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The themes did take a few listens to sink in but most worthwhile themes generally do, the more instantly memorable ones are usually so because they are of the 'whole orchestra playing the same note simultaneously' variety. Tarzan is most reminiscent of King Arthur, probably because RGW actually did a lot of the writing for that film if you look at the in-depth credits. It really shows.

Jablonsky's TMNT is more instantly entertaining as the main themes are pretty addictive but there doesn't seem to be much depth to it beyond that. As for Eddie the Eagle I posted some worshipful praise of it a few months back but I was thinking of it more of an early spring 2016 score. It's still entirely possible it will end up being my number one favorite theme of 2016. I adore that Days of Thunder style and was absolutely delighted to hear it randomly come back after all these years.

"Clan of the Cave Bear" (rejected demos)
By: John Scott


For whatever reason, when Silvestri's score got a deluxe edition, Scott's efforts were not included.

The demos are done with synths, but I don't know if that's how Scott was going to do the score or if that's just demo form.

The first cue opens with a low rumbling synth line, with that wind-y sounding synth instrument that I don't know the name of but has been heard in the "Miami vice" series as well as the Art of Noise work Moments of Love. It's slow and moody and at times vaguely feels Conan like to me during it's 3:21 length.

The next cue has an etheral synth woodwinds approximating a flute, playing solo before it's joined sparingly by some other synth sounds.

The third cue features a synth choir repraising the theme from the first cue.

The fourth cue opens with what almost sounds like a real solo flute, with some warm X-Files-like synthy strings and switching out to an ethnic woodwind (synth) to play and dance around the main theme. Then a secondary theme develops, which is very similar to a main theme from Lee Holdridge's magnificent score to "In Search of Peace". It builds to a lovely fuller sound, playing around with the theme melodically.

For a change in pace, the fifth cue opens with a synth fretless base guitar and a synth snare, creating a beat. A synth pan pipe plays the main theme. The sound isn't so great, so I can't tell if what I am hearing playing with the music is a wooden zylophone or an anklung.

The final cue again uses a synth fretless base guitar with synth choir, before swiching out to another synth instrument and repraising the secondary theme again. A synth snare and synth kick drum keep a slow beat underneath as well as what I think might be a thick-sounding synth wood block. It repeated the choir lines again and again, fading out until the cue ends.


I don't know if this is all he did. I hope when somebody re-issues Silvestri's score, they include it.

NP: Ace Age (2002) - David Newman

This score is fun!

Volker

Denial Howard Shore

Intensely serious, at times overpoweringly so as his music often is for me, but undeniably high quality.

Aces, even.

I love all of it! It's a very personal score. "Relationship Montage" was the first piece of music I heard after seeing my daughters ultra sound 7 and a half years ago.

-Erik-

NP: KATMANDU (Pascal Gaigne)

Maybe my favourite Gaigne score. He almost always delivers.

You've even been there.

Much the same, I guess. Wish I could go there (or Tibet in general), but I think the window of opportunity is long since closed.

NP - AN AMERICAN TALE: FIEVEL GOES WEST - James Horner

It's fun to hear Horner in old-timey western mode. There's a lot of energy here, which is also fun. I hadn't realized until this listen how similar "In Training" is to Copeland's famous "Hoe Down." What I really wish this score had is a big swelling orchestral statement of the "Dreams to Dream" theme, like what Horner did a few times with the melody from the song in LAND BEFORE TIME. There's a really nice appearance of the theme in "A New Land," I just wish is had more volume. And a cymbal crash or two

NP: Mundos de Agua - Iván Palomares

Score from 2009 natural world documentary. Palomares goes for quirky and expressive orchestrations on a budget rather than sweeping symphonic grandure.

I was referring to the huge earthquake that destroyed so many ancient buildings. So many iconic sites that I was familiar with were destroyed and so many people killed and displaced, including some of the famous trekking areas.

It's never too late to go to Nepal or Tibet ( though if you want Tibetan culture proper you'd have to go to Northern India, Dharmasala/McCleod Gange in particular ), in Tibet you'll only get a feel for what China wants you to know. As for Nepal, once you get over the expensive air fare it's one of the cheapest countries you could visit.

NP: MATKA EDENIIN (Pascal Gaigne)

Not an easy listen. Very abstract, somber string textures aplenty -- even moreso than that of Jonny Greenwood for Paul T. Anderson's films. But somehow captivating if you're in the mood.

NP: JIG (Patrick Doyle)

If anyone saw me play this, they'd probably think I was a pedophile or otherwise disturbed, but the music is quite good -- one of Doyle's best in recent years.

NP: ATLANTIS: THE LAST DAYS OF KAPTARA (Peter Bateman)

It's a very "Erik Woods" score, not quite my cup of tea these days, but it's one of the fully orchestral, contemporary adventure scores that have managed to stay in my iTunes collection since I got it a couple of years ago. That's something, I guess. But I wish he'd cut about 20 minutes off the top for more fluid listening.