Wednesday, December 25, 2019

John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999...a collection of soundtrack music composed by John Williams


John Williams Greatest Hits 1969–1999 is a compilation of concert suites from various films John Williams has scored between 1969 and 1999. The album contains takes from various orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra and Skywalker Symphony Orchestra.

Disc 1
"Star Wars - Main Title" – 5:44
"E.T. - Flying Theme" – 3:42
"Superman - Main Title" – 4:25
"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - Parade of the Slave Children" – 4:53
"Sugarland Express - Theme" – 3:35
"Jaws - Theme" – 2:31
"Olympic Fanfare and Theme" – 4:28
"Return of the Jedi - Luke and Leia" – 5:02
"The Reivers - Main Title" – 5:13
"The Empire Strikes Back - The Imperial March" – 3:04
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra" – 2:48
"Empire of the Sun - Cadillac of the Skies" – 4:58
"Raiders of the Lost Ark - The Raider's March (End Credits)" – 5:11
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Suite" – 9:46

Disc 2
"Saving Private Ryan - Hymn to the Fallen" – 6:10
"Jurassic Park - Theme" – 5:29
"Schindler's List - Theme" – 3:32
"Hook - Flight to Neverland" – 4:41
"Seven Years in Tibet - Seven Years in Tibet" – 7:09
"JFK - Prologue" – 4:00
"Stepmom - The Days Between" – 6:27
"1941 - March" – 4:14
"Home Alone - Somewhere in My Memory – 4:54
"Summon the Heroes" – 6:14
"Rosewood - Look Down, Lord" – 4:12
"Far and Away - Theme" – 5:34
"Born on the Fourth of July - Theme" – 6:20
"Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace - Duel of the Fates" – 4:14



Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Passion of Mind..music from the motion picture...original score composed by Randy Edelman



Milan Records presents a Randy Edelman score - Music from the Motion Picture "Passion Of Mind", showcasing the best moments in music featured on eighteen tracks. 

Edelman, who gave us such wonderful scores as "Gettysburg" (1993), "The Last of the Mohicans" (1992) and "Dragonheart" (1996), composes a playful, reflective, romantic and tragic score. This serene and stimulating soundtrack reaches emotional levels filled with delicate musical themes interwoven throughout each movement.

Each track beautifully highlights this enchanting and musical score. The album inspires the listener into wanting more of the same. Milan Records and Randy Edelman have given us an album that will be greatly enjoyed by any fan of film scores or instrumental music.



Saturday, November 30, 2019

Doctor Who original television soundtrack..series one and two...music by Murray Gold


Murray Gold, The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales Conducted By Ben Foster ‎– Doctor Who (Original Television Soundtrack)
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Stage and Screen
Style: Soundtrack, Modern Classical, Score, Pop Rock
Year: 2006

Tracklist
Doctor Who Theme (TV Version) 0:41
Westminster Bridge 2:08
The Doctor's Theme 1:18
Cassandra's Waltz 3:08
Slitheen 1:22
Father's Day 1:55
Rose In Peril 1:40
Boom Town Suite 3:02
I'm Coming To Get You 1:12
Hologram 2:15
Rose Defeats The Daleks 2:31
Clockwork TARDIS 1:18
Harriet Jones, Prime Minister 2:13
Rose's Theme 2:14
Song For Ten 3:29
The Face Of Boe 1:16
UNIT 1:44
Seeking The Doctor 0:44
Madame De Pompadour 3:44
Tooth And Claw 3:50
The Lone Dalek 4:59
New Adventures 2:19
Finding Jackie 0:54
Monster Bossa 1:37
The Daleks 3:01
The Cybermen 4:32
Doomsday 5:09
The Impossible Planet 3:11
Sycorax Encounter 1:13
Love Don't Roam 3:57
Doctor Who Theme (Album Version) 2:36






Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly...original motion picture soundtrack...music by Ennio Morricone


One of the all-time great Western scores, restored to its original length-that means an additional 10 tracks! A spaghetti-flavored treat for soundtrack collectors!

The concluding chapter of director Sergio Leone's epochal Man With No Name trilogy ushered film scorer Ennio Morricone into the pop mainstream courtesy of a hit cover of its main title by American Hugo Montenegro. More importantly, it both showcased the composer's spectacularly inventive range and set him up for even greater triumphs to come with Leone and others. But aficionados of il Maestro Morricone's G,B&U soundtrack knew its original editions contained but the main thematic/musical elements of the spaghetti western epic -- until now. 

The addition of ten previously unissued cues on this newly remastered edition render the landmark score in its full glory, nearly doubling its running time in the bargain. While some of these new elements are but spare, haunting reworkings of familiar motifs (including Allessandro Allessandroni's trademark guitar riffs and the chilling vocal shrieks the composer used to evoke the howling of coyotes) that help expand its emotional dynamic, others like "Sentenza," "La Missione San Antonio" (a haunting instrumental version of "A Soldier's Story" that effectively presages his elegiac Once Upon A Time in The West and "Il Bandito Monco" significantly add to its expansive scope, firmly restating its claim as Morricone's first true classic. -- Jerry McCulley (Amazon.com)








Tuesday, November 5, 2019

2012...original motion picture soundtrack...music by Harald Kloser and Thomas Wander


Original soundtrack to the 2009 blockbuster. Features a score by Harold Kloser and Thomas Wander plus tracks from Adam Lambert ('Time For Miracles') and Filter ('Fades Like A Photograph'). 2012 is the Roland Emmerich-directed film about the end of the world, Starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet and Woody Harrelson, amongst others.

Kloser creates a great story with the music, and is a good mix of touching themes and pounding excitement. His style is consistent, and in the same vein as The Day after tomorrow, but totally different in the treatment of this really awesome movie. The visual and auditory components of this movie go very well together.

This music fits each and every change of situation perfectly. The music definitely added suspense, depth and imagination quality to the film. 







Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Bird Man of Alcatraz....original soundtrack 1962...music composed and conducted by Elmer Bernstein


Birdman of Alcatraz is a 1962 film starring Burt Lancaster and directed by John Frankenheimer. It is about a man named Robert Stroud (Lancaster) who is sentenced to life-imprisonment for murder. While there he develops an interest in birds. In the process, he even develops a cure for bird diseases and publishes a book on the topic. All-in-all, this is a phenomenal movie, and probably Lancaster's best performance ever. The composer of choice for this assignment was Elmer Bernstein, who today is known for scoring films such as; The Man with the Golden Arm, The Magnificent Seven, Walk on the Wild Side, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Escape, Ghostbusters, and The Black Cauldron.

Bernstein brings a magical score that is subtle and delicate, carefree but still dramatic, a real masterpiece. Favorite cues include; Main Title, Flight, Bird Cart, Cage Preparations, No Cure, Runty Dead, Peggy, Stroud Drunk, Riot, Like A Bird, and End Credits. This is an overlooked masterpiece from early in Bernstein's career. It sits right alongside To Kill A Mockingbird (his finest score ever) as one of his greatest achievements in film scoring. Varese Sarabande released this score in a limited edition of 3,000 copies as part of their CD Club label in 2006.







Saturday, October 12, 2019

Memoirs of A Geisha...original motion picture soundtrack...music composed and conducted by John Williams


The haunting, recurring themes of this score help to give the perfect atmosphere to the movie. The music does exactly what it was supposed to do in musically illustrating and complementing the film and setting the mood. 

John Williams, Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman do such a superb job of musically interpreting the story. Yo-Yo Ma describes John Williams' score as "poetic and mysterious". It is he who expresses these elements through his cello while violinist Itzhak Perlman provides strategic moments of enchantment.

As you listen to this soundtrack it casts a spell over you, and shuts out everything except the music and the emotion. From the innocence of "Going to School" to the drama of "The Fire Scene and the Coming of War" it enchants and pulls you in. Listening to it is almost like meditation. 








Friday, September 27, 2019

The Killing Fields...original film soundtrack...music by Mike Oldfield


The Killing Fields (Original Film Soundtrack) was Mike Oldfield’s 10th studio album and soundtrack album to Roland Joffé’s drama film of the same name. Originally released on 26th November 1984, it spawned one single, Étude (Theme From The Killing Fields).

Mike Oldfield's first and really only venture into scoring a movie. It is a beautiful score with very emotionally charged music. The strong, unique, and sometimes stirring music covers a range from classical, to metallic, to light rock, to ethnic. Oldfield was reluctant to accept this assignment due to the nature of the film and his peaceful nature. He wanted to let people feel the horror of war, and was very successful. The music he created was powerful, and very ethereal in nature throughout the piece.







Thursday, September 19, 2019

Pride and Prejudice...music from the motion picture...music by Dario Marianelli, performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet


Dario Marianelli is an absolute genius and you'll agree when you hear the music from this soundtrack. It is a perfect reflection to the movie and compliments this classic story very well. Performed by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet with The English Chamber Orchestra. By listening to this soundtrack you will feel the emotions of the actors on the scene and be able to imagine Jane Austen's greatest work come to life.








Thursday, September 12, 2019

The Constant Gardener..original motion picture soundtrack...music composed by Alberto Iglesias


Original music composed by Alberto Iglesias and featuring music performed by acclaimed Kenyan percussionist and Real World recording artist Ayub Ogada. Alberto Iglesias' ("La Mala Educacion," "The Dancer Upstairs," "Todo Sobre Mi Madre") lush score evokes the film's compelling African and European landscapes.

Alberto Iglesias composed the bulk of the music that accompanies "The Constant Gardener". His score is moody and dark, reflecting the screen adaptation of John le Carré's novel about the death of a British diplomat's wife in Kenya and the surrounding conspiracy. The energy in the "Constant Gardener's" score is punctuated by Ayub Ogada's spirited Kenyan folk music. Iglesia's music contrasts with Ogada's vignette's of poor villagers who are victimized not only by AIDS but also by a truly evil Swiss drug company. The ambiance in the film is a successful amalgam of polished cinema orchestration with the simple, raw power of Afro-Caribbean world music. 







Saturday, September 7, 2019

Plunkett and Macleane - Original Motion Picture Score by Craig Armstrong


Genre: Electronic, Classical
Style: Trip Hop, Breaks, Score, Downtempo, Contemporary
Year: 1999

Craig Armstrong proved with his Romeo and Juliet score that he can seamlessly mix several genres of music together to create a singular sonic experience. Many have complained that the modern sound of Plunkett and Macleane completely contradicted the movie's pre-industrial revolution setting. But it works in ways a period score would fail.


There's something here for everyone who uses a movie score for imagination fuel. Plunkett and Macleane is full of tension, booming bass, orchestra, angelic voices, nervous sound effects and haunting ambience, and exciting 'driving' pieces that are sure to get your blood flowing. (Amazon review by Inspector Gadget)









Friday, August 30, 2019

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale...music from the TV series...various artists


Various ‎– Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale - Music From The TV Series

Tracklist
–The Breeders Buffy Main Title Theme 1:12
–The Dandy Warhols Bohemian Like You 3:33
–Nikka Costa Everybody Got Their Something 4:20
–Christophe Beck Dead Guys With Bombs 2:55
–Devics Key 3:29
–Lunatic Calm Sound Of The Revolution 4:03
–Dashboard Prophets Ballad For Dead Friends 4:14
–Angie Hart Blue 2:49
–Aimee Mann Pavlov's Bell 4:26
–Alison Krauss That Kind Of Love 3:44
–Aberdeen Sink Or Float 3:27
–Patty Medina Still Life 4:27
–Laika Black Cat Bone 4:25
–Man Of The Year Just As Nice 2:59
–Melanie Doane I Can't Take My Eyes Off You 3:55
–Fonda The Sun Keeps Shining On Me 4:07
–Halo Friendlies Run Away 3:02
–Emiliana Torrini Summerbreeze 3:40
–Cibo Matto Sugar Water 4:30
–Rob Duncan The Final Fight (Original Score) 4:02
–Nerf Herder Buffy The Vampire Slayer Theme 1:03







Saturday, August 24, 2019

The Ladykillers...music from the motion picture....produced by T-Bone Burnett


The soundtrack to this Coen brothers movie from 2004 is a collection of old time spirituals, gospel hymns and quartet songs done by a mix of classic and contemporary artists including Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Rosie Stone(of the Sly and the Family Stone), Blind Willie Johnson, The Soul Stirrers and The Swan Silvertones. A real treat for lovers of roots music and deftly produced by the legendary T-Bone Burnett.

–The Soul Stirrers Come, Let Us Go Back To God 2:50
–Nappy Roots Trouble Of This World (Coming Home) 3:48
–The Venice Four With Rose Stone And The Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir Let Your Light Shine On Me 6:43
–Nappy Roots Another Day, Another Dollar 3:48
–The Soul Stirrers Jesus I'll Never Forget 2:36
–Nappy Roots Trouble In, Trouble Out 4:04
–Bill Landford & The Landfordaires Trouble Of This World 2:45
–Donnie McClurkin Come, Let Us Go Back To God 4:33
–Rosewell Sacred Harp Quartet* Weeping Mary 2:41
–Little Brother Sinner 4:25
–Bill Landford & The Landfordaires Trouble, Lord I'm Troubled 2:58
–Donnie McClurkin You Can't Hurry God 2:26
–The Soul Stirrers Any Day Now 2:28
–Rose Stone With The Venice Four And The Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir Trouble Of This World 2:55
–Claude Jeter* And The Swan Silvertones A Christian's Plea 2:23
–Blind Willie Johnson Let Your Light Shine On Me 3:07
–The Venice Four With Rose Stone And The Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir Let The Light From The Lighthouse Shine On Me 1:42

–The Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir Yes 5:29









Thursday, August 15, 2019

Twilight..the Score...music by Carter Burwell...includes "Bella's Lullaby"


Composed, orchestrated and conducted by the award-winning Carter Burwell, the Twilight score is a must-have companion to the movie experience. Burwell is a renowned composer who is well known for his work on most Coen Brothers films, including The Big Lebowski, Fargo, Burn After Reading, plus films including Being John Malkovich, Gods and Monsters, and more.

Carter Burwell paints the vivid and complex story of Twilight through these masterful compositions. The same handful of melodies pervade nearly every piece, but subtle changes in key, rhythm, dynamic and instrumentation turn them into something new and unique to each song. The almost tribal drive of the drum rhythms communicate well the primal undercurrent in the story, while beautiful and mysterious melodies vividly highlight the intensity as well as the "forbidden" element to Edward and Bella's love. The darker pieces dedicated to the bad vampires skillfully communicate the one, most important thing about these antagonists: Danger. Burwell is excellent, and composed a score PERFECTLY FIT to the story of Twilight. 

This score by Carter Burwell does not disappoint. It is hauntingly beautiful, delicate, expressive music composed truly with the theme of the movie in mind. You almost feel transported to the town of Forks (covered in low clouds, mist and fog) - the music is really that powerful.







Thursday, August 8, 2019

Three Dollars...music from the motion picture...original score by Alan John and music by various artists



Three Dollars. It's About Change (Music from the Motion Picture and Novel - Original Score by Alan John)
Label: ABC Classics 
Released: 2005

Tracklist 
1 –David Bowie We Are The Dead 4:55
2 –Gelbison Keep It Kleen 3:00
3 –Joy Division Transmission 3:34
4 –Doris Svensson Whispering Pines 3:49
5 –Elvis Presley Walk A Mile In My Shoes 2:01
6 –Chet Baker My Funny Valentine 2:17
7 –Died Pretty Sweetheart 4:10
8 –Ice Nine This Is Noam 4:02
9 –Jolie Holland Darlin Ukelele 4:05
Original Score By Alan John
10 –Alan John Three Dollars - Titles 3:03
11 –Alan John Ode To Joy 0:41
12 –Alan John Claremont's Land 0:54
13 –Alan John Fading Light/Crossroads/Overtime 3:13
14 –Alan John Through With Love 1:38
15 –Alan John Alfred's Money 1:38
16 –Alan John Deadlands 2:58
17 –Alan John Abby 0:39
18 –Alan John Integrity 1:26
19 –Alan John The Sacking/Spiraldown/Bin Search 3:46
20 –Alan John The Bashing/Three Dollars - Coda 4:39






Monday, August 5, 2019

Rancho Deluxe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)....music by Jimmy Buffett


Jimmy Buffett was already three well-received albums towards becoming a populist phenomenon when he undertook his only film score (to date), director Frank Perry's 1975 "modern" Western, Rancho Deluxe. The fact that the film's screenwriter, the highly regarded Thomas McGuane, is Buffett's brother-in-law certainly had something to do with his hiring. In this instance, however, the results are decidedly pro-nepotism.

Buffett's songs and incidental music for this underappreciated antecedent to the likes of Clint Eastwood's Bronco Billy (including an early version of the hit "Livingston Saturday Night") have a raw honky-tonk swagger that would've done Waylon or Willie proud. More than merely a welcome addition to the Parrothead canon, Rancho Deluxe proves to be an anti-Nashville country classic. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon review)






Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Play It To The Bone - original soundtrack....music by various artists...blues, funk, gospel


So, for a boxing movie starring Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson you were expecting "Eye of the Tiger" perhaps? Surprisingly, this soundtrack doesn't feature any fist-pumping rock anthems, but rather focuses on sultry, sweaty jams and down-and-out blues that suggest these guys prefer to tango in the ring than land blows. Fishbone serve up "Shakey Ground, " a horn-punctuated groove thing. Kirk Franklin delivers his usual brand of ornate spiritualism with "Gonna Be a Lovely Day." Joe Cocker and B.B.King prefer to spit out the urban blues with plenty of polish on "Dangerous Mood." For a rougher look at the blues, John Lee Hooker's classic "Boom Boom" is presented in all its sloppy precision, while Jimmy Rogers and Linda Jackson crank out pure juke-joint fare. Moby wakes things up with the techno-laden "Machete." Alex Wurman and Jacintha slow things back down with the subtly creeping, gospel-tinged "On the Road" and the closing-time lounge tune "Here's to Life," respectively. --Rob O'Connor (Amazon review)


Tracklist 
1 Shakey Ground – Fishbone
2 Gonna Be A Lovely Day – Kirk Franklin
3 Dangerous Mood – Joe Cockerand B.B. King
4 Corazón – Los Lobos
5 Viva La M̼sica РGipsyland
6 Why Are You So Mean To Me? – Jimmy Rogers
7 I Must Tell Jesus – Linda Hopkins
8 Boom Boom – John Lee Hooker
9 Machete – Moby
10 On The Road – Alex Wurman
11 Here's To Life – Jacintha





Sunday, July 14, 2019

Jenseits der Stille (Beyond Silence)..original music from the film by Niki Reiser


Beyond Silence (German: Jenseits der Stille) is a 1996 German film directed by Caroline Link. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 70th Academy Awards.

The film tells the story of Lara, who grows up as the daughter of deaf parents. Lara herself is hearing and is fluent in sign language. Even as a young child, she serves as an interpreter for her parents in many situations. At Christmas, Lara receives a clarinet from her Aunt Clarissa, an enthusiastic musician. Lara discovers the world of music, where her parents cannot follow her. In the years that follow, Lara is discovered to be a talented clarinet player.

The score is based around a few musical themes (i.e. a love theme, a Lara theme, a togetherness theme). However, these themes are dispersed so nicely, there is never the feeling of listening to the same track several times. The music itself is based around the clarinet (the instrument played by the main character, Lara), the oboe, piano and various stringed instruments. The two vocal tracks "I Will Survive" and "You Were On My Mind" are certainly out of place on the album (and in the movie) and not necessary in my opinion.







Saturday, June 29, 2019

Robocop...original motion picture soundtrack..music by Basil Poledouris..remastered edition with extra tracks


When noted Dutch director Paul Verhoeven moved to Hollywood in the mid-'80s, few could have guessed he would embrace the prevailing action film culture with such unabashed enthusiasm. The assaultive, pulp-on-steroids sensibility of Robocop made it a huge success, but came injected with critiques of American TV and pop culture that were often wrapped in the muscular irony of Basil Poledouris' driving, synth-pumped orchestral score. This new edition of the modern sci-fi classic underscores the point with bonus tracks of the film's jangly TV news and commercial parodies, but it's still the industrial crunch of Poledouris' back-to-the-future neo-modernism that take center stage on this digitally remastered deluxe edition. 

Powered by an aggressive performance by a then-newly reformed Sinfonia of London and recorded at legendary Abbey Road (the score's frequent metallic percussion is the studio's fire extinguisher being struck with a hammer), Poledouris' music manages to evoke themes of sacrifice and redemption that are as old as the Bible, yet infuse them with a cold detachment that suggests a future of uncertain humanity. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon review)







Saturday, June 22, 2019

12 Monkeys (Music From The Motion Picture) - music by Paul Buckmaster and various artists



Paul Buckmaster ‎– 12 Monkeys (Music From The Motion Picture)
Soundtrack
Year: 1995

Tracklist
–Paul Buckmaster "Introduccion" From Suite Punta Del Este (12 Monkeys Theme) 0:53
–Paul Buckmaster Cole's First Dream / Volunteer Duty / Topside 3:11
–Paul Buckmaster Silent Night 1:07
–Paul Buckmaster Spider Research / "Introduccion" (We Did It) / The Proposition 1:58
–Paul Buckmaster Time Confusion / To The Mental Ward / Planet Ogo 1:52
–Paul Buckmaster Wrong Number / Cole's Second Dream / Dormitory Spider / "Introduccion" (Twin Moons Tango) 3:32
–Charles Olins         Vivisection 1:19
–B.J. Cole*         Sleepwalk 2:23
–Paul Buckmaster "Introduccion" (Escape To Nowhere) / Scanner Room / Capture And Sedation 3:32
–Paul Buckmaster Cole's Third Dream 0:20
–Paul Buckmaster Interrogation / Time Capsule / Cole Kidnaps Railly 4:55
–Fats Domino         Blueberry Hill 2:19
–Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World 2:18
–Paul Buckmaster Cole's Fourth Dream 0:26
–Link Wray And The Wraymen* Comanche 2:03
–Tom Waits         Earth Died Screaming 3:36
–Paul Buckmaster "Introduccion" (Quest For 12 Monkeys) 4:33
–Paul Buckmaster Fateful Bullet / A Boot From The Trunk / Cole's Longing 3:04
–Paul Buckmaster Photo Search / Mission Brief 1:27
–Paul Buckmaster Back In '96 2:06
–Paul Buckmaster Fugitives / Fateful Love / Home Dentistry 3:22
–Paul Buckmaster "Introduccion" (12 Monkeys Theme Reprise) / Giraffes & Flamingos 1:04
–Paul Buckmaster This Is My Dream / Cole's Call / Louis & Jose 3:13
–Paul Buckmaster Peters Does His Worst 3:51
–Paul Buckmaster Dreamers Awake 3:33