Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Hello, all, I have been invited to a friend's house for the New Year, and he (and his wife) has asked me to bring along 5 pieces of music that sum up J.W., as he knows that I am a long-time fan, and he wants to "get into" J.W.'s music. I could simply take along my 5 favourites, which are: "The Towering Inferno" Main Title, "The Stars Move", "Turning back The World", "Gloria", and "The Seduction Of Suki, and The Ballroom scene" I understand that this would be a personal choice, and, as such, may not be able to encapsulate his career. Has anyone got any suggestions for 5 absolutely blow-yer-bollocks-off tracks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Adventure on EarthBarnstorming/Arrival of the Mother Ship/The Pilots' Return/The Visitors/Final SceneMan Against BeastPrelude and Main Title (original version)The Throne Room and End TitleWell, that's obviously nowhere near enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 I was gonna do a thread like this the other day but I was gonna limit to just the one cue and I would have chosen The Little People Work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Olympic Fanfare and ThemeThe Raider's MarchHarry's Wondrous WorldAdventures on EarthStar Wars: Throne Room and End Titles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Hmmmmm....good topic.I would perhaps say something like this:1. "Guide for the Married Man" from GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN - the Turtles song version, to prove his hand in light jazz or pop music in the 60's2. "The Killing of Marcel" from IMAGES - to show his capability of the dissonant and modernistic...either that or some of his concert work, like the flute concerto3. "The Throne Room and End Credits" from STAR WARS - to show his famous ability for fanfaric, neoromantic music4. "Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra" from THE LAST CRUSADE - to show his approach to action setpieces5. "Jane Eyre Theme" or "Restoration" from JANE EYRE - to show his grasp of the pastoral and/or religious music, which is the primary reason for why he is my favourite film composer - this is THE quintessential Williams, IMO, not the action stuff.Very difficult to choose just five, since he's had such a multi-faceted career in so many different expressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 those aren't the right choices to get someone "into" John Williams music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demondm810 399 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Haha impossible task! I would say Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye (Adventures on Earth)Desert ChaseRemembrancesRemembering ChildhoodRebel Fleet/End TitleIf anything, that finale from E.T. MUST be included. Incomparable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 those aren't the right choices to get someone "into" John Williams musicI disagree. I think they showcase his breadth and different styles, and then whoever they are being played for can choose the style he or she prefers. Some people are allergic to the typical Williams, but would maybe latch onto something like his 60's stuff or modernistic things.Plus, it covers the basics of his whole career, so they become representative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 - Adventures on Earth - Hell's Kitchen - Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra (the Spielberg/Williams Collaboration version, great choice, BTW, Thor), or Everybody Runs! - Angela's Prayer (or Arlington) - Theme from Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1_freeze 131 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Impossible with only 5 tracks, no place for his jazzy roots...1) Journey to the Island (Jurassic Park) Beautiful, uplifting epic music with perfect bridges and small side motifes2) Schindlers List (Schindlers List) Perfect sad and dramatic showpiece3) The Basket Chase - Wiiliams on Williams Arrangement (Raiders of the Lost Ark) Wonderful, playful action setpiece4) Close Encounters Excerpts (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) Dissonant music with perfect buildup till the fanfaric Finale5) Throne Room and End Title (Star Wars) JW typical fanfares in the propably best track for it Missing are here mainly Jazz, Choral, Subtle, Foreign, Exotic stuff, with another 5 tracks i would add6) Hymn to the Fallen (Saving Private Ryan) or Gloria (Monsignor) epic chorus7) Cantina Band (Star Wars) jazzy funpiece8) The Raptors Appear (The Lost World) exotic and dark9) Secrets of the Castle (Prizoner of Azkaban) subtle10) Sayuri's Theme and End Credits (Memoirs of a Geisha) foreign music/ asian flavour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Maybe I misunderstood the first post. I thought this was about what cues are representative of the composer's career - including all his musical faces and expressions - not 5 good tracks we happen to like by him that we would play for someone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demondm810 399 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Sums up John Williams! Not his career! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Journey to the IslandThat's all you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,059 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Off the top of my head:The Asteroid FieldLove Theme From SupermanTheme From Jane EyreE.T.'S Adventure On EarthA Second Chance - The Accidental Tourist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 Thanks for all your suggestions, people. I'm getting "Adventures On Earth" a lot, which I will probably include, although I think that Thor's 5 are particularly interesting. I might play either "Blood Moon", or "In Search Of Unicorns",to show J.W.'s versatility. I suppose that Star Wars has to be represented, so I'll take along "The Asteroid Field". "Gloria" will probably stay, because it is something J.W. doesn't do that often: full-blown choral music. "The Seduction Of Suki..." will get a play, because I think that it is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard to bear the name John Williams, and "The Stars Move" will stay, because it is my absolute favourite piece by J.W. (strange, I know, but there it is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendal_Ozzel 36 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 1) Summon the Heroes2) "Adventures on Earth" from E.T.3) "Epilogue" from The Fury4) "Temple Destroyed/Illumination/End Credits" from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade5) "Star of Bethlehem" (orchestral) from Home Alone... Okay, that totally turned into a favorites list. And I didn't even get to "The Land Rush", or Superman, or Star Wars..."The Ballroom Scene" is a great choice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I'd definitely include the Theme From Schindler's List. Important score in his filmography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 4,160 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I'm ashamed to say, I had to Google "The Stars Move". Is that the same as the "Light Show" track on the Arista CD of CE3K? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I think that would be the center pieces of his 4 Oscar-winning scores, plus Harry Potter (which also includes a slight comedic element, to wit the Chris Columbus element):1. Main Title from Jaws2. Star Wars: Throne Room and End Titles 3. Adventures on Earth4. Theme from Schindler's List5. Harry's Wondrous World Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 I wouldn't pick anything too iconic (ie Theme from Jaws) because I'm sure your friend has already heard them. I would also consider trying to make a nice listening experience first, demonstrate Williams' versatility second (meaning I'd leave tracks from Images out). You can demonstrate Williams' versatility in subtler, more listener-friendly selections. Images is great, but only after you've been exposed to enough Williams music to appreciate its uniqueness.I'd go with the cues that are almost universally considered to be great (but again, not so well known that he would have already heard them). I'd pick:The Land RaceFawkes the PhoenixThe Cowboys OvertureA Second ChanceAdventures on Earth(In that order.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 I'm ashamed to say, I had to Google "The Stars Move". Is that the same as the "Light Show" track on the Arista CD of CE3K?Sorry about that. It IS "Light Show". I must have been thinking of the CE3K boot. Still brilliant, though.I wouldn't pick anything too iconic (ie Theme from Jaws) because I'm sure your friend has already heard them. I would also consider trying to make a nice listening experience first, demonstrate Williams' versatility second (meaning I'd leave tracks from Images out). You can demonstrate Williams' versatility in subtler, more listener-friendly selections. Images is great, but only after you've been exposed to enough Williams music to appreciate its uniqueness.I'd go with the cues that are almost universally considered to be great (but again, not so well known that he would have already heard them). I'd pick:The Land RaceFawkes the PhoenixThe Cowboys OvertureA Second ChanceAdventures on Earth(In that order.)I take your point about the stuff from "Images". That score is the Marmite of J.W: you either love it, or you hate it."The Cowboys": now that's an idea...I might sneak in something "loungey" from "Penelope", or even "Boxing Montage" - man, I love that track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Brigden 7 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 1. Theme From Star Wars (album combo of Main title and end title).2. Love Theme From Superman3. The Miracle Of The Ark4. Crimebuster5. Adventures On Earth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 1. Theme From Star Wars (album combo of Main title and end title).2. Love Theme From Superman3. The Miracle Of The Ark4. Crimebuster5. Adventures On Earth"The Miracle Of The Ark" is a very good suggestion, but what's "Crimebuster"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Brigden 7 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 1. Theme From Star Wars (album combo of Main title and end title).2. Love Theme From Superman3. The Miracle Of The Ark4. Crimebuster5. Adventures On Earth"The Miracle Of The Ark" is a very good suggestion, but what's "Crimebuster"?It's from Heartbeeps. I put it there as an example of JW's brilliance in melody even when using an unfamiliar style/medium (electronics). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 1. Theme From Star Wars (album combo of Main title and end title).2. Love Theme From Superman3. The Miracle Of The Ark4. Crimebuster5. Adventures On Earth"The Miracle Of The Ark" is a very good suggestion, but what's "Crimebuster"?It's from Heartbeeps. I put it there as an example of JW's brilliance in melody even when using an unfamiliar style/medium (electronics).I'm ashamed to say that I have had "Heartbeeps" since it was released, but have never listened to it in its entirety (wishes there was a "hangs-head-in-shame" emoticon). I'll give it a spin a.s.a.p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 God, I've got loads of score CDs I'm yet to listen to. I've been meaning to give Black Sunday a spin for weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitch 57 Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 If you want people to leave, just play THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST. Works every time for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 Are you implying that is, somehow, a dull, bad, or inferior score? "TAT" is in my all-time top-10 J.W. scores, but, I agree; it wouldn't exactly "turn" anyone, would it? A lot of his less commercial scores are an acquired taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent Hoyt 13 Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 Throne Room/End TitleAdventures on EarthPrelude and Main TitlePreparing the CageIndy's First Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Are you implying that is, somehow, a dull, bad, or inferior score? "TAT" is in my all-time top-10 J.W. scores, but, I agree; it wouldn't exactly "turn" anyone, would it? A lot of his less commercial scores are an acquired taste.I agree. These days, I FAR prefer Williams' calmer stuff than the rambunctious adventure things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 28, 2010 Author Share Posted November 28, 2010 Are you implying that is, somehow, a dull, bad, or inferior score? "TAT" is in my all-time top-10 J.W. scores, but, I agree; it wouldn't exactly "turn" anyone, would it? A lot of his less commercial scores are an acquired taste.I agree. These days, I FAR prefer Williams' calmer stuff than the rambunctious adventure things.I'm with you there, Thor. As good as his stuff is, it just seems that, when it comes to the BIG stuff (Star Wars Indiana Jones, etc.) you have heard it all before...usually done a lot better. That's why I love "POA", and "Minority Report", because they are a little bit different to what had gone before. Add to that, mold-breaking scores like "A.I.", and "Rosewood", and you've got yourself a nice collection of truly original, and forward-looking scores, that do not try to sound like certain contemporary composers. Now, if he composed a score around "Heartwood", that would be well worth listening to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 - Superman March- Harry's Wondrous World- The Throne Room/End Title- Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye- Somewhere In My Memory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitch 57 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Are you implying that is, somehow, a dull, bad, or inferior score? "TAT" is in my all-time top-10 J.W. scores, but, I agree; it wouldn't exactly "turn" anyone, would it? A lot of his less commercial scores are an acquired taste.On the contrary, TAT is my all-time favourite John Williams score. That and STANLEY & IRIS, PRESUMED INNOCENT, STEPMOM, NIXON and MEMOIRS OF GEISHA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted November 28, 2010 Author Share Posted November 28, 2010 Are you implying that is, somehow, a dull, bad, or inferior score? "TAT" is in my all-time top-10 J.W. scores, but, I agree; it wouldn't exactly "turn" anyone, would it? A lot of his less commercial scores are an acquired taste.On the contrary, TAT is my all-time favourite John Williams score. That and STANLEY & IRIS, PRESUMED INNOCENT, STEPMOM, NIXON and MEMOIRS OF GEISHA.Glad you like "TAT", but that is exactly Thor's, and my point: when people think of John Williams, they don't think of the films that you have just mentioned, they think of his popular stuff. Personally, I hate it when someone says to me: "oh, yeah, I'm a F***NG HUGE Williams fan!", but can't identify "Miles On Wheels" (!). Yeah, right; go back to your frat party, you gorilla. I would love to take along scores like the ones mentioned, but, for now, I need to sell John Williams, and if it means playing "Adventures On Earth", rather than "Blood Moon", then so be it.On a personal note, why exactly, is "TAT", your number 1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitch 57 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Always has been. I prefer the gentler side to John Williams' music than the bombast stuff. Everyone knows here that I love the contemporary classical music of JW. TAT has been a personal favourite of mine since I saw the movie in 1988 and having the score on cassette tape (which I still have). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Yay, I'm not the only one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Well, my argument is that his blockbuster scores have the gentler/romantic/tragic stuff as well. I think there's an intimacy to E.T. that is unmatched. I prefer a more well-rounded score, though there are obviously exceptions. Angela's Ashes is good, for instance, but it can get a bit tiresome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kendal_Ozzel 36 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Unlike most of Images, I really do think "Blood Moon" would be a good one for your five. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythos 0 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 - Main Title from Jaws- Star Wars: Throne Room and End Titles- Adventures on Earth- Raiders March- Flight to Neverland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,421 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 If I had to burn 5 tracks for a friend who wants to get into John Williams, I wouldn't give him my personal 5 favorites, or his 5 most well known cues/themes, or the 5 most popular, etc. I'd make it diverse so get into as many different areas of his work as you can within the limitations of 5 tracks. Therefore I wouldn't include both the Raider's March and the Star Wars theme, since they are too similar (to someone not familiar with film scores or JW at all, I mean). So I guess I'd go with:1. Rescue Of The Princess from Star Wars2. Love Theme from Superman3. Journey to The Island from Jurassic Park4. Theme From Schindler's List5. Fawkes The Phoenix from Chamber Of SecretsDamn, that isn't as diverse as I thought it would be. This is hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taikomochi 1,136 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Hmmm, I feel like most of the lists here are lacking in Williams more subtle works(Geisha, List, Tourist, etc.) They seem to be focusing only on Williams' bigger works. I don't think that's really appropriate. I think both Star Wars and ET, for example, are amazing masterpieces, but they both have the same bombast and romantic qualities, imo. It's a bit redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I agree, Taikimochi.I recently made an iTunes playlist of Williams' tracks in the spiritual/religious mode, my favourite sound of his (NOT the action stuff). Some good picks there, I think:http://www.celluloidtunes.net/non-website/religioussound.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trumpeteer 302 Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I didn't read any of the posts, for fear of inspiration. Here are the five tracks I would bring:"Star Wars" main title (Episode IV version)Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye from "ET"Auschwitz/Birkenau from "Schindler's List"A Prayer for Peace from "Munich"The Clash of Lightsabers from "The Empire Strikes Back"These tracks would be picked on the assumption that the person asking me to pick the cues has never heard of John Williams before. If that is not the case (i.e. he knows of Williams' popular scores), I would replace only the "Star Wars" main title with Confluence from "Memoirs of a Geisha." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I agree, Taikimochi.I recently made an iTunes playlist of Williams' tracks in the spiritual/religious mode, my favourite sound of his (NOT the action stuff). Some good picks there, I think:http://www.celluloidtunes.net/non-website/religioussound.jpgE.T. and Me is sort of along those lines and better than most of those tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 126 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 1) Flight to Neverland from Hook (concert version 1996)2) March from Superman3) The Asteroid Field from Empire Strikes Back4) Theme from Schindler's List5) Theme from Jurassic Park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbellamy 6,317 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 What kind of music is your friend into? That's important to consider, you want to try and tailor your choices to his tastes. Is he into film scores, or orchestral music at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff 10 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Here are my choices with some descriptions that come to mind when I think of these cues:1) Theme from Sabrina (subtle beauty)2) Rebel Fleet/End Title (epic romance)3) Journey to the Island (grand humility)4) End Credits from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (pensive adventure)5) Fawkes the Phoenix (playful magic)Adventures on Earth or equivalent would make the list if I could have a six-way tie for first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,381 Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 1: Superman March (Alternate)2: Marcus Captured OR Keeping Up With The Joneses3: Shorty Helps Out OR Saving Willie4: The Raptor Attack (In The Kitchen)5: The Levitation/Threepio's Bedtime Story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,603 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 What kind of music is your friend into? That's important to consider, you want to try and tailor your choices to his tastes. Is he into film scores, or orchestral music at all?Good question! He'll listen to most stuff, but he's mostly into 70s "Prog Rock" (Genesis, Yes, E.L.P., King Crimson, Focus, etc.). He has a few soundtracks, but I seriously doubt that he listens to them anything near regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,558 Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 What kind of music is your friend into? That's important to consider, you want to try and tailor your choices to his tastes. Is he into film scores, or orchestral music at all?Good question! He'll listen to most stuff, but he's mostly into 70s "Prog Rock" (Genesis, Yes, E.L.P., King Crimson, Focus, etc.). He has a few soundtracks, but I seriously doubt that he listens to them anything near regularly.Interesting. In that case, maybe Zimmer is more up his alley than Williams, since Zimmer draws much from that tradition himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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