Posted by Norm Pearson on December 26, 1998 at 13:43:47:
In Reply to: Close Encounters: Tuba Aliens ??? posted by Fred Haney on December 23, 1998 at 14:37:43:
This is how I remember it.
I was a student of Jim Self when the sound track for Close Encounters was recorded. There were actually three tuba players involved in the recording sessions: Tommy Johnson, Jim Self and Ray Segal. (Ray was one of the last Tuba/String Bass doublers in the recording studios. He passed away two years ago.)
All Three tubas were involved in the big scenes. There were actually two versions of the "Conversation" recorded. The first one, recorded by Tommy Johnson, was a virtuoso showcase for the tuba. John Williams wrote it especially for Tommy. When the producer heard the first version he felt that it was too complicated for the scene and requested that it be made over. Tommy was not available for the remake so Jim Self got the call.
Also there was a Disco version recorded at the same session. It was a bonus 45 rpm record that was included with the sound track recording!