Sun Ra & The Blues Project Play Batman
| Wowie Zowie, Batman! |
| In 1966, a toy company in Newark, New Jersey released a children's record called Batman And Robin to cash in on the TV series of the same name. The music on the LP was credited to "The Sensational Guitars of Dan and Dale," but in fact the band was one of the greatest uncredited session combos of all time, including the core of Sun Ra's Arkestra and Al Kooper's Blues Project. To keep the music licensing fees to a minimum, all the tracks were based on public domain items like Chopin's Polonaise Op. 53, the horn theme from Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony and the love theme from Romeo and Juliet, and generic rock riffs. It's all instrumental, with the exception of Robin's Theme, featuring an uncredited vocalist. |
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The Sensational Guitars Of Dan & Dale Batman And Robin |
| Tifton 78002 | |
| 2/66 [UK: N/R] | |
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 Side One | ||
| Batman Theme | - | 2:17 |
| Batman's Batmorang | - | 2:51 |
| Batman And Robin Over The Roofs | - | 6:50 |
| The Penguin Chase | - | 2:43 |
| Flight Of The Batman | - | 2:09 |
| Joker Is Wild | - | 1:58 |
| Side Two | ||
| Robin's Theme | - | 3:05 |
| Penguin's Umbrella | - | 3:05 |
| Batman And Robin Swing | - | 2:42 |
| Batmobile Wheels | - | 2:08 |
| The Riddler's Retreat | - | 2:12 |
| The Bat Cave | - | 2:47 |
Note: Praise be: a CD of this record was issued in 2001 by Universe (Italian CD).
| Let's not forget the classic theme, done by several artists: |
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The Marketts Batman Theme / Richie's Theme Warner Bros 5696, 1/66 BB A Top Twenty hit! |
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The Spotlights Batman And Robin / Dayflower Smash S-2020, 1/66 Early Allman Brothers  , produced by Leon Russell & Snuff Garrett |
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Jan & Dean Batman / Bucket T Liberty 55860, 2/66 BB A vocal version, the last single released before Jan failed Dead Man's Curve |
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Link Wray & The Raymen Batman Theme / Alone Swan 4244, 2/66 |
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The Who Batman Ready Steady Who EP [UK], 11/66 also included: Disguises, Circles, Bucket T, and Barbara Ann |
| The Kinks used the theme in a medley on their live album in 1967. |
| Unfortunately, his buddy didn't get much respect (no campy TV show, either)! |
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Dino, Desi & Billy Superman / I Can't Get Her Off My Mind Reprise 0444, 2/66 |
Links!
The Sun Ra/Blues Project story on WFMU's Beware Of The Blog entry