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

[Edmilson 7,474]

Jerry's The Omen > BH's Taxi Driver

[Naïve Old Fart 9,556]

That's my assessment, too, @Edmilson.

Although I like TAXI DRIVER, THE OMEN is an extremely effective score.

[Edmilson 7,474]

John Barry - Dances with Wolves (2015 La La Land)

 

Not only John Barry's masterpiece, but one of my very favorite scores ever.

 

It's just magnificent. Lots of themes (more than you'd normally find in a Barry score), all of them are wonderful, especially the Sioux theme and the Love Theme. It's epic and sprawling, slow but never boring, reverent, solemn and noble. Even the action music, when Barry uses lots of drums and percussion hitting what it seems to be aleatoric notes, is perfectly in line with the music. It's such an emotional experience, I can't listen to this score without crying just a little bit. 

 

Three of my favorite scores ever, Barry's Dances with Wolves, Horner's Legends of the Fall and Newman's The Horse Whisperer, form this trilogy of sorts of 90s epics about manly cowboys living in the beautiful vistas of the countryside of the United States, forming strong bonds with animals (wolves, horses, bears) and falling in love with beautiful women. Two of these movies also have Native Americans that become friends with the main character, not sure about The Horse Whisperer (never seen it, despite my love of the score).

 

Either way, all three scores are among my favorite pieces of film music (and music in general) ever written.

[thestat 348]

Edmilson, totally agree with you on Barry's DWW. I loved it when it came out, got annoyed by Barry's style in the 1990s, dismissed DWW. Recently, watched the 4k version of the film and wow. The music is literally a character in the film, especially in the early parts of the film with Dunbar's journey. Accompanied by the cinematography, it is just astonishing work from Barry.

 

I lamented Poledouris missing out on this project due to his very ethical commitment to Milius and what impact this choice had on Basil's career at this crucial moment on him breaking out. At the same time, I am not convinced that even a master composer like Poledouris could have captured Barry's majestic simplicity in such an overt, massively emotional way. It is one of the greatest of scores no doubt.

A gift for Barry fans, and indeed, for anyone with a heartbeat, one of Barry's best on an endless loop, so fucking cool:

 

 

[Bespin 8,484]

Relistening to this wonderful CD released in 2020, which includes World Premiere Recording of 'Tribute to the Film Composers' by John Williams (still absent from this page https://www.jwfan.com/discography/composer/index.htm @Junion)

 

It also includes a revised premiere recording of "The Face of Pan" from Hook.

 

[Bespin 8,484]

A compilation I created—a sort of sampler featuring CDs from Film Fest Gent.

 

Great re-recordings!

 

 

[JNHFan2000 2,969]

Welcome To Marwen - Alan Silvestri

 

In my opinion, a very underrated score in the Silvestri canon.

 

I love the main themes. All of the them used quite a bit. It has some of Silvestri's most beautiful writing of the last 20 years.

The martial undertones to the action sequences is Silvestri in 80's & 90's mode.

 

I just really love it!

[Bespin 8,484]

In honor of John Williams, who now has a building named after him, I'm listening to these four scores (corresponding to the posters chosen to honor him):

• E.T. (expanded, the vinyl program)
• Schindler's List
• The Force Awakens (FYC, because if I listen to the Star Wars Main Theme once again, I'll kill someone)
• The Lost World (expanded)

[Tallguy 3,402]

14 minutes ago, Bespin said:

FYC, without the first track, if I listen to the Star Wars Main Theme once again, I'll kill someone

 

Does the way it's played in TFA really count?

 

1) That's a good project.

2) Why... Star Wars SEVEN and Jurassic Park TWO?

[GerateWohl 4,382]

20 hours ago, Bespin said:

A compilation I created—a sort of sampler featuring CDs from Film Fest Gent.

 

Great re-recordings!

 

 

My two absolute favourites of these great albums are Terence Blanchard and Ryuitchi Sakamoto.

[Jay 37,377]

43 minutes ago, Bespin said:

The Force Awakens (FYC, without the first track, if I listen to the Star Wars Main Theme once again, I'll kill someone)

 

The main titles do not appear in the first track of the FYC.

[Bespin 8,484]

1 minute ago, Jay said:

 

The main titles do not appear in the first track of the FYC.

 

You are right, they completely removed the Main Theme in the FYC, that's why I love them!

 

I hope that if the next Star Wars trilogy materializes (for now, Disney seems to be struggling to come up with a solid script, apparently... well, well...), and if John Williams doesn't compose the music (I sincerely hope he moves on to something else), they will get rid of the habit of starting the movies with the Star Wars Main Theme. Personally, I can't stand to hear it anymore.

[Tallguy 3,402]

14 minutes ago, Bespin said:

 

You are right, they completely removed the Main Theme in the FYC, that's why I love them!

 

I hope that if the next Star Wars trilogy materializes (for now, Disney seems to be struggling to come up with a solid script, apparently... well, well...), and if John Williams doesn't compose the music (I sincerely hope he moves on to something else), they will get rid of the habit of starting the movies with the Star Wars Main Theme. Personally, I can't stand to hear it anymore.

 

I can see it becoming the theme for the (errrgh) Skywalker Saga. Although the next three movies are supposedly about Rey Skywalker...

 

But they can go the way of the Bond movies and remove the titles and crawl. Maybe "A long time ago" would be enough.

 

With the Mando movie (supposedly) coming up we'll have a character who has a musical identity that far outweighs the Williams theme.

[GerateWohl 4,382]

There exists just one situation, in which I still enjoy listening to the Star Wars main theme: sitting in a dark cinema watching a Star Wars movie.

[Bespin 8,484]

They should consider hiring a young composer to create a fanfare version of Rey's Theme for these new movies, or even compose an entirely new one. The Star Wars Main Theme is closely tied to the Skywalker Saga, and since they are now exploring the Palpatine Saga (HA HA HA), it would be fitting to have a new musical identity for this storyline.

[GerateWohl 4,382]

That would be interesting. Playing Rey's Theme over the Emperor's theme as underlying motif. Would work for sure. With Williams' themes you can do such things.

[Holko 9,532]

Oh no please no. That's only give certain goldenbois "confirmation" that he always intended it to be like that from the start!

[GerateWohl 4,382]

Let's not poison this thread with another Star Wars discussion. 

Sorry, I know. I started.

[Tallguy 3,402]

10 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

Let's not poison this thread with another Star Wars discussion. 

Sorry, I know. I started.

 

On to Star Trek then!

[Edmilson 7,474]

The Emperor's Club - JNH

 

 

One of those scores I can't get enough of. I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. I just wish JNH had more movies like that on his career instead of so many urban thrillers.

 

My only criticism is that it's not entirely "focused", as in, the album introduces many ideas but never quite bring them to a cohesive whole. Still, the Hundert's theme (or at least what I think it's his theme since it appears in tracks that have his name on it) is quite good.

[Bespin 8,484]

8 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

The Emperor's Club - JNH

 

 

One of those scores I can't get enough of. I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. I just wish JNH had more movies like that on his career instead of so many urban thrillers.

 

My only criticism is that it's not entirely "focused", as in, the album introduces many ideas but never quite bring them to a cohesive whole. Still, the Hundert's theme (or at least what I think it's his theme since it appears in tracks that have his name on it) is quite good.

 

Are you familiar with Thomas Newman's Scent of a Woman? It is a criticism directed at this score, suggesting that it may be somewhat modeled after Newman's...

[LSH 969]

16 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

The Emperor's Club - JNH

 

 

One of those scores I can't get enough of. I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. I just wish JNH had more movies like that on his career instead of so many urban thrillers.

 

My only criticism is that it's not entirely "focused", as in, the album introduces many ideas but never quite bring them to a cohesive whole. Still, the Hundert's theme (or at least what I think it's his theme since it appears in tracks that have his name on it) is quite good.

 

Gorgeous little score (doesn't get mentioned enough, actually) that showcases Howard's ability to write really lovely 'underscore' with solo instruments at the fore.

 

I used to play this a lot. Might give it a spin later when I wind down.

[Bespin 8,484]

Excerpts from E.T., Schindler's List, The Force Awakens, and The Lost World, that's a great way to start the day!

 

 

Then, some great Max Steiner conducted by Charles Gerhardt:

[filmmusic 1,843]

On 19/01/2024 at 10:10 PM, Edmilson said:

The Emperor's Club - JNH

 

 

One of those scores I can't get enough of. I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. I just wish JNH had more movies like that on his career instead of so many urban thrillers.

 

My only criticism is that it's not entirely "focused", as in, the album introduces many ideas but never quite bring them to a cohesive whole. Still, the Hundert's theme (or at least what I think it's his theme since it appears in tracks that have his name on it) is quite good.

After your recommendation, I listened to it too.

Quite good score, and although I don't remember Scent of A Woman, I could hear the Thomas Newman influences.

2 hours ago, Bespin said:

Excerpts from E.T., Schindler's List, The Force Awakens, and The Lost World, that's a great way to start the day!

I don't know why, but I cannot listen to excerpts from soundtracks.

Maybe that's why I don't hear compilations often, or I haven't still viewed/listened to the John Williams concerts.

If I want to hear a soundtrack, I want to hear it from start to finish.

I handle it as a kind of film (who would want to see scenes from various films in a row?)

[Edmilson 7,474]

On 19/01/2024 at 5:17 PM, Bespin said:

 

Are you familiar with Thomas Newman's Scent of a Woman? It is a criticism directed at this score, suggesting that it may be somewhat modeled after Newman's...

I haven't heard Scent of a Woman in a very long time, but yeah, this score was clearly inspired by Newman. But it still retains enough of JNH's own personality, so it's not exactly a copy, it's more like JNH putting his own spin on Thomas Newman.

[Bespin 8,484]

36 minutes ago, filmmusic said:

I handle it as a kind of film (who would want to see scenes from various films in a row?)

 

Okay, is a concert featuring film music an aberration for you?

[filmmusic 1,843]

3 hours ago, Bespin said:

 

Okay, is a concert featuring film music an aberration for you?

Well, generally speaking, yes.

(I had to look up what aberration means)

[Andy 4,147]

First time listen!!!

 

 

Can’t believe I haven’t listened to this until now.  I’m glad I got the 3CD BSX edition because I started with the third disc which was the intended ost album. 
 

The thing that struck me about this score was there’s a wonderful feeling of optimism about the whole thing.  I expected more monster rampage music in the vein of ID4’s invasion sequences.  There’s some of that. But Arnold does a terrific job with the martial stuff that feels heroic and fun. 
 

Was some of this temped with, or influenced by the percussive drums of The Lost World?  Because…. I love it!!! 
 

Im now going back and making my way through the complete score.  Glad I picked this up. Arnold had a really great thing going there for a hot second in time. 

[Edmilson 7,474]

Seven Years in Tibet

 

 

I love the combination of old school melodrama from the main theme with spiritual Oriental music. The orchestra barely sounds "epic", most of the score is Yo Yo Ma's cello with typical Eastern instruments, and that may make it a little boring for people wanting another Star Wars or Indiana Jones. But I love the atmospheric textures and the whole aura of spirituality it conjures.

[GerateWohl 4,382]

Terminator Salvation - Danny Elfman

 

This might be Elfman's best action score. A nice main theme which sounds pleasantly related to the original theme from Fiedel.

[Jurassic Shark 12,094]

Shouldn't it be The John Williams Music Building, or John Williams' Music Building?

[GerateWohl 4,382]

Wrong thread?

[Thor 7,529]

 

Has plenty of soulful trumpets, of course, as one would expect for a North Pole Race film. Lots of honoUr and glory. Album needs a little whittling, though.

[GerateWohl 4,382]

Blue Velvet- Angelo Badalamenti

 

I really like the album with the score, the songs and even some weird sound effects track. Haven't watched the movie again since I first watched it in cinema in my 20s. Was my first Lynch and made a big impression on me as a work of art.

[Thor 7,529]

16 hours ago, GerateWohl said:

Blue Velvet- Angelo Badalamenti

 

I really like the album with the score, the songs and even some weird sound effects track. Haven't watched the movie again since I first watched it in cinema in my 20s. Was my first Lynch and made a big impression on me as a work of art.

 

With the exception of TWIN PEAKS (+ FIRE WALK WITH ME) and THE STRAIGHT STORY, I've always had issues with the Badalamenti/Lynch soundtracks as a whole, even if they've had excellent tracks. So I created my own curated playlist "album" with three tracks each from BLUE VELVET, WILD AT HEART, MULHOLLAND DRIVE and LOST HIGHWAY that fullfill my needs.

 

Now Playing:

 

 

Unfortunately never released widely, only a few FYC promo vinyls. Which is a shame, because it's a delightfully fluffy comedy score in vein of Michael Gore's DEFENDING YOUR LIFE.

[JNHFan2000 2,969]

The Miracle Season & The Man Who Killed Don Quixote - Roque Baños

 

 

God, I love these scores!! The former is like one of those sport scores from the 80's & 90's. Beautiful themes, orchestrations and I love the added marching band drums.

The latter is a fantastic adventure score and I'm a sucker fot Latin guitars and instruments, so this is just so right up my alley! One of my favorite scores of the last 10 years.

Terrific!!

[bollemanneke 3,352]

The art and soul of boredom by Hans Zimmer, or the attempt to try and meditate before accepting it's just mostly all pointless droning. End, please.

[Thor 7,529]

 

I know very little about this film. I think it was a 2002 novella film directed by Young's nephew. But I've always really liked this score. Slow-moving and autumnal in tone, beautifully presented in 5 tracks over 40 minutes, the first four a concerto adaptation of some sort. Kudos to Intrada for putting it out way back when.

[Thor 7,529]

 

A runner-up candidate from last year (came in at 21st place) -- a delightful synth score for a title that is almost un-pronouncable.

[Bespin 8,484]

Discovering this Laurence Rosenthal TV score, nice!

 

Peter The Great (1986).
 

 

[Thor 7,529]

 

One of my favourite films AND scores of last year. Brivik channels Berlin school sequencers and other things beautifully. Album needs a little whittling, though, which I have done.

[Jay 37,377]

Didn't open up any physical CDs this week, just files

 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

 

This score has grown on me SO much since the isolated score came out.  He wrote a cracking' score for this mid film, and a proper expansion some day will do a better job of showcasing that much better than the OST album does; fan edits that combine the OST with the isolated score with all the tracked bits taken out will already do that soon enough.

 

 

The BFG

 

This score is really good!  Not a "listen to over and over again" score, but one where every occasional listen is more rewarding then expected.

 

 

The Phantom Menace

 

Boy, this is just a classic.

 

 

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

 

One of my favorite RPG scores.  I wish I could find other scores like it; Bravely Default II is ok.

 

 

Final Fantasy VII Remake

 

One of my favorite scores of the 2020s, maybe even my #1 favorite, re-listening to all 12 hours gearing up for the sequel that comes out at the end of next month!

[Naïve Old Fart 9,556]

9 hours ago, Jay said:

The Phantom Menace

Boy, this is just a classic.

 

Agreed. The OST is a disappointment, but the expanded score is among his best scores of the '90s.

[Bespin 8,484]

Discovering some Laurence Rosenthal works present on this compilation: https://www.discogs.com/fr/release/3494796-Laurence-Rosenthal-Music-For-Television

 

[Tallguy 3,402]

5 hours ago, Naïve Old Fart said:

 

Agreed. The OST is a disappointment, but the expanded score is among his best scores of the '90s.

 

I dunno. The OST is pretty damn amazing.

[Jay 37,377]

The thing with the Phantom Menace OST album is: If you've never seen the film, or ever heard any of the music from that score that isn't on the OST in any other way or anything; You just approach it as "the new album for the new Star Wars score by John Williams", it truly is great!  It's full of exciting new music, themes that fit into the world of his first three scores while also feeling fresh and new, and the performance by the LSO is astonishingly good - and its super well-recorded.  But even beyond all that, the album just flows well, and speaks for itself as its own musical program.

 

It's only when you see the film and probably notice all kinds of ADDITIONAL cool music that wasn't on the OST album, and/or then dive into the world of video game rips and fan edits (and the eventual UE), that you realize that Williams made some REALLY interesting decisions when deciding what to include on the OST album and what not to.  He pretty much came up with an album that nobody else would have.  Like if you gave 1,000 fans access to the complete sessions after they were done recording, before they could see the film or hear Williams' OST album, and told them to make a 75 minute album of highlights, probably pretty close to 1,000 of those fans would have included the action music with that great Force Theme statement from the opening action sequence, the "Anakin Is Free" music with that great Force Theme statement, the end battle cue for Anakin blowing up the Federation ship with THAT great Force Theme statement, at least two cues with Qui-Gon Jinn's theme, the "it's working!" and "Anakin Wins" fanfares, etc etc.  And they probably wouldn't have included Anakin's Theme and Duel of The Fates twice.

 

So yeah there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Phantom Menace OST album from one perspective, and A LOT missing from another perspective.

[JTN 2,048]

It’s a fine score, nothing earth-shattering. I heard a little bit Aliens in it. Enjoyed it overall, but probably won’t be revisiting it in the future.

[bollemanneke 3,352]

In the middle of Johnny English Strikes Again. Anyone know what that great dance number is that JE dances to and that they couldn't include on this fine album?

[JTN 2,048]

I love this score!

[Bespin 8,484]

John Barry.