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A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - 2015 3CD set from La-La Land Records


Jay

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Honestly, I have never bought a JW expanded release so far.

Some attempt to me... but the fact that they are always released as limited copies, and only by the labels themselves and because I'm in Canada... Well, that's expensive.
I think it's time that these labels issues their releases on sites like Amazon or even iTunes.
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Unfortunately, the labels cannot do so. The studio that owns the rights retain digital rights to themselves; They only license the specialty labels who do these to produce physical CDs.

 

It's actually a pretty bum deal for the labels; They have to pay to restore the elements, mix and master a new presentation, commission liner notes and get books printed and CDs pressed... and then the studio can turn around and sell their new presentation digitally themselves.

 

It's another reason why the specialty labels are to be lauded for all the work they do! Their profit margins are very thin but they keep at it to get all the great music in our hands that the studios would otherwise never release themselves!

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It's another reason why the specialty labels are to be lauded for all the work they do! Their profit margins are very thin but they keep at it to get all the great music in our hands that the studios would otherwise never release themselves!

Well, to date, by the time I decide to get a release... it's always already sold out.

Between you and me, this encourages piracy. ;)

But this one, altought I know little about the A.I. score, interrest me a lot.

You guys do a good job on the forum to "sell" it !

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It might have been answered already but is A.I. theme what we know as Monica's Theme?

Please read the Q&A I did with Mike Matessino. Basically, we have already had the "A.I. Theme (Vocal Version)" track for 14 years, it's inside the "Search for the Blue Fairy" track on the OST from 2:28ish onward.

So no, it's not Monica's Theme but the Blue Fairy theme in those tracks. Though Monica's Theme gets its own concert arrangement too, of course ("Where Dreams Are Born")

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Quote
That was put together without John’s permission and it’s always been an annoyance that it was sent out and got spread around.

Fascinating insight that we rarely here. If he was annoyed at the A.I. 2 disc promo, I'd hate to think what he thought of the Phantom Menace Ultimate Edition!

Quote

The two versions of the song “For Always” came from the album master and everything else came from the unmastered final digital mixes done in 2001. So the mixes are the same but all the performance edits were re-created and the mastering is newly done. I cleaned up a few things and gave it some polish, and I think we’ve got a nice increase in quality without changing the basic sound.

My primary concern with this release is the sound quality. Listening to a few tracks from the promo on my iPod earlier, I'd forgotten how awful the digital hiss is in some tracks. It inexplicably changes from track to track, as well (but it seems we can't consider the 2CD promo as much more than a studio endorsed assembly with little regard for the quality, based on the above revelation.)

Nonetheless, interesting that he hasn't tampered with the mix but has mastered from scratch. Really hope this translates to a vastly superior audio quality (I have little doubt it will).

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interesting that he hasn't tampered with the mix but has mastered from scratch. Really hope this translates to a vastly superior audio quality (I have little doubt it will).

There is no doubt it will sound better than it ever has before. But the mix made by Shawn Murphy in 2001 is likely the only mix that will ever be released to the public. It would take a huge amount of both time and money to remix the entire 3 + hour score from scratch, and I don't think Mr. Murphy would appreciate it very much.

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I would only like to know if Williams offered any comments for album notes? And if the set contains any drastically different alternates?

Thanks for that, Jay. It answers most of my questions. And I don't really care about helicopter source music. So happy the score itself seems to be all on the set. I'm perfectly happy with everything we're getting.

Karol

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How interesting that the Blue Fairy theme is considered to be the main theme. It's only heard in two sequences in the movie, am I right?

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On 6/3/2015 at 10:08 AM, Romão said:

How interesting that the Blue Fairy theme is considered to be the main theme. It's only heard in two sequences in the movie, am I right?

 

The Blue Fairy Theme appears on TEN tracks on the new set!

 

Williams used it throughout the score in 5 different film cues, some of which had multiple versions written, plus his two concert arrangement recordings ["A.I. Theme (Instrumental Version" and "A.I. Theme (Vocal Version)"].

 

The 5 film cues are:

 

1. Immaculate Heart (LLL D1T20 or Oscar Promo D1T16) - It's introduced in this cue, meant to underscore Joe and David's discussion outside the church where David asks Joe if the figure outside is the Blue Fairy. Unused in the film.

 

2. To Manhattan (LLL D1T21 or Oscar Promo D1T17) - Played on piano here, meant to underscore David and Joe's discussion after they talk to Dr. Know. Also unused in the film.

 

3. Finding The Blue Fairy (LLL D1T3, D3T9, or D3T10 depending on which version you like, or Oscar Promo D1T7) - long development of the theme for David's journey underwater as he finds the blue fairy.

 

4. The Specialist Visits (LLLD2T8 or Oscar Promo D2T18) - More long developments as David and the Supermecha have their talk

 

5. The Reunion (LLLD2T9 or D3T12 depending on which version you like, or Oscar Promo D1T11) - One last fleeting version before he goes and sees Monica

 

It's a very lovely theme!

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It might have been answered already but is A.I. theme what we know as Monica's Theme?

How interesting that the Blue Fairy theme is considered to be the main theme. It's only heard in two sequences in the movie, am I right?

For starters, thank you very much Jason for the wonderful interview!!

Secondly, yes it seems so that the A.I. theme according to Mattessino is the theme in Search for Blue fairy, but still I'm not convinced.

In concerts etc., Monica's theme is identified as Theme from A.I.

Well, we'll see in the cd.

Maybe it's indeed the "blue fairy theme" the A.I. theme.

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And if the set contains any drastically different alternates?

Depends on your definition of "drastically", I suppose. The two "Journey Through The Ice" versions are drastically different, for sure!

All the other alternates are more minor differences.

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Thank you very much for doing this, Jay. Excellent stuff! I can't wait to have this new gem.

There’s a precise architecture to the score that really comes through in this full assembly. You get a musical trip through the narrative that, in a way, is unlike anything else John Williams has done.

Amen, Mr. Matessino. Amen.

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And if the set contains any drastically different alternates?


Depends on your definition of "drastically", I suppose. The two "Journey Through The Ice" versions are drastically different, for sure!

All the other alternates are more minor differences.

The Return to the City sort of different.

Karol

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On 6/3/2015 at 10:23 AM, filmmusic said:

yes it seems so that the A.I. theme according to Mattessino is the theme in Search for Blue fairy, but still I'm not convinced.

In concerts etc., Monica's theme is identified as Theme from A.I.

Well, we'll see in the cd.

Maybe it's indeed the "blue fairy theme" the A.I. theme.

 

The tracks on the new CD called "A.I. Theme" are the development of the Blue Fairy Theme we've had for 14 years inside "The Search For The Blue Fairy".

 

Just because the LLL track is called "A.I. Theme" does not mean that Williams considered it to be the main theme from the score, or anything. It's just a name. Clearly Monica's Theme is the theme he considers the main theme, being the one he has performed in concerts, the one he used for his end credits cue ("Where Dreams Are Born"), and what both versions of "For Always" is based on. There could be some contractual reason why the LLL tracks have to be called that - maybe that's what he jotted on the top of his sketch when he wrote it, or the name that was used in the recording logs on that day, or the name it was copyrighted under. Or maybe "Blue Fairy Theme" was just a track name that no one liked. Who knows!

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Secondly, yes it seems so that the A.I. theme according to Mattessino is the theme in Search for Blue fairy, but still I'm not convinced.

In concerts etc., Monica's theme is identified as Theme from A.I.

Well, we'll see in the cd.

Maybe it's indeed the "blue fairy theme" the A.I. theme.

Just because the LLL track is called "A.I. Theme" does not mean that Williams considered it to be the main theme from the score, or anything. It's just a name.

well, i assume that LLL uses the original cue titles by Williams as it happens with other tracks.

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Yes, the name of every track on the new set (that was not on the OST) does use the same name we know was used on the sheet music. Actually a few more cues are reverted to their original cue names, since "Stored Memories and Monica's Theme" is now separated into 3 tracks, with each getting their correct cue name now. Ditto for "Rouge City" reverting to "The Journey to Rouge City", since Abandoned In The Woods is now split out into its own track as well.

Though, they did correct the spelling of David Hobby (Williams called the cue Remembering David Hobbie :) )

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So, now we know exactly what Joseph Williams wrote for the film. Depending on your point of view, its either 3 cues or 4 cues.

1. The Biker Hounds (Extension), used for the biker hounds pursuing the mechas. Appeared on the OST inside The Moon Rising

2. Rouge City Jazz, heard when Gigolo Joe is on the streets after the first prostituion scene. Unreleased.

3. Rouge City Rock, heard when Gigolo Joe and David arrive in Rouge City. Unreleased.

4. Joe's Helicopter Cue, heard when David and Joe steal the amphibicopter from the police. This cue is actually "Rouge City Jazz" again, but with the sax lead replaced by electronics lead. Unreleased.

Cool stuff!

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So, now we know exactly what Joseph Williams wrote for the film. Depending on your point of view, its either 3 cues or 4 cues.

1. The Biker Hounds (Extension), used for the biker hounds pursuing the mechas. Appeared on the OST and Oscar Promo in truncated form inside The Moon Rising

2. Rouge City Jazz, heard when Gigolo Joe is on the streets after the first prostituion scene. Unreleased.

3. Rouge City Rock, heard when Gigolo Joe and David arrive in Rouge City. Unreleased.

4. Joe's Helicopter Cue, heard when David and Joe steal the amphibicopter from the police. This cue is actually "Rouge City Jazz" again, but with the sax lead replaced by electronics lead. Unreleased.

Cool stuff!

Indeed!

The interview with Matessino was excellent and did indeed further enchance my enormous anticipation to hear this release! :)

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It is obvious a lot of effort goes to creating these sets but this sounds like something special, especially when John Williams and Steven Spielberg have been part of the equation. As it has been said before the relationship they have forged with these two gentlemen at LLL is a wonderful thing and bodes well for further releases as it seems Matessino and the rest of the crew have a really productive rapport with the Maestro concerning the form and presentation of his music.

P.S. Having more of the Blue Fairy theme is never a bad thing so I am really happy they included those A.I. Theme versions on top of the film version and the alternates. ;)

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Well said, Inky, well said!

Hopefully the new Spielberg/Williams/Matessino/LLL collaboration is already in the works!

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Great interview, Jay! I like the fact that they present the music in a more narrative fashion than purely a listening experience. This highlights JW's architectural skills which often get lost by hearing cues out of order. Can't wait to get this one.

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They truly have arranged this set in the most perfect manner I can think of!

 

Not just the idea of containing the complete and chronological film score on the first 2 discs and bonuses on the third, but also exactly where they split it:

 

Disc 1 contains the entire first act of the film (the Swinton family adjusting to life with David then eventually abandoning him) and basically all of the second act, ending with Joe and David's conversation after visiting Dr. Know. At this point the Blue Fairy theme has been lightly introduced in two tracks, and we get the nice instrumental version of that theme to end the disc.

 

Now Disc 2 opens up with the traveling cue that takes us to the final act of the picture, which is also the cue Williams chose to open up his album presentation with - this creates a nice symmetry there. Then we get the entire ending of the score, followed by the nice vocal arrangement of Monica's Theme ("Where Dreams are Born") and the Blue Fairy Theme ("A.I. Theme") to end Disc 2.

 

They wisely chose to not include For Always here at all, and they also wisely chose not to include "Abandoned In The Woods (Album Version)", which is actually Williams intended opening to the End Credits (called "Opening End Credits" on the sheet music). I think Williams missed the mark by thinking that would work there; After the emotional release the final film cue ("The Reunion") has, it makes much more sense to go to the quieter theme presentations than it would have to return to the dramatic development of the Abandonment theme that hadn't been heard since Disc 1.

 

So yea - its a PERFECT presentation!

 

I'm also glad the Joseph Williams source cues are not sprinkled throughout the main presentation!

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Yes it looks like the presentation is just about as perfect as can be. :)

And I don't mind at all that they left Joseph Williams' source cues off the set. They had a very good reason to do so. The main thing is that the complete score is there.

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Yes! We get the complete score in chronological order - and under his approval, no less! Amazing!

The only thing "missing" is 2 and a half Joseph Williams cues, and the new recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You". No big losses!

The JW score is what matters :)

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Yes! We get the complete score in chronological order - and under his approval, no less! Amazing!

The only thing "missing" is 2 and a half Joseph Williams cues, and the new recording of "I Only Have Eyes For You". No big losses!

The JW score is what matters :)

Agreed most wholeheartedly!

I wonder what the new version of Moon Rising and Biker Hounds will sound now that they removed Joseph Williams' contribution in the middle.

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I wonder what the new version of Moon Rising and Biker Hounds will sound now that they removed Joseph Williams' contribution in the middle.

Basically the same as the 2CD Promo version without the middle part :)

I liked the little blurb about the promo CD, which I was not aware of. Nice interview Jay.

The early version of the OST, you mean? I was really surprised when MM said he found no paperwork to back up that old info! I know of at least two sites you can still see the old track list

http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/06/ai-score-cd-track-listings-and-other-tidbits

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/9225

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Yes! We get the complete score in chronological order - and under his approval, no less! Amazing!

Just to be clear, it's not exactly the chronological intended order, right?

- The Opening End Credits are moved to disc 3.

- Disc 1 adds a closing track that was intended as an album cue (AI Theme).

- One of the Journey through the Ice cues could be moved to the alternates.

Anything else that I missed?

(No complaints on the sequencing here - just ascertaining where they made some creative choices.)

Great and informative interview by the way, thank you!

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Right on all accounts!

And I think all those "creative choices" as you say were the rights ones to make!

- I outlined above why I think Williams was off the mark by thinking reintroducing the Abandonment theme was a good way to start the end credits.

- If you don't like the AI Theme (Instrumental) track appearing between 5M8 and 6M3, its easy enough to skip over.

 

- I will probably move the more atmospheric version of Journey Through The Ice (the "Part 2" track) to the bonus area for my personal edit, yea

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Although in the case of Journey Through the Ice parts of each version were used in the final film.

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I wonder what the new version of Moon Rising and Biker Hounds will sound now that they removed Joseph Williams' contribution in the middle.

Basically the same as the 2CD Promo version without the middle part :)

I liked the little blurb about the promo CD, which I was not aware of. Nice interview Jay.

The early version of the OST, you mean?

I thikn he is talking about Williams being annoyed by the academy promo.

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Yes! We get the complete score in chronological order - and under his approval, no less! Amazing!

Just to be clear, it's not exactly the chronological intended order, right?

- The Opening End Credits are moved to disc 3.

- Disc 1 adds a closing track that was intended as an album cue (AI Theme).

- One of the Journey through the Ice cues could be moved to the alternates.

Anything else that I missed?

(No complaints on the sequencing here - just ascertaining where they made some creative choices.)

Great and informative interview by the way, thank you!

To tell you the truth, I 'd like the 2 A.I. theme versions to be together, either in the end of CD2, or in CD3, so as to compare them directly if someone wishes.

Also the Part 1, Part 2 labelling of the 2 different versions of one cue, bugs me a bit.

But anyway, those are tiny details that aren't in the way of the appreciation of the score.

I'm surprised that Williams approved it. (or maybe he didn't see it or overlooked it or didn't remember?)

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I thikn he is talking about Williams being annoyed by the academy promo.

How could any member of this board not be aware there's been a 2CD set of AI floating around for 14 years with almost the entire score on it?

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I thikn he is talking about Williams being annoyed by the academy promo.

How could any member of this board not be aware there's been a 2CD set of AI floating around for 14 years with almost the entire score on it?

....But did we know that the studio was annoyed by it?

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I thikn he is talking about Williams being annoyed by the academy promo.

How could any member of this board not be aware there's been a 2CD set of AI floating around for 14 years with almost the entire score on it?

I think what he meant is that he didn't know this promo wasn't an official thing. Or at least approved by Williams.

I didn't know that, for example.

Karol

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Oh OK, I understand now.

Yea, I'd never heard any official statement about the promo at all before!

In fact, I was not even going to bring it the promo in the Q&A, but then MM brought it up himself, which was great and made the Q&A better than it would have been!

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Although in the case of Journey Through the Ice parts of each version were used in the final film.

Yes but then that happens quite often. (There's a similar case in War of the Worlds if I remember correctly.)

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