LSH

I have a solemn memory from what was otherwise a superb weekend at the WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS in Ghent 2012. Standing outside of some bar that was next to the Marriott hotel, after the concert and awards ceremony. Thor was there. Absolutely wasted, I suddenly had David Julyan (Christopher Nolan's original composer) next to me. He stole loads of my cigarettes and we drank some obscenely strong Belgian beer. I asked him - naively - why he wasn't chosen for Nolan's Batman films. And he said... "Warner Brothers didn't want me. I wasn't big enough. But I would have loved to have done it. I actually had some good ideas prepared. But those guys [Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard] had the edge." I remember those words clear as day. Poor fucker. He was such a lovely bloke.

Wishful thinking aside*, there's still a chance it'll be John Powell. And I'm gonna sit aside and wait for it to happen so I can quote this message after the announcement. *lots of wishful thinking

I'm pretty sure (think I read it somewhere... but do not hold me to it - I'm happy to be proven wrong) that the heroic theme you speak of (below) is definitely HGW. It certainly sounds more like him in any case. Seriously, I think this one of the best scores from the past five years (at least). The new themes are amazing and the action music is second to none. You know something's good when you wish you could erase your memory of it so you can experience it for the first time again.

TITANIC (1997) I visited my sister last weekend and we re-watched this for the millionth time. Still impresses me to this day. There's not much I can add to the positive criticism that abounds but I have to enforce just how good the visual effects hold up. It's utterly spectacular and some of the finest blends of practical and visual effects in modern cinema history IMO. I had to go back, just now, and pick out my favourite shots of the ship in all its glory (and demise). Interestingly, only one of the screenshots here contains the full-size ship that they built for the production. Can you guess which one?

Yeah I love this one too. I love the main theme but I think it's HGW. Nevertheless, it's superb fun. The opening cue (and the second) sounds so Powell though. It's great. Out of interest, what's your favourite Powell / HGW collaboration? Antz Chicken Run Shrek Mine has to be Chicken Run. By far. I fucking love this and it's not even the best from Howard's original Disney trio. I absolutely adore the main theme and Silver's theme. The Celtic swashes and pirate-y swashbuckling stuff is very welcome. And despite some Mickey-Mousing here and there, I absolutely love the action music. Silver Leaves is one of my favourite emotional powerhouse finale cues. Breaks my heart.

It really is... but I could only refer to this version.

Yeah, they're usually a bit lazy on specifics. Much like when all Celtic-flavoured scores resort to Ireland, despite the wealth of musical history elsewhere. Regardless, it's still a fantastic score.

I adore a good African-flavoured score... and this is one of my more underrated favourites. Most westernised African scores are supported by an orchestra and whilst it's no different, this particular entry feels a great deal more 'raw'. The vocals and solo instrumentals shine so much. The opening cue Die Weisse Massai... ... and Busfahrt Nach Maralal... ... are my highlights. Those raw vocals and vibrant drum and instrumental solos I mentioned break my fucking heart. Anyone here who likes a bit of 'African flavour' in their scores will love this.

Haha, yeah perhaps. I just really want to know. Now. So I can decide whether or not to care about waiting. Selfish, I know.

Of all the great moments in The Shawshank Redemption, this is my favourite (film and score)... Some of the most deeply moving string writing I've ever heard. Kills me. Shame it's so brief.

I hate to repeat myself but is anyone else getting really annoyed that they haven't announced the composer yet? It's so close to release. By this point, it's either that they want it to be a big reveal... or they don't have much faith in the original choice and he/she is in the process of being replaced. I hate to be pessimistic but it's not entirely beyond the realms of possibility.

One of my favourite pre-Shawshank Newman scores. This is actually an excellent example of the crossover between his early stuff and what followed The Shawshank Redemption. His more-than-expected array of percussive angsty off-kilter rhythms are joined by some gorgeous dreamy synth and string washes. He did revisit some of the stylings here in later scores (I even hear some of it in The Best Exotic duo and WALL-E) but I would love to hear more.

Oh, how great. I'm tempted to give it a go. I have a friend in London who's also interested and it's only a quick train ride down. Good excuse for a night out anyway!

Has anybody here seen the live-to-picture Titanic concert? There's another one coming up in July and I'm deciding whether to go. https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2022/titanic-live/

Yes, I just checked, the conductor's score has just the one harp written for.

The only fucker who isn't in it.

Not my words Michael, the words of Shakin' Stevens.

Ok, I'm listening to a naughty version. However... I am shocked that this score didn't get a release because it is, by far, the best thing Rabin has ever produced in the film world. That synthy-sound that most reviewers hate about his music is not really that prevalent here. Orchestra shines though and clearly, especially in the strings. And there's still that electric guitar there. But I just love the softer stuff in this. Reverb-y piano and synth / strings. It's great. The suite that is available is lovely... (it's Liz Constantine singing, doing an excellent Lisa Gerrard impression): I think @Thor likes this too. Back me up here pal. Yes. It's superb and stuff.

Did you ever get round to listening to this? Yeah, right?!

JACKIE BROWN is so good. I watched it again recently because it happened to be on TV. I think it ranks third... after PULP FICTION (2nd) and RESERVOIR DOGS (1st). But TRUE ROMANCE can be squeezed in there somewhere.

I wouldn't be surprised. Go to sleep now Lorne.

Let me put this another way... Actually, no, I'll just repeat: Announce the damn composer!

He watched them do it while he was writing Mission Impossible 14.

This has some great bits. Some quite comedic. But it's the emotional stuff I love. Define Dancing is a stunner. And that great moment in The Axiom where Newman stretches some lovely brassy sci-fi space chords. I'd like to see Newman do another Pixar (or any animation studio) film again. They definitely give him that space he clearly needs to be a bit weird, which I like. I even like the song. As a life-long Genesis fan, I'd have never thought in my life that I would hear a collaboration of Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman. I'd like to hear more songs co-written by Newman.

Yeah, like I said, I'm not dismissing this endeavor of yours, I just cannot possibly do this without indefinite thought. My choices for this moment, however, would be: The Shawshank Redemption - Thomas Newman American Beauty - Thomas Newman The Horse Whisperer - Thomas Newman Searching For Bobby Fischer - James Horner The Spitfire Grill - James Horner