King Kong: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
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Audio CD (14 September, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Max Steiner's score for Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace's King Kong is rightfully considered a classic. Until the 1933 thriller, movie soundtracks were mere background accompaniment. But Steiner's grand, Wagnerian score--filled with crashing notes, dissonant chords, and plenty of thunder--gave King Kong a unique tension, influencing every action and adventure soundtrack to follow. A few years later, Steiner--RKO's musical director--would go on to score another pivotal soundtrack, Gone with the Wind. But this is where his soundtrack magic really began. Rhino's reissue treatment here is luxurious and gorgeous, with great sound remastering. Copious liner notes explain some of this soundtrack's magic: Audio engineer Murray Spivack mixed a tiger growl at forward and backward speeds to create Kong's trademark vocals; Steiner knew precisely when to silence his 46-player orchestra and let the sound effects take over; and the small ensemble were often forced to serve double duty on multiple instruments. Filled with sound effects and movie dialogue, this CD sounds more like a vintage radio show than a standard soundtrack. But its impact--even today--can be easily heard. Great stuff. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

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Reviews (5)

Essential
Fans of the Eighth Wonder of the World or movie music in general will love this lovingly-crafted soundtrack reissue. The interior booklet is wonderful, and the addition of an audio story summary (dialogue and all) makes repeated listenings a pleasure (who can get enough of Carl Denham?).

- JOHN MICHLIG, author of IT CAME FROM BOB'S BASEMENT

Chilling music score!
This is one of the greatest scores of them all. The music goes right along with the film in each and every way. I got this CD for a Christmas present, and when I opened it up... "WOW, theres a whole book inside here"I thought to myself. There are pictures in here that are very, very rare.This music will send chills down your spine as you listen. Max Steiner dida wonderful job! If you have never seen this movie... BUY IT NOW!

Not the Greatest, But Still Good
I liked the way Rhino included movie dialogue (very similar to what they did with "Casablanca"), but it hardly conveys the entire "Kong" story.Some of the best music is for scenes where Kongfights monsters, scenes without dialogue (unless you count grunting andscreaming, which may pass for dialogue these days, but doesn't help ushere).For the most complete collection of "Kong" music, get theMarco Polo release from 1997.The new Rhino CD is an excellent starter,though, with extra kudos for the text booklet inside the case. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JZAL
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Film Music    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Day the Earth Stood Still (Score)
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Audio CD (04 March, 2003)
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Reviews (4)

I Stood Still, Too!
When I first saw the movie, on a Saturday afternoon "Creature Feature", with some family members, I bragged that the music was done John Williams ...because that same music was featured in "Lost in Space" over and over alot.Little did I realize, after looking at the credits, that it was Bernard Herrmann...in fact the 'recycled music' used in the LIS series was from this movie: ..DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL; and Bernard was never listed in the credits on the LIS TV show --not even as 'additional music by'--to avoid paying him any royalties; & that was WRONG.That just goes to show how GOOD the music is..a real treasure.

Music for Flying Saucers and Peace
Bernard Herrmann, the famous coposer of so many classics of the cinema, has never written a boring film score, and in this science fiction classic,he sets the standard high again for great film music. This film is one of the classic science fiction movies of all time and this film score matches its subject with great force, music of the heavens and space and great music for Gort the robot. Highly recommended. This music fills you with awe and great harmonies. Herrmann was one of our greatest film composers and anything he wrote is worth listening to again and again.

Immenitely becoming THE 'composer of the 20th Century'.
and to think he cherished the 19th, with his fervent anglophilia.
almost all film music references his scores and even his ideals. Herrmann started out paling with Aaron Copeland and even Gershwin at times, but this symphonic minded iconoclast instead preferred the anti-establishment rebels, like radio conductor Johnny Green at CBS, meeting and working with Orson Welles, and joined both in a successful stint in Radio Drama and concerts that segued into motion pictures when Welles 'took him' to Hollywood to begin a career with what is considered still, THE greatest film ever, Citizen Kane. Top Music dog Al Newman (Randy's uncle) saw Herrmann through Hollywood, handed him off to Hitchcock and Harryhausen and eventually Truffaut, DePalma and Scorsese (where he went out 'literally', right after Taxi Driver. Herrmann wrote the DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL right after completing his 4 hour opera 'Wuthering Heights, not having worked in Hollywood for 4 years to complete it. Enjoy this 'return to Hollywood' score that Herrmann obviously enjoyed screening and composed a dramatic errie beauty! ... Read more

Asin: B00008J2KU
Sales Rank: 14491
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Forbidden Planet: Original MGM Soundtrack
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Audio CD (05 January, 1995)
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• Live
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Reviews (16)

Musical score or sound effects?
I was never quite sure whether the score for this movie was music or sound effects.The two seem to blend together.If you loved the movie sounds, you'll love this CD.
This music is unique, a product of genius.I played it at work one day and one of my co-workers got the heebee-jeebees because it brought back memories of being terrified by the movie when he saw it as a child in 1956.

THE FORBIDDEN PLANET / SOUNDTRACK
A movie and soundtrack way ahead of its time!!! Where
science fiction meets reality!!! Based on the premise that
no matter how advanced a civilization may become,dreams will
never be harnessted and that total power corrupts totally...
With all that aside I sure could have used Robby in my
hippie days...

A prototype
This was a clever film, a sci fi rendition of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A trekkie whom I dated in my single days referred to the film as a prototype of Star Trek.

So the film, shot when I was just a boy, was a prototype, in many ways ahead of its time. So, thusly, is the music.

While electronics have become a way of life in the "developed" world now--How long has it been since you've heard a phone "ring?"--in the mid 1950s, they were still fantasy. The film works simulataneously at three levels, the interstellar voyage of the characters, the far more advanced technology/prehistory of the Krell, and the subliminal, and very animal, instinctive id. The composers did a clever job of mixing electronic sound effects with a "musical" tone, some later mimicked by a number of minimalist composers, to develop the ambiance of these levels.

If you haven't seen the film, maybe that description will entice you to see it. And the soundtrack will remind you of they mystery and intrigue of the story. ... Read more

Asin: B0000059UG
Sales Rank: 20902
Subjects:  1. Bop    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores    4. Swing   

A Boy Named Charlie Brown: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special
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Audio CD (22 November, 1989)
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Editorial Review

The jazz trio recordings that made up most of West Coast pianist Vince Guaraldi's output often leaned more in the pop direction. Guaraldi had played with Cal Tjader and Woody Herman, scored a niche with Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, and hit a commercial high point with his melodic melodrama "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," but he will forever be tied to his score for the cartoon A Boy Named Charlie Brown. These performances are memorable for the program they set out to accomplish. The bright little skirmish of "Linus and Lucy" is the perfect accompaniment to these mimetic characters. "Blue Charlie Brown" contains some catchy piano soloing from Guaraldi. "Baseball Theme" works perfectly, as does the samba "Pebble Beach" and the Chaplinesque rag, "Schroeder." --John Swenson ... Read more

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Reviews (19)

Appropriately Charming
Vince Guaraldi was one of my first jazz "idols" and this CD remains among my very favorite of his. From the very first notes, the music is instantly recognizeable as the soundtrack to the Peanuts animated cartoons, but it works in so many other ways as well. Since the pieces on this disc were originally written to be background music in the cartoons (with the exception of the last track--"Fly Me To The Moon"), they make excellent background music for your party or while doing things around the house. I find it makes excellent study music. Despite serving as good background music, some of the tunes are also very catchy (the famous "Linus and Lucy," and my other favorite "The Charlie Brown Theme"). Sometimes I find myself just settling back in a comfortable chair and listening to this or one of my other Guaraldi CD's to relax after a long day. In an era that produced few easily listenable jazz albums, the Guaraldi discs--and especially this one--are a real treat. They're very easy on the ears. You won't be disappointed!

It is what it is, flawlessly
I'm not sure why you're even reading this review. If you've seen the peanuts, you know that Schulz's animations - those lovable characters, and the wah-wah-wah voices of the off-screen adults - are accompanied by jazz that's both soothing and whimsical.

If (egads!) you *haven't* seen Peanuts animation, this collection certainly won't mean the same thing to you. It's still a fabulous collection of pleasantly whimsical jazz, great for Sunday morning reading of the paper or Wednesday evening separation from reality.... but if you check out the cartoons first, that same pleasant whimsy will be filled with remniscent joy.

Delightful, intelligent jazz
This album is a family favorite. It relaxes me and helps my toddler son go to sleep most nights. We never tire of this timeless music. An essential CD, and a great gift idea for someone who wants an introduction to jazz but may be intimidated by the genre. ... Read more

Asin: B000000XDH
Subjects:  1. Cool    2. Jazz    3. Pop    4. West Coast Jazz   

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

The gifts of film composer Ennio Morricone have not been overestimated by the recent hype piled upon them. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is one of his seminal works, its power only slightly diminished by its status as one of Morricone's overplayed warhorses. As with only the best film music, it is inexorably linked with the movie it accompanies, and it's wonderfully enjoyable even if you've never seen the film. Purists and aficionados will crow about its ubiquity, but anyone remotely interested in movie music and evocative, atmospheric composition deserves to hear this score. --Keven McAlester ... Read more

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Reviews (23)

Golden
I have to agree with most everyone here: The Ecstasy of Gold is a great tune.

The soundtrack that made the movie!!
The good the Bad and the Ugly is an awesome movie and in my opinion half the reason why it is so awesome is the totally sweet soundtrack that went with it.This soundtrack is soo totally sweet it isn't even funny, and how it sets the mood for the movie is just beautiful.My only regret is that I got this shorter version of the soundtrack before the new expanded version came out, but that still doesn't alter the fact that this soundtrack is totally awesome!!!

Some of the finest tracks ever used in film.
Before I get bombarded with emails about the 4/5 star rating, I should clear that up. A remastered edition was just released, and it has 10 more tracks than this version. But if you love the movie, that shouldn't matter. The only bad thing aside from the missing tracks here is that the audio quality isn't the best. I had to turn my stereo up to the max volume to hear some parts here and there, especially the beginning of "The Ecstacy of Gold".

But this soundtrack is phenomanal. After watching the movie for the first time last month, I went out and got the soundtrack the following day. It has such a nice range of music styles. From the well-known heroic main theme, to the depressingly dreary "The Story of a Soldier", to the beautiful "The Ecstacy of Gold" and ending with the suspenseful "The Trio". This is probably the single best soundtrack I've ever heard. It is pretty short though, almost half of the tracks aren't even 3 minutes long. It runs at a total of 34 minutes and 20 seconds.

GBU's soundtrack isn't the kind that you have to be in a certain mood to listen to. I constantly listen to it in my room, on my playlist, and in my car. It gives you a great feeling of adventure, danger, and sadness regardless of what you're doing. If I had to pick just one track that stood out the most, it has to be "The Ecstacy of Gold". If you've seen the movie, you should remember how well it fit the scene: Tuco rolling down the hill, only to hit his head on a gravestone, discovering that he made it. That track has so many different feelings in such a short period of time (3:22), and I haven't heard anything in any other film that can match it. I'm even tempted to have it play at my funeral (yeah, I'm 19. So what? It's a beautiful track).

There are no notes, lyrics or information in the cd booklet. It's blank on the inside. But you have to remember that this was put out in 1985, and I doubt many soundtracks for older movies had pages of notes. But do yourself a favor and pick this or the new version up. I don't get why this one is so much more than the new release...most music stores still carry it at an average price. Dispite having this one, I'm still going to get that new expanded version. Because you know what? The movie and its music is that good. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UDT
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtrack    5. Soundtracks    6. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Planet Of The Apes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Also Featuring Music From Escape From The Planet Of The Apes
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Audio CD (26 August, 1997)
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Editorial Review

The entire Planet of the Apes saga eventually spanned five films and a short-lived TV series. But the original is still the best, even if it's hard to decide what's more memorable, Jerry Goldsmith's inventively modern score or the sight of Charlton Heston in a loincloth. We're sticking with Goldsmith, if only for the bold resourcefulness he showed in creating a new musical idiom--ethnic Ape. Rife with complex percussive flourishes and tinged with haunting instrumental moans, Goldsmith's score remains a singular science-fiction classic. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

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Reviews (23)

A Real Turning Point in Motion Picture Soundtracks
I'm sure other reviews will discuss instrumentation, so I'll pass on that one. I will just tell you that I this score was so impressive that I loved it EVEN when the only version I'd ever known of was the trebly Project 3 release which only featured about 25 minutes of music. Acquiring this full-length release is absolute confirmation.
Who could've ever thought that experimental "cacophony" and melody could be cross-bred to create something so appealing and instantly memorable? You'll find after listening to it once that, upon the next listening, you remember the themes.
A Goldsmith classic, and truly THE turning point in film score history!

Ape Music
I enjoy this sound track. It's fast past most of the time and the music is by Jerry Goldsmith. This is the original movie and Escape music. Not the newer one with Mark in it.
This sound track is more filling and is more simple. It's orchestra through the whole thing and the music is very powerful.

Jerry's Masterpiece, along with the STTMP score....
If I had to pick two scores from science fiction movies that Jerry Goldsmith did at the peak of his music career as a composer.One would be for Star Trek; The Motion Picture, and the other would be for Planet Of The Apes.The Apes score is rather unqiue in that Jerry did not use a traditional orchestra to do it.There is some brass and woodwind pieces, but the unique sounds that show the alienness of the strange world that the astronauts land on, comes from using long wind pipes that make a rather moaning, almost eriey sound.By contrast when he returned to score the Apes sequals, because of the lower budgets that were being used.The music sounded very dry and bland by contrast.It was perhaps for this reason that Jerry left the Apes movies when he did and two different composers scored the remaining Apes movies.Tom Scott scored the Fourth Apes movie, while the fifth and final Apes movie was scored by Leonard Rosenman. ... Read more

Asin: B000001525
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Once Upon A Time In The West: The Original Soundtrack Recording
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Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

One of the most lyrical Western movie scores from one of the all-timegreatest movie Westerns. Unlike the slightly more cartoonish music (in theRaymond Scott sense) for Sergio Leone's earlier "Man with No Name"Westerns starring Clint Eastwood (Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More,The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), Once upon a Time in the West isepic in scope and elegiac in tone. Composer Ennio Morricone uses a haunting,wordless female vocal on the main theme (and in the equally beautiful soundtrackfor Leone's companion gangster epic, Once upon a Time in America, manyyears later) that sends chills down your spine and may even bring tears to youreyes. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

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Reviews (23)

A Great Western Film Score--Italian Style
In popular terms, when one thinks of composer Ennio Morricone, the first thing that they're likely to think of is "spaghetti westerns"--namely the scores he composed for director Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy of the 1960s.Morricone's output, of course, is much bigger than that now.But one of the best scores he ever did for any film, western or otherwise, was the one he composed for Leone's 1969 western epic ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.And like the film itself, Morricone's music has gained a foothold as one of the very best film scores ever composed for a western.

Amazingly, Morricone composed the film score by reading the screenplay by Leone and Sergio Donati, and doing this before a single frame of film was exposed by Leone himself.This meant that Leone could choreograph the main characters' movements in the film.Thus, you get certain sound elements weaving throughout the score--a lush, haunting score (with a wordless female voice) for Claudia Cardinale's frontier widow character; a stinging electric guitar for the ruthless railroad killer portrayed by Henry Fonda; a jaunty banjo for Cheyenne, the outlaw portrayed by Jason Robards; and an ominous, tuneless harmonica for Charles Bronson's character.

One element that is strangely never mentioned when it comes to Morricone's scores for either this film or the "Dollars" trilogy is how attracted he is to minor keys.The themes attached to the Bronson, Robards, and Fonda characters are all in the key of A Minor (the famous "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly" is in D Minor).It is this penchant that Morricone has for the minor keys in his composing that gives his western scores the ominous and deadly charge they have.

One previous reviewer compared the Leone/Morricone collaboration to those of Hitchcock/Herrmann and Spielberg/Williams.I think this is an extremely apt comparison, and it goes a long way in explaining the success of the films, the filmmakers, and the composers who help them.ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is a sterling example of the Leone/Morricone collaboration, and is well worth finding.

BRAVO, MAESTRO!
Yes, Sergio Leone was a brilliant director and innovator.However, this is another case where Maestro Morricone elevates the film with his gorgeous and equally innovative music.If "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," brought attention and notoriety to the budding Maestro, the score for "Once Upon A Time In The West" certainly elevated his stature as a musical force to be reckoned with, and thankfully, to be heard from again and again.The Maestro used several elements here to great effect, yes, creating a separate theme for each of the principal characters--who can ever disconnect the harmonica theme from Charles Bronson?And Edda Dell'Orso's wordless vocals have never been more sublime or used to better effect.Essential Morricone.My only complaint is with the packaging to this edition and others.This magnificent score deserves deluxe packaging, booklet and notes, along with the full number of tracks.I would recommend checking out all the editions--there are at least three--and reading the helpful reviews.

ANOTHER MORRICONE MASTERPIECE
As with all soundtracks by Ennio Morricone such as THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY and A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is simply masterful.

The hallmark of any Morricone soundtrack is his use of the human voice as a non-vocal instrument.ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is no exception.

This soundtrack is a terrific addition to any classic soundtrack collection. And it matters little whether you are a fan of the movie or not or whether you are a fan of westerns or not.The musical quality of ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST stands on its own. ... Read more

Asin: B000002W71
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

2001: A Space Odyssey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 Reissue)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 October, 1996)
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Editorial Review

This commemorative reissue of music from 2001: A Space Odyssey combines the Also sprach Zarathustra theme, various Johann and Richard Strauss segments, and a ballet suite by Aram Khachaturian--all of which prove how much Stanley Kubrick's film attempts to avoid the soundtrack clichés of most science-fiction movies. Instead of the expected sci-fi effects, there is a more ironic application of music that would be otherwise incongruous to the celestial settings. Here, "The Blue Danube" complements scenes involving weightlessness and descending spacecraft, while Gyorgy Ligeti's creepy "monolith" music connotes Armageddon more than interplanetary exploration. The tracks play as they had appeared on the original soundtrack release back in the '60s, but there is also previously unreleased supplemental material and a dialogue montage entitled "HAL 9000." --Joseph Lanza ... Read more

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Reviews (26)

has to be one of the best soundtracks ever
The soundtrack to 2001 A Space Odyssey (i have volume 2, which is a little different from the Amazon version) is probably one of the best soundtracks ever.It has a variety of pieces, from rousing (Also Sprach...), standard classical (Blue Danube), to chilling avant-garde (Atmospheres, Lux Aeterna).

1. (and 8) Also Sprach Zarathursta (5/5): I couldn't really take this seriously the first time I heard it in the movie because I had, before seeing the movie, played the shareware game Chicken Invaders which parodied it.But after seeing the movie two more times and listening to the cd all memories of it being parodical are gone, it's a short, rousing, and amazing piece of music that is always played at perfect times in the movie (especially during the scene where the ape learns to use tools).

2. Requiem (5/5): Undeniably creepy.The music of the monolith, nuff said.

3 (and 7): Blue Danube (4.5/5): Standard piece of upbeat and beautiful classical music that is perfect to underlie the scenes showing the space technology of the year 1999 in the film.You'll also notice that when this was playing there was nothing creepy going on in the film....

4. Lux Aeterna: (6/5): This is like something you'd hear when you're dying: played in the film as the space shuttle went to investigate the monolith discovery on the moon, it is the sound of fear, paranoia, uncertainty, and almost, death.Chilling and amazing, this is the stuff nightmares are made of.

5. Gayne Ballet Suite (5/5): Another more standard piece of classical to underlie the introduction of the Discovery mission, but is more ponderous and much darker than the upbeat Blue Danube.Great stuff.

6. Atmospheres: (6/5): Speaking of chilling and amazing.The first 2 minutes are played to a blank tv screen in the beginning of the movie, which really gets your psyche ready for the experience and, musically, tells the viewer basically what the feel of most of the movie is, creepy and mysterious.The rest is played during another blank-screen overture in the movie and the finale during the mindblowing wormhole sequence in the end.There are parts of this that send my whole back up in goosebumps and make my eyes tear with its viscerality.I'm serious, this is unbelievibly good.

Unbelieviby good soundtrack.But don't buy it just for the soundtrack, it's much more powerful to see the music coupled with the film's visuals and happenings.A kickass soundtrack and movie.

One Of The Best Soundtracks I Have Heard!!
2001: a space odyssey is an excellent soundtrack and if you loved the movie like I did than I highly recommend this soundtrack. In the movie all the songs they used were classical pieces which all sounded great and every single one of them was worth listening to.

The CD features all of the songs from the movie in the order that they come in and it features some of the same songs more than once like "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and "The Blue Danube".

"Atmospheres" is the overture song and is a great place to start the album with it's very soft horns that get louder throughout the song. "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is my absolute favorite song on the album. I love every second of it with it's loud horns and drums. This songnwas used when at the beginning when you see the opening credits, when the ape discovered that he could use the bone as a tool and when Dave Bowmen turned into the star child. "Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two mixed Choirs and Orchestra" is a very haunting track with voices and an orchestra that sound very future like. This song was used when the monoliths were discovered and at "Jupiter and Beyond". "The Blue Danube" is a very nice beautiful song and it was used when the spaceship was traveling to the moon. "Lux Aeterna" is also a haunting track with some voices at throughout the song. It was used while the astronauts were traveling on the spaceship. The songs "Gayane Ballet Suite, "Jupiter and Beyond" were used when Dave, Frank, and the other astronauts were traveling on the Discovery with the new Hal 9000.

There is also some supplemental material which includes another version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" which is done by the Sudwesfunk Orchestra instead of the Vienna Philharmonic. It also includes other versions of "Lux Aeterna" and "Adventures". There is also a track called "Hal 9000" which includes parts where Hal is talking with Dave and Frank.

I loved every part of this CD and I recommend it to EVERYONE who likes classical music and to people who loved 2001: a space odyssey!!!

The Future is Enigmatic
This is the best CD to date of the music and sounds of this fantastic yet most realistic film of man's future destiny in space and beyond. I was glad that much of the orignal music from the original album was on this CD. They did a good job with this one. ... Read more

Asin: B0000033WB
Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Choral    3. Miscellaneous    4. Orchestral    5. Original Score    6. Pop    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores    8. Vocal   

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Paramount Picture
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 October, 1996)
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Editorial Review

Originally released in 1971, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory was an imaginative film that drew as much inspiration from the leftover vibes (and drugs) of the psychedelic '60s as it did from Roald Dahl's fanciful children's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If you doubt it, check out this special 25th anniversary edition of the original soundtrack album, which features lyrics and music by Anthony Newley, who was a major influence on David Bowie and whose work on this film has clearly inspired '90s rockers from Veruca Salt (who took their name from the spoiled rich girl) to the Butthole Surfers (who could easily cover the sinister, trippy "Wondrous Boat Ride". C'mon, everybody, let's sing: "Oompa loompa/Doomp-ity-do/I've got another lesson for you...." --Jim Derogatis ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Soundtrack

Reviews (17)

Good!
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory is a wonderful movie and it has some cute songs so I really like this soundtrack though I do have to agree with the reviewers who said it would have been even better if the sound effects from the movie had seperate tracks instead of being blended into the songs. All of the tracks on this CD are good but my personal favorites are Candy Man, Pure Imagination, I've Got a Golden Ticket and the main title instrumental track. I highly recommend this soundtrack to anyone who likes the movie!

Pure Genious
This cd is absolutley AWESOME!!!!!!!! i love the movie, i love the book and the music defintly plays a big part of how the movie is. I can listen to this over and over and over again. Seriosuly, you should get this cd. it is abosutley amazing. i was so excited when i bought this because i could listen to the songs as many times as i wanted.

Songs from the Candy Man.
WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is a charming movie. This soundtrack to the film is a delight to own for any fans of the film. My favorites on the album are:

"Golden Ticket"

"Candy Man"

"Pure Imagination"

"Oompa Loompa"

My only complaint about this album is that the tracks aren't organized very well.For example, except for the first "Oompa Loomp", the rest of the "Oompa Loompa" songs are at the end of other tracks so you have to fast forward or rewind to find what you're looking for. Also, there is a lot of dialogue and sound effects contained in some of the song tracks. I'm glad it's on there, but it would have been better if the dialogue and sound effects were on separate tracks than the songs.However, if you can deal with those little nuances, this is a wonderful cd to own. ... Read more

Asin: B000002PG2
Subjects:  1. Original Score    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 November, 1998)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

One of the most satisfying soundtrack "companion" pieces ever released, this collaboration between synthesist Wendy Carlos and producer Rachel Elkind manages to both logically extend and credibly expand on director Stanley Kubrick's masterfully conceived Clockwork Orange musical ethos. That shouldn't be surprising, as the pair was largely responsible for initiating those concepts with the music they'd begun as a follow-up to their successful, synthesizer-pioneering Switched on Bach collection. "Timesteps," a rich, wildly evocative, 13+ minute electronic sound and music collage, was based on impressions gleaned from Anthony Burgess's original novel (excerpts of it are liberally scattered throughout the film), while an abridged version of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was an early experiment in vocal synthesis that ended up as one of the film's key motifs. Also featured here are synthesized versions of music Kubrick ultimately chose to use in orchestral form (Rossini's "The Thieving Magpie") as well as original Carlos/Elkind electronic compositions ("Orange Minuet," "Biblical Daydreams," and "Country Lane") that ended up on the cutting-room floor. Composed on primitive, monophonic analog instruments (which could play only one at a time!) long supplanted by generations of digital revolution, this work has a brooding otherworldly quality all its own. As our favorite Droog would say: "It was like a bird of rarest spun metal, or like silvery wine flowing in a space ship, gravity all nonsense now." --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (29)

TIMESTEPS and COUNTRY LANE are creepfests from Heaven
Mention must be made of Elkind's brilliant singing in one of the Beethoven tracks. It's an achingly delicious bit of singing despite the electronic filtering. And is there a name for that caw-caw-ing timbre heard at 2:45? It's a hilariously scrumptious timbre, but Carlos replaced it all-too-soon with a different timbre.

And consider the brilliant melancholia that's expressed in the seashore-scape sections of TIMESTEPS. For me, the creepiest part of TIMESTEPS is that gothic choral section with the hissing sound-effect. As for the creepiest part of COUNTRY LANE, it's obviously the choral section. But I wish that Carlos hadn't indulged in that cheezy upward-modulation shtick. I wish she had kept it in the root key that she started it in.

AT LAST!!!
Apart from Vangelis' score for Bladerunner, this is one of the most eagerly awaited film scores to be released. This is truly a first, an intelligent electronic score to be composed for a major motion picture. Wendy (nee Walter) Carlos has composed a truly mesmerizing score to Kubricks brilliant film. Not since Bernard Herrman has such attention been paid to the music for a film. And imagine..its not digital..this was done on old Moog 3C, which was a pain to record since it was analog and could only play one note at a time. But forget all that..just sit back, put the headphone and slooshy the sounds....do yourself a favor too and read the original novel by Anthony Burgess..it will open your eyes..make you think a bit...

One of the Greatest Scores Ever Created. Thank you, Wendy!
Sound synthesized... um, music, at its best! And, for one of the Greatest Movies Ever! Ah, A Clockwork Orange... and it went to The French Connection? Kubrick put his heart into it! You little- oh... never mind. I become carried away after a bit.
Cheerio. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DGXX
Subjects:  1. Electronic    2. Film    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores    5. Synthesizer   

The Omen: Original Motion Picture Score (Deluxe Edition)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 October, 2001)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

Jerry Goldsmith's chilling soundtrack music for Richard Donner's 1976 Antichrist-themed thriller The Omen was very nearly the score that never was; an unusual, last-minute budget extension was granted solely to secure the composer's services. That decision turned out to be one of the wisest the studio could make. Goldsmith's music would go on to score him his first Oscar^® and a Grammy award and become the crucial thematic glue that held the entire Omen trilogy together. Standing the traditional requiem form on its head, Goldsmith in essence created Satanic liturgical music. As chorally ominous as Orff's Carmina Burana, yet infused with the composer's own compelling sense of drama and color, The Omen instantly became both a genre classic and one of the musician's greatest achievements. Varese's 25th anniversary edition has largely resequenced the track order to match the film and expanded it by nearly a third with seven previously unreleased cues. These new tracks add dimensions of both pastoral calm and mounting suspense, making the familiar "Ave Satani" theme even darker and more spine tingling by contrast. Edition producer Robert Townson's detailed new notes also carefully place each cue in its cinematic and musical context. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Soundtrack

Reviews (19)

Hauntingly Chilling, and Perfectly Composed
I am a huge fan of Jerry Goldsmith, but the undeniably most impactive score that I've ever heard under his name is this CD.
The 1976 success of Richard Donner's masterpeice is without a doubt 86% due to Jerry Goldsmith's requiem-stylized suites.

The tracks that stand out in this lister's brain are "Ave Satani," (once you hear in on the movie track, it will be instantly engraved in your mind.) "The Dog's Attack," enormously beacuse, when I hear it, my mood changes--as does with any music I listen to) and, course, who can forget the pressing motif in "the Altar" (I love it, and so will you.)

So, if your looking to listen to a killer score that will blow you out of your seat, slip this sweet little CD in and prepare yutrself for this beautifully remastered 25th Anniversary Edition of Jerry Goldsmith score to one of the most memmorable films of our time--THE OMEN

----JerryorG I G I

Every note of this score deserved the Oscar it received.
Time and Time again, Jerry Goldsmith has composed wonderful music for movies that don't deserve his talent.His music has duped me into loving dubious efforts such as Logan's Run (Another superlative score), Coma and The Mummy.The Omen has slipped into classic status due to it's cast and Goldsmith's fantastic score.It is otherwise a dated piece of filmwork.

Goldsmith builds his thematic material on an ancient musical superstition, the devil's tritone.The tritone is an augmented third chord that creates an unpleasant dissonance.This dissonance was so disturbing that composers avoided it completely when composing religious music.The church had banned it's use.According to legend this horrible chord was inserted into the scale by the devil in order to ruin God's perfect chord harmonies.We used to laugh about it in music class but after listening to Goldsmith's score, maybe there is some truth behind the legend.

The soundtrack starts off with the groundbreaking "Ave Satani".A very black mass choral work filled with demonic tritones.It is disturbing, haunting and powerful and never fails to give the listener a good case of paranoia.Goldsmith then invites the listener to relax into false security with his beautiful love theme (A new Ambassador and Piper Dreams)But listen again to these themes.They are really just a variation of "Ave Satani" disguised with beautiful scoring and in the case of "Piper Dreams" innocuous but insidious lyrics.The love theme which is strong in the beginning of the film then fades and sours through the course of the score.As the love theme dies, it's demonic twin "Ave Satani" co-opts it's theme and adds further variations.The whispering of the chorus during "The demise of Mrs. Baylock" is terrifying.

This score deserves it's place as a piece of art on it's own away from the film.It's influence can even be heard in recent films such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the new Star Wars Prequels.But this still keeps topping them all.Hopefully, Goldsmith will reset his musical material into a concert version that won't be so choppy and obviously film cue driven.

Also note:don't listen to this score at night because it's disharmonies will cause nightmares!

One of the materpieces of film music, or any music
The score to the "The Omen" netted famous composer Jerry Goldsmith his only Oscar (beating out two scores by Bernard Herrmann!) out of his many nominations. Few horror film scores --indeed, scores to any kind of film -- have been as influential as this dive into Satanic terror. But on its own, "The Omen" score is something even larger than accompaniment to a scary film. This CD, which restores music missing from the original LP and CD release and puts the cues in chronological order, shows that "The Omen" score is a masterpiece of American concert music, sort of an orchestral/choral tone poem of fear and sadness. It's an unnerving thing to listen to for the first time (scared me half to death first time I heard it, and I hadn't even seen the film yet), but becomes more impressive and even beautiful with each additional listening. There is really nothing else like it in film music: a dark, gorgeous piece of profane music.

This CD is still missing a number of smaller cues from the film, such as Lee Remick's death, the unused music for the early appearances of the dog, and the evil nanny's first meeting with Damien, but it restores most of the important pieces that were unavailable until now: "I Was There," (Father Brennan's first attempt to explain to ambassador Thorn who his son is), "Broken Vows" (the approach to the church when Damien has his fit), "The Day He Died" (searching Brennan's apartment),and "Beheaded" (self-explanatory).

The score is based on two ideas. First is a Black Mass, an inversion of the Catholic mass, sung by a mixed choir. Not actually a theme, the choral motif changes constantly depending on the requirements of the scene, but it always indicates some sort of Satanic presence or evil occurrence (in fact, Goldsmith's score is the ONLY indication in the film that anything supernatural might be occurring, and is thus a crucial part of the storytelling). The Black Mass is established in the first cue, "Ave Satani." (Believe it or not, it was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, but lost to "Evergreen." Kind of makes you sick, huh?) "Ave Satani" is actually the music for the end credits (the second half of the final cue, "The Altar" is the music heard over the opening credits), but serves as the perfect opening to the soundtrack. The choir intones the Latin phrases they will utilize for the rest of the score.

The otherwise informative liner notes to the album neglect to print the lyrics, so here they are:

Sanguis bebimus corpus edimus
Tolle corpus Satatni
Ave versus Christus
Ave Satani

Which roughly translates as: "We drink the blood, we eat the body. Raise the body of Satan. Hail Antichrist. Hail Satan."

(Think of how enriched your experience of the album will be now you know what that creepy choir is actually saying. Yipes!)

For the rest of the score, Goldsmith uses the chorus as an assault weapon. "Ave Satani" is stately and slow, but the chorus becomes vicious and bizarre as the score continues, using each word like a weapon, repeating them endlessly in strange patterns. Goldsmith effectively dumps the form of traditional religious music and goes for a modernist approach (Stravinsky and Bartok are probably the closest equivalents). The chorus is positively insane on such cues as "The Killer Storm," "Beheaded," "The Demise of Mrs. Baylock," and "The Dogs Attack." This last cue is the score highlight, beginning with eerie whisperings and turning into a full-on choral assault that hits screaming pitches. This music is really like getting run over by the orchestra and chorus, and it wrings you out. Believe me, you'll love it.

The second idea is the "Family Theme," a delicate love theme first heard on "Ave Satani" as a few chords on the piano before the Black Mass starts. It flowers into a beautiful and childlike melody on the cue "The New Ambassador." Goldsmith then spends the rest of the score slowly destroying the theme with dissonance, minor chords, and dark orchestrations. By the time of "The Bed" near the end of the score, the theme is almost unrecognizable, as all the love of the family from the beginning has disintegrated into nothing. It's an unsettling musical trip. (The love theme also appears as a vocal, "The Piper Dreams," at the end of the album. I don't consider this part of the score proper, and it wasn't in the film, thankfully.)

This CD is a must for anyone interested in orchestral American music, choral music, or any kind of music that leaves a unique lasting impression. It is one of the masterpieces of modern music. ... Read more

Asin: B00005PJ9D
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores    4. Vocal   

Suspiria: The Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 November, 2000)
list price: $40.49 -- our price: $40.49
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Features

• Import
• Soundtrack

Reviews (4)

Wonderfully creepy and experimental pastaprog
Goblin's Suspiria is tense, spooky, darkly melodic Italian progressive rock circa 1977.This mostly instrumental album has a palpable sense of dread that takes the listener for a dark and twisted ride.I mean it's just creepy, and unlike most soundtracks Susperia succeeds as music that can be enjoyed separately from the film.In other words it's not background music.The compositions are top notch, the musicians are virtuoso level and there is a lot of timbral variation.Bells, assorted percussion, marimba, guitar, drums and some spooky keys are used effectively to set a properly disturbing mood in compositions that range from the atmospheric to the odd and almost jazz-like.Unusual and interesting.

awesome!!!
Can i say that this is an awesome soundtrack! One of the best!

The voices sometimes reminds me of Diamanda Galas and that's a good thing.

Unfortunately, the movie wasn't as good as the soundtrack but that's another story.

If you're into spooky experimental weird music then this is for you.

The Devil's Jingle
Whoa!If you've seen Suspiria, then you know about the insane music of Goblin that gives thefilm such a jolt.If you haven't, go and see it.If you love horror soundtracks, you have to own this.

The title track is an evil little jingle that just builds and builds.According to another reviewer, the band was on serious painkillers when they made this.I don't know how true that is, but whatever they were on, they tapped into something unique.

This movie needs a rerelease so you can hear the demented rock on the soundtrack in full THX sound.And that title theme, you'll be humming for days after.

A total gem of a soundtrack that can't be recommended enough. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y801
Sales Rank: 75089
Subjects:  1. Original Score    2. Pop    3. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    4. Rock    5. Soundtracks   

Star Wars, A New Hope: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 February, 1997)
list price: $24.98
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Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (58)

If you liked the movie, you must buy the soundtrack
Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977.) The soundtrack to the film, composed by John Williams.

In 1977, George Lucas took the world by storm with A New Hope, the first film in the Star Wars series. The film became known as a science fiction masterpiece in a relatively short period of time, and his spawned numerous sequels and prequels alike. One of the driving forces behind the films, in addition to excellent acting and (what were then) state-of-the-art special effects, the films featured an excellent musical score, composed by John Williams. When John Williams does the score for a movie, he very rarely fails to please with his compositions. Read on for my review of the soundtrack to Episode IV: A New Hope (1977.)

To put it in the simplest terms possible, if you're a fan of the Star Wars movies, the soundtracks are an essential purchase. When the soundtracks were rereleased on CD in 1997 and again in 2004, the tracklists were upgraded over the original vinyl versions. Each of the soundtracks from the classic trilogy (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) is now a dual-disc set, which features every piece of music from the entire film it represents, from start to finish. Hell, they've even got the Twentieth Century Fox Fanfare intro! Each soundtrack has the complete musical score from its respective film, in the order each piece appeared in the film. Furthermore, each soundtrack adds an alternate version bonus track. Even further adding to the greatness is that many of the pieces of music are the full-length complete versions. Because of this, you get the complete piece of music, meaning you'll even hear portions of some pieces that didn't even appear in the films (because the versions in the films were cut short in some cases.) My lone complaint is that some songs that should have been divided into separate tracks weren't (for instance, on each soundtrack, the opening theme fades right into the first unique piece of music to each film, and it's ALL ONE TRACK, meaning you can't skip right past the inro to the first unique piece of music. On the flip side, the end credits are directly connected to the LAST unique piece of music from each film, meaning you can't skip directly to the end credit theme (and this is sure to disappoint some listeners.)) Despite that little flaw, these are still great soundtracks. Every piece of music on here is excellent, proving John Williams to be one of the greatest composers who ever lived. The soundtracks not only show off his musical ability, but also his diversity musically. To put it simply, if you liked the movies, the soundtracks are an essential buy.

The soundtracks got rereleased in 2004, obviously to cash in on the rerelease of the classic trilogy of films on DVD. In addition to remastering the sound and revamping the cover art of the soundtrack CDs, the record company gives an alternative option - a box set of all three soundtracks from the classic trilogy. If you purchase the box set, you'll save a few bucks, so I recommend getting it rather than buying them separately.

If you liked the classic Star Wars Trilogy (and honestly, who didn't?), the soundtracks are well worth adding to your CD collection. Whenever John Williams does the music for a film, his score NEVER fails to please - and his abilities aren't limited to just the Star Wars series. I also strongly recommend the soundtracks to any other films he has scored. For all you classic Star Wars fans - the soundtracks are essential purchases.

Great Buy Worth Every Cent!
This soundtrack is great! The music or Star Wars has always enchanted me. I am so glad it came out on CD! The best track on it by far however is "Cantina Band" which is the music played in the Mos Eisleys Bar, in which Luke meets Han Solo!
A great buy worth every cent!

Amazing collection.
This is a perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your life. With the complete score collected including the Fox fanfare, the set will complete any Star Wars or cd collection. A must have. ... Read more

Asin: B000003G8X
Sales Rank: 4690
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Damien: Omen 2
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 December, 2001)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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Features

• Original recording remastered
• Soundtrack

Reviews (11)

Excellent!
I've been an Omen fan for quite awhile - I am pleased to have this Cd.I wasn't at all disappointed.I've listened to The Omen I and then this Cd so far.(I haven't listened to The Omen 3 as of yet) This one is my favorite of the two that I've listened to so far. I am very pleased.

My favorite of the bunch.
Jerry Goldsmith's score for the first sequel (and second part of the trilogy) to The Omen is, like the movie itself, more muscular and over the top, almost operatic.It grabs for the throat right at the opening of the synthesizer enhanced main title (Goldsmith was the first film composer to place the instrument in his orchestra) and it doesn't let go until the final jab of the end title.What is even better is that this deluxe edition not only has the original release soundtrack, it also contains the newly discovered session tapes of the music used in the film itself - so fans can compare and contrast the studio style soundtrack with the original score recordings (detailed liner notes explain why many soundtracks in the 70s were actually recordings of different performances, and even arrangements, than what actually appeared in the films themselves).Coming from one of the great composer's most impressive fertile periods (76-79), Damien Omen II is an essential for any Jerry Goldsmith collector and/or film music buff.Highest recommendation.

Enter maturity
Often sequels are of lesser quality than their predecessor is, and often the soundtrack spirals along with it. While Damien wasn't as good as it's predecessor, the fight wasn't a fair one. It's predecessor had set the tone. Damien was by all rights a good film- and its score was even better.

In this second chapter of the "Omen"-trilogy, composer Jerry Goldsmith takes his famous original theme a step further.
The ominous choirs are still there singing "Ave Satani", but the melody to their words has changed. Also, the accompanying piano has waxed into synthesizer. The orchestra is either relentless or pursuing, and there is no bedtime song anymore to ease the mind. The Antichrist has become aware of himself.

The score haunts me with every passing minute and it certainly competes with Goldsmith's Academy Award winning original composition. In fact - being more mature than that original composition - I might venture as far as deeming Damien superior to The Omen.

This is the 'Deluxe Edition' soundtrack, which features the digitally restored originally released album, and new cues. In fact, this CD contains all the music that was in the movie and several fragments more.

Are there any faults? Well, would I state it that way if there wouldn't be?
Goldsmith uses a few cues quite literally taken from "The Omen", which were fantastic and great to hear again in new context, but seeing how he developed the rest of the themes, it looks a little cheap.

This feeling dissipates however, once you realise how it makes "Damien" sound like an alternative version of "The Omen", granting multiple manners for listening to the composition.

All said and done, this is classic Goldsmith and classic horror-suspense.

It gets four stars.

Bram Janssen
The Netherlands ... Read more

Asin: B00005RZTZ
Sales Rank: 17085
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Pop    3. Soundtrack    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 August, 1997)
list price: $24.98
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Editorial Review

By the end of the 1970s, John Williams was already a legend among filmmakers and film-scoring buffs. But the success of Star Wars elevated him to something he probably could have scarcely imagined--bona fide pop-culture icon. Williams's masterful score to the first Star Wars sequel (and the chapter many sci-fi fans cite as the series' most dark, emotionally complex, and satisfying) fleshes out his original character themes with some new ones while painting compelling musical portraits of alien worlds as disparate as the ice planet Hoth and the swampy Dagobah. Notable are the menacing, Prokofiev-inspired "Imperial Theme (Darth Vader's March)"; the noble "Yoda and the Force"; and Hoth's "Battle" cues, which are some of the most dramatic action cues ever. This expanded edition also fleshes out the already familiar themes with new tracks that restore the score to its status as a grand galactic symphony. A richly illustrated booklet is included as well, helping listeners place each piece of music in its proper cinematic context. Of his four attempts at coloring George Lucas's rich stellar saga, this remains Williams's most consistent and compelling. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (79)

If you liked the film, you must own the soundtrack
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980.) The soundtrack to the film, composed by John Williams.

In 1977, George Lucas took the world by storm with A New Hope, the first film in the Star Wars series. The film became known as a science fiction masterpiece in a relatively short period of time, and his spawned numerous sequels and prequels alike. One of the driving forces behind the films, in addition to excellent acting and (what were then) state-of-the-art special effects, the films featured an excellent musical score, composed by John Williams. When John Williams does the score for a movie, he very rarely fails to please with his compositions. Read on for my review of the soundtrack to Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980.)

To put it in the simplest terms possible, if you're a fan of the Star Wars movies, the soundtracks are an essential purchase. When the soundtracks were rereleased on CD in 1997 and again in 2004, the tracklists were upgraded over the original vinyl versions. Each of the soundtracks from the classic trilogy (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) is now a dual-disc set, which features every piece of music from the entire film it represents, from start to finish. Hell, they've even got the Twentieth Century Fox Fanfare intro! Each soundtrack has the complete musical score from its respective film, in the order each piece appeared in the film. Furthermore, each soundtrack adds an alternate version bonus track. Even further adding to the greatness is that many of the pieces of music are the full-length complete versions. Because of this, you get the complete piece of music, meaning you'll even hear portions of some pieces that didn't even appear in the films (because the versions in the films were cut short in some cases.) My lone complaint is that some songs that should have been divided into separate tracks weren't (for instance, on each soundtrack, the opening theme fades right into the first unique piece of music to each film, and it's ALL ONE TRACK, meaning you can't skip right past the inro to the first unique piece of music. On the flip side, the end credits are directly connected to the LAST unique piece of music from each film, meaning you can't skip directly to the end credit theme (and this is sure to disappoint some listeners.)) Despite that little flaw, these are still great soundtracks. Every piece of music on here is excellent, proving John Williams to be one of the greatest composers who ever lived. The soundtracks not only show off his musical ability, but also his diversity musically. To put it simply, if you liked the movies, the soundtracks are an essential buy.

The soundtracks got rereleased in 2004, obviously to cash in on the rerelease of the classic trilogy of films on DVD. In addition to remastering the sound and revamping the cover art of the soundtrack CDs, the record company gives an alternative option - a box set of all three soundtracks from the classic trilogy. If you purchase the box set, you'll save a few bucks, so I recommend getting it rather than buying them separately.

If you liked the classic Star Wars Trilogy (and honestly, who didn't?), the soundtracks are well worth adding to your CD collection. Whenever John Williams does the music for a film, his score NEVER fails to please - and his abilities aren't limited to just the Star Wars series. I also strongly recommend the soundtracks to any other films he has scored. For all you classic Star Wars fans - the soundtracks are essential purchases.

simply the BEST of Star Wars
THE FOLLOWING REVIEW WAS WRITTEN BY A GREAT STAR WARS FAN AND LOVER OF ALL STAR WARS MUSIC.

A New Hope was just the beginning and it is excellent for what it is, yet it is clearly shaped by many pre-existing and familiar classical/cinematic sounds and moods.

Return of the Jedi pulls much from the previous 2 films. It has it moments but, it is not as much a singular work as it is a compilation.

Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, while flaunting many new themes, pull much from each other and are not characterized by AS MANY great memorable musical moments. Thus they do not stand alone nearly as well as individual works. I think a lot of this is due to George Lucas's latest style of editing and mixing the new movies. We end up with a MISH-MASH of musical cues that repeat each other and interupt the musical journey that we're listening for [it is understood that a certain amount of this cutting/mixing happens in all movies, but this fan is of the opinion that Lucas has cheated us of some of the musical enjoyment that we've grown to expect from a Star Wars movie].

In the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, John Williams dove through the surface of the shallower pre-existing Star Wars score and explored a deeper and more substancial universe. We hear much more "John Williams" in Empire's score. It's a darker more brooding peice than the privious work. As compare with the latest two films, it carries us throught the plot with undeniable DISTINCTION and clear STRUCTURE. And it does this NOT JUST WITH ITS BASIC THEMES AND MOTIFFS (which are without a doubt some of his most loved thems: Imperial March, Han/Princes, Yoda),but with instantly recognizable and unmistakeble cues and sequences. There is the mechanical HOTH BATTLE. There is the snappy-rythmed ASTEROID FIELD, the chillingly sinister DUEL (which Williams is going to rehash for us in III), the glorious fanfaring ESCAPE FROM CLOUD CITY, the operetic DESCENT INTO THE CARBONITE CHAMBER, and many more which make the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK a thrilling and a very logical/satisfying musical experience that is unprecidented by any other episodes and few other films in history.

What about the "original" soundtrack???
I've hesitated in purchasing this new edition of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK soundtrack because I already:
1- Own THE original Vinyl, double album with the gatefold pictures,
2- Own the 20th Century Fox Edition (the one that came in a large box, with a nice booklet)
3- Own the miserable and poorly packaged "edited" version of the original vinyl release (includes only 10 out of the original 20 tracks).

Still, the mere thought of listening this soundtrack (which I humbly opine it's William's masterwork!)in a remastered and restored format sends shivers down my spine.
I have heard it, although not in its entirety, but the question remains: why was the original vinyl version never released complete on CD? For those of you who have never seen the vinyl version (except, maybe, on a E-BAY auction), it was magestically packaged with pictures from the movie and even had a very interesting interview with John Williams, something unheard of in vinyl albums at the time. It even had a brief explanation of each track.
Having to re-assemble tracks for newer versions, I think is blasphemy, even if the restoration coincides chronologically with the film. It would have been nice to have THE vinyl version out, for those of us who want to hear the tracks with the same order and edition as that of the vinyl.
I suspect this newer version has a superior sound and packaging, but someone here already stated that some music HAS BEEN altered (the snowspeeder search sequence).
I will probably end up buying this version too (after all, this is my favorite soundtrack album of all times and one of my favorite albums of ANY genre!Period!), but it would have been really cool to have THE original version on a remastered CD! ... Read more

Asin: B000003G8Z
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Orchestral    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Beyond: Original Motion Picture Score
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 July, 2001)
list price: $16.98
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Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (2)

It's official, Fabio Frizzi is king!!!
I have always enjoyed Fabios work, when I saw Zombie I just had to get my hands on the music from that awsome film. Then when I saw this, I was just amazed how great the music was, some of the songs might be abit better than this trashy gory film deserves, but then again a guy like Lucio Fulci only deserves the best for his films, I suggest you get this if your into horror movie soundtracks, not even! Get it regardless of your taste in music, there are some emotional tracks on this album, not to mention scary as well.

one of the best
in short, this soundtrack is why i love italian horror cinema. fabio frizzi conducted what is a classic. this music is beyond explanation (no pun intended) and the emotion in the score befits the instances within the film it shares. this film would not be half as creepy, nor atmospheric without this music to guide it. if you love italian film scores (especially in the morricone vein) don't hesitate to listen to this . ... Read more

Asin: B00005N84Q
Sales Rank: 182015
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Pop    3. Soundtrack    4. Soundtracks    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Blade Runner - O.S.T.
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 June, 1994)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

For years, the soundtrack to Blade Runner held legendary status among fans of Greek synthesist Vangelis. Except for a few cuts on the Themes compilation, it had never been released on vinyl or CD, although there was an orchestral version of the score. But in 1994, 22 years after Vangelis composed the dark, edgy soundtrack to director Ridley Scott's archetypal science fiction thriller, the music of Blade Runner came out in all its cybernoir glory.

Vangelis couched his electrosymphonic score in percussive rhythms and shadowed timbres. Effectively interpolating dialogue from the film, the CD moves from the threatening tension of "Blush Response" to the ethereal wordless vocal of Mary Hopkin over a water-drop synthesizer sequence on "Rachel's Song." A few tracks, notably "Love Theme" with Dick Morrisey's smarmy saxophone solo, drip with Hollywood sentimentality, but Vangelis quickly wipes that away with the hyperdrive of "Blade Runner (End Titles)." --John Diliberto ... Read more

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Reviews (86)

god made men, men made cyborg
skip the "one more kiss, dear" filler and you'll have the quintesence of all that i love about vangelis.
"tears in rain" makes me cry.

Dark and beautiful.
VANGELIS - Blade Runner

Not many comments to make here, apart from while being 23 years old, this is an essential, diachronic and vary basic score for one of the most fascinating movies of all times, that keeps fresh, entertaining and up to date with it's excellent dark and ethereal mood, with classic cues like the brilliant 'Blade Runner (End Title)'.

* * * * 4

Enchanting and excellent space rock soundtrack
Vangelis' "Blade Runner" soundtrack influenced so many movie composers that it may not seem as groundbreaking today as it did in 1982. Prior to "Blade Runner," most Hollywood composers either entirely avoided synthesisers or used them as glorified noise-makers. Vangelis, along with Tangerine Dream, helped change this. Unlike many synth soundtracks, however, Vangelis' "Blade Runner" is grounded in a solid compositional tradition, which guarantees the listener a rewarding experience. I can't recommend it enough. It may not seem stunningly fresh if you've already enjoyed Ferry Corsten, the Orb, or even Zero Seven, but it's still enjoyable and challenging music.

This is the rare soundtrack CD that can be enjoyed even if you haven't seen the original motion picture. (Some of Vangelis' samples of "Blade Runner" dialogue might seem even more mysterious and ambient if you haven't seen the film!)

Most of the tones and song structures Vangelis used here are very close to space rock. "Blade Runner Blues," for example, will remind you a little of mid-period Pink Floyd, and "Memories of Green" has a watery, phased piano similar to that used in Pink Floyd's "Echoes." This isn't imitation; Vangelis was exploring similar musical territory as space rock bands. For this reason, "Blade Runner" might be a more accessible introduction to Vangelis's music than his later, more New Age material.

If you enjoy well-written film music with a touch of ambience, you'll like much of this CD. My only complaint is the truly awful artwork on the CD cover, but it's hardly Vangelis' fault; that was the original artwork for the "Blade Runner" movie poster. ... Read more

Asin: B000002IZM
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Return of the Jedi: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Special Edition)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 August, 1997)
list price: $24.98
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Editorial Review

The high-energy, special-effects-laden conclusion to George Lucas's ambitious Star Wars trilogy delivers the final confrontation between Luke Skywalker (a more confident and mature Mark Hamill) and his nemesis-father, Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice of James Earl Jones), as the rebel alliance makes its last stand against the evil Empire. The film opens with an impressive set piece in the cave of the monstrous Jabba the Hut, who holds both Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) for his decadent pleasure until Skywalker comes to the rescue. The final battle pits an enormous armada of rebel ships against the rebuilt Death Star, the planet-killing weapon of the first film, while guerrilla forces battle Empire soldiers on the planet below with the help of a cuddly army of pint-sized, teddy-bear-like creatures known as Ewoks (Lucas's one concession to merchandising) and Skywalker confronts Vader and the emperor on the Deathstar. Director Richard Marquand invests the tale with plenty of humor and a vigorous sense of adventure without losing the seriousness of Skywalker's mission. The special edition adds, among other effects, more creatures and a bouncy song-and-dance number to the Jabba the Hut scenes, and an extended celebration that literally encompasses the galaxy at the film's jubilant conclusion. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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Reviews (218)

Referring to the Soundtrack
The reviews I've seen for this soundtrack are not even mentioning the CD that they are supposed to be reviewing, instead bitching about the movie itself.

The special edition of the Return of the Jedi has little change in the score.Most probably is improved sound quality.In Jedi, a new peice is found, Victory Celebration.This song replaces the awful 'Ewok Celebration' aka 'Yub Nub'.Victory Celebration sounds much more like an ending to one of the greatest movie (trilogy) ever made.It is still ethnic sounding, but sounds less like an Ewok festival and more like the closing music to Star Wars.

The Thrilling Conclusion of the Original Trilogy
In this final epic conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy, the final confrontation between young Jedi Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his evil nemesis/father Darth Vader takes place as the rebel alliance struggles against the evil galactic empire and their new death star, which is even more powerful than the original.

The film opens with Lando (Billy Dee Williams), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Luke venturing to the hide-out of Jabba the Hutt to free Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who was captured by Boba Fett in episode V.After being freed from the carbonite by Leia, a battle breaks out among Jabba's forces and Luke, Leia, Lando, and Han.During the melee, Jabba is choked to death by a scantily-clad Leia while the others manage to fight off Jabba's thugs and escape.

After escaping from Jabba, Han, Leia, and Lando rendezvous with the rest of the rebel fleet while Luke goes back to Dagobah to complete his training with Yoda, but when he gets there an ailing Yoda tells him that he needs no more training, but still must face Darth Vader.Meanwhile, the others plan thier assault on the death star, with Lando leading the ship attack and Han leading the ground assault to de-activate the energy shield which is protecting the death star.The band must land on the forest moon of Endor to knock out the power generator which generates the energy field.

Luke joins up with Leia and Han, but he feels that he is endangering the mission with his presence, so he voluntarily surrenders so he can face Vader and the Emperor.Will Luke's surrender succeed?Will Han's group disable the energy field before Lando's ships arrive? Will Luke be turned to the dark side or will he find good in his father and turn him?

This is a fantastic movie.The special effects have gotten better as the series went on, and the stunning battle against the death star is one of the best sequences I've ever seen.I didn't care as much for the Endor part of the movie, but the flight of the speeders through the forest with the trees zipping by at very high speeds was fun to watch.The best part of the movie is the confrontation between Luke and Vader, with each trying to turn the other.I give this movie my highest recommendation.From the opening "Star Wars" flash to the end, it is loaded with action and adventure.Watch and see the climactic battle between good and evil occur as the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.

Ooh, Princess, it hurts so good...
Carrie Fisher gets top billing as far as I'm concerned: this beautiful, brilliant, best-selling authoress and actress makes our day when, scantily clad, she strangles Jabba the Hut. That's special effects enough for me!
... Read more

Asin: B000003G91
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Orchestral Pop    3. Original Score    4. Pop    5. Soundtracks    6. Soundtracks & Film Scores    7. United States of America   

Twin Peaks (TV Soundtrack)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (31 August, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (38)

Self-conscious schmaltz--done right
It's OK to love schmaltz. Especially if it's self-conscious schmaltz. And if you're going to be alternately cloying and derivitive then you better be fun at the same time. And a quirky TV show sound track is the best place to do it. 3 cheers and 3 cheers more for Angelo Badalamenti.

You'll be "Falling" in love with this.
If you're a fan of this show at all, owning this disc is a must. It'll bring you right back to the woods, and the diner. However, even someone unfamilar with the show would still greatly enjoy this soundtrack. It is simply beautiful music, mostly intrumentals, with a few tracks including vocals. The singing is done by "Julee Cruise", who's own albums are very similar, and who's voice I can only describe as angelic. This is excellent mood music, and something great to listen to well "Into The Night".

Freshly Squeezed - still
I bought this CD when it was released - same day as some Guns & Roses' release.(I was the only one in the CD shop not buying the GnR...)I think that was '91.Anyway, I still love it, still listen to it.A few of the tracks do wear a bit thin - it was a tv soundtrack, after all.The others, however, well make up for the few slackers.If you've made it as far as reading this review, buy the CD.You will not regret it. ... Read more

Asin: B000002LMM
Sales Rank: 3653
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtrack    3. Soundtracks & Film Scores    4. Television Music