Autumn Thunder: 40 Years of NFL Films Music

Back around 1973-75 or thereabouts, I watched the NFL Films weekly shows "This Week in Pro Football" and "This Week in the NFL" with Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier. This was truly one of my All time fav programs. For 32 years, I looked for the music behind the program, and finally found it in "The Power & the Glory" CD, then on to "Autumn Thunder". Sam Spence was true genius, and affected my moods(both up and down)to the greatest degree! The first 3 discs are some of the best music I ever heard of any type, and the remaining 7 discs, though they go in different directions, are very good,and pleasing! Unfortunately, the others had to follow Sam's lead, and the connection of Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier's voices with the beautiful, powerful background music, makes this set absolutely priceless to me! The early music describes me to a T! It's the most I ever paid for music, and well worth the price. The descriptive booklet is excellent too! Thank You!

All I can say is that for any NFL Films, and NFL fanatics in general, this collection of soundtrack music is timeless in its appeal and an inspiration to listen to everyday! This collection is such a beautiful-sounding melding of American-inspired Jazz, Classical and R&B music -- even if it is all instrumental! This probably sounds weird, but I transferred all 10 CDs to listen to on my iPod. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't listen to this NFL Films soundtrack collection while I'm either working, at the healthclub or just cruising in my car.

Tom Hedden is a virtuoso composer...who I would put in a league with Gershwin, Wagner, Williams and Goldsmith -- all rolled into one! The music also reflects the greatness, courage, sacrifice and visceral splendor of the National Football League -- in all of its Glory! The music gets even more psyched up for the coming 2007 football season! Long live NFL Films soundtracks!

I purchased this CD set hoping to get all the music on the "Pure Payton" DVD, and while much of it is there, I know 3 or 4 of the best songs are missing (soundtrack during the scenes of Payton's retirement, college films, Super Bowl victory/10 year celebration, etc).

I'm going to give this one 3 stars...if it included all the music on the Pure Payton DVD I'd bump it up to 4 stars. There is other (newer) NFL music I've heard that's not on the set, and if it were included I'd probably bump it up to 5 stars (price does hurt though).

For those that think the Sam Spence material is the best, I'd recommend buying/watching the Pure Payton DVD which has much of Tom Hedden's work, then decide!
I enjoy Sam Spence's work (whenever I hear it I visualize the old highlight films shown every week), but after watching Pure Payton I think Tom Hedden's is just as good!

This set is a bit pricey, so if you want to stick your toes in the water before taking the plunge, I'd recommend The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films (Sam Spence/older material) and Payton (the book), which comes with the Pure Payton DVD. My understanding is the only way to get Pure Payton on DVD is to buy the book, but at under $20 it's a steal!

BTW...the Pure Payton DVD is about 50 minutes long, has a soundtrack through darn near the entire DVD, and I enjoyed ALL the music. You won't watch this one just once, even if you're not a football fan!

Autumn Thunder: 3 STARS (because of the price and some missing music)

The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films: 4 STARS (older, good music, and a much better price!)

Payton (hardcover/$20 with the Pure Payton DVD): 5+ STARS-probably the best NFL films work I've seen, with great video, stirring music, and it's a roller coaster of emotions. I bought the book just to get the DVD, but after scanning the book I can tell I'm going to enjoy it also (makes a great coffee table book)!

no, but its a must buy...absolutely the coolest boxed cd collection i own...i loved NFL films on saturdays in the fall growing up in the early 70's...u gotta get this set !

still alot of the classic music missing. if they think the later music stands up to the Sam Spence material,they better stop playing football without a helmet !