Music scores composed by Frank Skinner

Release date : March 1, 2012 

This is the overdue CD premiere of two original soundtrack albums by Frank Skinner (1897-1968), the overlooked composer of about 200 movie scores who worked extensively with director Douglas Sirk. Other Sirk-Skinner successful melodramas include Magnificent Obsession, All That Heaven Allows and Written on the Wind.

Imitation of Life (1959) is arguably one of Skinner’s finest efforts, a forgotten gem packed with moving and atmospheric themes, in addition to the main title melody provided by Sammy Fain. Interlude (1957) relies mostly on popular classical works. In both cases, Joseph Gershenson conducts with brio the Universal International orchestra and the young Henry Mancini is said to have collaborated anonymously!

Mechanical licenses are issued in Canada for all our releases, so that publishers and composers always receive their due even when the recordings have fallen into public domain, which is the case here. The two soundtracks have been digitalized and restored from mint LP albums. The overall sound quality is fine : clean but warm and crisp. Imitation of Life is in true stereo and a slight reverberation has been added to the monophonic Interlude to create some depth.

12-page booklet with English and French liner notes.

IMITATION OF LIFE

01  Main Title: Imitation of Life  2:17

(Sammy Fain - Paul Francis Webster)  Sung by Earl Grant

02  Home from the Beach  5:00

03  Disappointed  3:51

04  Rejected  3:20

05  Break-Up  2:13

06  Success Montage  3:28

07  Lovely  2:03

08  Wishing Star  3:55

09  Being Childish  2:36

10  The Truth / Heartbreak  2:19

11  Secrets  4:45

12  Trouble of the World  3:08

Traditional sung by Lillian Hayman

13  Going to Glory & End Title  2:59

INTERLUDE

14  Interlude Suite 1  13:05

15  Interlude Suite 2  9:16

TT  64:27

© Disques CinéMusique