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Looney Tunes Tubist

Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:13 pm
by andythebeagle
I'm awestruck.

I remember reading about the effects of the depression on the musicians of the time and how, for some, the only steady work they could get was in the newly formed animation studios doing scores and sound tracks for cartoons. They must have loved it.

Watching old B&W Looney Tunes, you can't help but notice the precision, tempo, sound quality and apparent fun the tuba player had. The cartoons wouldn't exist without him (?) because all of the synchronization for movement depended on the tuba. Frank Marsales knew just who to get for the job. His choice in tuba must have been an easy one. Frank Marsales was a symphony musician who became the music director for Warner Brothers Cartoons under the direction of former Disney animators Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, scoring many classic cartoons in the 1930s, including every Harman & Ising Looney Tune and Merrie Melodie.

Now for the question...who was that masked man on the tuba? He certainly deserves recognition and acclaim, along with laurels for the historical role played syncing the early Warner Brothers cartoons and making the music/sound track unforgettable. Frank Marsales did a great job there. I can't remember ever hearing someone maintain such impeccable timing and flawless tempo for such duration. AND the pace. Imagine the number of takes and the rehearsals it must have taken to get it totally perfect.
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Re: Looney Tunes Tubist

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 10:28 pm
by GC
The 30's - early 50's soundtracks were often bears to play and had to be murder to read. I have the greatest respect for those folks.

I think the music that first made me sit up and take notice was one period of the old Mighty Mouse cartoons that featured a sax ensemble. Different periods had fuller orchestration, but the saxes were a standout. Lightning-fast runs in ensemble that seemed to go on and on and on. Technique coming out the old wazoo. Absolute killer playing that pretty much had to be sight-read or near to it, considering studio budgets and time constraints, combined with excellent recording. I haven't heard its like since.