🎵 AotW AOTW: OST: BLESS THE BEASTS & CHILDREN (SP-4322)

[LPJim]

Soundtrack: BLESS THE BEASTS AND CHILDREN
Music By Barry DeVorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr.
(The song "Bless The Beasts & Children" performed by Carpenters)
A&M SP-4322

Columbia Pictures presents Stanley Kramer's production of "Bless the Beasts and Children" starring Billy Mumy, Barry Robins, Miles Chapin, Darel Glaser, Bob Kramer, Marc Vahanian ... Screenplay by Mac Benoff ... Based on the novel by Glendon Swarthout.

Music by Barry DeVorzon (lyrics) and Perry Botkin Jr. (arrangements); both were producers/ all songs published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music Inc.
BMI/ Engineers Larry Levine and Ray Gerhardt.

SIDE ONE
Bless the Beasts and Children (vocal by Carpenters) 3:07/ Cotton's Dream 1:57/ Down the Line (vocal by Barry De Vorzon) 1:54/ Bless the Beasts and Children 2:12/ Lost (vocal by Renee Armand) 2:24.

SIDE TWO
Bless the Beasts and Children 2:16/ Down the Line 2:50/ Journey's End 2:01/ Stampede 1:43/ Free 1:57/ Requiem 0:47.

CD availability: none

SP 4322 entered the Billboard Top 200 on November 27, 1971, peaked at #176 and charted for 10 weeks, according to Whitburn's "Top Pop Albums."

JB

 

[W.B.]

I'd presume that the Carpenters' singing of the title theme would be the same as on single AM 1289-S (B-side of "Superstar") and LP A Song For You (SP-3511), arranged (and orchestrated) by Richard Carpenter and (ostensibly) produced by Jack Daugherty (or, as sounds more likely, under Mr. Daugherty's aegis); the time of 3:07 was what was listed on their aforementioned LP, but was shown as 3:08 on the 45. Mr. Gerhardt's name on this particular A.O.T.W. figures in that context, as he'd also worked with the Carpenters.

And speaking of which . . . the title was shown on an old jukebox strip for the Carpenters' "Superstar" 45 as "Bless The Beast & The Child."

 

[daveK]

Questions: Is the song "Cotton's Dream" the same song that was later retitled "The Young & The Restless" and then "Nadia's Theme"? And is the song "Down The Line" on this album the same song that was on the B-side of the "Nadia's Theme" single by Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.? Did both the "Nadia's Theme" and "Bless The Beasts And Children" LPs contain some of the same tracks?

 

[Harry]

I'd presume that the Carpenters' singing of the title theme would be the same as on single AM 1289-S (B-side of "Superstar") and LP A Song For You (SP-3511), arranged (and orchestrated) by Richard Carpenter and (ostensibly) produced by Jack Daugherty (or, as sounds more likely, under Mr. Daugherty's aegis); the time of 3:07 was what was listed on their aforementioned LP, but was shown as 3:08 on the 45. Mr. Gerhardt's name on this particular A.O.T.W. figures in that context, as he'd also worked with the Carpenters.

And speaking of which . . . the title was shown on an old jukebox strip for the Carpenters' "Superstar" 45 as "Bless The Beast & The Child."

Interesting about the 45 jukebox strip. Perhaps shortened because of space?

Actually, the Carpenters track that appears on this album is different from the one issued on the A SONG FOR YOU album. The biggest change is in the instrumentation where a vibraphone replaces the more familiar English horn near the beginning and ending of the track.

Also, the flaws that are present on the original A SONG FOR YOU track opening are not present (or not as pronounced) on this soundtrack album. There's also some slight differences in the mix, with Karen's vocals sounding a bit more forefront, and some of the backing vocals are not quite as reverbed.

There's also no mention of Jack Daugherty on the BLESS THE BEASTS soundtrack, so perhaps this was purely a DeVorzon/Botkin production, with the more familiar Carpenters track getting the changes and the "Jack Daugherty" banner.

Ironically, this is one piece of Carpenters recorded material that I didn't own - until yesterday. Realizing that it was an upcoming AOTW, and that there was something interesting and different in the mix, I obtained one through eBay, with it arriving in yesterday's mail. Good timing, huh?

Questions: Is the song "Cotton's Dream" the same song that was later retitled "The Young & The Restless" and then "Nadia's Theme"?

Yes.

And is the song "Down The Line" on this album the same song that was on the B-side of the "Nadia's Theme" single by Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.?

Yes.

Did both the "Nadia's Theme" and "Bless The Beasts And Children" LPs contain some of the same tracks?

Yes. They both contained the "Bless The Beasts And Children" instrumental, "Nadia's Theme" (the retitling of "Cotton's Dream"), and "Down The Line".

See also this thread:
http://www.amcorner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2131

Harry
NP: BLESS THE BEASTS & CHILDREN SOUNDTRACK

 

[Chris May]

I own a mint/sealed copy of this LP. I have considered opening it and listening to it just for the sound difference with relation to the mix, lead vocals, etc.

For those of you that are familiar with the Carpenters' recording found on this album, is the "track" itself the same (i.e. bass, piano, drums) as the one found on ASFY? What about Karen's lead? Is it the same master lead edit found on the album version? My understanding was that "Beasts" was initially tracked for this movie, and then modifications were made to the master and then a remix for "Song4U". But both versions ultimately came from the same master tape. Can anyone confirm or deny this???? -Chris

 

[Harry]

It's just different - and hard to describe. Upon listening to it for the first time yesterday, I just instinctively knew it was different. Of course the instrumentation change was the most noticeable element, but beyond that, other things just sound different - like mentioned above, the placement of Karen's vocal in the mix and the quality of the backing vocals.

If you've got a sealed copy - and don't plan on ever selling it - then go ahead and give it a listen. If you're saving it to sell, then of course, keep it sealed.

Harry
NP: BLESS THE BEASTS AND CHILDREN SOUNDTRACK

 

[Bruno]

I don't own this LP, I only know the title song.

For years I thought of this song as an uninteresting album track. When Richard Carpenter remixed it for the 1985 YESTERDAY ONCE MORE Double CD, I began to like it. The longer piano intro and the stronger drums make this song a lot better!

Bruno

 

[Murray]

I don't own the LP either, but I have seen the movie, and I have the soundtrack version of Bless the Beasts on a CD-R that someone sent me a few years ago.

Was the soundtrack version ever released on a 45, or is this album the only place it can be found? When the Carpenters performed Bless the Beasts and Children on the Academy Awards show, did the backing music include the vibraphone?

I've noticed that most, if not all, of the music from this movie soundtrack was used in the Young and the Restless soap opera. "Cotton's Dream" (aka "Nadia's Theme") as the opening theme, and the rest of the songs as background music.

Murray
...who didn't think too much of the movie...

 

[Rudy]

I must be hungry: I'm thinking of Bless The Beets & The Chitlins.

 

[Harry]

Was the soundtrack version ever released on a 45, or is this album the only place it can be found?

I couldn't say. "Bless The Beasts And Children" is one of the few 45s I don't seem to have - and it was released in many parts of the world, so who knows what mix showed up where?

Harry
...happy to have found this interesting mix, online...

 

[Dave]

I haven't heard this album for a long time. Bought it Still-Sealed, of course. "Lost" by Renee Armand would've been a good Bonus-Track along with a few Non-LP '45's for a potential (Non-Japanese/POCM-series) reissue of her RAIN BOOK. I bought this album along with a Still-Sealed copy of a Barry DeVorzan LP on Arista, as well as a copy of the soundtrack for AMERICAN DREAMER, starring Dennis Hopper, which featured songs by Gene Clark and The Hello People on Mediaarts.

Dave

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Cool discussion.

I don't have this Soundtrack LP but I have heard the song on it, someone sent a mp3 to me & it is amazing. I actually prefer this version over the version on A Song for You. It is definately a different version. Karen is more up front vocally in the track.

I do have the 45 of Superstar/Bless the Beasts & Children AM 1289-S the time for Bless the Beasts shows 3:08. This 45 is the Song for You Lp Version.

Be interesting to find if this soundtrack Lp version ever made to it 45 like Harry mentioned, stranger things have happened.

..who needs to add yet another Lp to his collection, online...

 

[W.B.]

Based on all your explanations, in a way it would make sense that the version from the Carpenters on this soundtrack would be somewhat different than on A Song For You and the preceding 45. This had also been true with Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," which differed on The Graduate soundtrack from their Number One hit version as also on their LP Bookends; and, likewise, Lulu's "To Sir With Love," the title track from the movie of the same name -- on the opening credits, from my recollection, the song was performed in a tad quicker tempo than on the chart-topping 45 release on (U.S.) Epic.

 

[Rick-An Ordinary Fool]

Based on all your explanations, in a way it would make sense that the version from the Carpenters on this soundtrack would be somewhat different than on A Song For You and the preceding 45. This had also been true with Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," which differed on The Graduate soundtrack from their Number One hit version as also on their LP Bookends;

Great analogy, I have that Graduate LP & your right about that version from Simon & Garfunkel. However I wished the Carpenters had done a little more on Bless the Beasts Lp like S/G did on the Graduate.

 

[Captain Bacardi]

I must be hungry: I'm thinking of Bless The Beets & The Chitlins.

Oh, you'd be a perfect fit down here then!


Capt. Bacardi
...who had a dinner of Pho soup with tendons and tripe (among other things), online...

 

[PJ]

Really love this soundtrack version -sounds like Richard & Karen had more time to work on the vocals and overall track

Richard mentioned this song as a favourite in 1997 post concert meeting and the lack of time available for the initial studio work....

Bless The Beasts would have been great single in 1972 -not just as B side

Peter

 

[W.B.]

Bless The Beasts would have been great single in 1972 -not just as B side

I.I.N.M., "Bless The Beasts . . . " was a minor hit on the charts around late 1971/early '72, after "Superstar" dropped from the charts, and just before (or around the time of) the release of "Hurting Each Other."

 

[Harry]

"Superstar"/"Bless The Beasts And Children" was basically considered a double-A sided single, and both tracks got significant airplay.

"Superstar" was the powerhouse of the two songs, reaching a lofty #2 on the Billboard© charts, while "Bless The Beasts And Children" peaked at #67.

Harry
...with the chart info, online...

 

[PJ]

Yes -Bless The Beasts...was a chart hit in late 1971 .....bur really deserved to be a single in it's own right

Either Bless could have replaced It's Going To Take Some Time (Spring 1972) or been issued as 4th single for August / September 1972.....

Richard did comment at CPAC in 1997 that Bless should have been a single -but that during this period Carpenters could have easily released 5/6 singles from each album ....there were so many great songs and favourites 1970 > 1975 period

Peter

 

[W.B.]

Richard did comment at CPAC in 1997 that Bless should have been a single -but that during this period Carpenters could have easily released 5/6 singles from each album ....there were so many great songs and favourites 1970 > 1975 period

It appears that A Song For You seems to take the cake for amount of singles pulled therefrom. Besides "Bless the Beasts . . . ", there was (by order of 45 release):
- "Hurting Each Other"
- "It's Going To Take Some Time" / "Flat Baroque"
- "Goodbye To Love" / "Crystal Lullaby"
- "Road Ode" (as B-side to "Yesterday Once More")
- "Top Of The World" (though 45 version was modified and altered)
- "I Won't Last A Day Without You"

In short, nine tracks out of the thirteen on the album. That leaves the title track (and its reprise), "Intermission" and "Piano Picker."

While Offering / Ticket to Ride appeared to have four songs released on 45's, and Close To You and Carpenters each had five tracks pulled for single release.

Which would likely average out to six songs per album issued on 45.

 

[hammer&nails]

I'm wondering if this was ever released on CD? If anyone has information please post!

 

[Harry]

As noted in the lead post in this thread, the album's never been released on CD. Best bet is to seek out used vinyl.

Harry

 

[hammer&nails]

Thanks for that info on the soundtrack.

 

[TallPaulInKy]

W.B. wrote: Lulu's "To Sir With Love," the title track from the movie of the same name -- on the opening credits, from my recollection, the song was performed in a tad quicker tempo than on the chart-topping 45 release on (U.S.) Epic.

Actually there were four different versions of To Sir With Love. CBS issued the single version on an album by the same name, but padded out with other songs. Meanwhile Mercury had the rights to the movie spoundtrack album which contained three other versions of the song, some even with different lyrics than the hit 45. All three were used in the actual film.

back to A&M, I have noticed that seldom does a soundtrack spong appear on an A&M single they seem to have recut most of the songs, exacmples I can think of is Casino Royale by TJB, Sandpipers Theme from beyond the valley Of The Dolls is a different recordingt on the single than on the soundtrack LP. Claudine Longet did singles on Nothing To Lose and A Flea In Her Ear, the Claudine versions were recut for A&M singles and never appeared of the respective soundtrack albums.

 

[jfiedler17]

Hey, incidentally, does anyone know if the instrumental version of "Down the Road" was ever used in anything (film or television) other than this movie? The reason I ask is 'cause I got a 45 of "Bless the Beasts and Children" b/w "Down the Road" when I was really little and I instantly recognized "Down the Road" but couldn't figure out for the life of me what movie or TV program I knew it from and never did figure it out! I never saw this movie, and I've never seen "The Young and the Restless", either, so those aren't it.

Jeff F.