Jump to content

Three Unheralded Williams Cues


Recommended Posts

Well, it's obvious where the inspiration for this came from. And no offense, gullwingdoors, but it's just a variation on an old question and it's getting the usual replies.

So how about this: name three Williams cues that you think are masterful, first rate, perfect, whatever, that you think don't get the respect they deserve, don't get mentioned enough, etc. Let's bring them into the light.

And here is the thread's #1 rule: You can not mention a cue that has already been mentioned. You can discuss previous choices, of course, but your three have to be original.

And so, to start with, the three that pop up first in my head are:

Attacking A Star Destroyer- The Empire Strikes Back

Ark Trek- Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Patriot- The Patriot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 44
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

"The Banquet" (and "Never-Feast") from Hook. The theme is almost disturbingly infectious.

"David and the Supermecha" from A.I.. This score doesn't get enough respect.

"The Penitent Man will Pass" from The Last Crusade. Same as A.I.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I especially agree with your third choice there, John. Wonderful piece!

Here are a few for me:

"Jonathon Begins to Draw/The Landing" from "The Mission" - the culmination of Williams' classic 80s style, and I've heard it mentioned like twice here

"Space Camp" from Space Camp - similar to the above, a great suite centered around the film's noble main theme

"(In the) Moonlight" from Sabrina - a sweeping, romantic piece on par with the great Williams love themes

Ray Barnsbury

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Rebel Fleet / End Title" - The Empire Strikes Back

"Escape / Chase / Good-bye" - E.T.

"Prologue" - Hook

Okay, now you're just making up fake track names.

Ray Barnsbury

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Rebel Fleet / End Title" - The Empire Strikes Back

"Escape / Chase / Good-bye" - E.T.

"Prologue" - Hook

I'd call all three of those very, uh, heralded.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

....Yeah I just wasted 7 minutes of my life listening to this "unheralded" (deservedly so) Patriot thing.

You want real patriotic/Americana scores? Try Jerry Goldsmith....or Glory.

Anyways I add to the list

"The Death of David Ferrie" from JFK

I'm not usually one to recommend such a piece by Williams, but in this case it really is creepy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is more like a "hidden Gems" kind thread

Santoni's Compassion -Monsignor

In Orbit-Spacecamp

Main Title/The Seance-Family Plot

The Miracle-Heidi

Going to Sleep-Heartbeeps

K.M.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damn, just thought of three really unappreciated cues that trump my previous entries.

"The Fall" - The Fury

"Dex's Diner" - Attack of the Clones

"Polyjuice Potion" - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These aren't my top three or anything--just three I happened to think of.

* "Far from Home / E.T. Alone." Everyone talks about the finale (for good reason), but I think the film's beginning is sonically strong as well. From the wonderful opening flute solo, to the eerie-but-not-evil music for E.T. and his comrades, to the quiet AND loud renditions of Keys' theme, to the terrific take-off music which manages to thrill me despite its extreme similarity to the superior music accompanying the take-off from Tatooine in ROTJ--it's all really great stuff.

* The unreleased cue(s) used for the scenes in the Forbidden Forest from HP:SS. I know this was partially released in the second soundtrack, but it's missing that fantastic statement of Voldemort's theme. Anyway, I think this whole cue is very effective. I love the low string action, punctuated by fluttery stuff with the celesta et al. And then comes Voldemort's theme, huge in the brass. The rest of the cue isn't great, but it works. People say Pat Doyle did darker work for GoF than we'd heard in previous Potter scores, but I think this is darker.

* "In the Idol's Temple" from ROTLA. This, like so many other tracks on the ROTLA soundtrack, is fabulous vintage Williams that I could listen to for hours. It's genuinely creepy, bizarre, and it features an amazing build into a fermata...then brilliant performances in the brass for some action music that manages to be swashbuckling, strange, serious, and tongue-in-cheek at the same time. Anyone who can figure out that last chord by ear will be awarded candy.

EDIT: I disagree, Cerrabore, I think "Dex's Diner" has been getting exactly the amount of attention it deserves. :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EDIT: I disagree, Cerrabore, I think "Dex's Diner" has been getting exactly the amount of attention it deserves. :P

so does "Polyjuice Potion"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Jonathon Begins to Draw/The Landing" from "The Mission" - the culmination of Williams' classic 80s style, and I've heard it mentioned like twice here

This hasn't been released for long, has it?

But I've heard it only once now, and I really liked it. :P

EDIT: I disagree, Cerrabore, I think "Dex's Diner" has been getting exactly the amount of attention it deserves. ;)

It was written by John Williams' son, by the way (Joseph, I think it was).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both of my posts were sarcastic. Honestly, I couldn't find the right balance between what I like and what everyone else likes to make selections... or something... hey, Mr. B, do you still do user name changes on request? I'm getting edgy about this weird Star Wars fan name I've always used (it's from a videogame).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

* "Far from Home / E.T. Alone." Everyone talks about the finale (for good reason), but I think the film's beginning is sonically strong as well. From the wonderful opening flute solo, to the eerie-but-not-evil music for E.T. and his comrades, to the quiet AND loud renditions of Keys' theme, to the terrific take-off music which manages to thrill me despite its extreme similarity to the superior music accompanying the take-off from Tatooine in ROTJ--it's all really great stuff.

I agree, I love this track from start to finish. In addition to the parts you mentioned, the thick string layers are great, as E.T. walks through the forest and eventually sees the city.

"Jonathon Begins to Draw/The Landing" from "The Mission" - the culmination of Williams' classic 80s style, and I've heard it mentioned like twice here

This hasn't been released for long, has it?

But I've heard it only once now, and I really liked it. ;)

The re-recording by Joel McNeely has been around for quite a while, I believe. In any case, glad you liked it!

Both of my posts were sarcastic.

I thought that was clear. Though I suppose it's just safer to assume that with your posts!

Ray Barnsbury

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Santoni's Compassion -Monsignor

In Orbit-Spacecamp

Main Title/The Seance-Family Plot

The Miracle-Heidi

Going to Sleep-Heartbeeps

Three shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be three.

Anyway, The Miracle is indeed an early masterpiece. Stunning (if short) cue, reminiscent of RVW.

Three that come to my mind (avoiding the overly obvious ones):

  • The instrumental Ewok celebration as recorded by Charles Gerhardt (who arranged this version, anyway?)
  • The Football Game - 5/4 meter and great timpani writing
  • Fitzwilly Overture - Great fun

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice thread! Here's three that popped up to my mind now:

. "The Meeting in Sicily" (i.e.: "Esplanade Overture") from Monsignor -- this cue sums up at best why I love John Williams' music.

. "Daryl Rejected" from The Witches of Eastwick - I adore Daryl's seduction theme performed on the piano, it gives almost a neoclassical touch.

. "A New Beginning" from The Accidental Tourist -- one of JW's best finales ever.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

* The unreleased cue(s) used for the scenes in the Forbidden Forest from HP:SS. I know this was partially released in the second soundtrack, but it's missing that fantastic statement of Voldemort's theme. Anyway, I think this whole cue is very effective. I love the low string action, punctuated by fluttery stuff with the celesta et al. And then comes Voldemort's theme, huge in the brass. The rest of the cue isn't great, but it works. People say Pat Doyle did darker work for GoF than we'd heard in previous Potter scores, but I think this is darker.

Yes. A thousand times yes. One of my favorites of a ton of great unreleased cues from that score.

Faking The Code (Return of the Jedi)

;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry I didn't catch the sarcasm the second time, Cerrabore. If I'd thought it through, I probably would have seen it. ;)

- Datameister, who's thinking he'll probably rip a bunch of those great unreleased HP:SS cues Mr. Crichton mentioned from the DVD today at last

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyways I add to the list

"The Death of David Ferrie" from JFK

I'm not usually one to recommend such a piece by Williams, but in this case it really is creepy.

That is one of my favorite cues from the JFK score, very creepy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I voice my support for The Patriot score as well. Been listening to it a lot this week. My favorite parts of the score are more the softer themes than the bold patriotic stuff. Such as Ann and Gabriel and Susan Speaks - mainly the first parts of those cues. It's some beautiful music which I don't think I've ever seen discussed or mentioned here.

I also like Martin vs. Tavington.

J Dan - who just realized how similar that 'Fort Wilderness' motif and Shmi's theme are.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"False Alarm" - CE3K

:blink:

Or anything else from CE3K

I would add:

The Returnees from CE3K

Han Solo Returns from RotJ- very nice stuff before short rendition of the beautiful H.Solo & the Princess + cute tuba solo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Not sure how 'unheralded' these are, since I've been out of the loop a while. But here goes nothing.

"Fortress of Solitude"--The last two minutes, during the space sequence, is astounding, IMO. It's so relaxing and reflective. Great listening when actually flying.

"The Mecha World/To Manhattan"--This is probably one I would guess is more heralded since it's so different for Williams...and it's from A.I. The harmonics, the various layers of rhythm, and the semi-minimalism make for a very nice, futuristic piece. I've loved it ever since I put it in my CD player the first time. Simply amazing.

"Defense Preparations"--This one's probably unheralded, since SPR's got it's share of detractors--particularly the non-"Hymn" cues. Anyway, I love how peacefully the track opens, before transitioning into this darker, ominous tone as the men prepare the town for the last battle. My absolute favorite part of the track, and possibly the entire score--lasts from about 4:40 through the rest of the track. Something about that part just pulls me into the covert, anxious feel of the sequence, even though I think it was mixed down or cut in the film. But it's fun to listen to while playing Call of Duty!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Patriot - Susan Speaks. I've noticed several cues from this score come up, but this one haunted me since the first time I heard it. Those deep strings give such a warm feeling, such a beautiful contrast to the middle of the cue, which needs to be appreciate with low background noise.

Amistad - Dry Your Tears, Afrika (not sure how heralded this is, but who cares). Great melody, such an uplifting piece and I love the way the strings gradually come in.

Seven Years in Tibet - Regaining a Son. One of the most beautiful and reflective pieces I've ever heard from JW. Almost seems like it's from a different score to the rest of the album, which I'm not too keen on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seven Years in Tibet - Regaining a Son. One of the most beautiful and reflective pieces I've ever heard from JW.

Liked it better as Elegy for Cello and Orchestra.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.