James Clarke — The Wildcats of St Trinian's/ Vampyes OST
The CD comes with a full colour ten page inlay booklet that takes in: a fascinating write-up from Clarke about the composition of each soundtrack. A oversee of both soundtracks sonic territory by Oliver Lomax, and a collection of poster art work and stills from both movies. It’s a really nicely put together booklet which is packed with information about the films, and Clarke’s reminiscence - it’s always nice to see a booklet such as this, that mangers to get the perfect balance between been informative & pictoria; as so many reissue booklets are filled with lots of pictures/ imagery, and not enough information.
Moving on the disc it’s self, and this CD features twenty five tracks in all- taking in fifteen tracks from “The Wildcats of St Trinian's”, and ten tracks from “Vampyes”. Both soundtracks here have been remastered from the original analogue stereo tapes, and both sound fairly good, clear and crisp considering their age.
First up we have the “wildcats” soundtrack- “The Wildcats of St Tinian’s” was the 5th in the series of British comedy films based around the exploits of a group of havoc making school girls in a private girls school. This 1980 entry in the series saw the more slap-stick slightly bawdry comedy of the pervious films taking on more raucous feel with the introduction of some nudity, and actresses that were clearly past school age playing some of the older student characters. Sadly the film is seen as one of the lesser & un-memorable movies of the series, as the themes & characters had started to become rather tried & clichéd. But Clarke’s soundtrack is enjoyable, fun & at times fairly varied ride- we go from expected orchestrated & horn-lined sound-tracking-that often has quite a playful/comic edge to it, but also some more moodier dips too. Onto more buoyant mixers of twanging comic guitar meets hovering strings, marching percussion and jazzy interludes of tracks like “ Harry’s Strut (Flash Harry)”. Through to brass march band pomp of a few tracks that rather brought to mind the theme from Monty Python's Flying Circus. Over to the cheesy funk guitar lined & string swooned disco strut of “Disco Girls”. Onto more mellowed-out smoky jazz moments, and course the cursory St Tinian’s school song sing-along.
Next of course is the “Vampyes” soundtrack- “Vampyes” was a 1974 English lesbian vampire movie, that managed to mix steamy scenes with moments of graphic gore & creepiness utilizing the English countryside to great effect. The film is seen as a classic slice of erotic horror, and really from memory it’s one of the most effective films in this sub genre. Clarke’s soundtrack for the film is suitable moody, creepy & at times quite raw with it’s mixture rock guitar, strings and creepy piano runs. This soundtrack I guess is a little less varied compared to “wildcats”, as it really just moves between the searing & dark rock guitar led & eerier piano lined main theme. To more moody ‘n’ sensual flute weaved organ/ horror house piano led tracks, and dark/ malevolent fed string sound tracking. But that’s not to say it isn’t rewarding, it certainly is, it’s just a little less adventurous, but it more than makes up for it in moody darkness & sensual dread.
Both soundtracks here nicely highlight Clarke’s ability to be comfortable with-in a varied musical pallet, and each nicely capture the sprit of their respective film genres perfectly. So if you enjoyed well put together workman like sound-tracking with the odd creative & creepy edge this is well worth tracking down.