Dudley Moore would have been 80 today (19th April). Best known to the masses for his partnership with Peter Cook and his brief stint as a Hollywood A-lister, the comedian, actor, writer and ‘ladies’ man’, his greatest talent was as a pianist and composer. Shamefully overlooked and under-commissioned, I know I'm not the only person to regard him as the finest musician at work in Swingin’ London.
Classically trained via an Oxford scholarship, he entertained the somebodies at Cook’s Establishment Club and the nation via his customary tune or two on ‘Not Only but Also…’ with his jazz trio. If only he’d been given more film work, for his soundtracks for Bedazzled, 30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia and Staircase are the works of a maestro and, heck, it’s overused so as to become almost meaningless, but he really was something of a genius.
Here’s my Dudley Moore Top 10
1. Rupert’s Romp –From the 30 is a Dangerous Age film, this piece is not on the soundtrack album, and to the best of my knowledge has never been released in any format. I am obsessed with everything about this 166 second clip – the colour, lighting, camerawork, the interplay between drummer Chris Karan & Dud, Karan’s playing, the customer giving Dud the ‘ok’ seal of approval, the maitre d’ doing a little soft-shoe-shuffle causing the girls to giggle, Dud at his most handsome with a sunshine smile, and of course, his phenomenal playing in the manner of his hero Erroll Garner.
2. Bedazzled –Judging by Dud’s threads and barnet this dates from 2 or 3 years after the film. I can’t think that Barry, Mancini or Bernstein have ever come up with anything better for a film score. The soundtrack contains four arrangements on this theme – Main Title, The Millionaire, Lilian Lust & Cook’s piece de resistance (see No.3).
3. Bedazzled by Drimble Wedge & the Vegetations –The first post-punk record? Lydon has acknowledged this as an influence on a Pistols’ song (he couldn’t recall which), but its sound is futuristic orchestral psychedelia with Cook’s monotone delivery leaving it sounding like little else until Broadcast came along.
4. Waterloo –Not dissimilar to my cloth ears to Rupert’s Romp. This track appears on the 1971 Today album, though this clip features bassist Pete McGurk, who tragically committed suicide in June ’68.
5. Amalgam – The outstanding track from 1969’s imaginatively-named Dudley Moore Trio album. I swear I’ve seen a tv studio clip of this but cannot find it.
6. Song for Suzy – Got that heavy bass sound and early 70s optimism (where did that go?) not unlike the pop vibe of Blue Mink. Also from the Today album & introduced by Roger Whittaker. Dig!.
7. The Detective –Truly showing his skill and versatility this is unlike anything else in Dud’s canon and is from the 30 soundtrack. A moody noir orchestration reminiscent of Elmer Bernstein’s great works; Staccato’s Theme and Walk on the Wild Side. Stunning.
8.The Staircase – From his score for the long-forgotten film, which never got a soundtrack release, (can you hear me Jonny Trunk?) but rescued to close the Today album.Exquisite piece of bachelor pad bossa.
9. Hello Sailor – Another from 30. This was renamed Morning Walk for the American soundtrack. I love the jaunty sunniness of this. Has a sound not unlike the work Bowie did with the likes of Arthur Greenslade at the time. Is that an ocarina?
10. Waltz for Suzy or Sooz Blooz, GPO, Italy, Moontime, The Look of Love, Just in Time…How can I pick just one more? Lose yourself on Youtube or pick up a secondhand vinyl. Actually, I can. This disappeared from Youtube for a while, so enjoy it whilst you can. How about this for 24-carat A-List Saturday night entertainment even if Cass doesn't quite seem to 'get' Dud's sense of fun.
Happy birthday, Dud.
Classically trained via an Oxford scholarship, he entertained the somebodies at Cook’s Establishment Club and the nation via his customary tune or two on ‘Not Only but Also…’ with his jazz trio. If only he’d been given more film work, for his soundtracks for Bedazzled, 30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia and Staircase are the works of a maestro and, heck, it’s overused so as to become almost meaningless, but he really was something of a genius.
Here’s my Dudley Moore Top 10
1. Rupert’s Romp –From the 30 is a Dangerous Age film, this piece is not on the soundtrack album, and to the best of my knowledge has never been released in any format. I am obsessed with everything about this 166 second clip – the colour, lighting, camerawork, the interplay between drummer Chris Karan & Dud, Karan’s playing, the customer giving Dud the ‘ok’ seal of approval, the maitre d’ doing a little soft-shoe-shuffle causing the girls to giggle, Dud at his most handsome with a sunshine smile, and of course, his phenomenal playing in the manner of his hero Erroll Garner.
2. Bedazzled –Judging by Dud’s threads and barnet this dates from 2 or 3 years after the film. I can’t think that Barry, Mancini or Bernstein have ever come up with anything better for a film score. The soundtrack contains four arrangements on this theme – Main Title, The Millionaire, Lilian Lust & Cook’s piece de resistance (see No.3).
3. Bedazzled by Drimble Wedge & the Vegetations –The first post-punk record? Lydon has acknowledged this as an influence on a Pistols’ song (he couldn’t recall which), but its sound is futuristic orchestral psychedelia with Cook’s monotone delivery leaving it sounding like little else until Broadcast came along.
4. Waterloo –Not dissimilar to my cloth ears to Rupert’s Romp. This track appears on the 1971 Today album, though this clip features bassist Pete McGurk, who tragically committed suicide in June ’68.
5. Amalgam – The outstanding track from 1969’s imaginatively-named Dudley Moore Trio album. I swear I’ve seen a tv studio clip of this but cannot find it.
6. Song for Suzy – Got that heavy bass sound and early 70s optimism (where did that go?) not unlike the pop vibe of Blue Mink. Also from the Today album & introduced by Roger Whittaker. Dig!.
7. The Detective –Truly showing his skill and versatility this is unlike anything else in Dud’s canon and is from the 30 soundtrack. A moody noir orchestration reminiscent of Elmer Bernstein’s great works; Staccato’s Theme and Walk on the Wild Side. Stunning.
8.The Staircase – From his score for the long-forgotten film, which never got a soundtrack release, (can you hear me Jonny Trunk?) but rescued to close the Today album.Exquisite piece of bachelor pad bossa.
9. Hello Sailor – Another from 30. This was renamed Morning Walk for the American soundtrack. I love the jaunty sunniness of this. Has a sound not unlike the work Bowie did with the likes of Arthur Greenslade at the time. Is that an ocarina?
10. Waltz for Suzy or Sooz Blooz, GPO, Italy, Moontime, The Look of Love, Just in Time…How can I pick just one more? Lose yourself on Youtube or pick up a secondhand vinyl. Actually, I can. This disappeared from Youtube for a while, so enjoy it whilst you can. How about this for 24-carat A-List Saturday night entertainment even if Cass doesn't quite seem to 'get' Dud's sense of fun.
Happy birthday, Dud.
