Was David Whittaker the laziest musician on Amiga? - Page 2

Adropac2 · 15 November 2009, 03:35

It strikes me just having listened to some of Wrath, that the bigger problem anyway is there isn't strong compositon here - it rambles on and is fairly forgettable in a way Beast title screen and plain level is not.Beast1 has only a few great pieces though in fairness

He could certainly write some smart melodic and meaningful stuff but as shown for a music track like Astaroth for example or indeed the best tunes in Beast, atmosphere can and should really be just one part of these pieces

Wrath's soundtracks serve really only as a fitting background but they don't stand up particularly well to tracks you would honestly want to listen to outside the game - i wouldn't be happy with that result personally if i wrote them

Not at all rubbish i would say but you do sense it was a little half hearted.Then again we don't know the time constraints

gimbal · 15 November 2009, 13:44

I don't care how the dude got his tunes; he did what he had to do to put food on the table. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact he is as commendable as the next person.

If you want to judge him, judge him for what he is doing today. This is bashing about the past, which is simply not fair.

Galahad/FLT · 15 November 2009, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimbal

I don't care how the dude got his tunes; he did what he had to do to put food on the table. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact he is as commendable as the next person.

If you want to judge him, judge him for what he is doing today. This is bashing about the past, which is simply not fair.

I'll judge him on whatever I like, whether its his past or today is utterly irrelevant.

Marcuz · 15 November 2009, 16:43

...

i don't think he should care a bit...

TCD · 15 November 2009, 16:50

Back on topic : Maybe.

Predseda · 15 November 2009, 20:56

One fact: at least on Commodore 64 you were able to tell who is the composer of the music just after you listened to the tune. They have had their own unique styles - at least Whittaker, Hubbard, Daglish and Tel.

On Amiga it is similar with Hülsbeck, Stember and Page. And - maybe Whittaker?

So if Galahad misses the variation in Whittaker's music, it could be at least used to identify that the song is from Whittaker

alexh · 15 November 2009, 21:03

Galahad, why not turn the thread into a POLL and see if people agree with you?

Galahad/FLT · 15 November 2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predseda

One fact: at least on Commodore 64 you were able to tell who is the composer of the music just after you listened to the tune. They have had their own unique styles - at least Whittaker, Hubbard, Daglish and Tel.

On Amiga it is similar with Hülsbeck, Stember and Page. And - maybe Whittaker?

So if Galahad misses the variation in Whittaker's music, it could be at least used to identify that the song is from Whittaker

thats the thing though, I had no clue which game it was from, but I knew emphatically it was a David Whittaker tune.

I like variation, and I like to be surprised, there is none of that with Whittaker.

Galahad/FLT · 15 November 2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Galahad, why not turn the thread into a POLL and see if people agree with you?

What a splendid idea!

Antiriad · 15 November 2009, 21:39

Galahad has a point, a similar example is the work of the film musician James Horner in the early to mid eighties - his soundtracks for "Battle Beyond the Stars", "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", "Krull", "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and even parts of Aliens sound the same. I suspect other films he did in this period also do (excluding Commando mind).

Now, whilst his work is good - particularly in Star Trek II - the fact they are so similar to each other does detract from the experience a tad. Nevertheless in the end he became a varied composer with a wide range.

Gerron with dat poll Sir Galahad!

Galahad/FLT · 15 November 2009, 22:05

It won't let me do a poll, any mods in the house like to add it?

Graham Humphrey · 15 November 2009, 22:11

Sure - any special options you want? Obviously you'll be wanting "Yes" and "No" but let me know if you need/want any others...

Bamiga2002 · 15 November 2009, 22:29

Ben Daglish made cool tunes for Super Cars. I can't recall if he used to recycle instruments etc. in other games he composed music for. Hmm...does Hot Rod use same instruments as Rick Dangerous?

Predseda · 15 November 2009, 22:54

Ben Daglish made wonderful title song for FoFT! I know, I am off-topic.

Galahad/FLT · 15 November 2009, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Humphrey

Sure - any special options you want? Obviously you'll be wanting "Yes" and "No" but let me know if you need/want any others...

Top man:

1). Yes
2). No
3). I still liked his tunes, but they were a bit samey

Graham Humphrey · 15 November 2009, 23:19

No problem, poll added.

Adropac2 · 16 November 2009, 03:11

I would also guess that his way was brought over from when he worked on 8bit music and you could get away with it a little more

The same instruments doesn't mean the same tunes or at least i don't personally think it should, but having said that, i was sometimes glad to hear an almost same tune as the last from DW as i liked his style- not always but in feeling familiar, this can also be welcome

Dave Lowe still strikes me as the biggest culprit here if we're talking about same instruments used but his understanding for tune saved him

Demo scene music has a similar feel in that's it's not typically structured around tune - appeggios, scales, bass etc - bedroom stuff and it's really only the more melodic stuff like Enigma and some of the earlier tracks that impress more than the technically impressive but rather less directed approach - at least after hearing so many demo's that thrashed without any subtlety

Jope · 16 November 2009, 08:13

You can notice the samey-ness with his C-64 material too. Sounds are shared among many tunes and there are several where he just transposed his previously used melodies a bit, or changed a few notes but kept the time intact. :-)

Angus · 16 November 2009, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galahad/FLT

Well it might as well have been the same music then.

Piss poor in any case, by all means have a game inspired by another, but not so theres less distinction between the two.

I thought his music for WOTD was bullshit, cheap and disingenuous.

Now come on, Phil - don't dress it up, tell us what you really think.

My first real awareness of the gent was his work on the sound effects for Carrier Command, which while competent were somewhat underwhelming, especially given the quality of just about all the other aspects of the game.

Paul_s · 16 November 2009, 14:56

Probably, check out 'Army Moves' That still plays round in my head 16 years after I first played!

It's the same facking tune throughout!

View Poll Results: Was David Whittaker the laziest musician on Amiga?
Yes	10	10.64%
No	48	51.06%
I still liked his tunes, but they were a bit samey	36	38.30%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

15 November 2009, 22:29	#33
Bamiga2002 BlizzardPPC'less Join Date: May 2004 Location: Finland Age: 46 Posts: 3,210	Ben Daglish made cool tunes for Super Cars. I can't recall if he used to recycle instruments etc. in other games he composed music for. Hmm...does Hot Rod use same instruments as Rick Dangerous? Last edited by Bamiga2002; 15 November 2009 at 22:47.

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15 November 2009, 03:35	#21
Adropac2 Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Age: 51 Posts: 1,056	It strikes me just having listened to some of Wrath, that the bigger problem anyway is there isn't strong compositon here - it rambles on and is fairly forgettable in a way Beast title screen and plain level is not.Beast1 has only a few great pieces though in fairness He could certainly write some smart melodic and meaningful stuff but as shown for a music track like Astaroth for example or indeed the best tunes in Beast, atmosphere can and should really be just one part of these pieces Wrath's soundtracks serve really only as a fitting background but they don't stand up particularly well to tracks you would honestly want to listen to outside the game - i wouldn't be happy with that result personally if i wrote them Not at all rubbish i would say but you do sense it was a little half hearted.Then again we don't know the time constraints

15 November 2009, 13:44	#22
gimbal cheeky scoundrel Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Spijkenisse/Netherlands Age: 42 Posts: 6,905	I don't care how the dude got his tunes; he did what he had to do to put food on the table. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact he is as commendable as the next person. If you want to judge him, judge him for what he is doing today. This is bashing about the past, which is simply not fair.

15 November 2009, 16:43	#24
Marcuz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: . Age: 48 Posts: 5,562	... i don't think he should care a bit...

15 November 2009, 16:50	#25
TCD HOL/FTP busy bee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Germany Age: 46 Posts: 31,519	Back on topic : Maybe.

15 November 2009, 20:56	#26
Predseda Puttymoon inhabitant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tromaville Age: 46 Posts: 7,539	One fact: at least on Commodore 64 you were able to tell who is the composer of the music just after you listened to the tune. They have had their own unique styles - at least Whittaker, Hubbard, Daglish and Tel. On Amiga it is similar with Hülsbeck, Stember and Page. And - maybe Whittaker? So if Galahad misses the variation in Whittaker's music, it could be at least used to identify that the song is from Whittaker

15 November 2009, 21:03	#27
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,336	Galahad, why not turn the thread into a POLL and see if people agree with you?

15 November 2009, 21:39	#30
Antiriad The Sacred Armour Of Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sussex, UK Age: 44 Posts: 1,141	Galahad has a point, a similar example is the work of the film musician James Horner in the early to mid eighties - his soundtracks for "Battle Beyond the Stars", "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", "Krull", "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and even parts of Aliens sound the same. I suspect other films he did in this period also do (excluding Commando mind). Now, whilst his work is good - particularly in Star Trek II - the fact they are so similar to each other does detract from the experience a tad. Nevertheless in the end he became a varied composer with a wide range. Gerron with dat poll Sir Galahad!

15 November 2009, 22:05	#31
Galahad/FLT Going nowhere Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: United Kingdom Age: 50 Posts: 8,986	It won't let me do a poll, any mods in the house like to add it?

15 November 2009, 22:11	#32
Graham Humphrey Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Age: 37 Posts: 11,167	Sure - any special options you want? Obviously you'll be wanting "Yes" and "No" but let me know if you need/want any others...

15 November 2009, 22:54	#34
Predseda Puttymoon inhabitant Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tromaville Age: 46 Posts: 7,539	Ben Daglish made wonderful title song for FoFT! I know, I am off-topic.

15 November 2009, 23:19	#36
Graham Humphrey Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Age: 37 Posts: 11,167	No problem, poll added.

16 November 2009, 03:11	#37
Adropac2 Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Age: 51 Posts: 1,056	I would also guess that his way was brought over from when he worked on 8bit music and you could get away with it a little more The same instruments doesn't mean the same tunes or at least i don't personally think it should, but having said that, i was sometimes glad to hear an almost same tune as the last from DW as i liked his style- not always but in feeling familiar, this can also be welcome Dave Lowe still strikes me as the biggest culprit here if we're talking about same instruments used but his understanding for tune saved him Demo scene music has a similar feel in that's it's not typically structured around tune - appeggios, scales, bass etc - bedroom stuff and it's really only the more melodic stuff like Enigma and some of the earlier tracks that impress more than the technically impressive but rather less directed approach - at least after hearing so many demo's that thrashed without any subtlety

16 November 2009, 08:13	#38
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	You can notice the samey-ness with his C-64 material too. Sounds are shared among many tunes and there are several where he just transposed his previously used melodies a bit, or changed a few notes but kept the time intact. :-)

16 November 2009, 14:56	#40
Paul_s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Amigaville Age: 46 Posts: 3,334	Probably, check out 'Army Moves' That still plays round in my head 16 years after I first played! It's the same facking tune throughout!

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