114 episodes

Take a musical journey through the 60-year career of film composer John Williams!

The Baton: A John Williams Musical Journey Jeff Commings

    • TV & Film
    • 4.8 • 85 Ratings

Take a musical journey through the 60-year career of film composer John Williams!

    Episode 70 - Home Alone

    Episode 70 - Home Alone

    John Williams planned to take a break from film scoring in the second half of 1990 to work on a concerto, but fate brought a screening of the comedy "Home Alone," and Williams could not resist the film about a boy who protects his house from burglars after his family accidentally takes off for Paris without him. The Maestro came to the project after Bruce Broughton had to step away due to scheduling conflicts, marking the second time in two years that Williams replaced Broughton on a film project. Williams writes two themes for the film that became Christmas-themed songs, one of the melodies being used for the film's action sequences before converting to a song about the star that guided visitors to the manger where Jesus was born. Host Jeff Commings counts the score as his fifth-favorite, noting that there isn't a false note in the music and it doesn't resort to overdoing it on the comedy aspect of the film. 

    • 43 min
    Episode 1 - Prologue

    Episode 1 - Prologue

    Welcome! This is a podcast unlike any other. We're going on a journey through the 60 years of film music written by the legendary John Williams, considered by just about everyone to be the greatest film composer in history. In this episode, host Jeff Commings begins the journey with a look back at John Williams' life before his first film assignment. Learn about John Williams' time in the Air Force, his studies at Juilliard and learning from the best in his early days in Hollywood.

    • 19 min
    Episode 2 - Daddy-O

    Episode 2 - Daddy-O

    Let's start this journey through the career of film composer John Williams with his first-ever score for a feature-length film. The 1959 B-movie "Daddy-O" was not the blockbuster that Williams would have hoped to have to launch his career, but it contains some good music. Host Jeff Commings examines some of the music, including some moments that hint at the greatness to come almost a decade later.

    • 26 min
    Episode 3 - I Passed For White

    Episode 3 - I Passed For White

    The second film in John Williams' filmography is about as different from his first as you could get. The film "I Passed For White" tried very hard to be taken seriously, but is sheer melodrama in the Douglas Sirk method. The film is notable for the first thematic material John Williams has written, a lush melody for the main character. Join host Jeff Commings as he discusses this heavy-handed drama about race and personal identity.

    • 25 min
    Episode 4 - Because They're Young

    Episode 4 - Because They're Young

    We've got another teenage drama for you on this episode: "Because They're Young." It's a bit more dramatic than John Williams' first foray into the teenybopper genre, Daddy-O, with Dick Clark in his first film role and some obvious attempts to mimic the more popular film The Blackboard Jungle. There are also some connections to West Side Story, both intentional and unintentional. Sit back as host Jeff Commings analyzes this bongo-heavy score for a film that might have you reliving your high school days.

    • 17 min
    Episode 5 - The Secret Ways

    Episode 5 - The Secret Ways

    John Williams' fourth film score, for the movie "The Secret Ways," does its very best to turn a very bad film into something watchable. Williams succeeds in many places, coloring in darkly-filmed scenes with violins and flutes and composing a haunting main theme for the piano and cello. Host Jeff Commings tries to explain the plot of the film while breaking down some of the score's finer moments. We'll also discuss the historic firsts John Williams experienced the same year during his work on the TV show "Checkmate."

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
85 Ratings

85 Ratings

VelvetRose123 ,

Excellent

I wish I could rate this podcast 10 stars. Jeff Commings is so knowledgeable and listening to him talk about John Williams musical career is just lovely. I’m a John Williams fan, and have been for years. It’s been so great listening and learning about John Williams’ development and career. I want to go see ALL of these movies again (or the first time) :) If you’re looking for your new favorite podcast (whether you play an instrument or not) this is the podcast for you! This is my favorite podcast and I listen every single day.

BadzeeBwai ,

An episodic history and celebration of John Williams’ career

John Williams’ music for film is always a narrative journey in its own right, and this excellent podcast details the composer’s own development via detailing every single film project he’s ever scored. Host Jeff Commings is full of observations, biographical, historical and production data plus joy and appreciation of the maestro’s work, and always with an eye for a good anecdote. Hugely enjoyable.

flushtheturdnovemberthird ,

The Baton

Jeff has created the quintessential John Williams podcast. This podcast is detailed and thoughtful. Jeff takes us through all of John Williams musical writing as a young man in television and film. John Williams made an impression on many people all over the world throughout the years and if you thought you were a fan, you might learn a thing or two through this podcast. Jeff is a honest dealer with his openness about his musical training. And Jeff is honestly a little too hard on himself, he is more knowledgeable than he may like to admit. I learned so much more about John Williams than I thought I knew, and it’s all due to Jeff and this beautiful podcast.

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