Piece of music always used in documentaries

[Ivankafka]

Jeez, I have been occasionally searching for this eerie haunting piece of synthesizer music for 2 years now ever since I heard it again in a documentary. The first time was perhaps 20 years ago! both documentaries were social ones rather than historical. My guess would be from the late or early 80's. Jean Michel Jarre - esque. Both times I heard it, it made the hairs on my arms and neck stand up. If anyone can get this, I would salute you from the highest.

[B00]

The one Jean Michael Jarre song guaranteed to make the hairs stand up on my arms is Rendevous 4. Try that :)

If it's not that one- sorry, but get it anyway, it's awesome!

[Ivankafka]

Thanks for the try, but I have most of his stuff including Rendezvous and it isn't that. It is similar-ish.

[Philtaz]

Could be Oxygene, also by JMJ.

[Mortartube]

Possibly Creation du Monde by Vangelis from the album l'apocolypse de animaux. This was used in lots of documetaries in the 70's and 80's

[Mortartube]

That should be L'apocalypse des animaux BTW. Happy hunting.

[Mortartube]

Go here for a listen to a snippet of creation du monde, click on the right hand side at the sound symbol. I had to listen under realplayer.

http://www.musicstrands.com/action/detailAlbum/albumId/4 0009

[Mortartube]

sorry for some reason that link won't take you to the right page, just search the site under creation du monde and it should come up trumps. I'm pretty convinced that this is the track you're after.

[Ivankafka]

Thanks very much. Unfortunately the snippet was only 30 seconds and it was impossible to say for sure. However, it could well be! I will try and download it from somewhere to find out for sure. Much appreciated.

[Mortartube]

okay. Let us know if it is the piece in question, I'd be intrigued.

[Aquariel]

It could also be a piece by the likes of Klaus Schulze, Kitaro, Mark Shreeve.

What was the documentary actually about?  It might give us a clue!

[Ivankafka]

The documentary both times were social in nature. Why does that matter? Well for historical documentaries you often have a certain type of music played. The moving  theme to Gladiator is an example. There is another that sticks in my mind but that perhaps is a differerent question. :)

The one documentary could have been on long term unemployment the other perhaps something to do with poverty in Britain. I first heard it used in the mid 80's and then again last year. The piece is quite piercing and is very appropriate for the subject matter.

[AllYourBase]

Tubular bells?

[Ivankafka]

No not tubular bells.

I think Mortartube could be right. The opening 30 secs of Creation du Monde has the same tone and feel. I am unable to download it from anywhere and not sure I want to fork out for the whole album. Will try a music library in the county.@ Mortartube. Does the track build up to a piercing high point, if you like? Because that is what I remember. If it stays the same as the first 30 secs then it isn't it.

[Mortartube]

It does change thorughout the track but in a subtle.manner. The whole track is over 9 mins long. You could try downloading it on WinMX and if you like it and it's the one, buy it if you are so inclined. Also another thought is that it may be Vangelis Heaven & Hell 3rd movement which was the theme to Cosmos with Dr Carl Sagan, that builds up to a crescendo.

[Fozziebear]

There is one piece of music-uncertain of full title that comes to mind- its from a mid 80's film called "Starman" featuring Jeff Bridges.

The piece of music is certainly eerie.

[Ivankafka]

Unfortunately it wasn't Creation du Monde. Nice track but alas. But I'm certain it is early Vangelis now (or a good likeness)as the track had the same feel and tone, the same reverberating 'doowwnns' but not as high tempo and moody as the one i'm looking for. But something tells me late 70's though? Will keep on searching.

Thanks, but it isn't John Carpenter's theme to Starman.

[Aquariel]

If it is Vangelis, then it might possibly be tracks such as L'Enfant or La Petite Fille De La Mer - both popular among documentary makers of the early 80s.  Or something from his "Spiral" album ... the list is endless!

[Ivankafka]

Thanks Aquariel. I do have most of Vangelis from the 80's and 90's but nothing from the 70's, so I'll start there. I do like Vangelis a great deal although I haven't taken much notice for years now. Maybe it is time to do so again. I'll check out those you mention. Could be a labour of love. :)

PS, The piece of music was never played for more than about 20 seconds. Hard to describe more than I have but it seems urgent and dramatic.

[missmooncat]

its just a far shot but it may be shine on you crazy diamond-pink floyd.Ive heard it played on few documentaries,let us know if it is.

[Ivankafka]

FOUND IT!

But I'm a little embarrassed now having read my later posts, as it seems I strted getting further away,although having re-read my first initial post I wasn't too far out to begin with.

But it was 1995! Quite a bit out. I said early to late 80's and it certainly has that feel. It is quite Jean Michel Jarre-esque. When I heard it, I looked to see what the track was and was expecting to see 1985 not 1995. I did hear it in the mid 90's on a documentary and again a couple of years ago. But I also said I might have heard it in the 80's. I still believe I did! it takes me back to cold drizzily November evenings in my early teens, walking home from school as the night closes in. Why I don't know. All I can think of was that the social documentary I saw in the 90's reminded me of it and somehow the two converged in my mind.

What was the track, I here you scream? Melt by LeftField. :)