[Closed] Now Playing XXXIX

Star Trek II - James Horner

Extremely good. Still my favourite Horner.

The Mission - Ennio Morricone

I am - if I say so myself - on a roll tonight. There isn't much film music on the level of this. An extraordinary achievement even by the standards of this extraordinary composer.

NP: Lawrence of Arabia - Maurice Jarre
Nic Raine conducts the City of Prague Philharmonic

Another fine, FINE re-recording from Tadlow. While every one was wetting themselves over Conan last year this one I think unfortunately got push aside by the majority of film music fans! Personally, I feel that Lawrence is the better re-recording (there was something not right about the Conan album whether a flawed mastering or recording) and features a tighter and more accurate performance (there are missed notes and bizarre editorial changes to Poledouris' score that had me scratching my head.) And the additional suites of rare Jarre scores on the Lawrence album pushes this one over the top!

I hate comparing the two albums because they are very difference scores written in different ages but since they are from the same team (producers, conductor, orchestra, engineers, etc) and came out in the same year then I think it's fair to make the comparison. Conan has more fans due to the fact that it's a more "modern" score (and a bloody masterpiece to boot) but when you evaluate the entire package I find Lawrence to be the one that takes the cake! A monumental achievement and one of Tadlow's finest releases!

Now, I don't want it to seem that I'm flogging the Conan recording. I'm really happy that it got the modern day treatment it deserved but the flaws (now matter how insignificant) were so glaring (at least to me) that when I do want to listen to Poledouris' score I really have to think about which version I want to spin. Most of the time I find reaching for the Varese original soundtrack recording. On the flip-side, when I want to hear Lawrence I don't have to think twice. Tadlow's recording is the only recording I want to listen to.

Anywho, I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I thought I would share my thoughts with you all.

-Erik-

^ I'm trying to get my 3-hour re-recording show up soon so you might want to hold out until then... if you so choose. I'll be featuring Lawrence, Exodus, Taras Bulba, the Gregg Nestor albums I discussed above, The Prince and the Pauper, Chandos' Christopher Gunning album (which is dynamite) and Varese's Superman: The Movie (which doesn't get the praise it deserves)

-Erik-

I put it just below El Cid. But it's in second place tied with Exodus and Taras Bulba. I can't wait to hear what they do with Quo Vadis!

-Erik-

Probably a combination of skunk, opium, burning tyres, a flaming tower of burning wasps and an open tube of polystyrene cement.

Too soon?

What?

NP: Tree of Life (Desplat)

I love the classical pieces that drive the film.
But.
This would have worked. 'River', 'Circles' and 'Childhood' would have been great. A lot of it would have been great. It's hard to see what could have taken the place of Brahms in the film ('Skies' would have been interesting as an alternate, that much is certain).

Mmmm, the smell of Copydex adhesive. #smellsofchildhood

He's Twitterpated.

October Skies - Mark Isham

Beautiful music. A slight score which feels repetitive even at this length, but the highlights are terrific. Would love to hear another one like this from him.

Isham is so good at this sort of music. I was listening to his Life As A House earlier. Just gorgeous. While we're on the subject, Fly Away Home urgently needs a release soon. I had the bootleg a while back but have lost it since.