FSM: John Scott's NORTH DALLAS FORTY

[Gast Stefan Jania]

North Dallas Forty (1979) was a critically and commercially successful adaptation of Peter Gents 1973 novel which chronicledin thinly fictionalized formthe five seasons the author spent playing for the National Football League. Mixing the potent thrills of the gridiron with a flavorful, occasionally harrowing, depiction of what happens in the hours and days surrounding the big game, North Dallas Forty is a highlight in the annals of sports movies.

British composer John Scott renewed his association with director Ted Kotcheff to provide a terrific score for North Dallas Forty, balancing personal, intimate music with dramatic sports energy. The music draws on the composers jazz background (as a prominent session player in the 60s) but grounds it in a classical approach. The main theme is a flexible, bluesy melody which is tender and mellow when it accompanies the movies more emotional moments, and haunting and eerie as it underscores the physical and emotional damage incurred by the players. By contrast, some of the football scenes feature a type of tuneful, disco-orchestral fusion (common to sports broadcasting of the era), while others underscore the violence, drama, celebration and heartbreak of the sport.

The 20-page booklet includes a personal reminiscence from composer Scott plus informative notes about the film and score by Andy Dursin (incorporating further quotes from Scott). Numerous film stills and the customary track-by-track analysis of each cue complete the package.

This premiere release of John Scotts complete score for North Dallas Forty has been newly remixed and mastered from the original 2" 16-track recordings for sterling sound quality. The extensive bonus section features numerous unused cues and alternates.

1. North Dallas Forty
   Music Composed and Conducted by John Scott
   
2. Main Title 3:15
   
3. Weight Room (revised) 1:08
   
4. Phil and Joanne 1:42
   
5. Stallings (revised)/Phil Gets Floored(revised)/Break In 2:03
   
6. Jo Bobs Jock Strap (revised) 1:31
   
7. Weight Room (original) 1:12
   
8. Night of Pain 3:52
   
9. Full Speed 1:43
   
10. Can I Count on You, Phil? 0:39
    
11. Phils Horse Ranch 1:56
    
12. Something Special in Chicago 1:51
    
13. Brand New Knee 2:11
    
14. Pre-Game Tensions 4:43
    
15. Lets Go Kill 0:51
    
16. Break His Leg if You Have To/Delma Gets Hit 2:14
    
17. Double Play/Phils Catch 1:40
    
18. Hartman Fumbles 0:55
    
19. Phil and Delma 0:55
    
20. Because I Care About You (revised) 0:50
    
21. End Credits 2:41
    
22. Main Title (alternate, End Credits film edit) 2:19 Total Time: 40:59
    Bonus Tracks
    
23. Not Just a Game of Football/Limousine 0:24
    
24. You Cant Sleep Here 3:00
    
25. Breakfast With Joanne 0:56
    
26. Stallings (original)/Stallings (revised, alternate)/Phil Gets Floored (original) 1:24
    
27. Jo Bobs Jock Strap (original) 1:28
    
28. Weight Room (intermediate) 1:05
    
29. Night of Pain (alternate) 3:51
    
30. Delma Gets Hit (alternate) 0:50
    
31. Because I Care About You (original) 0:49
    
32. End Credits (alternate) 2:42
    
33. Main Title (alternate, unabridged) 3:15 Total Time: 20:08
    Total Disc Time: 61:14