FSM article on MV music is now available FREE!

[bushido]

Awhile back I wrote a feature article for Film Score Magazine about the songs used in various eps.You can read the entire article here:

http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/backissues/viewissue.cfm?issueID=111

.and here is a revised version posted at Yahoo group

 VICE'S VERSES  by Bruce R. Marshall> c. 2005, c.2006> > >

MIAMI VICE may not be the best show ever, but it certainly can lay claim to having the best music.> > .Especially in the second and third seasons, the creators elevated the song score to artistic heights not seen before or since. Coupled with the brilliant, innovative scores by Jan Hammer, MV stands as television's greatest dramatic musical showcase. Perhaps in any entertainment medium! .> > The pattern was set in the pilot movie (known as "Brother's Keeper" in syndication) . Phil Collins' haunting "In the Air Tonite" with it's long instrumental prelude and evocative lyrics contributed to a unique fusion of image and sound The song was effectively reprised in the season four ep "A Bullet For Crockett" accompanying a botched drug bust and exciting chase that culminates on an elevated subway platform.> Many of the eps culminated with a long sequence cut to music. This technique was especially powerful in three of the five eps discussed below.> > MUSIC INTO MOTION> > "Definitely Miami" is the definitive MV ep. The plot contains the two great themes of the show:> 1. the difficulty for undercover cops to maintain their own identity ("The better I get at this job, the more dangerous it becomes" remarks Crockett at one point)> 2. the corrupting influence on the criminal justice system and U.S. foreign policy of the ongoing "War on Drugs".> > The first theme get played out as Crockett(Don Johnson) as his alter-ego drug smuggler/dealer Sonny Burnett, gets lured into a dangerous plot by a seductive damsel in distress Callie(Arielle Dobasle). Jan Hammer wrote some of his most romantic music for this relationship( sadly unreleased). Even though Crockett knows he is being played, his romantic feelings (and sense of chivalry) keep him in the game. In fact Callie and her boyfriend, played by Ted Nugent, intend to kill Crockett and take his money.> The second theme appears in a parallel plot concerning a DEA agent who wants to bring the sister of a drug dealer out of the witness protection program.> The climax brings these two plot lines together in thrilling fashion. Set to the music of Godley & Creme's "Cry" with its catchy guitar lick and driving bass line the audience is treated to some dazzling examples of sound and motion combined. After Burnett has escaped the trap he comes for Callie on a beach, walking in perfect time to the music! She first sees him in the distance and thinks it's her boyfriend. Not until he gets closer does she realize it's Burnett. The lyrics tell the story:> "You don't know how to play the game> you cheat and you lie/you don't even know how to say goodbye> you make me want to cry> CRY!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!"> > There is also powerful cut to a glaring Castillo (Edward Olmos) staring at the bewildered DEA agent who allowed the witness to be killed by a "police" sniper.> > A brilliant episode, a fantastic use of music, the best!> > "The Good Collar" also ends with an extended dramatic/action set piece wedded to music: "Picture Book" by Simply Red.> A duplicitous District Attorney has used a compromised scholarship football player, Archie (Vincent Ford) as bait to catch an underage drug kingpin. The finale takes place in a limousine as a wired Archie, tries to extract incriminating evidence from the 15 year old drug lord. When the plan goes awry we are witness to a scene of heartbreaking trauma and tragedy.> The powerful emotions generated by this sequence are greatly enhanced by the music and most especially from lead singer Mick Hucknall's haunting, mournful vocal. At the finale, Crockett throws his prized Orange Bowl football- he intended it as a farewell gift for a college bound Archie - in the trash.Hucknell' s lyrics, while cryptic, nevertheless generate enormous power:> "here by the side of the book> we beseech thee, we beseech thee"> > The feeling is is one of a spiritual or gospel song. Hucknall's fade out wailing "whoa, whoa" caps a classic moment in television drama!> > A GREEK CHORUS> > Peter Gabriel could well be called the "voice of Vice". His songs enhanced many episodes for all five seasons (see sidebar). The producers were especially fortunate that his classic album "SO" was produced in time for the great third season. > "we Do What We're Told from that album was memorably used in the brilliant ep "Forgive Us Our Debts". As one Internet poster put it "...this great song looks like it was especially made for this episode".> This unusual and provocative ep concerns Crockett's attempt to free Guy Hackman, a man he helped put on death row. He is sure he is guilty, but after a tip is received suggesting otherwise he "has to do the right thing" and follow the lead (a memorable scene depicting a stakeout at a monastery contains some of Hammer's most exciting unreleased music).Thus the song works as kind of a Greek chorus: the lyrics, which appear after a long instrumental intro consist mainly of the chant:> "We do what we're told> we do what were told> we do what were told> told to do"> > The first time, it is used in it's entirety ,accompanying a mesmerizing montage of Crockett driving to and entering the prison to interview the accused killer. It returns following the interview. As the camera fixes on Crockett's pensive face, the chorus fades back in. Unsure as to Hackman's guilt, Crockett feels compelled to continue his investigation.> > It is reprised at the climax. After successfully exhonarating him, he greets Hackman as he leaves prison, a free man. When the true consequences of Crockett's efforts becomes clear the song chorus returns providing a bitter and ironic coda to the shocking ending.> > > > > MUSIC AS METAPHOR> > "Out Where the Buses Don't Run" was named by TV GUIDE one of the 50 greatest television episodes ever! It certainly has an original and bizarre plot line. Crockett and his partner Tubbs are aided in their pursuit of drug dealer Tony Arcaro by an eccentric, borderline schizo ex-cop named Hank Weldon. Weldon is such an odd-ball that most of this ep has a goofy, humorous tone.> > This makes the dark, disturbing ending that much more startling!> > Weldon calls Crockett and Tubbs with the surprising news that he has captured Arcaro. In a scene that harkens back to the pilot("In the Air Tonite"), the detectives take a late night drive to discover the truth. The music, Dire Straight's "Brothers in Arms", is an inspired choice! The lush, moody instrumental intro is reminiscent of Hammer's music with it's synths and electric guitar.. The lyrics, about soldiers, provide a poignant parallel between the bond that exists between police partners. They too are "brothers in arms" and, as in this episode, will sometimes go to great (and illegal) lengths to defend the other.> > "Through these fields of destruction/ Baptism of fire> I've watched all your suffering/ As the battles raged higher> And though they did hurt me so bad/In fear and alarm> You did not desert me/ My brothers in arms> > One internet reviewer describes the climactic moments:> "...the awesome concluding scene that begins with Crockett and Tubbs driving through the wet dark streets of the city in the convertible to the sounds of Dire Straits..(is) the perfect wedding of music to the story...MV was the first TV show to really show (that) combining the right music to a stylish and engaging storyline can really produce pure art"> > VICE IN VERSE> > The theme of police corruption and the drug trade returns in the song and season one episode entitled "'Smuggler's Blues".> Performed by Glen Frey, this raucous rocker (included on the MIAMI VICE ost cd) is heard throughout this exciting episode:> -as instrumental backing for action scenes> -as a literal inspiration for the on-screen events ("Baby here's your ticket with your suitcase in your hand/here's a little money do it just the way we planned")> -as commentary ("it's the lure of easy money/it's got a very strong appeal").> > In just a few well written verses, Frey encapsulates -more succinctly than any screenwriter could- the life of a drug smuggler:> "No matter if it's heroin, cocaine or hash> you have to carry weapons> 'cause you always carry cash"> > And, he slips in a cynical take on the futility of the drug war:> "It's propping up the governments of Columbia and Peru> you ask any DEA man he'll say 'there's nothing we can do' > it's the politics of contraband, it's the smugglers blues"> > A wonderful example of matching appropriate words and music with a relevant script!> > > THE VIRTUES OF VICE> > MV has often been belittled as nothing more than an extended music video.> I take umbrage!> There is an art to integrating songs into a dramatic narrative. It takes taste, imagination, and skill.> Like Raymond Chandler did with his detective stories, Michael Mann and his creative team injected something fresh and vibrant into a well-worn genre: poetry.> > > ADDENDUM:> > VICE'S GREATEST HITS> > Here is a list of some of the best shows and songs (* indicates it is on one of the two original soundtrack albums):> > Season One> "Three Eyed Turtle- I Don't Care Any More by Phil Collins> "Evan"- Biko by Peter Gabriel> > Season Two> "Prodigal Son"- You Belong To the City by Glen Frey*> "Trust Fund Pirates"- Heaven by Sinply Red> "Bushido"- Hello Earth by Kate Bush> > Season Three> "Forgive Us Our Debts"- Standing On the Outside by Meat Loaf> "The Savage" - Blood and Roses by The Smithereens> "El Viejo"- Fly On the Windscreen by Depeche Mode> "Stone's War"- Red Rain by Peter Gabriel & Mercy by Steve Jones*> "Walk Alone"- In Dulce Decorum by The Damned*> > Season Four> "Rock and a Hard Place"- Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House> > Season Five> "Redemption in Blood"- Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel> > > BRM> > > > > > > > > > >

Edited January 27, 2016 by bushido

[Stinger390X]

Well said!

[EasyED]

thanks for the post!

[bushido]

just added a full-length versionthe 'writer's cut' if you will:)

[cageyJG]

Very enjoyable to read - thank you!

[bushido]

Hey all!

My article VICE'S VERSES is now available as a free downloadable pdf.

http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/backissues/viewissue.cfm?issueID=111

or go to:

www..filmscoremonthly.com. At the top of the page click on  "FSM Online "then click "Print Backissues"

volume 10 number 5 is the issue (you have to download the whole thing if you want a print version)

 

I think it is more enjoyable to have the magazine version!

bruce marshall

 

ps one of the eps and songs I spotight is "Smuggler's Blues"

RIP Glen Frey

Edited January 27, 2016 by bushido