BigKenLittle

I can't believe we are 52 posts in and no one has mentioned this, most perfect composition by James Horner, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Oscar nominated and (IMO) James Horner's most beautiful song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an0j7_zu9vI

For days now; the theme from High Spirits has been rumbling around in there. George Fenton created this masterpiece in 1988. This is the overture on the original soundtrack, but it served as the end credits in the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdUtKh-3oMQ

An excellent group to start with is The Beegee Adair Trio seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSKNnB6OC_U Her website is http://www.beegieadair.com/ A very talented group similar to the style you cite. You might want to do a search for some dixieland as well. Just a good place to start.

While I will admit, in the last few years I haven't really followed James Horner's music much, I must say he had a profound influence on my youth. I have been listening to James Horner's music since the early 80's. I sought out the original Rhino records vinyl release of "Battle Beyond the Stars". In 1981, I paid over thirty bucks for this LP, because I was so enamored of the new young composer. So many more came afterwards; "Wrath of Khan, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Cocoon, 48 Hours, Krull, Aliens... and so many more. Two in particular stood out for me. It was 1983 and I knew Horner's music, but then came Brainstorm. This was a music I had never heard before. I was, at first, completely lost listening to this "noise" as I called it, but I was determined to follow it to the end. So I played the LP (best audio ever from Eric Tomlinson BTW). And at the end I played it again. But then something happened, as I was listening to the track "Lillian's Heart Attack" I heard the strangest thing, I found the melody and counterpoint in all that cacophony. It was right then I realized that music is much more than a march in 4/4 time. There is a depth to be sought out. A shallow moment, true, but I was only 16. And then... Ahhhhhhh, James Horner's greatest moment. "Michael's Gift To Karen". Sublime. Beautiful. I mean it sincerely when I say this is James Horner's crowning achievement. So much so, and I've never said this before, but my late wife Tamara chose this for her march down the aisle. I still get goosebumps to this day. I will play a James Horner medley all day today. I will even dig out my Brainstorm LP, even though I have long since added the CD to my collection. Something about the low frequency rumble of the turntable will make me feel like a kid again. And then this...

I've been watching Letterman since the early 80's. He has many great moments, far too many to list. This one, however is my favourite. I would be a happy human if he busted this one out of mothballs for the finale... Not likely, though. Fast forward to around 4:10 for the best moment.

Not sure if this has been posted previously, but, it convinces me that I'm moving to Europe. BKL: Packing as we speak.

Carpe Diem from Dead Poets Society. Suits my mood tonight.

So very sad tonight. At the ripe old age of 48, I realized tonight that I have been a fan of Robin Williams and his work for as long as he has been famous. Seriously. I remember watching the very first "Mork" episode of "Happy Days" and even at a young age, I knew that this was someone special. Watched "Mork and Mindy" from the start to finish. (Beautiful theme by Perry Botkin, BTW) I listened to the "Reality... What A Concept" comedy album so many times that I (to this day) know all of the routines verbatim. So much of my youth and adulthood is tied to his work. Watching his HBO comedy specials, where he improved with John Ritter. His un-credited cameo in "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen", seeing "Good Morning, Vietnam" three times in the theatre. Finding out what a talented actor he was in "Dead Poets Society" and "Awakenings". There is so little to laugh about in the world these days, that when you take away someone who was so brilliant; well, the world just seems a little smaller now. Mr. Williams, you are already missed. Finally, thoughts and prayers for the family and friends left behind. This is probably a good time to think about those who are feeling lost and alone. If you know someone who is suffering from depression tell them they are not alone and there are resources available to help them through the difficult times. In Canada visit http://www.depressionhurts.ca The flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long. Lao Tzu, Te Tao Ching

I hope everyone is enjoying this funk-a-licious arrangement. It was originally released in Canada in late 1978, the band is a session group called "The Wonderland Band". The original piece was never released on an LP, only on 12" remix single and a compilation which has long since vanished. I found the music on You Tube here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1ydeGf7Z3A

Hello everyone; The older members will remember me from days past (I hope) . However, I haven't posted in a looooooooong time. It's nice to be back after lurking around for a while. I'm glad that I do not come empty handed upon my return. I recently discovered this version of the Superman theme on You Tube, and, I wanted to share it where I thought it would be appreciated. I have no idea of it's validity, but I offer it to you anyway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfIdI7a8ERk Hope you enjoy it and have a happy Monday. BKL: still wearing boogie oogie boogie woogie dancing shoes!

He was one of the truly great comedic actors of all time.... But that's not important now.

45/80. Not bad, considering I really stopped buying score CDs from about the late nineties on. I missed all the Zimmer cues (of course). However, I am really mad for not being able to connect with Big Trouble in Little China, one of my favourite John Carpenter scores. I played it several times, but just got brain lock. I would have had Doctor Zhivago by Maurice Jarre, but my brain just seized up after the next theme played. Got all of the Goldsmith and Williams (of course). BKL

I beg to differ... The "Gloria" is the highlight of the score. BKL: Overture from Twilight Zone the Movie (Jerry Goldsmith) The cd arrived in the mail today, and I am on my second listen... [audible sigh] I miss the 80's

If a composer could write one epic score in their career, like Lawrence of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago, some would say that was enough of a legacy. Maurice Jarre gifted the world with so many, that it seems almost impossible. And now he's gone... RIP Monsieur Jarre BKL who will now listen to "Building the Barn" from Witness. (My personal favourite)

The name is Giacomo Puccini. I KNOW that it was written by Giacomo Puccini, Marian. As you can see by the rest of my posts, I wasn't listing any of the composers or lyricists for these songs. Just the performers. Since this is my favourite performance of Turandot, I listed Pavarotti only for the aria...

Great topic (as always) Joe. For me, songs are almost as important as film music. However, I rarely listen to anything on the top 40 charts anymore, since most of it is just dreck. I like songs that tell a story, or at the very least get you in the chest thumper. Here is a short list of songs floating around my iPod. Scar by Carly Simon. From her incredibly underappreciated cd "The Bedroom Tapes", a brave and raw song about the aftermath of her breast cancer surgery. My Sweet Lord by George Harrison. The most talented member of the Beatles writes and performs a simple song about spirituality that all faiths can relate to. Romeo by Shari Ulrich. This song from the early 80's, by Vancouver native Shari Ulrich, has one of the catchiest bass hook lines, of any pop song. The stays with you long after you first hear it. Strut by Sheena Easton. Okay, not a great song I grant you, but I've had a crush on Sheena since I first laid eyes on her in the early 80's and I love this song. It's spiky pop sound was (and still is) one of my favourite songs of the era. You can see for yourself The Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin. If you want to hear the birth of heavy metal, then you have to listen to this song. Robert Plant's primal scream always sends chills down my spine. Life In A Northen Town by The Dream Academy. As someone who knows what it is to live in a small isolated community as a young man, I can tell you that the slightly surreal imagery of this song is spot on. Bad Timing by Blue Rodeo. As anyone who has fumbled through the end of a relationship will tell you, this song perfectly captures all the stupid things, that seem to make sense when you are heartbroken. Angel Mine by The Cowboy Junkies. This song is perfection, simply put. Margo Timmons vocals are subdued and the whole song has a beautiful simple melody. Check it out I Can't Get Behind That by William Shatner and Henry Rollins. As I get older, I rant more and more, the Shat and Rollins seem to be vocalising everything that annoys me about life in the 2000's Nessun Dorma by Luciano Pavarotti. I know this is not a popular song, but it is one of my very favourite arias and makes me gasp for air every time I hear it. It has taken on a whole new meaning lately since the loss of the great Pavarotti. and finally Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idle. This song always makes me smile when I am down. Just a few, I will post some more later... Ciao BKL NP:We your dearest friends - Carly Simon, The Bedroom Tapes

Just curious... Which one is mediocre? To Joe... Still alive and kicking, I post when I can, Thanks. To Wojo... As I said, movies are too subjective, my idea of perfect could very well be crap to most. BKL

In answer to the original question, "is there such a thing as a perfect movie?"; the answer is no. Movies are far too subjective to be judged as perfect. However, there are four movies, which in my opinion, come as close as you will ever get to perfect... Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing John Huston's Treasure of the Sierra Madre and Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extraterrestrial Honourable mention goes to... George Lucas's Star Wars, all of the monkeying around in recent years has detracted from it's original glory. Guy Hamilton's Goldfinger, the perfect blend of spy gadgets, girls and glamour is marred by a lack of a Maurice Binder credit sequence. Just my two cents worth... BKL

Monsignor remains at the top of my list. BKL

I must say one of the most interesting poll questions in quite some time. Well done. Musically, I tend to listen spatially, though, it depends on what I am listening to, what I am doing at the time or where I am. For example, when at home much of my time is spent cleaning my apartment or taking care of something and I am rarely able to just sit and allow the music to envelope me. When I am riding a bus or have a rare moment to just sit and enjoy then I do just that and lose myself in the moment. Interestingly enough, though, that has changed over the years. When I was much younger and listening to music was just for sheer pleasure, I was very interested in the actual performance of a piece of music and tended to be quite critical. I think that doing that is what developed my ear for music and also shaped my listening habits. I realized that certain orchestras had a certain sound and that made them identifiable. I also learned how to find a specific conductors style of performance and that also dictated choices to me. I realized early on that as a conductor, Jerry Goldsmith was much better than John Williams. Though I think, in the last 15 or so years, has Williams improved greatly. However, it was John's style of composition and orchestration that gave him the slight (very slight) edge in my books. Things I might never have sat down and given serious thought to unless I spent all those late night hours listening and re-listening to my LPs. Ahhhh, those were the days... BKL Introduction to Act III; "Lohengrin"; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, cond. by James Levine

For me... it is the specific rendition of the Superman theme as Superman catches the helicopter in "The Big Rescue" on the Rhino soundtrack. That particular arrangement and first full rendition of the theme (since the main title obviously) stands out for me as an iconic marriage of music to a moment in film. Also, still in superhero mode, is the moment of the cymbal crash and key change in the performance of the end credits used in the film and never duplicated since. Every time I hear it (even to this day) I still gasp a little as I catch my breath. I was so happy that Rhino included this performance in the spectacular CD they produced that on the very first performance in my home CD player, I actually screamed like a little school boy and was immediately thrown back to the Metropolitan theatre in Winnipeg, December 1978... An unequalled experience. BKL

A. I like Sandra Bullock and thought Miss Congeniality was a good movie. B. As I said, someone else was paying so I didn't choose the movie. Truth is, I don't remember the what that is from, though it is familiar to me also. At first I thought it was from Cuttthroat Island but I really am not sure. There are three different composers listed in the credits, Christophe Beck, Randy Edelman and John Van Tongeran... Perhaps this is one of the few original compositions for the score. Other music credits belong to 8 other composers and can be found here BKL

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous; Sandra Bullock does exactly what you would expect for this sequel. The movie is all over the place and really unfocussed. Some moments are very funny, sometimes it is trying too hard to be a cop/buddy flick. But my biggest complaint, though, is the GAWDAWFUL temp track that is trying to be a score. Snippets of score and songs appear and disappear with no real or dramatic reason. Truthfully, it took me out of the film more than once. Overall, good performances from all involved, Bullock and Regina King seemed to have good screen chemistry. A fun watch, but I am glad that someone else paid for me to go... If you haven't seen it, wait, it'll be out on DVD in about a month. 3/5

Of course, you are speaking from experience... I hope. BKL

GET OUT OF MY HEAD, JOE!!! Couldn't have said it better myself... BKL