Gold Nugget 8 - Black Saddle: History of a Theme (1958-2020)

The Goldsmith Odyssey

Way back in Episode 8 (our Fifties Roundup show), we talked about Jerry Goldsmith's memorable theme for the western TV series Black Saddle and also noted a couple fun cover versions of the theme we had found. Since then, we've uncovered a host of additional cover versions and thought it might be fun to produce a Gold Nugget featuring them. Over time, this nugget evolved into something considerably more grandiose: a massive affair with two special guests (Bill Humphrey of the ‘60s surf band The Revelairs and John Gilbert, whose father Herschel Burke Gilbert was the music director for Black Saddle), several exclusive interviews with musicians who have covered the theme, analysis of the music featured on the TV show itself, and a generous collection of Black Saddle covers. A grand achievement or an excessive work of madness? Take a day off, click play, and decide for yourself!
Besides our two regular guests John Gilbert and Bill Humphrey, the show also includes additional side interviews with:

• Tom Bittel of The Aquatudes
• Noé Socha, Josh Davis, and Quinn Murphy of The New York Gremmies
• Lorenzo Friday of 13 Tikis
• Donny Allen, Tim Allen, and Doug Mellenthine of the Ghost Riders Drum and Bugle Corps; during the interview Doug makes reference to this list of Black Saddle performances on the Drum Corps Xperience.

Click here for your Black Saddle: History of a Theme full track list and links to corresponding untruncated YouTube video performances.
Older quoted interviews in full: Jerry Goldsmith (May 8th, 2002) and Herschel Burke Gilbert (April 30th, 2001) interviewed by Jon Burlingame for the Archive of American Television

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