Williams Dracula...worth pursuing?

[whoopiecat 0]

I was looking for folks' opinions on this score. I'm also wondering if there are any plans of an expanded release? $40 for a used copy on amazon seems a bit high for eleven tracks. Some fool is asking $225 for a new copy!?

It's interesting, as the horror genre isn't Williams' forte, but I thought he did a fine job.

Thanks,

~T.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

I would hold out for an expanded release. It's a good score, but the sound quality on the CD is rather poor, and it's only about half an hour long.

I can see this getting a complete release sooner rather then later.

[Thor 9,362]

Yes, I would definitely pursue it. Williams was doing a romanticized (rather than gothic) DRACULA many years before Kilar's (which is excellent in its own right).

If you're like me and just like a good album representation, I would seek it out, expensive or not. If you prefer C&C, it might be reason to hold off a bit more, though. Maybe even such an expanded release will include the old album program.

[Incanus 5,890]

I would hold out for an expanded release. It's a good score, but the sound quality on the CD is rather poor, and it's only about half an hour long.

I can see this getting a complete release sooner rather then later.

Yes I agree. If the price is outrageous it would be more prudent to wait as most likely an expanded version will come in the future.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

I was looking for folks' opinions on this score. I'm also wondering if there are any plans of an expanded release? $40 for a used copy on amazon seems a bit high for eleven tracks. Some fool is asking $225 for a new copy!?

It's interesting, as the horror genre isn't Williams' forte, but I thought he did a fine job.

Thanks,

~T.

It's one his two best scores of 1979.

The c.d. is rather short and Stefan is right (for once): the sound is not good, but the music is top notch. If you can, check out "To Scarborough" - fantastic!. $40 dollars (about £25) seems a good deal.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

If you prefer C&C, it might be reason to hold off a bit more, though. Maybe even such an expanded release will include the old album program.

It has been said the OST is a re-recording so a complete score release will almost certainly feature the album arrangement next to the film tracks.

I hardly ever listen to this rather good score because it sound so poor.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

If you prefer C&C, it might be reason to hold off a bit more, though. Maybe even such an expanded release will include the old album program.

It has been said the OST is a re-recording.

The OST is actually half-and-half.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

You know this? How?

[Maurizio 6,913]

The OST Album is not a re-recording à là Jaws or E.T., but actually a well-assembled creative presentation of the cues as recorded for the film. It features however passages not present in the final cut of the film, such as the original "Night Journey". It's surely a great listening experience.

I'm sure we'll see this re-released soon from one of the labels properly expanded and remastered, featuring the complete score on Disc 1 and the OST album presentation on Disc 2.

[publicist 4,650]

I'd dispute that. Apart from the main title, which has a alternate middle section, it's just the edited film versions.

DRACULA's sound really sucks ass...as i'm surely the first one pointing out.

[Sandor 918]

It's one his two best scores of 1979.

Uhm, didn't he like only score two films in 1979..?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

DRACULA's sound really sucks ass...as i'm surely the first one pointing out.

No, I beat you to it. again...

WINNING!

[publicist 4,650]

It's one his two best scores of 1979.

Uhm, didn't he like only score two films in 1979..?

Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly. Think!

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

You know this? How?

2 reasons:

A friend from long ago attended the "Dracula" recording sessions, in 1979 (it was here that he procured me my first JW autograph).

Also, when I first saw JW in 1982 at the Barbican, I got chatting with Maurice Murphy (see the "RIP Maurice Murphy" thread ffi) in the interval, and he enthused about "Dracula" (actually, he said that it was his fave JW score).

I asked about if "Dracula" was a re-recording (yes, even then, I was alert to all the different versions of stuff that I had heard!).

JW. used alternate versions on the album, but "Dracula" is NOT a re-recording.

[Maurizio 6,913]

If you watch the movie it's pretty clear it's the same recording. Williams however took his time to conceive a good album out of it and edited/reassembled several cues in a very musical way. He also selected a few alternate/unused passages, like the second half of "Night Journey" and an alternate "Dracula's Death".

However, the complete score would also be a great listening experience, as it features several thematic material nowhere to be found on the OST. It's really one of JW's most fluent, romantic scores ever.

[King Mark 3,975]

It could never be re- released or expanded on c.d. , so I would buy a copy now as a Williams fan

[indy4 160]

It's definitely worth the $40, but it's even more worth it to wait for an expansion. It's a marvelous score.

[Thor 9,362]

I don't think the sound is THAT bad. Sure, it's a little muffled and could do with a good remastering, but it's certainly much better than others I've heard from the same era.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

It does not sound better then Star Wars, Close Encounters, Superman, Jaws 2, 1941 and The Fury

[publicist 4,650]

It does not sound better then Star Wars, Close Encounters, Superman, Jaws 2, 1941 and The Fury

Tomlinson again managed to produce this muddy and tin 50's string sound which plague his recordings up to AN AMERICAN TAIL.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,387]

Not all. Masada (the re-recording) sounds great. So does Supergirl.

[publicist 4,650]

Not all. Masada (the re-recording) sounds great. So does Supergirl.

Yeah, thank god he did good on SUPERGIRL instead of SUPERMAN. Tomlinson often provided great brass and woodwind recordings, but strings and percussion seldom rocked the house.

PS: SUPERGIRL actually sounds ok, but the mixing of the synths is sometimes atrocious. OUTLAND is the only Goldsmith by Tomlinson i would recommend without reservations. MASADA has too much room noise and seems filtered somewhat. If that is Tomlinsons fault i don't know.

[Datameister 2,586]

I'm holding out for a complete release, as well.

[crocodile 9,724]

I'm holding out for a complete release, as well.

Karol

[Ollie 1,375]

I wouldn't discourage anyone from picking up an OOP CD.

It seems whenever someone does pay a bunch for one they find, an expanded release gets issued shortly after.

[crocodile 9,724]

That's true. I bought Batman Returns, First Knight and Star Trek V last year.

And Hook too...

Karol

[Demondm810 473]

40 dollars is definitely worth it. Jaws 2 and Dracula are honestly worth the prices. I listen to them both frequently.

[Mattris 439]

If you do buy the Dracula CD on Amazon, notice that the one for 39.99 is a 'Former library copy with expected markings'. It a little risky since its going to have scratches (and will possibly skip). For a little more, there are copies in 'Very Good' and 'Like New' condition. I'd go for one of those.

[Andy 7,730]

My #1 most wanted expansion. So much goodness, dripping with Williams atmosphere.

I'd pay $40 for the original if I didn't have it, yeah.

[Demondm810 473]

I've not seen the movie, how is the unreleased stuff?

[Andy 7,730]

Fantastic, in my opinion. There is some wonderful, villainous music for Dracula's entrance off the carriage in London, and a great CE3K-style repeating motif for the autopsy of Mina. It's just got that perfect vintage sound.

[indy4 160]

I remember hearing a cool unreleased cue when the horse starts running around the cemetery...short but good.

[Demondm810 473]

Fantastic, in my opinion. There is some wonderful, villainous music for Dracula's entrance off the carriage in London, and a great CE3K-style repeating motif for the autopsy of Mina. It's just got that perfect vintage sound.

I hold your opinion in high regard! I'll have to see if I can Netflix this movie so I can listen to the music.

[Thor 9,362]

I've not seen the movie, how is the unreleased stuff?

I don't know, as I don't really care this way or that way about unreleased stuff, but the film is rather mediocre, IMO. You could live perfectly well without seeing it.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

I've not seen the movie, how is the unreleased stuff?

I don't know, as I don't really care this way or that way about unreleased stuff, but the film is rather mediocre, IMO. You could live perfectly well without seeing it.

I could live perfectly well without Champagne, but it's nice to taste, once in a while.

The unreleased stuff is great, my favourite music being the sequence when Dracula's carriage arrives at Seward's home.

[publicist 4,650]

I could live perfectly well without Champagne, but it's nice to taste, once in a while. The unreleased stuff is great, my favourite music being the sequence when Dracula's carriage arrives at Seward's home.

And for all the backlash it gets, i much prefer it and its grey english coastline atmosphere over Coppola's or Hammer's colorfests.

It may be slighter in scope, but that befits the romantic aspect quite well. The dinner scene with Lucy and Dracula, when the camera looks from high above through the spider's web is also a Williams gem. A romantic/mysterious treatment of the main theme, which is like a great alternate to NIGHT JOURNEYS. The Dies Irae quote ion the horse scenes is also quintessential 70's Williams.

[Thor 9,362]

I've not seen the movie, how is the unreleased stuff?

I don't know, as I don't really care this way or that way about unreleased stuff, but the film is rather mediocre, IMO. You could live perfectly well without seeing it.

I could live perfectly well without Champagne, but it's nice to taste, once in a while.

The unreleased stuff is great, my favourite music being the sequence when Dracula's carriage arrives at Seward's home.

Except that DRACULA is hardly champagne. More like a glass of watered-out juice.

[whoopiecat 0]

Thank you all for your input, and thanks to Matt for the heads-up about the former library copy. Hopefully, it will get an expanded treatment someday, but I suppose I'll just keep an eye out for a copy that's rasonable in price.

I appreciate the help as well as the opinions.

~T.

[jacksparrow900 77]

I would recommend picking up the lp version if you have a record player. I picked up a sealed copy recently and it sounds much better than the cd

[Salacius 7]

I found Dracula all by chance ages ago. I was blown away. It earned its place on the very top of my list for Williams' works. Recording is poor but the score is a masterpiece!

[Xander Harris 9,675]

Download it, get the Mauceri Star Wars compilation CD with Night Journeys and wait for the complete score.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,023]

I could live perfectly well without Champagne, but it's nice to taste, once in a while. The unreleased stuff is great, my favourite music being the sequence when Dracula's carriage arrives at Seward's home.

And for all the backlash it gets, i much prefer it and its grey english coastline atmosphere over Coppola's or Hammer's colorfests.

If you have only seen "Dracula" on dvd, then you have not seen it. Badham wanted to shoot the film in black and white, as a tribute to the 1931 original, but Universal said "No way!", and got Gil Taylor to shoot it as bright and as saturated as possible. Badham desaturated the film for its dvd release.

I've not seen the movie, how is the unreleased stuff?

I don't know, as I don't really care this way or that way about unreleased stuff, but the film is rather mediocre, IMO. You could live perfectly well without seeing it.

I could live perfectly well without Champagne, but it's nice to taste, once in a while.

The unreleased stuff is great, my favourite music being the sequence when Dracula's carriage arrives at Seward's home.

Except that DRACULA is hardly champagne. More like a glass of watered-out juice.

Are you talking about the film, or the score?

I would recommend picking up the lp version if you have a record player. I picked up a sealed copy recently and it sounds much better than the cd

You're right! For once groove-compression works in a record's favour.

[Thor 9,362]

Are you talking about the film, or the score?

The film. The score is excellent!

[publicist 4,650]

Are you talking about the film, or the score?

The film. The score is excellent!

Apart from Langella's Tony-Manero haircut, i don't see what is so bad about this particular film. It's a straightforward re-telling of Stoker's story without descending into a garish freak circus like the Coppola, which i consider a great plus.

[Ollie 1,375]

I actually liked it, compared to Coppola's overblown mess.

[Thor 9,362]

Are you talking about the film, or the score?

The film. The score is excellent!

Apart from Langella's Tony-Manero haircut, i don't see what is so bad about this particular film. It's a straightforward re-telling of Stoker's story without descending into a garish freak circus like the Coppola, which i consider a great plus.

It's too "Hollywoodized", IMO.

Now, Coppola's masterpiece is the benchmark by which to judge, so you'd have be pretty darn good to compare.

[indy4 160]

I loved the film. So many scenes literally sent shivers down my spine. Like the previously mentioned shot with the spider, made to look like it is preying upon Dracula's guest. Or that wonderful scene in the graveyard where we hear Dracula's horse's hooves, and in the distance a blurry figure appears...brilliant.

[Xander Harris 9,675]

I like when Dracula crawls down the side of the building. That's one of the coolest things I've seen in a movie.