Paul Hertzog, the legendary composer behind the Bloodsport and Kickboxer scores has recently released a new collection of songs based on and written around that period of composition.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/paulhertzog2
http://www.paulhertzog.com/
Paul goes into detail on the story behind this release, so check out his website and find out more.
Waking the Dragon
was composed and recorded over a period of five years, beginning in
2009, using a somewhat ancient PC running Cakewalk Pro Audio 9. I won’t
get into all the complexities required to achieve this music on this
system, but let us say the process was painstaking.
I see this recording as a tribute to the fans of the music I wrote for Bloodsport and Kickboxer,
so I have alluded to the scores of those films with certain sounds and
attitudes, though I add the disclaimer that all the music itself is
completely new and original.
The opening track, “The Need,” begins with a bell-like sound produced on the Yamaha DX7 that I used throughout Bloodsport.
I continue using that sound both as a melody instrument and a sound
effect across almost the entire CD. The fighting tracks, “The Renewal”
and “The Final Battle,” are underpinned with the same tuned triangle
sounds from the Alesis HR-16 that I used in Kickboxer.
The pulsating ostinato sound underlying the final section of “The Final
Battle” is the same DX7 sound that provides the main pulse of “Fight to
Survive” along with many of the fight cues in Bloodsport.
Several other DX7 sounds from both films make appearances here and
there, along with some sounds from the Roland D50 that I used on Kickboxer.
Anything that sounds like an electric guitar is from my first sampling
instrument, the Ensoniq Mirage (one of the first built – it created
almost all of the guitar sounds on Bloodsport and Kickboxer
and much of the percussion on those scores), though the Mirage gave out
about halfway through this project. (If you know anyone who can repair
them, let me know.) I also use a few sounds from the Proteus 1 that I
used on Breathing Fire, but the bulk of the sounds on
this CD were produced by the Emulator X, a software sampler that resides
in a slightly more up-to-date PC than the one that runs Cakewalk,
though it, too, is more or less obsolete.
I am very fond of many of the Emulator X sounds, which
include the main lead instrument, an Irish flute sample, virtually all
of the drums and percussion, many of the sound effects, all of the
strings, the basses, the harp, and too many others to name. Obviously I
had to record each sound separately, so I am ever so grateful for all
the years I spent recording various songs one musician at a time.
Tunes that sound more in the pop vein, “The Renewal” and
“Miles to Go” for example, I wrote directly into the computer. The more
complicated cues that required orchestration, such as “The Need,” “The
Search,” “The Awakening,” and “The Fall of the Ancient Warrior,” I wrote
out on score paper before entering into the computer so that I could
get my voice leading into proper shape. String parts especially need to
appear visually on score paper for me to understand the relationships
between the individual lines.
Throughout the composing process, I tried to keep in mind the fans of my
scores while also allowing my music to reflect my growth as a human
being and musician since the late ’80s when I wrote my film music. Also
I have now the advantage of decades of technological improvement. It
amazes me how primitive my earlier music sounds as well as how much it
cost to produce in traditional studios with engineers, musicians, tape
costs, etc. etc. etc. Now anyone with an ear can produce infinitely
more sophisticated recordings in the home studio than I did back in the
day in expensive, well-equipped studios. And that is what we have here:
a group of tunes written, performed, and engineered entirely by me in a
corner of my home office.
Waking the dragon - a cautionary tale
Perhaps each listener will provide his own scenario to go
with this music. Certainly the martial arts are involved. Certainly
conflict arises and is ultimately resolved. Perhaps the story depicts a
martial arts contest; I’ve done that before. Perhaps the story
involves a societal struggle that requires a hero to sort out the crooks
and corrupt politicians. Here is the story I imagined as I composed:
(1) “The Need”
Several years after the retirement of the last of the
“dragons,” corruption, crime, and venality have overtaken the supposedly
good intentions of the weak politicians who, full of the promise of
empty words with their thieving fingers hidden, took control of the
capitol after the so-called “final campaign.” Now these politicians
themselves have become mere puppets of the crime bosses, and fear rules
both capitol and countryside. The ordinary, law-abiding citizens are
only too aware of their need for a hero.
(2) “The Search”
A young man, whose mother claims he was fathered by the last
dragon, has come of age without the teachings of his “father,” without
even knowing his father, without even truly knowing if his mother was
correct in naming his father. But this young man has faith. He “knows”
in his heart that the dragon is his father, and he recognizes the need
of his people for honor, justice, and peace. Seeing no alternative, the
young man leaves for the countryside to seek the dragon and his
assistance. Will the old man be able to return to his former powers and
glory? Or will he train the youngster to take his place? The young
would-be hero does not know. He only knows he must do something.
(3) “A Disturbance”
Searching the depths of an ancient forest, last known
dwelling place of the dragon, the young man disturbs the balance of
nature, finally coming to the attention of a very old man.
(4) “The Awakening”
The old man exudes calm patience. He listens to the
youngster. His mind comes slowly to grips with the facts of modern
times. He realizes what his retirement without a replacement has cost
the people, and he comes to the conclusion that he must engage with the
enemies of peace and justice.
(5) “Meanwhile”
Back in the capitol, the boss of all bosses struts, poses, and inflicts pain with impunity.
(6) “Not Yet Prepared”
The old man is not restored to his former power, if he
ever will be, and the young man has yet to receive training. An
encounter with the forces of darkness comes too soon, resulting in pain,
damage, bewilderment.
(7) “Despair or Determination?”
Both the ancient warrior and the youngster must battle
despair and find the resolution to prepare to return to the battle.
(8) “The Renewal”
The old man, who is indeed the retired dragon, trains
himself and his new apprentice. The dragon, it soon becomes apparent,
will never reclaim his prior glory, but gradually the apprentice reveals
his talent and acquires the dragon’s ancient skills. Perhaps he is
truly the heir of the ancient warrior.
(9) “The Fall of the Ancient Warrior”
As all too often occurs, the mentor falls, ambushed by insidious trickery.
(10) “The Final Battle: The New Dragon Wakes”
Facing the forces of evil without his mentor, the young
apprentice falters at first, but discovers his inner strength in the
midst of battle. The new skills and raw talent, burnished in the
crucible of battle, lead to triumph and the emergence of a new dragon,
the mighty warrior who can restore peace and honor.
(11) “Miles to Go”
The new dragon journeys back to the capitol. Caution accompanies victory as much struggle remains.
