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JOHN WILLIAMS
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- CommentAuthorAnthony
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Yeah (well I'm near London). They don't even ask where you're from, they just say ''if you post *this*, we'll send you CDs! We only send within the US''. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Anthony wrote
Yeah (well I'm near London). They don't even ask where you're from, they just say ''if you post *this*, we'll send you CDs! We only send within the US''.
Well, I am in the US! This might be my lucky breaK! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Erik Woods wrote
Southall wrote
Erik Woods wrote
James, you really should call or email the labels and get some FREE product. You run a great review site that helps promote the albums you are reviewing so I'm sure the labels would be happy to send you product for free to review. That's how I get everything. Try it...
-Erik-
I tried... they're not interested, some of them because I'm not based in North America (as if that matters to a website!) - most just don't bother to reply to me.
Do they not have any international distribution?
-Erik-
Yes - but apart from sporadic arrivals from Varese's UK distributor none of them has ever shown willing. I get some stuff from La-La, BSX and some of Beth Krakower's things (the ones she is allowed to send to the UK) but that's about it apart from Varese. Even Ray Costa's gang cut me out and just stopped replying to emails, which was when I knew I was fighting a losing battle since they are a film music promotion specialist and hence know that the only places they will actually get any CDs reviewed are at websites (I bet all the soundtrack labels send out loads of promos to music magazines and newspapers, but never actually get anything reviewed). So for the last couple of years I just haven't bothered seeking out anything. I'm not that bothered any more, I still seem to be able to write plenty of reviews of new albums. I do think people like FSM and Intrada shoot themselves in the foot by not sending promos to people like me, who would actually review their albums, unlike any of the people they actually do send them to with very occasional exceptions. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
The question is then, James, why do you continue to support them if they aren't going to help you out? I'm sure I know the answer to that one since it's probably the same reason I still play music from labels who don't send promos anymore... or have me pay a small fee for the promos.
-Erik-host and executive producer of THE CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO PODCAST | www.cinematicsound.net | www.facebook.com/cinematicsound | I HAVE TINNITUS! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008 edited
Erik Woods wrote
Antineutrino wrote
I'm seriously worried about you, Erik. First Spiderwick and now KOTCS...
No need to worry... Spiderwick stinks. And Crystal Skull is just "meh!" I didn't say it was terrible I just don't think it's a great Indiana Jones score. I expect more from Williams.
Look, some people will love this new Williams sound ( I personally think James is really going to like it) but I haven't really warmed up to it and for someone who hold Raiders on such a high pedestal I would think a return to a series that create such a master work would really inspire Williams. But then again, all I have to do is look at the Star Wars prequel scores and know that I shouldn't really be expecting anything as brilliant as the originals.
Now, I think Williams was inspired with Irina's Theme and the Crystal Skull motif but I'm mostly disappointed in hearing music from other films in this score. AOTC, Home Alone, Fitzwilly, War of the Worlds, etc. It just something I'm not use to hearing from the Meastro. And the action material is just plain generic... and if you told me that one day I would say that about Williams' action material I would have ask you to shoot me right then and there. Is it wrong of me to have such high hopes for this score and film? I don't think so. You have some of the most talented people working on this film and for what came before it I think that my anticipation and hopes are justified.
-Erik-
I can kind of see where you're coming from. KOTCS doesn't reach the same level of quality as the previous Indy scores, but it's almost ridiculous to think they would be. The original three are some of the best adventure scores ever. Expecting it to compare some 20 years later is just asking to be disappointed.
I've listened to it about four or five times now, and I love every second of it (well, maybe not the mariachi stuff ). The Crystal theme is perfectly eerie and is showcased with several variations in many of the tracks, and reaches some amazing peaks in tracks like "Call of the Crystal". "Irian's Theme" is gorgeous and sounds a bit like a twisted love theme (love the sax in this by the way).
The action material is not up there with his best stuff, but it's far from generic. There's no way you could listen to something like "The Jungle Chase" and use the word generic. The interplay of Mutt's, Irina's and Indy's Themes make this track a real highlight for me. I especially like the way he twists and plays with Indy's Theme. This track is more in the style like something from Hook rather than previous Indy movies.
There are quite a few quieter tracks that probably won't sound like much on a first listen, but most of them are filled with interesting thematic variations.
He also has a lot of fun with Indy's Theme for the last time we hear it "Finale" that gave me giddy goosebumps the first time I heard it.
Like I said, I wasn't expecting Williams to return to his past style for this score, and he didn't (for the most part). It's not a score that will knock you off your ass in brilliance, but it is very good. I'd say it's easily better than both ROTS and AOTC; perhaps not TPM and Azkaban though. It's a score that is easily better than 90% of the stuff we're served up today however.
Can't wait to have the actual CD this Tuesday! -
- CommentAuthorAnthony
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Reading more comments on this really isn't helping. I really want to listen to this now, but I must resist!! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
David wrote
I can kind of see where you're coming from. KOTCS doesn't reach the same level of quality as the previous Indy scores, but it's almost ridiculous to think they would be. The original three are some of the best adventure scores ever. Expecting it to compare some 20 years later is just asking to be disappointed.
I don't think it's ridiculous at all. Williams has proven that he can return to that old school form in some of his more recent efforts and it's a bit didsappointing to hear such great Indy inspired music in Chamber of Secret yet not hear it in the new Indy movie.
David wrote
The action material is not up there with his best stuff, but it's far from generic. There's no way you could listen to something like "The Jungle Chase" and use the word generic. The interplay of Mutt's, Irina's and Indy's Themes make this track a real highlight for me. I especially like the way he twists and plays with Indy's Theme. This track is more in the style like something from Hook rather than previous Indy movies.
You said it... sound like Hook. Shouldn't it sound like Indy? And sure, Williams farts around with Irina's Theme and Mutt's theme but it's whats underneath that is plain and generic. Like I said earlier, it would have been great to base the track around the Olympic Fanfare rhythm and go from there. Instead we get the same tired swirling strings and low trumpet growls that we have been hearing from Williams since The Patriot. And honestly, that kind of writing isn't all that impressive.
David wrote
Like I said, I wasn't expecting Williams to return to his past style for this score, and he didn't (for the most part). It's not a score that will knock you off your ass in brilliance, but it is very good. I'd say it's easily better than both ROTS and AOTC; perhaps not TPM though. It's a score that is easily better than 90% of the stuff we're served up today.
Agreed! But when when I get something from John Williams I just expect a bit more from him. Iit's the lifts from previous scores and the lighthearted nature of the action material that really turns me off. I never expected that from a Williams score.
-Erik-host and executive producer of THE CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO PODCAST | www.cinematicsound.net | www.facebook.com/cinematicsound | I HAVE TINNITUS! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Erik Woods wrote
The question is then, James, why do you continue to support them if they aren't going to help you out? I'm sure I know the answer to that one since it's probably the same reason I still play music from labels who don't send promos anymore... or have me pay a small fee for the promos.
-Erik-
I'm sure it's the same reason as for you... I feel passionately about the music and even if they don't want to help themselves, I am happy to help the labels who are releasing it. I guess the fact that I buy a lot of Intrada's albums and review them anyway is indication to them that they don't need to send them for free! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008 edited
Erik Woods wrote
Agreed! But when when I get something from John Williams I just expect a bit more from him. Iit's the lifts from previous scores and the lighthearted nature of the action material that really turns me off. I never expected that from a Williams score.
-Erik-
The lifts don't really bother me that much since the ones I heard were few and far between. As to the lighthearted nature, I would assume that's dictated by the film and isn't something that we can necessarily blame Williams for (wearing my defender hat here, haha). I actually really like Mutt's Theme and The Snake Pit, but I can understand why someone else wouldn't. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Southall wrote
Even Ray Costa's gang cut me out and just stopped replying to emails, which was when I knew I was fighting a losing battle since they are a film music promotion specialist...
Same here!
And that was around the time we started with maintitles reviews!
English, wider audience, ....Kazoo -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Williams' days are over. I thought that if the score failed to be a strong effort -- with such easy theme to fall back upon and a grand scale flick to create good stuff -- that he's emptied his bag of tricks. There will never be a "Jaws" from this man again.The views and opinions of Ford A. Thaxton are his own and do not necessarily reflect the ones of ANYONE else. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
I'm horrified to say so -and, as a proviso: I haven't actually heard the score yet!- , but based on recent efforts, I'm with Justin. Williams is my favourite composer based on previous efforts only. In the last ten years though there's only a handful of scores that's done more than lift an eyebrow.
Oh well, on the positive side, even if he'd go completely minimalist atonal from now on, he leaves a legacy that a dozen younger composers put together couldn't begin to touch... and that is enough for me!
Sure. I'll get Crystal Skull (if only to have the series complete), but my expectations are now at level zero.'no passion nor excitement here, despite all the notes and musicians' ~ Falkirkbairn -
- CommentAuthorAnthony
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
justin boggan wrote
Williams' days are over. I thought that if the score failed to be a strong effort -- with such easy theme to fall back upon and a grand scale flick to create good stuff -- that he's emptied his bag of tricks. There will never be a "Jaws" from this man again.
R.I.P Bag Of Tricks. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
I wouldn't go quite that far. After 2.5 years of listening to it, I still think "Memoirs of a Geisha" is one of his best scores, and who would have thought that beforehand? I also think most would agree that his three Harry Potter scores were better than his SW prequel scores. Just because KOTCS is not brilliant doesn't mean his days are numbered. For him to be writing material that is still better than most film composers at his age is remarkable.
Whether he'll write another amazing score like "Geisha" or "Azkaban" is still to be seen. To say he's "emptied his bag of tricks" is a bit premature. I still have faith and eagerly await his next venture (however long that will be). -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
My Williams top ten would include two scores from the last three or four years, so his days are very much not over as far as I'm concerned. It seems highly unlikely that he will ever again score anything not directed by Steven Spielberg, but even so there is more than a distinct chance that there will be some great music to come. Who couldn't be excited by the prospect of Lincoln? -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Lincoln got delayed. Spielberg's next film is Tintin. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
I know... just hoping Lincoln will follow. Tintin - not sure about that one! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Tintin will be John Williams' first animation, I think. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Antineutrino wrote
Tintin will be John Williams' first animation, I think.
What about the Star Wars prequels? Or the Jurassic Park Mr. DNA video?
-Erik-host and executive producer of THE CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO PODCAST | www.cinematicsound.net | www.facebook.com/cinematicsound | I HAVE TINNITUS! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008 edited
Actually he's done animated pictures before -- the Star Wars prequels.
Edit: Damn, Erik beat me to it. -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
How could I forget Mr. DNA? -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Unfortunately, I believe his score to Mr. DNA was going to be replaced.
"This score is only temporary of course. There's going to be a whole march - boom, boom, boom that hasn't been written yet." -- or something to that effect is said anyway. -
- CommentAuthorKing Rao
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Antineutrino wrote
Lincoln got delayed. Spielberg's next film is Tintin.
Tintin?!? Meaning... Rin Tintin???
Spielberg must be losing his damn mind... -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
King Rao wrote
Antineutrino wrote
Lincoln got delayed. Spielberg's next film is Tintin.
Tintin?!? Meaning... Rin Tintin???
Spielberg must be losing his damn mind...
Not Rin Tin Tin... Tintin. Heroic young journalist and adventurer created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
-Erik-host and executive producer of THE CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO PODCAST | www.cinematicsound.net | www.facebook.com/cinematicsound | I HAVE TINNITUS! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
David wrote
Unfortunately, I believe his score to Mr. DNA was going to be replaced.
"This score is only temporary of course. There's going to be a whole march - boom, boom, boom that hasn't been written yet." -- or something to that effect is said anyway.
-
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Erik Woods wrote
King Rao wrote
Antineutrino wrote
Lincoln got delayed. Spielberg's next film is Tintin.
Tintin?!? Meaning... Rin Tintin???
Spielberg must be losing his damn mind...
Not Rin Tin Tin... Tintin. Heroic young journalist and adventurer created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
-Erik-
HERGE'S ADVENTURES OF TINTIN!
Ah, childhood memories! -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Southall wrote
HERGE'S ADVENTURES OF TINTIN!
Ah, childhood memories!
INDEED! Great Childhood MemoriesAnything with an orchestra or with a choir....at some point will reach you -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
Bregt wrote
Southall wrote
Even Ray Costa's gang cut me out and just stopped replying to emails, which was when I knew I was fighting a losing battle since they are a film music promotion specialist...
Same here!
And that was around the time we started with maintitles reviews!
English, wider audience, ....
Same here with Ray Costa.Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders. -
- CommentAuthorTimmer
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
King Rao wrote
Antineutrino wrote
Lincoln got delayed. Spielberg's next film is Tintin.
Tintin?!? Meaning... Rin Tintin???
Spielberg must be losing his damn mind...
Hah!On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt -
- CommentTimeMay 15th 2008
The only TINTIN that makes sense to me is our own Martin Provost's nickname. Is that TINTIN movie thingy for real!?Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.