Wind in the Willows - Songs and Music from the TV Series

The Wind in the Willows: Songs and Music from the ITV Series

Pluto Music (TH030751)

This is the complete song collection from Cosgrove Hall's beloved stop-motion adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic, composed by Keith Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe. The story began with the 1983 feature film for Thames Television — a BAFTA and International Emmy winner — before expanding into a 52-episode ITV series that ran from 1984 to 1990 (its final run retitled Oh, Mr Toad), from which these songs originate.

What makes this soundtrack special is that the songs are performed in character by the show's own voice cast: David Jason as Toad, Richard Pearson as Mole, Peter Sallis as Rat, and Michael Hordern as Badger, with Ian Carmichael — who narrated the series after voicing Rat in the original film — also featured. Several tracks borrow their titles straight from Grahame's novel, including "Ducks' Ditty" and "Wayfarers All," while others were written fresh for the screen, such as "Toad's Lament," "The Open Road" and "Mole's Theme."

The album closes with its title theme performed by folk singer Ralph McTell alongside the Hallé Orchestra.

Behind the scenes, Hopwood — a former guitarist with Herman's Hermits — both composed and produced the collection, giving this riverbank world its instantly recognisable musical voice.