E. R. 54 Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Is there anyone who has full audio cuts of this theme? I think it holds up surprisingly well to this day, it wouldn't be out of place in a modern newscast. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 350 Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 9 hours ago, E. R. said: Is there anyone who has full audio cuts of this theme? I think it holds up surprisingly well to this day, it wouldn't be out of place in a modern newscast. I definitely concur! In fact, 6ABC WPVI Philadelphia STILL uses Move Closer to Your World, which is ALSO by Mayoham Music. Not to mention the remix version of MCTYW still in use at another ABC affiliate in another market in Pennsylvania, which is ABC 16 WNEP Scranton/Wilkes Barre. So whether it's the modern remixed version, or the original version, I concur that On Top Of It All will fly today in a modern newscast. If Move Closer to Your World can work in today's newscasts, then why not On Top of It All? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpb 34 Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 The reason that Move Closer works on WPVI and WNEP is because of nostalgia. Al Ham's music -- to his credit -- is distinctive, even for its time. But if a new station adopted it, it would be widely criticized by viewers. Al Ham's spiritual lyrics and cheesy melodies do not fit into today's culture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E. R. 54 Posted June 6, 2021 Author Share Posted June 6, 2021 2 hours ago, dpb said: The reason that Move Closer works on WPVI and WNEP is because of nostalgia. Al Ham's music -- to his credit -- is distinctive, even for its time. But if a new station adopted it, it would be widely criticized by viewers. Al Ham's spiritual lyrics and cheesy melodies do not fit into today's culture. Well, "On Top of It All" isn't "Move Closer to Your World". It sounds completely different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsgm2002 62 Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 (edited) At last, some cuts of this package have been found. Unfortunately, I think most of them are lost or damaged. Loonis McGlohon (who collaborated with Al Ham) donated his archives to East Carolina University as part of his estate, which had two of the three reels for On Top of It All. Reel 1 wasn't included. Reel 2 had "Sticky Tape Syndrome" which likely renders that unplayable and Reel 3 is mostly intact, save for a few tracks. What's left of Reel 3 is mostly promo themes, but does include a portion of the news theme in the clear. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63046 - On Top of It All Reel 3 The university also digitized a promotional reel for Part of Your Life, which is better quality than the cues on TVPMM. McGlohon and Ham created the theme for WBTV in 1974. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/62790 Edited June 6, 2022 by capsgm2002 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierNewsie 184 Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 1 hour ago, capsgm2002 said: At last, some cuts of this package have been found. Unfortunately, I think most of them are lost or damaged. Loonis McGlohon (who collaborated with Al Ham) donated his archives to East Carolina University as part of his estate, which had two of the three reels for On Top of It All. Reel 1 wasn't included. Reel 2 had "Sticky Tape Syndrome" which likely renders that unplayable and Reel 3 is mostly intact, save for a few tracks. What's left of Reel 3 is mostly promo themes, but does include a portion of the news theme in the clear. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63046 - On Top of It All Reel 3 The university also digitized a promotional reel for Part of Your Life, which is better quality than the cues on TVPMM. McGlohon and Ham created the theme for WBTV in 1974. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/62790 Great find! I’m sending this to News Music Now and NSMA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 350 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 WOW! KICK ASS! This was a real treat for me, thank you. The vocal campaign I've never heard before. Nor, have I heard other cuts from the package, aside from the news opens on NMSA. That got my blood pumping and adrenaline going. WHOO-HOO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E. R. 54 Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 14 hours ago, capsgm2002 said: Unfortunately, I think most of them are lost or damaged 14 hours ago, capsgm2002 said: Reel 1 wasn't included. Reel 2 had "Sticky Tape Syndrome" which likely renders that unplayable and Reel 3 is mostly intact, save for a few tracks. That's a shame. 14 hours ago, capsgm2002 said: What's left of Reel 3 is mostly promo themes, but does include a portion of the news theme in the clear. At least we got something out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E. R. 54 Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 Update: they weren't able to find Reel #1, but they were able to send the other two reels for conservation treatment and digitization: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63045 https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63046 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupwfan 95 Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 (edited) 11 hours ago, E. R. said: Update: they weren't able to find Reel #1, but they were able to send the other two reels for conservation treatment and digitization: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63045 https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/63046 Half of the synth cuts was used by WTHR in Indy during the mid to late 70s as their station ID (That was during their ABC era and the start of their NBC era; oh yeah, WBRC used some of this theme...) Edited February 2 by groupwfan 🎶 "You're On Top Of It All!" [Bongos] lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 350 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 wish I could hear the closing cut. I assume it was on Reel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1032 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I gather you largely can on reel 3... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capsgm2002 62 Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 I appreciate East Carolina's efforts for getting these reels fixed (Reel 3 wasn't complete prior to this). Hopefully, Reel 1 turns up somewhere someday. FYI, I believe it is Loonis McGlohon (who donated these as part of his archives) on the piano for these and any of the Al Ham compositions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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