47 replies to this topic

[Jarbas]

Did you notice Ennio Morricone is one of the film composers with more "standing out" names (or even his picture) on the albuns?

[Luke Skywalker]

big ego?

[Marian Schedenig]

Well, he's probably the most widely known and popular living film composer, so his name probably sells quite well.

[Quint]

Not to mention the fact that he's still working and performing (he's 81), plus the fact there are 5.1 Dolby Digital DVD releases of his concerts - a heavily sought after thing that a certain someone can't claim to have.

[Luke Skywalker]

But certain someone's music is better

[Quint]

Subjective, but I agree nonetheless

WHY JOHN WHY?!! Just give us a damn DVD already!

[Hedji]

It's called compensating.

[E.T. & Elliott]

This means something. This is important.

[Koray Savas]

But certain someone's music is better

EMFan is where it's at.

[Jarbas]

Morricone is very prestigious in Latin America... I think more than John Williams. Especially among people supposedly more cultured and intellectual... because of his more experimental or alternative musical approach.

Many of these "educated" people see Williams with disdain or even contempt.

I like and admire Morricone's work at the same time I love the music of John Williams. Composers can hold a especific way but the listeners have the privilege to cover the whole or any musical diversity.

[Quint]

Well, Morricone is arguably the more original musical voice of the two.

[Jarbas]

Indeed... And both can do excellent music in almost opposite line.

[Richard]

Well, he's probably the most widely known and popular living film composer, so his name probably sells quite well.

Are you absolutely sure about this? Is he more popular than Williams, Barry, Horner, Mancini? How does one measure popularity, anyway? Is Michael Jackson more popular than The Beatles? Is Frank Sinatra more popular than Miles Davis? I'll give you this, Marian, it is an interesting topic...

[Mark Olivarez]

I got rid of all my Ennio Morricone scores last year.

[Richard]

I got rid of all my Ennio Morricone scores last year.

Er, why, Mark? "The Thing" is absolutely stunning!

[Mark Olivarez]

I didn't have that album but I find most of Morricone's music to silly and cheesy at times for my tastes. There may be one or two good moments per album but the rest usually causes me to hit the skip button.

[Richard]

I didn't have that album but I find most of Morricone's music to silly and cheesy at times for my tastes. There may be one or two good moments per album but the rest usually causes me to hit the skip button.

Please, Mark, investigate "The Thing". It is unlike anything I have ever heard by Morricone, and is easily my favourite score by him.

[Koray Savas]

I didn't have that album but I find most of Morricone's music to silly and cheesy at times for my tastes. There may be one or two good moments per album but the rest usually causes me to hit the skip button.

Well which scores did you have by him? You could have sold them to me!

[Maurizio]

Howard Shore also puts his name à là solo artist on his albums since a few years:

[Marian Schedenig]

Well, he's probably the most widely known and popular living film composer, so his name probably sells quite well.

Are you absolutely sure about this? Is he more popular than Williams, Barry, Horner, Mancini? How does one measure popularity, anyway? Is Michael Jackson more popular than The Beatles? Is Frank Sinatra more popular than Miles Davis? I'll give you this, Marian, it is an interesting topic...

Obviously, popularity is difficult to quantify, and there are huge variances anyway. But just based on observation, I would really say that across the entire "western" world at least and all types of people listening to music, Morricone does have a good change of being the leader (perhaps more so outside the US). Back when I still used to browse through soundtrack sections at local stores, there usually was an extra label "Morricone", containing about a dozen of different compilation albums. The few times I encountered e.g. a separate Williams label, it had perhaps two or three CDs.

[Koray Savas]

Howard Shore also puts his name à là solo artist on his albums since a few years:

I just realized all his CDs say "Original Score" on them! WTF?!

[Maglorfin]

Please, Mark, investigate "The Thing". It is unlike anything I have ever heard by Morricone, and is easily my favourite score by him.

That definitely makes two of us! Hats off to you, Richard!

[Elmo Lewis]

I just realized all his CDs say "Original Score" on them! WTF?!

To differentiate them from song-based soundtrack releases. And adding an unneeded air of solemnity to the album.

[Koray Savas]

But it's not Original Motion Picture Soundtrack or Original Motion Picture Score, just Original Score. They differentiate a lot, but what's the need to differentiate for those? Only The Aviator has a soundtrack release.

[Wojo]

Original Score is less wordy than Original Motion Picture Soundtrack or Original Motion Picture Score. Isn't it implied that a movie picture heralds an album having to do with that movie? Sometimes less is more.

[E.T. & Elliott]

I like how it says "Howard Shore" on Leo's head, as if he's Howard Shore or is in some way owned/marked by Shore. Also, "Howard Shore, Original Score" is like some pseudo-Suessian soundtrack rhyming.

The American Journey cover has a giant JW credit. It's bigger than the actual title.

I dislike it when soundtrack covers have the actors' names on it. What the hell does that even matter? Seriously, is it in their contract to be credited everywhere?

[Wojo]

I dislike it when soundtrack covers have the actors' names on it. What the hell does that even matter? Seriously, is it in their contract to be credited everywhere?

The DVD cover for Forrest Gump is preceded by "Tom Hanks Is," which is omitted on both the song and score albums.

[E.T. & Elliott]

"HARRISON FORD!!!

...and time permitting, James Newton Howard."

It's the damn soundtrack.

[Koray Savas]

Also, "Howard Shore, Original Score" is like some pseudo-Suessian soundtrack rhyming.

I discovered that when I bought The Score at Tower Records. "Original Score of The Score by Howard Shore!"

[Wojo]

I think in the case of The Fugitive, that's THE poster for the movie. Anything else is not as eye catching.

It's silly that a clean-shaven and so recognizable Harrison Ford would need his name so large, even though he's the star of the show. Bearded Kimble, maybe.

Not every soundtrack can get away with an album cover like this:


I know that's the song album, but it's so much cooler looking than the score cover, which is fuzzy and forces the reader to squint to read the text.

[Richard]

Please, Mark, investigate "The Thing". It is unlike anything I have ever heard by Morricone, and is easily my favourite score by him.

That definitely makes two of us! Hats off to you, Richard!

Kudos to us, mon ami! "The Thing" is, IMO, an overlooked score, to a seriously underated film. Forget the (very good) effects; this film is a cold study in paranoia, and the score reflects this. I urge JWfan members to check "The Thing" out-both score, and film.
P.s., is that you playing the drums? Who are your favourite drummers/percussionists?

[Mark Olivarez]

I think in the case of The Fugitive, that's THE poster for the movie. Anything else is not as eye catching.

It's silly that a clean-shaven and so recognizable Harrison Ford would need his name so large, even though he's the star of the show. Bearded Kimble, maybe.

Not every soundtrack can get away with an album cover like this:


I know that's the song album, but it's so much cooler looking than the score cover, which is fuzzy and forces the reader to squint to read the text.

Unfortunately LaLaLand was required to use the original artwork. But yeah that Batman cover would have been better for the score album. I remember the outrage that occurred over Elfman's score not being released and on a side note, I think even Prince was upset that his songs weren't featured enough and should have taken priority over the score. Thankfully someone at WB came to their senses and got Elfman's score out there.


I'm tempted to take that cover and use it in iTunes for the score album.

[Jarbas]

The "BIG" Williams cover moment:

[Jason LeBlanc]

Also, "Howard Shore, Original Score" is like some pseudo-Suessian soundtrack rhyming.

I discovered that when I bought The Score at Tower Records. "Original Score of The Score by Howard Shore!"

Ha!

[Marian Schedenig]

The "BIG" Williams cover moment:

[Quint]

Ha ha, I remember pondering whether or not to purchase that, every time I was in HMV... must be 10 years ago. Glad I didn't fold.

[Richard Penna]

I'm sure they put actors' names on a cover to help sell it. If you're not into scores but love Brad Pitt and see his name on a CD, you're going to take a look.

And I've always thought 'Original Score' was the right way to put it. I particularly hate 'Original...' being used to describe song compilations because it isn't original (maybe apart from a few songs written for the film).

[Jarbas]

The "BIG" Williams cover moment:

Here only counts original film scores covers!

[Maglorfin]

P.s., is that you playing the drums? Who are your favourite drummers/percussionists?

Yep, it's me. As for my favourite drummers/percussionists:

- Mike Portnoy
- Jason Rullo
- Gavin Harrison
- Dave Weckl
- Ringo Starr (he inspired me to become a musician myself)
- Gregory Hutchinson
- Jeff Hamilton
- Neil Percy
- Nigel Thomas
- Ney Rosauro

And there must be more. (Sorry for the OT, guys.)

[Koray Savas]

John Bonham dammit!