Well, here's a real dichotomy for you, a very interesting film that is both hated and revered, directed by Al Adamson, another contender for worst film maker ever, and yet the music and especially this song were made by people of a completely different ilk! The lyrics for "The Next Train Out" were written by Bob Russell, a renowned songwriter for the movies who was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 1970, the year of his demise. He had worked with some small time talent along the way, virtually unknown names like Duke Ellington, & Quincy Jones. "Next train to the moon," now that's some good writing!!! And, check this out , Bob's brother-in-law was legendary songwriter Bud Green who wrote the more than classic "Sentimental Journey." Can you imagine what those holiday family get togethers were like??
After extended research, we can still only guess that the singer on this song, Gil Bernal is the same Gil Bernal who was a vocalist, but was noted mostly as a saxophonist, who, among many other things, was the featured sax man with The Spike Jones Orchestra for like 6 years. If it's not the same guy, it should be! (Hey Gil, if you're out there, please write & clear this up for us!) Bottom line is, this is a
Great song, and a very interesting movie that we will talk about again later. In the meantime, go get your own copy!
Next Train Out
Well, here's a real dichotomy for you, a very interesting film that is both hated and revered, directed by Al Adamson, another contender for worst film maker ever, and yet the music and especially this song were made by people of a completely different ilk! The lyrics for "The Next Train Out" were written by Bob Russell, a renowned songwriter for the movies who was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 1970, the year of his demise. He had worked with some small time talent along the way, virtually unknown names like Duke Ellington, & Quincy Jones. "Next train to the moon," now that's some good writing!!! And, check this out , Bob's brother-in-law was legendary songwriter Bud Green who wrote the more than classic "Sentimental Journey." Can you imagine what those holiday family get togethers were like?? 
After extended research, we can still only guess that the singer on this song, Gil Bernal is the same Gil Bernal who was a vocalist, but was noted mostly as a saxophonist, who, among many other things, was the featured sax man with The Spike Jones Orchestra for like 6 years. If it's not the same guy, it should be! (Hey Gil, if you're out there, please write & clear this up for us!) Bottom line is, this is a Great song, and a very interesting movie that we will talk about again later. In the meantime, go get your own copy!
Next Train Out
tasty blog!
ReplyDeletewill stay tuned.
i believe in monsters!
plonk
If you want to watch some real mind-melting cheese, I recommend Al Adamson's CINDERELLA 2000.
ReplyDelete-- Greg Goodsell
PLUS! Look closely as they torture one of the girls chained to the wall -- she's standing on a camera rental box!!!
ReplyDeletewow. what a fantastic song with that unmistake-able 60s charm! i think that GIL BERNARD sounds just like TOM JONES performing this song. another rare treasure from bygone, much better days. thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteNEXT TRAIN OUT, IM ON THE NEXT TRAIN OUT, IM TAKING THE NEXT TRAIN OUT OF THIS TOWN, OUT OF YOUR SIGHT, OUT OF YOUR ARMS, OUT OF YOUR WAY! I THOUGHT I HAD SOMETHING HERE TO MAKE ME STAY! WHERE-EVER THE NEXT TRAIN GOES I WILL GO, GO TO THE NORTH, GO TO THE WEST, GO TO THE MOON! ALL THAT WE HAD IS OVER NOW, AND ALL TOO SOON!
ReplyDeleteWe'll Miss You!!
ReplyDeleteEegah!!
GIL BERNAL: according to to wikipedia (german), he was a soul singer, not to be confused with the saxophone player of the same name. I did find one of his recordings on YouTube - "Can You Love a Poor Boy", which is a cover of an old Miracles tune. There is no doubt that the singer is the same as on "The Next Train Out". I have always really liked that song myself - not only because of the snappy, cheerful groove; or that it captures that certain sound of the late '60's - early '70's. It means to me that a real B-movie is about to be seen. And I agree with many critics that the movie was never meant to be scary at all, it was more of a tongue-in-cheek poke at the horror genre, and intended to be more fun to watch than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree the song is great although I have yet to find a good copy that lets me clearly hear the full lyrics in the later part.
ReplyDeleteThe vocal talent is excellent and indeed very much like Tom Jones, its quite good vocal practice too.
Anyone know a good clean copy or a link to full lyrics?
Gil Bernal was a renaissance man of many talents. Singer, sax player, band leader and one of the nicest guys. Early on He worked with Lionel Hampton and Spike Jones.
ReplyDeleteLater he worked closely with Quincy Jones in the late 60's singing songs on the 1967 soundtracks of In The Heat Of The Night, In Cold Blood (the haunting NINA in Spanish) and Banning (the Oscar nominated The Eyes Of Love).
In the 80's thru the 2000's Gil played in and around LA. For a time he was the regular band at the LAX Hyatt. In April 2009 I happened to see Gil performing an afternoon set--free- for vets at the Santa Monica VFW.
I wrote to him complimenting the set and he wrote back and wanted to send me a CD. He sent me what must have been his own copy of the rare EYES as it included a several minute intro of QJ's unreleased score. I treasure it.
Sadly Gil passed in July 2011 at the age of 80. But his music lives on!
Brilliant comment! Thanks for sharing!! Sounds like Gil was a swell guy!!
ReplyDelete