What Is The Last Score You Listened To? (older scores)

[Tallguy 3,394]

2 hours ago, Bespin said:

Each day should begin with this music.

 

 

I'll have to try that. No Rey's theme? Or I suppose that's in the Jedi Steps and Finale.

[Bespin 8,483]

1 hour ago, Tallguy said:

 

I'll have to try that. No Rey's theme? Or I suppose that's in the Jedi Steps and Finale.

 

Yessssss!

[JNHFan2000 2,966]

5 hours ago, Bespin said:

Each day should begin with this music.

 

 

Great cues!!

Personally I would maybe put March Of The Resistance last and The Jedi Steps first. That would give me a calmer opening and boost for the rest of the day at the end

[Thor 7,506]

 

A score firmly in the baroque jazz melancholy style I love so much, spiced up with some very "French" elements (including an accordion). The theme is available on multiple Delerue compilations, but the whole soundtrack is really worthwhile.

[Bespin 8,483]

Thanks Thor for another sexy cover!

[Jurassic Shark 12,079]

Cover your eyes!

[Thor 7,506]

He, he. That one's pretty tasteful, I think. Any nudity firmly covered behind fonts.

[JNHFan2000 2,966]

City Slickers 1 & 2 - Marc Shaiman

 

2 very fun scores! And when Shaiman hses his theme in full orchestral mode it can stand proudly amomg the best themes in the genre

[Jay 37,367]

I love those scores!

Been hoping for complete releases forever

[JNHFan2000 2,966]

Yeah, especially for the first one

[Jay 37,367]

Yes, the second score's album is very nicely put together and feels like it tells a whole story.

 

The first score's album definitely doesn't; We watched the films last year or the year before and I noticed cool music in the first film that would make for a more well-rounded album

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

4 hours ago, Jay said:

Yes, the second score's album is very nicely put together and feels like it tells a whole story.

 

The first score's album definitely doesn't; We watched the films last year or the year before and I noticed cool music in the first film that would make for a more well-rounded album

The first City Slickers album is definitely a lot more abbreviated than the second (which feels like it covers all the major parts and is a perfect length); the second definitely feels like one of those sequel scores that builds on the first and is broadly stronger. An extended version could change my mind (and would happily buy it find out!) however the opening titles for the sequel will always beat the original where the orchestra sounds a bit thin. Also the gunshot gag kinda kills the momentum in the original, fun though it is. Also the Stampede from part 2 is perhaps the best action cue Shaiman has ever written (and given his low output for films lately probably will remain so).

 

When you’re feeling a bit down, nothing like the optimism of a classic Jerry Star Trek score to make you feel a bit better. Without help? Nah Jerry. You’re helping lots. Thank you.

[Mr. Who 919]

53 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

The first City Slickers album is definitely a lot more abbreviated than the second (which feels like it covers all the major parts and is a perfect length); the second definitely feels like one of those sequel scores that builds on the first and is broadly stronger. An extended version could change my mind (and would happily buy it find out!) however the opening titles for the sequel will always beat the original where the orchestra sounds a bit thin. Also the gunshot gag kinda kills the momentum in the original, fun though it is. Also the Stampede from part 2 is perhaps the best action cue Shaiman has ever written (and given his low output for films lately probably will remain so).

 

When you’re feeling a bit down, nothing like the optimism of a classic Jerry Star Trek score to make you feel a bit better. Without help? Nah Jerry. You’re helping lots. Thank you.

I listened to Horner's Search for Spock today! Fantastic score! I still need to check out Final Frontier.

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Who said:

I listened to Horner's Search for Spock today! Fantastic score! I still need to check out Final Frontier.

Oh yeah it’s terrific stuff. The Final Frontier isn’t quite ST:TMP level (with the best will in the world it was never likely to be) but love the combination of Star Trek optimism (take note current Star Trek writers. An optimistic future… not misery porn), some fine action writing, giving the subpar visual effects the awe and wonder they lack on their own (the thing his later Trek scores miss, only First Contact comes close) and little warm nostalgia. Lovely stuff.

 

I’m hoping Omni do TFF at some point as I’m curious to compare the orchestration of the main theme in TFF (and which I think remains unchanged in all of Jerry’s later instalments) with that in TMP as there are some definite differences. 

[Thor 7,506]

 

Gorgeous synth score by video game composer extraordinaire, Jesper Kyd, from 2014. Both moody and funky. Alas, it's 1 hour 50 minutes long, so I need to set aside time at some point and weed away about an hour or so.

[crocodile 8,017]

 Gods of Egypt. A fantastic score from Marco Beltrami and one of my favourite albums of his. Hope it is on Varese's radar for expansion. Despite the film's poor reception the score is worth preserving. And I believe there's another 75-80 minutes out there?

 

Karol

[Thor 7,506]

 

Terrible film, great score by the legendary Michael Andrews. Here's my old review.

[Matt C 454]

Darkman - Danny Elfman

 

It's skittish, fragmented and feels like Elfman cobbled together the score from unused cues he wrote for Nightbreed, Batman and Dick Tracy. And I don't know if it's the mixing or what, the score sounds like it's being performed by a smaller orchestra than the writing demands. (Shirley Walker's conducting is still top notch BTW.) The expanded score release just makes the problems more prominent IMO.

 

There's some good bits but they're cribbed from Batman and Nightbreed. It doesn't have its own clear identity like Raimi's Spider-man would twelve years after Darkman.

[Bespin 8,483]

1. Howard Shore - Videodrome (the expanded score, 2022)

2. John Williams - The Return of the Jedi (Combined playlist CD3/CD4 from the 1993 Anthology boxset)

3. Jerry Goldsmith - Psycho II (the expanded score, 2014)

[Thor 7,506]

 

Fantastic score from 2002 that I've enjoyed a lot over the years. Dark and luscious, inspired beats and lofty textures ("Te Amo" is particularly gorgeous). Wish Van Dyk sometimes skipped a DJ set or two and composed another score instead.

[crocodile 8,017]

 Knowing. I am on Beltrami binge. What a wonderful score this is, one of his very best. Not everything on the recent Varese expansion might be essential but there's enough in there to keep me engaged for the sheer majority of running time. I am tempted to create my own playlist that would be a hybrid of the two album programmes. The original album was fairly good but contained some unnecessary material. The expansion, on the other hand, might a bit too long but offers many wonderful gems such as this one here:

 

 

Karol

[Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,433]

No Time to Die by Hans Zimmer

 

That's a disappointing score, I thought it missed some heart and envy. The only good part are the Batman motif and Final Acent which has some Inception vibes. Too bad, it could have been nice

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

2 hours ago, May the Force be with You said:

No Time to Die by Hans Zimmer

That's a disappointing score...

[Thor 7,506]

 

Still one of the coolest and funkiest scores of the 70s -- and a crossover soundtrack that many non-film music fans like as well.

[Tallguy 3,394]

14 minutes ago, Thor said:

 

Still one of the coolest and funkiest scores of the 70s -- and a crossover soundtrack that many non-film music fans like as well.

 

CANNNNNN YOUUUUUUU DIG IIIIIIIT? (That's all I know.)

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

Great score, from a great film.

[Thor 7,506]

1 hour ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

Great score, from a great film.

 

Indeed. Do you know if Carpenter drew some inspiration from it when he did ESCAPE FROM NY?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

It's difficult to imagine him not drawing inspiration from THE WARRIORS.

[Matt C 454]

Super Mario Bros - Alan Silvestri

 

I vaguely remember the 1993 movie and how Samantha Mathis' Daisy had a good theme. Listening to it apart from the movie, the score is a bit Mickey mousing in places -- shades of John Williams in "Arrival to Koopa City" and "Mario and Luigi Arrested". The playful sax theme for the Italian brothers is reminiscent of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Death Becomes Her.

 

It's quite a fun score even with the 40 minute album arrangement.

[filmmusic 1,829]

 

I listened to the OST, in anticipation of the new release.

I put the songs and party sequence in the end of the programme.

The score flows better that way. (I would love it if it was that way in this future expanded release)

Well, what can I say, the main theme is gorgeous.

Other than that, I was particularly fond of the Nantucket visit, with it's fresh piano passages.

I'm not particularly fond of the songs being incorporated in the score.

On the whole, a good - short though - score, but I think I prefer Stanley and Iris better.

Maybe the expanded release changes my mind. We'll see...

[GerateWohl 4,370]

1 hour ago, filmmusic said:

Maybe the expanded release changes my mind. We'll see...

I don't think so. I expect it to be just like Presumed Innocent. More of the same. Plus the film version of Moonlight maybe and the finale.

I don't know. Maybe I am wrong. 

But I will get it and find out.

 

After listening to the Sabrina OST I thought about listening to another romantic score with big band party music and listened to Thomas Newman's Meet Joe Black. And even though MJB does not have a theme as great as the main theme from Sabrina, overall I like the MJB score better. Maybe just because the OST is assembled better. I will re-evaluate after listening to the Sabrina expansion.

[Thor 7,506]

 

Works better with the classical pieces edited out, even though Townshend sorta references some of it is in his own music (like the shimmering, Wagnerian textures in "Awareness"). Great score.

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

Surprisingly decent, solidly orchestral score from a (presumably) atrocious movie. A few unexpected hints at Jurassic Park here and there, nothing too blatant, Robert Folk is no James Horner (joke). It still seems astonishing that Folk has never really hit the big time. OK his music doesn't quite have the character of his contemporaries, but neither does John Debney (for example), who still gets plenty of work. I remember there being some snarky comment at FSM about people who, years ago, claimed Robert Folk would be the next JW and while he isn't that good, he's certainly far better than his filmography suggests.

[Thor 7,506]

The first LAWNMOWER MAN movie is cool. Fond memories of that from my youth, including an eerily chilly Jeff Fahey (those eyes!). The second I know I've seen, but remember nothing of. But yes -- "classic" Folk score, and one I return to when I need a little of that particular 90s sound (which isn't that often these days, but it happens).

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

1 hour ago, GerateWohl said:

I...listened to Thomas Newman's Meet Joe Black.

There's some lovely stuff on MEET JOE BLACK ("Peanut Butter Man"; "Cold Lamb Sandwich"), and the end cues - minus that silly song, of course - are gorgeous.

 

[Edmilson 7,457]

Whisper of a Thrill is probably the best love theme TN ever wrote.

[Jay 37,367]

David Arnold - Casino Royale (OST)

 

Hey this score is good, I'd buy an expansion!

 

 

Revo - Bravely Default Flying Fairy

 

I had to mix things up from just listening to Octopath Traveler II over and over again, and this REALLY hit the spot.  Just one of the best video game scores ever, and one of my favorite scores of all time.  Great album from start to finish.

[Bespin 8,483]

Three Danny Elfman expansions today:

 

[Edmilson 7,457]

Sphere (complete) - Elliot Goldenthal

 

I love how Goldenthal can make an orchestra sound so dark, brash and aggressive. I love how aleatoric and experimental it gets. Kind of an organized chaos, but still quite chaotic. It's not easy listening, but it's much more listenable than 99% of today's horror scores.

 

Dolores Clairbone (expanded) - Danny Elfman

 

I had listened a few months ago and didn't care for it. But now I tried it again with more context about the movie and how it fits in Elfman's carrer, and now I love it! Great psychological dramatic score, where Elfman gets to the bottom of the characters' psyches.

 

Black Beauty (Expanded Edition from LLL - 2013) - Danny Elfman

 

Released in the early 90s, this was one of the first scores (alongside Sommersby and Dolores Clairbone) that showed that Elfman was far from a "one-trick pony". Beautiful dramatic score with some lovely pastoral writing for solo violin and woodwinds. Isn't it interesting how horses can inspire great composers to write wonderful music? Aside from this, there's Thomas Newman's The Horse Whisperer, JNH's Hidalgo, JW's War Horse...

 

The Frighteners (bootleg) - Danny Elfman

 

On the other hand, this was the typical Elfman score, with his "spooky" and "dark circus" vibes. It's not bad, but he has done better in Batman, Darkman and later on Sleepy Hollow. I guess I prefer when Elfman and his "Elfmanisms" are put to use in different contexts than what we are used to (like Mission: Impossible, the aforementioned Black Beauty and Dolores Clairbone, MIB, Spider-Man, etc). The song at the end is fun, though!

[Thor 7,506]

 

Not what you'd expect from Faltermeyer. This is film noir jazz, interspersed with a few 90s electronica elements. An excellent score.

[LSH 969]

 

I always consider this to be JNH's proper 'break-out' score. Not only was it the biggest score he'd done (both in scope and ensemble size) by that point, but it really gave him a chance to exercise his orchestral chops. Great themes, and a superb and worthy addition to the Western genre.

[Edmilson 7,457]

31 minutes ago, LSH said:

 

I always consider this to be JNH's proper 'break-out' score. Not only was it the biggest score he'd done (both in scope and ensemble size) by that point, but it really gave him a chance to exercise his orchestral chops. Great themes, and a superb and worthy addition to the Western genre.

 

Indeed, this was the start of JNH's golden age that went from Wyatt Earp in 94 until Lady in the Water (or Blood Diamond, if you like it) in 2006. IMHO one of the best runs ever for a major composer.

[Edmilson 7,457]

Completing my Elfman binge of the last few days, I also listened to the complete edition of Alice in Wonderland. 

 

As awful as this movie and its sequel were, I kinda wish there were three of them so that Elfman could have his own fantasy trilogy - his LOTR, SW, HTTYD or Fantastic Beasts. This is really his big fantasy score, complete with a great set of themes. 

 

I love how malleable Alice's Theme is. It's one piece composed of many parts that can be re-used in different settings, from action to suspense to heroic.

 

But as good as Alice's Theme is, I'm partial to his Little Alice theme (which is derived from a part of the main theme):

 

 

Which receives a great, noble variation by the end, after Alice defeats the Jabber-something:

 

 

But no Joseph Campbell-inspired Journey of the Hero story is complete without a Responsibility theme. In Alice's case, what I think it's the responsibility theme (I haven't seen this movie in years, and won't do it now) appears here and it's a wonderful theme:

 

 

The Responsibility theme and the Alice's main theme (composed of its many motifs) all culminate in this track at the end of the movie:

 

 

A great score! Among Elfman's best in the 21st century!

[JNHFan2000 2,966]

Agreed. And it is indeed weird that the only "big" trilogy Elfman has ever been able to complete is Fifty Shades & Men In Black.

And those both didn't lend them to big thematic scoring. MIB in parts, but it's mostly 1 theme

 

Batman stopped at 2.

Spider-Man 3 was by Young

Alice stopped at 2

 

[Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,433]

Andor vol. 1 by Nicholas Britell

 

It's not really interessant, too much atmospheric/background music for a Star Wars thing. It's not awful but it ain't good either. The only track that really catch my attention is Past and Present Suite

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

9 hours ago, JNHFan2000 said:

Agreed. And it is indeed weird that the only "big" trilogy Elfman has ever been able to complete is Fifty Shades & Men In Black.

And those both didn't lend them to big thematic scoring. MIB in parts, but it's mostly 1 theme

 

Batman stopped at 2.

Spider-Man 3 was by Young

Alice stopped at 2

 

... and Star Wars went on to be 9, which was 6 too many 

Elfman got off lightly.

[GerateWohl 4,370]

Boxtrolls by Dario Marianelli

 

Marianelli in Elfman mode. As usual Marianelli is quite consequent in musical direction of his scores and seems to enjoy working in a certain style. Maybe a catchy theme is missing here. But I enjoy this fair style in his hands. Irony all over the place.

 

 

[Edmilson 7,457]

Red Dragon by Danny Elfman

 

I can't get enough of Elfman! lol

 

But this is yet another underappreciated gem in his career, and a great companion to his Sleepy Hollow score. What I like about RD is that, like Sleepy Hollow, his Elfmanisms are put to use by a true "horror" movie with R-Rated carnage, and not that spooky Halloweeny stuff from his early Burton flicks. 

 

He should really do more horror stuff.

[Bespin 8,483]

Ok guess the theme of today's program...

 

Thomas Newman - The Horse Whisperer OST
Danny Elfman - The Black Beauty (OST made with the expanded score tracks)
Randy Newman - Seabiscuit OST
James Newton Howard - Hidalgo OST

[Tom Guernsey 2,284]

3 hours ago, Bespin said:

Ok guess the theme of today's program...

 

Thomas Newman - The Horse Whisperer OST
Danny Elfman - The Black Beauty (OST made with the expanded score tracks)
Randy Newman - Seabiscuit OST
James Newton Howard - Hidalgo OST

Things that end up at a glue factory?

 

(But seriously, all great scores. Horses are clearly an inspiring subject for composers).