Shade Truman Show

When making a film, I play music constantly during "dailies" — the nightly screenings of the previous day's shooting. I test all kinds of music against the image, searching for the elusive "sound" of the picture.
In the case of The Truman Show, since it is the story of a live television program, I was also determining the music that the show's creator, Christof, would have chosen.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Horizons (1970). The Greatest Show on Earth were one of the more stylistically original signings to EMI’s legendary Progressive label Harvest. The band was formed in 1968 and featured brothers Garth and Norman Watt-Roy (who played guitar and bass respectively), along with American vocalist Ozzie Lane, Mick Deacon on Organ, a horn section of Dick Hanson, Tex Philpotts and Ian Aitcheson and drummer Ron Prudence. Initially beginning life as a Soul outfit, the band’s musical direction changed when vocalist Lane returned home to New Orleans in early 1969. Replaced by Colin Horton-Jennings (who also played guitar and flute), the band began to take on board more "progressive” influences, incorporating rock, jazz and acoustic music into their sound…

On Paint This Town, Old Crow Medicine Show offer a riveting glimpse into American mythology and the wildly colourful characters who populate it. Co-produced by Old Crow Medicine Show and Matt Ross-Spang the album pays homage to everyone from Elvis Presley to Eudora Welty while shedding a bright light on the darker aspects of the country’s legacy. Fueled by Old Crow's freewheeling collision of Americana, old-time music, folk, and rock & roll, Paint This Town turns razor-sharp commentary into rapturous sing-alongs.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Horizons (1970). The Greatest Show on Earth were one of the more stylistically original signings to EMI’s legendary Progressive label Harvest. The band was formed in 1968 and featured brothers Garth and Norman Watt-Roy (who played guitar and bass respectively), along with American vocalist Ozzie Lane, Mick Deacon on Organ, a horn section of Dick Hanson, Tex Philpotts and Ian Aitcheson and drummer Ron Prudence. Initially beginning life as a Soul outfit, the band’s musical direction changed when vocalist Lane returned home to New Orleans in early 1969. Replaced by Colin Horton-Jennings (who also played guitar and flute), the band began to take on board more "progressive” influences, incorporating rock, jazz and acoustic music into their sound…

Dutch band Mr. Albert Show, apparently named after a roadie, was formed in 1969 by Bertus Borgers (saxophone, flute, vocals), Roeland Boogaart (drums), Tom Fautubun (bass), Eric Lintermans (guitars) and Bonki Bongaerts (organ). Strengthened by the vocal talents of Floortje Klomp they make their debut with the single "Wild Sensation" in 1970, followed by their full length debut album "Mr. Albert Show" later the same year. The following their sophomore effort "Warm Motor" appeared, while the non-album single "Show Me Your Tongue" was released in support of it. This would prove to be the final release by this short-lived band, who disbanded in 1973 following the departure of Bertus Borgers.

Although the Greatest Show on Earth (GSOE) were not the first bunch of rockers to incorporate a powerful brass and woodwind section, they are among the best and heaviest-sounding British bands to have emerged from the post-psychedelia of the late '60s and early '70s. GSOE were, in essence, the invention of EMI Records subsidiary Harvest, who were focusing in on new and progressive artists such as Pink Floyd and Deep Purple. When the group was initially signed in 1968, they were an R&B/soul revue whose forte was more along the lines of Stax or Motown, instead of trippy acid rock. After ditching their original vocalist, Ozzie Lane, they eventually settled on Colin Horton Jennings, a multi-faceted performer who would begin to compose originals that would allow the octet to incrementally abandon their Yankee soul leanings.

Dutch band Mr. Albert Show, apparently named after a roadie, was formed in 1969 by Bertus Borgers (saxophone, flute, vocals), Roeland Boogaart (drums), Tom Fautubun (bass), Eric Lintermans (guitars) and Bonki Bongaerts (organ). Strengthened by the vocal talents of Floortje Klomp they make their debut with the single "Wild Sensation" in 1970, followed by their full length debut album "Mr. Albert Show" later the same year. The following their sophomore effort "Warm Motor". The album showed a refined and perfect played music according to the group's pretensions. The 6 titles combined clear structured and epic compositions in typical The Mr. Albert Show vein. The included bonus tracks were non-album 7" tracks and outtakes.

As multiple Grammy-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show celebrates their 25th anniversary, their new album ‘Jubilee’ finds the band producing alongside Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, St. Paul & the Broken Bones). The album features a return cameo from Old Crow co-founder Willie Watson as well as legendary soul singer Mavis Staples and rising star Sierra Ferrell. The result encompasses everything from jug-band tunes to Irish folk songs to exultant gospel jams.