BuySoundtrax Records is proud to present the release of SCROOGE a new recording of the soundtrack from the 1970 film version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, featuring original music by Academy Award™-winner Leslie Bricusse. Robert Picardo (STAR TREK: VOYAGER, CHINA BEACH) performs the role of Scrooge on this recording, which was produced and arranged by Dominik Hauser.
One of the most enduring holiday stories, Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL has been told in a multitude of ways. In 1970, a musical adaptation, starring Albert Finney and featuring music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse (DOCTOR DOLITTLE, VICTOR/VICTORIA ), was released. It earned four Academy Award nominations, including “Best Original Score and Best Original Song “Thank You Very Much”.
Though SCROOGE proved to be a perennial favorite and two decades later was launched as a musical, the soundtrack has never been released on CD or digitally. BSX Records producer Ford A. Thaxton turned to composer Dominik Hauser to reimagine the soundtrack.
Originally from Switzerland, Dominik Hauser received his education at the Jazz School St. Gallen in Switzerland, earning a masters degree in music. His talent extends from composition and arrangement to instrumental performance, including bass work for jazz-funkers The Ruleless. He is the recipient of the coveted Prix Walo and has taken the stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1996 Hauser relocated to Los Angeles, where he re-entered the education arena. His studies took him to UCLA where he delved deeply into film scoring. Subsequently he took his skills to the realm of indie cinema and began composing for film. Hauser was a privileged participant in the ASCAP film-scoring workshop in 2000 and elevated to semifinalist status at the Young Film Composer Competition in 2002. Hauser has worked on films featuring such superstars as Vin Diesel (THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK) and Charlize Theron (AEON FLUX). His work involves him in a variety of projects, including cinema, theater and video games.
“We wanted to make it a little more contemporary;” said Hauser since, “those songs had been written 40 years ago. I took that theatrical style and reinterpreted the tunes completely. My goal was to keep it orchestral and sparkly, and evoking a Christmas spirit.”
Robert Picardo, best known as the holographic Doctor on STAR TREK: VOYAGER was brought in to sing the role of Scrooge. “I was unfamiliar with this movie and had never seen it,” Picardo said. “I didn't know how beloved the movie was and indeed how many people have been waiting for this music to come out on CD. When I watched the film, I was very moved by it.”
In addition to Picardo, another performer from the STAR TREK family, Chase Masterson (STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE) appears opposite Brian “Hacksaw” Williams as Mrs. Fezziwig, and Katie Campbell performs the songs “Happiness” and Tiny Tim’s ballad “A Beautiful Day”. The album features extensive liner notes by Randall Larson.
Said Picardo, "The other wonderful thing about being in anything that is Christmas-related is that you are an evergreen. It becomes relevant again every 12 months. It's fun to be in something that people can either punch up on their computer every year or pull the desk out of their CD cabinet and enjoy it, year after year, because the music is so great."
1. A Christmas Carol 2:19
Chorus
2. Christmas Children 2:08
Performed by Fletcher Sheridan
3. I Hate People 2:43
Performed by Robert Picardo
4. Father Christmas 1:39
For People who Don’t Like Christmas
5. December the 25th 1:55
Performed by
Brian “Hacksaw” Williams and Chase Masterson
6. Happiness 2:59
Performed by Katie Campbell
7. You... You 2:15
Performed by Robert Picardo
8. The Beautiful Day 2:14
Performed by Katie Campbell
9. Thank You Very Much 2:57
Performed by Jim Tonkins
10. I’ll Begin Again 4:22
Performed by Robert Picardo
11. I Like Life 1:55
Performed by Robert Picardo
12. Father Christmas 1:48
Chorus
13. Thank You Very Much - Reprise 1:41
Performed by Robert Picardo
14. A Christmas Carol 2:19
Instrumental
15. Happiness 2:59
Instrumental
16. You... You 2:15
Instrumental
17. Father Christmas 1:48
Instrumental
16. Scrooge Speaks (Bonus Humbug) 1:07
Performed by Robert Picardo
