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RAMBO III (2018 remastered edition by Intrada)


Brundlefly

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Rambo III re-sequenced, re-mastered, re-packaged! After lengthy delay, third and final score by Jerry Goldsmith in initial Rambo trilogy finally brings Intrada CD series under one roof at the same time. John Rambo takes on Russians in Afghanistan in effort to rescue captured Colonel Trainman. Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna star, John Stainier photographs, Stallone & Sheldon Lettich script, Buzz Feitshans produces, Peter MacDonald directs. Jerry Goldsmith writes his longest Rambo score, infuses it with the largest number of thematic ideas as well. Melodies from first two films do appear but this time Goldsmith emphasizes all-new Rambo-in-action material with new rhythmic foundations as well. Also of note: Architectural device of new four-note building block that launches new theme. Motif not only anchors new Rambo theme but also opens other new material including music for Afghanistan locale plus beautiful minor-key theme underlining Rambo’s loyalty to new friends helping him in his cause. Capturing center stage none-the-less is dynamic action music wherein four-note motif in brass over familiar mixed-meter rhythms in left-hand digital piano literally propel Rambo into action. Goldsmith himself dubbed forte performance of piano overlays during mixing to create unusually commanding timbre. Post-production editing of the film created necessity to truncate numerous cues, replace others with tracks from second film. As such, CD for Rambo III features music not heard in final film. Highlights of score are numerous but standing tall is powerful ending sequence when Rambo parts with new friends, rides off in Jeep with Trautman. Here, Goldsmith returns to his very first “Homecoming” theme from movie that launched series, First Blood. As solo trumpet gives way to strings, entire orchestra crescendoes in powerful fortissimo farewell to this most emotional of Goldsmith themes. Entire following end credit music heard in same cue (“I’ll Stay”) offers magnificent medley of new action theme with haunting minor-key theme, culminating in stirring coda that melds both second and third film’s themes in single muscular flourish. Great finale to the trilogy! Intrada presents entire score from first generation three-track masters mixed by Mike Ross-Trevor from his original Otari 32-track digital scoring session elements. Previous releases were produced from two-track session DATs. New mastering adds weight, clarity. Score also now presented for the first time in film sequence. New liner notes focusing on thematic ideas plus revised packaging from Kay Marshall complete this definitive look at a genuine Goldsmith action classic! “The first time was for himself. The second was for his country. This time is for his friend.” Arthur Morton, Nancy Beach orchestrate, Jerry Goldsmith composes, conducts Hungarian State Opera Orchestra

 

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01. Carolco Logo (0:19)
02. Preparations (6:24)
03. The Money (0:51)
04. Another Time (3:56)
05. I’m Used To It (0:59)
06. Peshawar (1:11)
07. Afghanistan (2:37)
08. Questions (3:37)
09. Then I’ll Die (3:34)
10. The Game (2:25)
11. Flaming Village (4:07)
12. The Aftermath (2:42)
13. Night Entry (3:59)

14. Under And Over (2:55)
15. Night Fight (6:51)
16. First Aid (2:45)
17. The Long Climb (2:58)
18. Going Down (1:04)
19. Running Wild (0:30)
20. Find Cover (0:51)
21. The Cave (3:32)
22. The Boot (1:54)
23. You Did It, John (1:07)
24. Final Battle (6:13)
25. I’ll Stay (9:01)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- "Going Down" (1:52) from the 2005 version has been split up into "Going Down" (1:04) and "Find Cover" (0:51) on the 2018 version.

- "The Show Down" (1:26) and "Final Battle" (4:50) from the 2005 version have been joined to "Final Battle" (6:13) on the 2018 version.

- "The Long Climb" (3:25) from the 2005 version has been split up into "The Long Climb" (2:58) and "Running Wild" (0:30) on the 2018 version.

- The cue which was earlier referred to as "Insane" by the producer turned out to be already included in "Night Fight" as an insert

- Other differences to the previous version are the now chronological order of the cues and the new master, plus they added the Carolco Logo to the beginning.

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For a person like me who doesn't own any version of this score this re-release is A-OK.

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1 hour ago, Brundlefly said:

Yes. And it is also finally complete.

 

The new liner notes are cool. The old version just had one or two pages.

Oh good, it's going to be my first CD of this score. I've never heard it or watched the film. Will brace myself for the magic and might of Hungarian State Opera Orchestra's virtuoso performance ;)

 

By the way, wasn't it the first score Intrada has ever put out or something?

 

Karol

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31 minutes ago, Richard said:

True. It's not the best played score, is it?

Do JWfaners think it's better-played or worse-played than his mid 80s ISLANDS IN THE STREAM?

 

You're talking about the re-rec I assume? I haven't heard that yet. But Rambo III is the only Goldsmith score I'm pretty sure I would like a lot but that I usually just can't get myself to play because the performance is so lousy.

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10 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

You're talking about the re-rec I assume? I haven't heard that yet. But Rambo III is the only Goldsmith score I'm pretty sure I would like a lot but that I usually just can't get myself to play because the performance is so lousy.

Not a big fan of aleatoric music then, eh? ;)

 

Karol

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11 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

You're talking about the re-rec I assume? I haven't heard that yet. But Rambo III is the only Goldsmith score I'm pretty sure I would like a lot but that I usually just can't get myself to play because the performance is so lousy.

I wonder why Tadlow/Prometheus combo hasn't tackled it yet. A perfect Goldsmith candidate if there ever was one. Alongside Lionheart.

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Well they have now some pedigree in performing and recording film scores so I would expect they could tackle it. Then again I haven't listened to Rambo III very extensively so I don't know if it would be insanely difficult for them.

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1 hour ago, Stefancos said:

Wouldn't Rambo III be a bit above their skill level?

 

If Tadlow can handle BEN-HUR, EL CID, and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, I'm sure that they could handle RAMBO III.

LIONHEART would be a great Tadlow project, but, of course, DRACULA would be better :)

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11 hours ago, Incanus said:

I wonder why Tadlow/Prometheus combo hasn't tackled it yet. A perfect Goldsmith candidate if there ever was one. Alongside Lionheart.

 

The synths? For Lionheart at least, I imagine. I don't recall how much synth there is in Rambo III.

 

12 hours ago, crocodile said:

Not a big fan of aleatoric music then, eh? ;)

 

It's more the percussionist who can't keep a steady rhythm.

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7 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

The synths? For Lionheart at least, I imagine. I don't recall how much synth there is in Rambo III.

If Intrada can successfully recreate synth tracks for Damnation Alley then I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be possible for Lionheart. Plus, if I remember, Tadlow featured some synth tracks in their restoration of The Salamander. Which, by the way, is a really neat album.

 

Karol

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I'm not saying it's not possible, but I don't think Tadlow has much experience in that way so far? As far as I recall (haven't played it in a while), Salamander doesn't have the kinds of synth that prominently feature in Lionheart and Rambo III to (apparently) cover up the weak brass.

 

(And it would be more interesting to forgo those synths in favour of proper brass players anyway, but then it wouldn't be authentic anymore - and above all, Tadlow usually seems intent on trying to replicate the original score as close as possible, tempos and everything)

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It often sounds a bit wobbly, like an orchestra that has just rehearsed enough to get through a cue, but not get through it well.

 

But my main issue has always been the percussion in this piece, starting at 3:14:

 

 

 

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6 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

It often sounds a bit wobbly, like an orchestra that has just rehearsed enough to get through a cue, but not get through it well.

 

But my main issue has always been the percussion in this piece, starting at 3:14:

 

 

 

 

Ouch!

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Is this horror comparable to the Graunke Symphony Orchestra that partly mutilated Conti's Masters of the Universe?

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Now I am starting to regret ever buying this damn horrid thing! It sounds downright awful!

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4 hours ago, Incanus said:

Is this horror comparable to the Graunke Symphony Orchestra that partly mutilated Conti's Masters of the Universe?

 

MOTU sounds awesome.

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18 minutes ago, Incanus said:

Now I am starting to regret ever buying this damn horrid thing! It sounds downright awful!

 

It's not awful. But it's certainly not up to standard.

 

Lot's of 80's Goldsmith was done by shitty orchestra's but are great anyway. Rambo III is a fabulous score.

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2 hours ago, Philippe Roaché said:

 

MOTU sounds awesome.

How can you listen to those awful brass flubs and not blanch in horror and cringe? Even the composer thinks the orchestra did a horrible job. I am amazed how he managed to edit together a rather good end result from all those takes though.

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1 minute ago, Denise Bryson said:

 

I've never noticed any brass flubs.

Well then you are OK I guess. I was scarred for life!

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20 minutes ago, Incanus said:

How can you listen to those awful brass flubs and not blanch in horror and cringe? Even the composer thinks the orchestra did a horrible job. I am amazed how he managed to edit together a rather good end result from all those takes though.

Links to specific occasions, please.:mellow:

 

2 hours ago, crocodile said:

If I survived Inchon I can also survive this.

Although this one was not necessarily badly played. The sound quality  however deserves to be called "awful".

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