Laurie Johnson - "Mrs. Peel, We're Needed" Tag scene (The Avengers)

[@SebnF7]

I wrote to Mr, Johnson about this title, many years ago. His reply confirmed that the piece had no particular name, but that "Mrs. Peel, We're Needed" referred to the cue which normally precedes this, or is heard without this. In other words, the three-note motif played on flute & piccolo, which begins with a rapid octave scale into the first note. It is definitely heard in the episode in which Steed fires an arrow into Mrs. Peel's sitting room, with the message "Mrs. Peel, We're Needed". He also confirmed that these three notes, forming a brief partial melody, are based on the main theme (i.e. when the strings first play the melody after the harpsichord's ostinato bass). This was not obvious to me, but having had this pointed out to me, I'm surprised I hadn't already realized this. Mr. Johnson didn't consider this piece worthy of inclusion on any album, which for us is a shame. By the way, this is not a 'tag scene'! The tag scene was the extra scene inserted after the finish of the story, as seen in the black and white Emma Peel series, or on the Tara King episodes. Yes, this piece was sometimes included in the former, but it was also included near the start of some of the black and white episodes. In other words, it was not confined to a tag scene, whereas in the Tara King episodes, the tag scenes are always accompanied by his specially written "Tag Scene". Anyway, it is lovely to see that someone has gone to the trouble to include this on KZbin. I sincerely hope that we eventually see a release of more original cues and pieces from "The Avengers", especially one which includes both this piece, and the main and end titles from the Emma Peel series (both versions if possible), because the commercial release is not quite the same.

[@tonyktown]

I can listen to this all day. It brings back the most incredible memory of being a kid in the mid 60's. Friday night, a bowl of ice cream and my little 8 year old brain fantasizing about that gorgeous hunk of woman, Mrs Peel. (Diana Rigg).

[@darren467]

Thank you for posting this very quirky music that appeared in the tag scenes in the early colour episodes of The Avengers. Mrs Peel You're Needed.

[@korystephens3318]

"Sorry, Steed. I'm needed...elsewhere!"

[@dsh5564]

You know I’ve been looking for this song for years and this is finally it

[@barcyorky]

Oh I loved this music! Perfectly fitted the flirtatious comedy between Steed and Emma at the opening and the end of those shows. Thanks ever so for posting it!

[@mythmaker6554]

The 'Steed is back on his bullshit' theme.

[@SteveStalzle]

A groovy tune I have wanted for years, thanks.

[@photobygil]

Great edit, and definitely the arrangement as heard in the tag scene (before the closing credits). The version heard at the start of the shows, when Steed approaches Mrs Peel for assistance, has fewer instruments (harps & xylophones, & no oboe for the bass line). There were a couple of variations for the opening version, including an even more pared back edition, like a music box, & one that mimicked a merry-go-round. The closing version is usually orchestrated the same in every color episode (often shortened by omitting the bridge). However, my favorite variation was at the end of "From Venus with Love" because Steed plays the tune on a piano (!). There is also the melancholy version for Emma's final episode, as she departs & Steed is watching her out his window. The tempo is slower & the mood is sadder, but the tune quickly kicks back into the familiar upbeat take before that section of underscore is over. I love all the renditions, & am happy to hear this one, apparently cur together from the best bits & pieces that are free of dialogue. Thanks for sharing!

[@rishardlampese8947]

Thanks so much for posting!!! Still searching for a 1st generation copy of the original. Never understood why it's not on any of the Laurie Johnson albums. I had a short version of the original without the bridge that I used to use as the opening music for booting up the computer back in the late 90's.

[@SebnF7]

I had my own version on my Siemens mobile phone, back in 1994, which I arranged, using the phone's built-in, but terribly complicated, music writing software for ring tones. I still have the phone, and the SIM card, but I doubt if the file can be transferred to any modern sound reproducing system.

[@SebnF7]

About twenty five years ago, I arranged this for a concert orchestra, together with the Tag Scene from the Thorson series, plus the main title theme. I called my arrangement "Mrs. Peel, we're Needed", because this was usually heard when this phrase was either spoken, or appeared on a written message or card. I also programmed it in to my old Siemens mobile phone, which had built-in 'ring tone composer' software. I would not call this a 'tag theme' - the tag scene to an episode was always a final additional scene 'tagged' onto the end of the episode, in the way that the Americans included an 'epilogue', except that the tag scenes on 'The Avengers' were always brief. They existed in the first Diana Rigg black and white series (Steed and Emma were often seen disappearing into the distance on some form of transport, such as a driver-less milk float). This theme was often heard near the beginning of an episode, at the point when Steed and Emma arrived at a crime scene. I decided, for the concert, to call the Thorson-Tag Scene "Here's To You, Tara", because 'Tag Scene' doesn't really mean much to an audience. Incidentally, Linda Thorson referred to the trumpet solo in the title theme as "the Tara King extention", as it was a motif that would be recurring in the series as various points featuring Tara King. When I spoke to Laurie about his [Mrs. Peel, We're Needed] theme, he told me that he didn't think it important enough to include (on his Unicorn-Kanchana recording of music from 'The Avengers''), and further commented that it was based on the main title theme. In fact, the piece often had a three-note motif attached to the beginning which were pitched to the first three notes of the strings' entry after the introduction to the Avengers Theme. A few years ago, I arranged the Avengers Theme for the Mantovani Orchestra, and based my version on the Rigg/Thorson seasons. It followed my arrangement of the James Bond Theme (on Google and KZbin), and I have to say, both brought the house down (as they say!), which is not so much an accolade of my arrangements as much as an accolade to the composer, Laurie Johnson - one of Britain's finest. His soundtrack to 'The Belstone Fox' has to be one of the finest British film scores ever, and worthy of regular performance in the concert halls of England. Unfortunately, film (and TV) music is still not taken seriously by the died-in-the-wool concertgoers of today, which is a great pity.

[@RichardWexler]

Is there a recording of this available?

[@SebnF7]

@@RichardWexler The arrangement I made of 'The Avengers', together with my 'James Bond Theme' arrangement, were recorded on a limited run of CDs and DVDs, by the Magic Of Mantovani Orchestra. These were live recordings of a concert entitled 'The Sixties'. Occasionally, these items may be found on amazon.co.uk, or eBay.uk. My version of the 'James Bond Theme' can be seen in a KZbin video, by typing my name in the search engine. Both arrangements are heard in part, in the documentary 'Mantovani - King Of Strings', which is available on DVD to buy. Unfortunately, there is no KZbin video of my arrangement of 'The Avengers'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbZpH6jqNuAj5I

[@SebnF7]

The best 'complete' version of this, in my opinion, is heard in the episode, at the end of which, Steed and Mrs. Peel are messing around with vintage cars outside Palace House at Beaulieu.

[@Fowble]

Thank you!!!!

[@chippedliver]

I remember a credit for "Emma's Theme", or something like that.

[@RichardWexler]

Long sought-after indeed! Thank you for this. By any chance is there available anywhere the full version of the car rally music from Dead Man's Treasure? (There's a partial version on CD somewhere )

[@SvenSveetheart]

Steve Stalzle is a cool guy.

[@nohaylamujer]

This is such a wonderful upload! Thank you so much. Do you know if Tara King's tag scene music (the tune that sounds like a bossa nova) has EVER been released or is ANYWHERE to be found? (By my capitals, you must've noticed I've been looking and looking everywhere.)

[@breseemaxwell]

I'm pretty sure what you're looking for has been released. Just look "Tag Scene" by Laurie Johnson.

[@SebnF7]

Yes, 'Tag Scene' - a quasi-Bossa piece, was released originally on the LP 'Themes And...' by Laurie Johnson & His Orchestra. It has since appeared on a handful of CDs, notably 'The Rose And The Gun' again, by Laurie Johnson And His Orchestra. But this recording is a special studio recording. It is accompanied by the Thorson season main theme, but known as "The 'New' Avengers Theme". The original television recording of 'Tag Scene' is available on the Unicorn 3-CD set, entitle 'The Avengers', which is now hard to find. However, the version from 'Themes And...' is the same orchestration, and a much better recording, plus it is in stereo.

[@BcfcMiller]

Do you know if this songs been released yet? Thanks for uploading though! :)

[@breseemaxwell]

Not to the best of my knowledge, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look around.