UM Musical Observations

[UMlover]

I think we can all agree that the music from Unsolved Mysteries is one of the best things about that show. As a musician myself I have a huge appreciation for the creepy, 80's retro theme song, and also Gary Malkin's amazing score.

Wanted to start a thread about your favorite moments/general observations about the music for this show. Here's mine:

Has anyone else noticed that the music for the Norman Ladner segment seemed to be composed separately from the other segments? What I mean is that most other segments use recycled cues (for example the creepy BOOM BOOM cue was used for both the Tallman House and Rick Church segments), whereas the Norman Ladner segment has music that I've never heard anywhere else in the show. And furthermore the music is noticeably more cinematic--kind of reminds me of the music from the beginning of On Golden Pond. Anyway, I wonder if Gary Malkin just really pulled all the stops for that oe occasion, or if perhaps someone else wrote it? Check it out and let me know what you think.

[MA]

Originally Posted by UMlover

I think we can all agree that the music from Unsolved Mysteries is one of the best things about that show. As a musician myself I have a huge appreciation for the creepy, 80's retro theme song, and also Gary Malkin's amazing score.

Wanted to start a thread about your favorite moments/general observations about the music for this show. Here's mine:

Has anyone else noticed that the music for the Norman Ladner segment seemed to be composed separately from the other segments? What I mean is that most other segments use recycled cues (for example the creepy BOOM BOOM cue was used for both the Tallman House and Rick Church segments), whereas the Norman Ladner segment has music that I've never heard anywhere else in the show. And furthermore the music is noticeably more cinematic--kind of reminds me of the music from the beginning of On Golden Pond. Anyway, I wonder if Gary Malkin just really pulled all the stops for that oe occasion, or if perhaps someone else wrote it? Check it out and let me know what you think.

What instruments do you play?

[UMlover]

Originally Posted by MikaelaArsenault

What instruments do you play?

I play jazz saxophone professionally, and also piano, flute and clarinet (when I get time to practice of course). UM inspired me to buy an analog synthesizer and try to make some of those creepy sounds, which is always fun.

[dynoguy88]

The music score that starts the Norman Ladner segment definitely sets the perfect tone for the setting, the outdoor wilderness that he apparently loved, according to his mother. You’re right. I don’t recall that music being used in other segments.

My favorite scary musical score is the one used to start off the orange socks murders segment and then used again for the reenactment when Jeff and his friends find Bobbi’s backpack. It’s so deliciously creepy with the combination of synthesizer and (I think) piano. You can also hear this in the Tammi Leppert segment where she gets out of her bed at night and looks out her bedroom window. I was really bummed out that this wasn’t on the UM soundtrack that was recently released.

Saddest musical scores can be found throughout the Gordan Page segment, in particular the final minute or so where they re-show his baby movies and his parents talk about how much they miss him and want him back. You get to hear more of this on the amazon prime video version. It might be the saddest music ever featured on the show. It’s fitting given how sad the circumstances are throughout the entire segment.

[UMlover]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

My favorite scary musical score is the one used to start off the orange socks murders segment and then used again for the reenactment when Jeff and his friends find Bobbi’s backpack. It’s so deliciously creepy with the combination of synthesizer and (I think) piano. You can also hear this in the Tammi Leppert segment where she gets out of her bed at night and looks out her bedroom window. I was really bummed out that this wasn’t on the UM soundtrack that was recently released.

Saddest musical scores can be found throughout the Gordan Page segment, in particular the final minute of so where they re-show his baby movies and his parents talk about how much they miss him and want him back. You get to hear more of this on the amazon prime video version. It might be the saddest music ever featured on the show. It’s fitting given how sad the circumstances are throughout the entire segment.

I'm not familiar with either of these! Will have to check it out...I corresponded with Gary Malkin on Facebook a few years ago to ask him what synthesizers he used on the show. He responded:

"It was way too long ago to remember exactly which machines we used! We hired the programming and synth player Charlie Judge to work with us at the time. He might remember but we've been out of touch for more than 20 years!"

So that's something, but the info pales in comparison to his personal liner notes from the vinyl release.

[MA]

Originally Posted by UMlover

I play jazz saxophone professionally, and also piano, flute and clarinet (when I get time to practice of course). UM inspired me to buy an analog synthesizer and try to make some of those creepy sounds, which is always fun.

That's so cool! Which instrument do you like playing the best?

[UMlover]

Hard to choose, but I would have to say piano, because the UM theme just doesn’t sound right on sax haha.

Playing piano is sometimes like having a whole orchestra at your fingertips (I’d make a good salesman, wouldn’t I?) because you can play up to ten notes at a time, leading to so many musical possibilities.

[Janel "Jaycee" Miller]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

Saddest musical scores can be found throughout the Gordan Page segment, in particular the final minute or so where they re-show his baby movies and his parents talk about how much they miss him and want him back. You get to hear more of this on the amazon prime video version. It might be the saddest music ever featured on the show. It’s fitting given how sad the circumstances are throughout the entire segment.

Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. I know exactly the music you are referring to.

[UMlover]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

Saddest musical scores can be found throughout the Gordan Page segment, in particular the final minute or so where they re-show his baby movies and his parents talk about how much they miss him and want him back. You get to hear more of this on the amazon prime video version. It might be the saddest music ever featured on the show. It’s fitting given how sad the circumstances are throughout the entire segment.

Just watched the Gordon Page segment on Amazon...no update. What a tragic episode, I think the music is made more sad due to the sadness of the case itself.

[MA]

Originally Posted by UMlover

Hard to choose, but I would have to say piano, because the UM theme just doesn’t sound right on sax haha.

Playing piano is sometimes like having a whole orchestra at your fingertips (I’d make a good salesman, wouldn’t I?) because you can play up to ten notes at a time, leading to so many musical possibilities.

Now that's a good choice.

[Huskerz85]

I don't know why, but for some reason, there's a sad piano theme (3-4 notes.....lasting maybe a minute, or just a little more) that sticks out to me - I can remember hearing it 4 times (have scoured the interwebs looking for it, to no avail) :

-In the Stanley Gryziec case (when they're wheeling him out of the house/into the ambulance, camera panning back on his wife)

-The opening to the special about the RFK killing (this episode skips the traditional opening, instead this piano theme plays and the first shots are of the funeral train)

-The Elizabeth Campbell case (as her parents are walking down the street at night, showing her picture to prostitutes and other street people)

-The Kristi Martin case (just a short snippet of the piano theme plays at the start of the segment as her picture is shown)

[WishfulDreamer]

Originally Posted by Huskerz85

I don't know why, but for some reason, there's a sad piano theme (3-4 notes.....lasting maybe a minute, or just a little more) that sticks out to me - I can remember hearing it 4 times (have scoured the interwebs looking for it, to no avail) :

-In the Stanley Gryziec case (when they're wheeling him out of the house/into the ambulance, camera panning back on his wife)

-The opening to the special about the RFK killing (this episode skips the traditional opening, instead this piano theme plays and the first shots are of the funeral train)

-The Elizabeth Campbell case (as her parents are walking down the street at night, showing her picture to prostitutes and other street people)

-The Kristi Martin case (just a short snippet of the piano theme plays at the start of the segment as her picture is shown)

I tried finding it on the vinyl, but they probably didn't include it because it's so somber? I think you can catch several of those segments on Amazon, though. That tune sticks out to me, too.

I like a lot of the music in the wanted segments, such as when there's a bank heist or criminals are doing something methodical (such as the one where they're escaping Alcatraz). One that sticks out to me in particular is when the witness in the I-70 killer case is allowed to leave and walks back to his car. It's just so intense!

Suffice to say, I'm a huge fan of the UM music.

[UMlover]

Originally Posted by Huskerz85

I don't know why, but for some reason, there's a sad piano theme (3-4 notes.....lasting maybe a minute, or just a little more) that sticks out to me - I can remember hearing it 4 times (have scoured the interwebs looking for it, to no avail

Man oh man, that is some sad music. A testament to the talent and skill of film and television composers that they can seriously enhance the emotions of what is happening on screen.

And by the same token, the music during Rick Church’s attack on the Ritter family is just as effective in a totally different way.

[DazzlerSparkler]

I still wish we had the update track from the early days

[Janel "Jaycee" Miller]

Originally Posted by Huskerz85

I don't know why, but for some reason, there's a sad piano theme (3-4 notes.....lasting maybe a minute, or just a little more) that sticks out to me - I can remember hearing it 4 times (have scoured the interwebs looking for it, to no avail) :

-In the Stanley Gryziec case (when they're wheeling him out of the house/into the ambulance, camera panning back on his wife)

-The opening to the special about the RFK killing (this episode skips the traditional opening, instead this piano theme plays and the first shots are of the funeral train)

-The Elizabeth Campbell case (as her parents are walking down the street at night, showing her picture to prostitutes and other street people)

-The Kristi Martin case (just a short snippet of the piano theme plays at the start of the segment as her picture is shown)

I think it is also played in the Dave Davis segment, I think when the mourners approach Shannon Mohr's grave. Sad music indeed.

Another music segment that sticks out in my mind the one where the woman who was involved in the accident in Montana, wandered off into the prairie and was never seen again. The music that plays at the end when she is hitchhiking has been stuck in my head for a while.

Three more music segments come readily to mind: one: when the friends from England are playing jacks at the orphanage during WWII; two: when you see the gate close and camera pans over several cars and stops on the one Mike Rosenblum was driving when he disappeared and three: when Robert Stack is providing background on how John Russell and John Dozier and Suzanne Russell met. This last segment, sadly, has not yet made it to Prime.