[Closed] Now Playing XLIV

NP: Vertigo - Bernard Herrmann

The recording of this score with James Conlon conducting the Paris Opera Orchestra is difficult to get a hold of since it was released as part of a now-OOP book, Feature Film. Which is a shame because I think that the quality of the re-recording is on a par with the McNeely version.

This Conlon version does suffer a bit from the same deficiencies as the McNeely version but I prefer this version here as it provides the only complete version of Herrmann's score: all 74 minutes and 42 cues worth. The 16 or so extra tracks found here don't really add anything substantial to what's available in other versions: the additional tracks just offer variations on themes from the score. But the complete score "fills in" the musical holes left by the selections for the other releases.

For some reason (artistic no doubt) the score is presented as one 74-minute track and it took me some considerable research to identify all the various tracks and split this one track into its 42 parts!

so weird, I listened to that album yesterday as well

NP: The Bible - Hans Zimmer & people

I love this. Not a dull moment so far. It feels like a concept album of outtakes from Gladiator and Da Vinci Code.

You're just too sharp D.

Never mind! Given Demetris' national heritage this thought comes to him quite naturally and without spite.

NP: NACHO LIBRE (Danny Elfman)

Another rare Elfman promo. Cool, hispanic-flavoured score.

They scored it together?

Btw, James. I wanted to read your review of this score, but when I clicked on it I instead got the review for Battlestar galactica-> http://www.movie-wave.net/titles/101_dalmatians.html

Whoa, just looked again. It seems the title, rating and tracklisting is for Battlestar galactica, and the review text is from 101 dalmations.

Peter

Battlestar Dalmations. Could be a film.

NP : NAPOLEON ET L'EUROPE - Wojciech Kilar



My 3rd play. I'm really enjoying this score, typical Kilar chord progressions and some pieces point towards his score for DRACULA which would come a year later.

If the liner notes are anything to go by it sounds like Kilar is a very awkward man to work with, the directer, Pierre Lary says he was eventually handed a quality music score by a quite unapproachable musician.

Check out the liner notes Martijn, unusual to say the least.

James Horner - In Country

My CD has finally come. I actually expected that it would come about a week (based on my experience with both labels) before the other orded I placed with La La Land (Star Trek: The Motion Picture), but lo and behold - both CDs were in the mail today!

I only knew the 29 minute bootleg before Intrada decided to release it early this year. This was my first new year release I bought. I always loved this chamber score, written for a full orchestra, but with mostly sparse arrangements. It's also very, very melodic and in a beautiful way. My favourite theme is introduced in Faraway Thoughts, a very simple, almost child-like, somber melody. Horner chooses to underscore what is really a family drama (a girl has lost her father, who she didn't know, in the Vietnam war and, wanting to know more about him and what he went through, she decides to hang out more with her uncle (Bruce Willis), a scarred Vietnam veteran, who has demons of himself. I have to see the movie, I'm basing what I wrote on the booklet.

Didn't expect that one to be released!

The late David Wishart....he was a regular member at FSM, but sadly passed away a couple of years ago.

NP: Broken Arrow - Hans Zimmer & Harry Gregson-Williams & Don Harper

One of Zimmer's best, IMHO. That "Tragic Brotherhood" theme is amazing and works so well in various arrangements that it's a joy to hear. I much prefer it over the guitar theme for Travolta's character. The expanded official release is excellent as well. I'm very happy to get rid of my bootleg version.

I'm really hoping that more Zimmer scores will be expanded and released this year. Bird on a Wire, please?