Pieter Boelen 740 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Every few days I will post a thread on a random score from my collection that we can discuss and rate. I made a playlist on my computer with one track of each score I've got, so by using the random play option, I'll be able to post a truly random score each time. Hopefully this will allow us to discuss some scores that would otherwise never be discussed. Also we can record the rating so that we can create a full list of the ratings given to scores by JWFan.com.Today's score is Born on the Fourth of July by John Williams. Are you familiar with it? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? How do do you think it works in the film? What are your favourite tracks?So far JWFan has rated:See Soundtrack Ratings by JWFan.com.This web page contains the ratings from all my previous polls as well as those of Blumenkohl's.Final ratings are converted to a 1-10 rating for both rating systems so that they can be compared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Brausam 214 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 5 stars from me.This is my absolute favorite Williams score, not because it's the best (which it isn't), but because it has left an emotional stamp on me. The poignant themes coupled with me being in love with this score during a now-nostalgic time of my life has led to a very strong connection to the music. Hearing it takes me back. and I love it.I also believe that the themes written for this film are among the best Williams has ever written. I couldn't say enough good about them and about the score as a whole. Just perfect!Favorite tracks (including the boot):-End Credits-Early Days-Back in the Neighborhood-Villa Dulce-Miami Confrontation-Timmy-The Syracuse Rally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,059 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I'll give a 4.5.this was one of those times when Williams was robbed at the Oscars. this score should have won in 1989.A very lovely main theme and while the score may seem a little repetative at times it emotionally gripping. Thinking back, they even made a music video for the theme that aired on MTV/VH1. I think it was filmed in Black & White and featured Williams conducting and in the mixing booth. I believe it also featured T. Morrison performing the trumpet solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,177 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I don't know the complete score, but based on the album, it's easily 4 stars. The end credits piece on its own is 4.5 at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrScratch 294 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 A very good score, I couldn't decide between 4 and 4.5 but ultimately voted 4. This is definitely the best score for an Oliver Stone film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morlock 11 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I don't know the complete score, but based on the album, it's easily 4 stars. The end credits piece on its own is 4.5 at least. Indeed. The End Credits piece is one of the most impassioned things I've heard from JW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,322 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I'm completely unfamiliar with this score. I'll have to check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 5 stars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QMM 4 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Wish I had the complete score. I'm so glad Williams played this at last year's Chicago concert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I think the opening sequence ranks among the very best, score- AND moviewise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Williamsfan301 11 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 4 stars - especially for the fact that I believe this was a replacement score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I gave it a generous 2, not one of his best by any means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,990 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 3,5 stars. A nice presentation on its album, but I'm not interestied to hear the rest.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonblueeyes 0 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 3 Stars. I like how John Williams' name appears on screen just as the music is in full swell. Think JW did that on purpose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 4.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrScratch 294 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 3 Stars. I like how John Williams' name appears on screen just as the music is in full swell. Think JW did that on purpose?Probably, he also plays the love theme during his Superman credit. The narcissistic bastard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 75 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 4.5, but if you ask me in a week's time it might very well change to a five. One of Williams' best "serious" scores in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 3 Stars. I like how John Williams' name appears on screen just as the music is in full swell. Think JW did that on purpose?No, I think the person who puts the names onscreen did that on purpose, I think.But it's funny very often JW's name appears at a very good musical moment... like Memoirs, Schindler's List, The Patriot, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonblueeyes 0 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 3 Stars. I like how John Williams' name appears on screen just as the music is in full swell. Think JW did that on purpose?No, I think the person who puts the names onscreen did that on purpose, I think.But it's funny very often JW's name appears at a very good musical moment... like Memoirs, Schindler's List, The Patriot, etc.Temple Of Doom, Witches Of Eastwick.., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Skywalker 1,793 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 3 Stars. I like how John Williams' name appears on screen just as the music is in full swell. Think JW did that on purpose?No, I think the person who puts the names onscreen did that on purpose, I think.But it's funny very often JW's name appears at a very good musical moment... like Memoirs, Schindler's List, The Patriot, etc.Temple Of Doom, Witches Of Eastwick..,one of the best is Catch me if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Good score, if only a bit repetative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieter Boelen 740 Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 I'll go for 4 stars. The theme is pretty good, but I don't care much about the rest. Perhaps I should give it another listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeallen01 2,134 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 I recently went to a Concert of Williams' works (for about the 700th time of course) and they played Born on the 4th of July, which I haven't revisited in years, and what struck me most was how influential this side of Williams is to so many of the great Composers. I sat there listening to the Orchestra play this piece, and I felt so many other voices that have developed from Williams. I hear Doyle's 'St. Crispin's Day' from Henry V. I hear a strong comparison to Powell, especially his score to Solo and the piece 'Lando's Closet.' I hear Arnold's sci-fi style, particularly Independence Day. There's even some Horner in there, like Apollo 13. And Zimmer with The Last Samurai. And my favourite comparison I feel is from The Orville. The piece 'Alara Says Goodbye' has to be a nod of some sort. It's fun just sitting and listening to this Williams piece and thinking of all those examples I listed and it really making you feel Williams powerful influence and shaping of so many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,478 Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 True, but the score itself owes a lot to predecessors too, like Copland. bruce marshall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeallen01 2,134 Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 On 06/10/2021 at 4:05 PM, Thor said: True, but the score itself owes a lot to predecessors too, like Copland. Of course, everything is influenced by what came before. I enjoy searching for the seeds of particular styles or sounds, and how each major voice in each era puts a clear signature into those that follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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