[MacGyverGod]

Just wanted to share these with you. I don't think we'll ever get better than this unless they would finally release it officially. Here are some suites by Ken Harrison (travel cues from Mask of the Wolf, Ma Dalton, Log Jam, The Widowmaker, Kill Zone, Serenity, Split Decision), Dennis McCarthy (The Negotiator) and William Ross (Hind-Sight). You hear a bit noise, sound or dialogue though, but it won't get better than this.

[denizen]

Nice collection there MacGyverGod. Listening to just seconds of these tracks immediately tells me just how superior this music was compared to the questionable attempt of the new show. This is so grounded and powerful. Defines the character in every way. I do prefer McCarthy's score but Ken's is also very good.

In the 80's the score was MacGyver's partner.

In the new show, Jack Dalton (Lincoln) is his partner. I prefer the original partner.

[MacGyverGod]

Well, it's not my collection, I just found it on YouTube.

Anyway, I think I was more partial to Ken Harrison than Dennis McCarthy, though Dennis did great episodes himself. But I think for later seasons and especially the better episodes, it seemed like they always ended up with the same guy: Ken Harrison. On themacgyverproject blogspot I read one time that Ken Harrison liked adding more ambiance in the music. Which is true but I also like his later episodes more. Even though music from The Widowmaker and Kill Zone is MacGyver in it's purest form. But I think you really need to watch the episode itself to enjoy the music on those episodes. Sounds perhaps a little strange but I think that's a matter of taste. I can really enjoy Serenity's themes seperately though.

[Myrtle Groggins]

They're all great, but I especially love the Travel Montage music. It just screams dark rainy late 80s cold big city.

I was really surprised when I then heard it in an episode filmed in the middle of the summer

And Widowmaker has the very classic late 80s synth to it.

[MacGyverGod]

That music was used for the most part in Mask of the Wolf and Ma Dalton during night scenes. Jack Dalton driving the jeep at night sleeping, wakes up and falls asleep again. That actually gives the scene a touch of humour. And in Ma Dalton it was used when MacGyver and Francine return to the bar after they took off Jesse's van when he's in the phone boot.

[Miasma]

The original series definitely had some great music. At times, I found it a bit too intrusive, but overall, it worked very well, and many of the themes stuck with me through the years. So far, I haven't heard anything from the reboot's soundtrack (aside from the opening theme) that sticks with me at all. I hope that improves next season, though I suspect it won't change much.

[DashboardOnFire]

Ugh. The music in Original MacGyver is SO GOOD. I can name some of the episodes just by listening to the score.

It's really a pity the reboot isn't in the same league when it comes to the music. It's either upstaged by other background sounds or completely forgotten becauste there aren't "slow" scenes like in the original.

Yesterday, I realized the reboot is airing on a Swiss TV channel in the French Part of Switzerland. So I rewatched (or relistened) the first two episodes in French while doing housework. Mind you, I didn't really understand much - everything happens too fast. But I realized that if you don't focus on the language too much, the score is much more memorable than I thought. It's just drowened out by the constant action and "loud" and hasty scenes. Another reason why I find it so difficult to get into modern TV shows.

I think MacGyver had a huge part in shaping my TV preferences when it comes to staging scenes and scores.