The Harmonicats, led by Jerry Murad, began playing in clubs in Chicago in the mid 1940s. They had their biggest hit in 1947 when Peg O' My Heart went to the top of the chart. Their other successes included the LP Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, which reached the Top 20 in 1961. The Harmonicats continued recording for Columbia (they also made a number of records for Mercury) until the late '60s.
The Love Song of Tom Jones and Other Great Movie Hits (Columbia) was released in 1964 and included a version of the Theme from "The Prize," which reached theatres in December of the previous year. This drama of romance and intrigue involving several Nobel laureates starred Paul Newman, Edward G. Robinson and Elke Sommer.
(Photo from the Internet Movie Poster Awards)
The Prize featured an early score by prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith. The Harmonicats' version of the film's theme is considerably more uptempo and has a completely different character than the theme on the soundtrack
Theme from The Prize
Here's Goldsmith's soundtrack version.
Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack for The Prize is available on limited edition CD from Film Score Monthly. The 36 tracks include plenty of bonus material. There is also a download version of the soundtrack available from iTunes and other sellers, but this does not come from Film Score Monthly, so it's probably "buyer beware" time.
The album containing the Harmonicats' version of the Theme from The Prize does not appear to have had a digital release, so here's another track from it, The Love Song of Tom Jones.
my parents had some of jerry murads albums in the early sixties when I was a littli kid. always loved the sound of his group and the great tones of the harmonicas! they were pretty prolific in the 50s and 60s.thanks for posting. rob
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
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