for movie soundtrack enthusiasts and music aficionados, a collection of rare, hard to find, out of print, lost, forgotten and classic movie soundtracks...enjoy!
This year 2000 Australian movie is about a remote outback antenna, populated by quirky characters, that played a key role in the first Apollo moon landing. The soundtrack is what I would term the "perfect soundtrack", in that the collection of iconic 1960's songs featured in the movie take up the first 13 tracks, and the score, composed by Edmund Choi and performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, takes up the next 15 tracks. An easier way to listen to a soundtrack I think, especially one as good as this.
The soundtrack to the Peter Weir movie, Fearless, has every piece of music on it that made the movie so good. Even better, these are the full versions, not the edited versions used in the film. The music fits perfectly and is a credit to the composer and editors. The way they kept only the music and no dialogue during the unbelievable plane sequences at the end made more of an impact than if we had heard the actual sounds in the plane. Most notable is the 3rd Symphony, which just makes your heart cry. It's also a very relaxing soundtrack to listen to on its own with Maurice Jarre at his very absolute best. So, if you liked the movie, and thought the music helped the atmosphere, then this is worth adding to your collection.
1. Max - Maurice Jarre 2. Mai Nozipo - Dumisani Maraire/Kronos Quartet 3. Polymorphia - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin 4. Sin Ella - The Gypsy Kings 5. Fearless - Maurice Jarre 6. Symphony No.3: 1. Lento-Sostenuto Tranquillo Ma Cantabile - Dawn Upshaw/London Sonfonietta/David Zinman
Three years in the making, this 2 hour feature film is about pursuing one's dreams despite harrowing odds as it follows Sensational, a talented unknown artist who tries to break into the cutthroat and corrupt music industry. Mostly biographical and based on real events, Crooked is the rawest, edgiest music film to emerge in years capturing the heart and soul of a culture as it chronicles the struggles of an artist whose creativity knows no bounds. Features cameos by Anti Pop Consortium, Prince Be of PM Dawn, legendary graffiti artist Futura 2000, and luminaries from the Wordsound guerilla army. Written, produced and directed by Skiz Fernando. The soundtrack is a mix of Alternative, Indie, Hip-Hop, Electronica, Rap and Dub and has now become a rare and collectible item in itself. In 2002, music journalist S.H. Fernando Jr. (AKA "Skiz"), frustrated with the corporate hijacking of the music scene, founded WordSound Recordings, a self-described "guerilla think-tank" dedicated to continuous creation and experimentation. The label aimed at providing an arena for artists operating outside the mainstream as well as a true alternative to the formulaic and hype-driven status-quo, which at the time was being marketed as "alternative" rock, "underground" hip-hop, and "electronica." Forty full-length albums and numerous singles later, WordSound and its subsidiary, vinyl-only imprint Black Hoodz, have carved out an international reputation as one of the preeminent laboratories of musical innovation. With releases spanning such genres as dub, hip-hop, electronic, world, and just plain weird, the label has managed to elevate the game with its no-comprise D.I.Y. attitude, bucket loads of originality, and a serious commitment to upliftment through sound.
Soundtrack to the 2003 Greek/Turkish movie, "A Touch of Spice", a story about a young Greek boy (Fanis) growing up in Istanbul, whose grandfather, a culinary philosopher and mentor,teaches him that both food and life require a little salt to give them flavor; they both require... A Touch of Spice. Fanis grows up to become an excellent cook and uses his cooking skills to spice up the lives of those around him. 35 years later he leaves Athens and travels back to his birthplace of Istanbul to reunite with his grandfather and his first love; he travels back only to realize that he forgot to put a little bit of spice in his own life. The soundtrack by Greek composer Evanthia Reboutsika is as beautiful as the movie, with a very special mix of Greek and Middle Eastern elements reminiscent of the past. The highlights are the 2 vocal tracks "Allspice" and "Fire In the Harbour' with some of the most haunting and exquisite singing you may hear on a soundtrack. If your tastes are into "World" music, then this now rare release will certainly satisfy your needs. Read more about the movie here at IMDB
Soundtrack to director Alan J. Pakula's 1982 drama that Meryl Streep won the Oscar for best actress. Kevin Kline co-stars along with Peter MacNicol. 15 tracks, all composed and conducted by Oscar and Pulitzer Prize-winner Marvin Hamlisch. Listen as this soundtrack brings you up and down through a romantic journey through the heart. Sophie's Choice was an excellent heart wrenching true to life movie, and this soundtrack is an emotional portrayal, at the heart of the movie.
Original soundtrack to the 2010 film from director Danny Boyle includes a collaboration with composer A.R. Rahman and Dido as well as other instrumental score themes by Rahman, plus classics by Esther Phillips, Plastic Bertrand, and Bill Withers, plus new music from Sigur Rós and Free Blood. The featured new song "If I Rise," is the first collaboration between internationally renowned Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman and Dido, the mega platinum two time Grammy Award nominated and 4 time BRIT Award winning British singer and songwriter. The atmospheric and transcendent music score of Academy Award winning composer A.R. Rahman is at the heart and soul of the inspiring new 127 Hours, the true story of Aron Ralston, a trapped mountain climber and his ordeal in the Utah wilderness. • 1. Never Hear Surf Music Again - performed by Free Blood (5:51) • 2. The Canyon (3:01) • 3. Liberation Begins (2:14) • 4. Touch of the Sun (4:38) • 5. Lovely Day - performed by Bill Withers (4:16) • 6. Nocturne No. 2 in E flat, Op. 9 No. 2 - written by Frederic Chopin (4:00) • 7. Ca Plane Pour Moi - performed by Plastic Bertrand (2:59) • 8. Liberation in a Dream (4:05) • 9. If You Love Me (Really Love Me) - performed by Esther Phillips (3:26) • 10. Acid Darbari (4:20) • 11. R.I.P. (5:10) • 12. Liberation (3:11) • 13. Festival - performed by Sigur Ros (9:24) • 14. If I Rise - performed by Dido Armstrong and A.R. Rahman (4:37)
Basil Poledouris' musical rendition for Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is, quite simply, epic. From the prison quarries to Paris, from the struggle between mercy and justice (Val Jean and Javert), to tenderness and battle (Cosette and the ABC Club), Poledouris has captured it all. The main theme evokes images not only the policeman on the hunt, but the students on the barricade - in one spectacular brass arrangement. A particular favourite is the beginning of track three, where the simplicity of Val Jean and Cosette's relationship (in a delicate flute) is suddenly contrasted with the bustle of the Parisian streets (in bubbling woodwinds and strings). Poledouris has outdone himself with this composition. His music evokes the crystal style of Ennio Morricone and the cinematic majesty of John Williams. It reflects a conversion from light to dark and completes the painting that is the film. In his composition we hear the brooding of Javert's soul, the love and compassion of Valjean. True to the literary work, both the score and the film focus their attention on the conflict between the redeemed Valjean and the obsessed Javert. The score is insightful on a personal level, allowing the listener the realization that darkness exists in all of us, but that darkness is merely the absense of light, the light of human compassion and love. Superb on a technical level, creatively beautiful, this score makes a fine addition to any personal music library, classical or otherwise. 1. Suite 1, Valjean's Journey: Theme From Les Miserables/The Bishop/Javert/The Quarry 2. Suite 2, Vigau: Javert Suspects/Caring For Fantine/Valjean's Confession/The Death Of Fantine... 3. Suite 3, Paris: Valjean & Cosette/The Wall/Outside/Marius & Cosette/Valjean Remembers 4. Suite 4, The Barricades: Funeral Attack/Valjean Saves Marius/Farewell/Javert's Suicide click here for more information
Michael Moore's indictment of the Bush administration's post-9/11 fear-mongering and rush to war in Iraq was the most unlikely blockbuster of its crucial election year, a human-scaled, deeply patriotic American reflection that became the most successful documentary in history within days of its release. Its soundtrack is arguably the most understated, if shrewdly effective, component of Moore's potent agitprop. Composer Jeff Gibbs' brooding synth washes give the score an appropriate center of gravitas, lending an even more ironic tone to the almost obscenely bright pop and rock chestnuts (The Go Go's "Vacation," Joey Scarbury's "Theme From Greatest American Hero," REM's "Shiny Happy People," Elmer Bernstein's timeless theme from The Magnificent Seven) Moore uses to skewer his targets. Perhaps most notable is the chilling use of Arvo Part's Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten to underscore the film's stark, restrained evocation of the horrors of 9/11. Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" closes matters out with a blast of bracing, if ever cynical, hope. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon)
1. The Un-President -- Jeff Gibbs 2. Vacation -- The Go-Gos 3. Bush Waits...And Waits- -- Jeff Gibbs 4. Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, for String Orchestra and Bell -- Paavo Jarvi/Estonian National Symphony Orchestra 5. We Gotta Get Out of this Place -- Eric Burdon 6. Weapons of Deceit -- Jeff Gibbs 7. Deserter -- Jeff Gibbs 8. Cocaine -- J.J. Cale 9. Shiny Happy People -- R.E.M. 10. Magnificent Sevent Theme -- Elmer Bernstein 11. Afghan Victory Dance -- Jeff Gibbs 12. Fire Water Burn -- Bloodhound Gang 13. Theme from "Greatest American Hero" -- Joey Scarbury 14. Aqualung -- Jetthro Tull 15. All They Ask -- Jeff Gibbs 16. Rockin' In the Free World -- Neil Young
Kristin Royal is a composer/musician whose unique talent is taking top 40 songs and remixing them in her own special style by using elements and themes from soundtracks in what she calls "cinematic remixes". She lists her hometown as "America". Using Lindsey Sterling and Piano Guys as inspiration, Kristin has created several mixes "with an adventurous soundtrack spin, bridging the gap between today's hits and yesterday's orchestra." Each is done in a different soundtrack style (typical western, jazzy Gershwin, etc.) She has also remixed with an artist in Utah, Robyn Cage, keeping her vocals while composing a middle-eastern "Hidalgo" style soundtrack to accompany. This is included on Robyn's new album "Born in the Desert" (CD released Oct. 2nd, 2015). As an avid soundtrack collector and aficionado, I was very impressed listening to these remixes as they convey a sense of space and time, and conjure up images of beautiful places and people I have met to create a "widescreen" vision in my head. Each subsequent listen then adds to this by forming a new "scene" as if a continuation of a story. Composers like Lisa Gerrard, James Horner and Ennio Morricone come to mind when hearing these. Not being all that familiar with top 40 songs myself, these mixes sound refreshing and work as individual pieces in their own right. Below are YouTube videos of 4 of Kristin's creations and her notes on the thought process and inspiration behind each one.
Burning Now: I recently fell in love with Robyn Cage's powerful song, "Burning Now." Her music video was especially great and the beautiful scenes of the Utah desert inspired my exotic desert style remix of her song. I contacted her to see if she'd be interested in letting me remix her song. When I took it in the James Newton Howard "Hidalgo" desert direction, she loved it (probably because it starts off with a Duduk) and told me her upcoming album was actually called "Born in the Desert."
Rather Be: This was the first cinematic remix I wrote. I wanted to capture the excitement of love that "Rather Be" expresses with the full spectrum of the orchestra, using the contrast of a love peaceful and simple, to love's fullest complex passionate splendor. I did not have a specific composer that I drew inspiration from, but I drew upon the expressive music from spectacle events such as the Olympics, Theme Parks, and Cirque du Soleil shows. Like these events, love can be spectacular!
Shake It Off: Originally known for her country, I thought it would be fun to turn Taylor Swift's recent pop hit "Shake It Off" back in the opposite direction and make it extremely country. So I made it the Wild West! After drawing on the inspiration of James Horner's "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West," I tried to include some typical soundtrack elements that show up in westerns such as: cowboys, outlaws, the calvary, railroad expansion, handcarts, big wagons, wild horses, native americans, the fiddle, pioneers, big wide landscapes (like the iconic Utah/New Mexico desert lands,)etc. I hope you have fun picking out everything!
*There is also a special audio Easter Egg hidden in the song. (This sound is a staple used in westerns films and video games of all kinds, so I had to use it.)
Uptown Funk: At first I was nervous to take on "Uptown Funk" because it's such a lively, funky song, and I am a classically trained French Horn player. (Not saying we can't get funky every now and then, it's just not our natural state.) Mixing my classical tastes with Bruno Mars was challenging, but exciting! I drew upon Michael Giacchino and his great use of brass and jazz in "The Incredibles."
This now rare soundtrack from the acclaimed 2001 documentary by Jacques Perrin "Travelling Birds" (also known as "Winged Migration" or "Le Peuple Migrateur") is a treat for soundtrack enthusiasts or music aficionados in general. French composer Bruno Coulais has created beautiful, soul-stirring music that not only perfectly accompanies the images on the screen but stands alone as a musical creation that improves on repeated listens . Some of the tracks make you feel like you're one of the birds flying across the world and taking flight with them as they make their journey. Also includes tracks by Nick Cave, Robert Wyatt, A Filetta and Gabriel Yacoub. 1. To Be By Your Side - Nick Cave 2. Masters Of The Field - Robert Wyatt 3. Northern Bound 4. The Crossing 5. The Highest Gander - Robert Wyatt 6. Beating Drums 7. The Return Of The Cranes 8. The Blue Thread 9. The Red Forest - Robert Wyatt 10. Like A Breath Of Air - A Filetta 11. The Takeoff 12. Amidst The Factory Smoke 13. The Glider 14. After The Hunt 15. The Paper Parrot 16. The Swans Flight 17. Feathers And Stripes 18. The Wounded Dove - Gabriel Yacoub 19. Off Camera click here for more information
Eddie and the Cruisers was a movie about the disappearance of a (fictional) leader of a rock band, with an awesome soundtrack to boot. The soundtrack has now become a must have for any avid music collector and proves that 80's music was not all commercialized-synthesized shlock. Retro in sound to the 50's and 60's, with a contemporary edge, it has stood the test of time exceptionally well ! Many have compared the Eddie and The Cruisers/John Cafferty soundtrack to Springsteen's and the E Band's work (hopefully as a compliment and not as a rip off).Let's just say the Boss is the Boss and John Cafferty is John Cafferty. John Cafferty and his band were/are anything but a rip off. He has this very distinct knack for writing original and performing his material with plenty of hooks and upbeat melodies. His vocals are also easily recognized.They seem to have the tough rebellious rockin' edge to them when called for and yet that controllable warm vocal range that allows him to do a great ballad like Tender Years!. The Beaver Brown Band can do no wrong---the sheer artistry and musical synergy between JC & BBB is a great musical force unto itself. 1. On The Dark Side 2. Tender Years 3. Runaround Sue 4. Down On My Knees 5. Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes 6. Wild Summer Nights 7. Boardwalk Angel 8. Betty Lou's Got A New Pair Of Shoes 9. Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You) 10. Season In Hell (Fire Suite) Eddie and The Cruisers
Bullets Over Broadway: Music From The Motion Picture 1994 Soundtrack by Dick Hyman and the Three Deuces Musicians 1. Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Good-Bye) - Al Jolson And The Vitaphone Orchestra 2. That Jungle Jamboree - Duke Ellington 3. Singin' The Blues Till My Daddy Comes Home - Bix Beiderbecke 4. Poor Butterfly - Red Nichols And His Five Red Pennies 5. Crazy Rhythm - Roger Wolfe Kahn And His Orchestra 6. At The Jazz Band Ball - Bix Beiderbecke 7. Lazy River - New Leviathan Oriental Fox Trot Orchestra 8. Who - George Olson And His Music 9. Let's Misbehave - Irving Aaronson And His Commanders 10. You've Got To See Mama Ev'ry Night (Or You Cant\'t See Mama At All) - Dick Hyman And The Three Deuses Musicians 11. You Took Advantage Of Me - Dick Hyman And The Three Deuses Musicians 12. Nagasaki - Dick Hyman And The Three Deuses Musicians 13. When The Red, Red Robin Comes, Bob, Bob Bobbin' Al - Dick Hyman And The Three Deuses Musicians 14. That Certain Feeling - Dick Hyman And Derek Smith 15. Make Believe - Dick Hyman And The Three Deuses Musicians 16. Thou Swell - Dick Hyman click here for more information
It's said all humans mysteriously lose 21 grams upon their death, a notion that inspires much hard-boiled philosophizing in Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's structurally ambitious follow-up to Amores Perros. As in that film, several characters’ lives become intertwined via a tragic accident, but here told via a chronologically disjointed structure that's a masterfully wrought puzzle of editing and plot construction. Given that unusual structure, the musical soundtrack by Gustavo Santolalla by necessity carries much of the film's mood and emotional undercurrents in its spare, brooding cues and occasional songs. The composer's primary instruments here are a heavy-vibrato electric guitar (its tone reminiscent of the great Ry Cooder) and an equally altered accordion, set against a ambient wash of electronics and percussion that's so murky as to often seem impenetrable. The Kronos Quartet admirably matches the mood with their closing rendition of the haunting "When Our Wings Are Cut, Can We Still Fly." The hip-hop swing of Ozomati's "Cut Chemist Suite" and R&B of Ann Sexton help anchor it in a more familiar frame of reference, while Benicio del Toro's spooky, spoken-word take on "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (a performance recorded in Memphis' legendary Sun Studios, no less) effectively channels Tom Waits by way of David Lynch. Another fine example of the evocative, genre-free possibilities of modern film music. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon) click here for more information
Apocalypto is not your usual film soundtrack. It's only 'themes' are the ethereal and tribal vocals, and the pounding percussion - these two elements are in most of the tracks, yet never get repetitive. Instead, James Horner is able to change and mix them to create any mood necessary: A sense of foreboding and dread, an intense action/chase scene or even a quieter, reflective piece. All the tracks are very original and quite powerful. Beautiful, unique instrumentals with occasional gentle background vocals without words. It works as quiet background music or you can turn it up and appreciate the extreme quality. Few soundtracks on their own can carry the emotion one felt while watching a film; however, this soundtrack does that and more.
Writer-director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Say Anything, Singles) was a teenager when Rolling Stone magazine sent him out to write cover stories in the 1970's. Nearly 30 years later, Crowe tells the tale in satisfying fashion and extensive detail with Almost Famous, accompanied by a soundtrack that accurately reflects the time of his trial by fire. Led Zeppelin have never before licensed a performance to a soundtrack, so "That's the Way" earns the distinction. A live version of Lou Reed's "Waiting for the Man" performed by David Bowie in 1972 typifies the emerging underground glam movement. Classic rock from Simon and Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Yes fill things out. Cat Stevens's "The Wind" is rescued from the Timberland commercial. Nancy Wilson of Heart contributes the original score (one track, "Lucky Trumble," featured here) and a track by the fictitious hard-rock band Stillwater, whose "Fever Dog" sounds like a lost track from the hard-rock-guitar wars of the 1970's. Add in tracks by garage-rock faves the Seeds, soul strutter Clarence Carter, and Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band and you've got an expansive collection of tunes to sift through. More than 50 songs are featured in the film.
