bgt , and all the cookery progs who can afford to buy the ingredients anyway also homes for sale progs and shit the list go,s on
The no strings attached version is awful. The end theme is the acme of Barry Gray. Better than the Thunderbirds theme hands down.5
.
Captain Scarlet is better
adoro Joe 90 ótimo seriado que eu assistia na TV gaúcha de poa