“Three for the Road” (1975) was an ambitious idea, a road trip as a family show, mostly shot on location throughout the US. While the show allowed for levity throughout, at its heart it dealt with loss and the desire to (re-)connect. Pete (Alex Rocco) is the kind of father every kid wants to have. He is kind and cool. He lets his two boys ride a motorcycle, while always providing emotional support when needed. And needed it often is, as his two kids, John (Vincent Van Paten) and Endy (Leif Garrett), have recently lost their mother. Now the three live in a recreational vehicle in which they drive through the United States while Pete takes on commissions as a photographer. While Bruce Broughton provided the music for the individual episodes, David Shire was contracted to score the pilot. His score is built around his main theme, a memorable, uplifting piece that makes its appearance throughout the pilot, and with its use of guitar featuring subtle folk elements. It’s a varied score also incorporating lounge jazz pieces, and for the more intimate moments, elaborate string writing.

In addition, we also include music from “The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened” and “Daddy, I Don’t Like It Like This,” two TV movies that also deal with trauma. For the former, Shire provided a rousing, energetic sports score with gentler, tender moments to illustrate the illness of the main character. Shire’s score for the latter film is built around a lullaby-like main theme, often performed on a solo instrument such as a clarinet or piano. This music perfectly captures both the main protagonist Peter’s child-like wonder and also the longing of his parents. The theme is used, for example, both as Peter escapes into the woods and as his father lays on his bed, indulging in his memories of happier times when everything seemed possible. The boy’s escapes enable Shire to infuse his compositions with drive and verve that make “Daddy, I Don’t Like It Like This” an eclectic listening experience. The 54th CD-release of Caldera Records features a detailed booklet text by Stephan Eicke and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was mastered by Richard Moore and produced by Stephan Eicke and John Elborg.

Three for the Road
1. Main Title (Pilot) (1:41)
2. Restaurant Source (2:14)
3. Endy & Amy (1:27)
4. Motorcycle Ride (2:19)
5. Kitchen Scene (2:14)
6. Looking for Amy (1:31)
7. Here Comes Trouble (0:56)
8. God’s Country (3:33)
9. Finale and End Title (1:43)
10. Turnaround (0:48)
11. Main Title (Series) (1:08)

The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened
12. Main Title (1:42)
13. Morris, Father & Sandra (1:14)
14. Basketball (3:17)
15. “Julie, Come Here” (2:46)
16. “I Love You” (1:16)
17. Finale and End Credits (1:58)
18. Jingle Bells (2:29)

Daddy, I Don’t Like It Like This
19. Main Title (1:53)
20. Wedding Flashback (2:51)
21. Second Forest Scene (2:12)
22. Pete’s Death (2:53)
23. Double Flashback (2:22)
24. Pete Looks for Helen (0:57)
25. Central Park Flashback (3:31)
26. Finale and End Credits (2:44)