When do you stop?

[Ollie 859]

I've noticed a few posts over at FSM where quite few members have talked about downsizing their collections.

With the floodgates finally opening with the studios these past few years, it's made me wonder how much longer I will continue to collect before I say enough.

I will never downsize my collection but it's getting closer to a point where I can walk away happy. While it would be nice to have every single score by John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith in complete form, I feel a most of their important works have been issued in forms I can live with. There are few more from each I would like to see released or expanded in legit form.

I know some of you think I have this enormous collection that defies logic but it's not as huge as most of you think, but Joey is correct, that I have more CDs than I have time to listen to.

But with the current quality of film music getting blander and worse each year, I don't spend much money at all on current scores, outside of Michael Giacchino.

Now I'm sure that if you don't care about the physical CD like I do, you could compile music for many more years, but if you have a library of physical CDs, when is it time to stop?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

In recent years I certainly have become more choosy in what I add to my collection.

[MSM 85]

The eagerness to collect diminishes with age.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

No not the eagerness, but you learn to be more discriminate with what you add to your collection.

[King Mark 2,924]

Mostly all JW scores in complete forms

Then a few grail scores I really want from other composers , like Gremlins

[Quintus 5,391]

I stopped collecting film scores about eight years ago.

I wish there were still scores worth collecting, but there aren't - not unless you count the expanded/complete re-release stuff (I don't).

If film music ever begins to excite me again, I'll start collecting again.

[Ollie 859]

Like I mentioned, I quit with most current stuff but I do consider the scores released by the specialty labels to count toward one's collection.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

A few years ago, I caught an ear infection, and I seriously thought that I was going to lose hearing in my right ear. Because of this, and out of fear, I started to buy (or, at least listen to) everything that I could lay my hands on. Consequently, I bought a LOT of C.D.s. I did not lose the capacity to hear, but the desire to experience as much music as possible, has become my biggest Earthly passion (oh, all right, then, my SECOND biggest Earthly passion ).

I could sell half of my C.D. collection and not even notice, but it would somehow diminish the whole. As for J.W./J.G: yes I have made a few blunders in the past, and have not taken the opportunity buy what have become collector's items, and I regret those decisions.

I WILL NOT SELL, GIVE AWAY, NOR DESTROY, ONE SINGLE NOTE OF J.W. MUSIC!

Excepting those on this site, no-one understands what his music means to me. In answer to Mark's original question; I hope that I never stop collecting. Music is one of my life's great sustainers (J.W. music especially) and will not give it up willingly!

[Quintus 5,391]

It's unfortunate and quite sad that nobody knows of your admiration for JW music, Richy. All of my close family and friends know I'm a JW/film music nut, to the point that they'll even mention film music from time to time in conversation. I'm very open with my rather specialist interest.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

I have good friends that like films, and some are crazy about "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones", "Star Trek", "James Bond", etc, and are at least familiar with the music, but I could not chat with them about "Sayuri's Theme". or how "Window To The Past", is reminiscent of sections of "Jane Eyre". I guess that I don't move in those kind of circles.

[Quintus 5,391]

It might not be those scores in particular where I might point out similarities, but I've definitely mentioned similar things about his more well known works.

Actually, 'mentioned' is probably the wrong word. Try 'lectured', or 'banged-on about', instead

[OneBuckFilms 181]

I've found myself in a place where I have just about everything I want musically, with the exception of a few releases.

The thing is, there is no difinitive answer as to when I'm going to "Stop".

It comes down to the following, when a new CD is released:

1) Is this a release of music I want and know I'm likely to listen to and enjoy?

2) If this is an expansion of an existing score in my collection, does it add significant enough music/quality/presentation improvements to warrant replacing my existing CD?

3) Is this a legitimate release of a score I have in Footwarmer form (which would override 2)?

4) Do I have the funds, and is the item a justifiable purchase at it's selling price?

If 1) is not satisfied, then the others have no bearing, except when 3) comes into the picture, in which case I will destroy the footwarmer.

Generally, I need a yet to all 4 to make a purchase, and items 1..3 to add an item to the Want List, where I may re-assess the title as funding is freed up.

For me, it is not about the size of my Collection, but the enjoyment of the music and it's presentation within it.

[Wojo 2,442]

I've gotten to the point where buying music has become a chore. I don't have the space to hold all my CDs in one common location, and I don't make the time to rip them, tag them, and make sure my iPod is well sorted.

Yet I still buy like mad, both online and in brick and mortar establishments. I'm addicted to a good deal or being able to find a soundtrack I never thought I'd find or to replace one I've acquired illicitly.

The only time I get rid of music is when I unload a cheap soundtrack that has become superseded by an expanded release.

[Datameister 1,394]

The thing is, there is no difinitive answer as to when I'm going to "Stop".

It comes down to the following, when a new CD is released:

1) Is this a release of music I want and know I'm likely to listen to and enjoy?

2) If this is an expansion of an existing score in my collection, does it add significant enough music/quality/presentation improvements to warrant replacing my existing CD?

3) Is this a legitimate release of a score I have in Footwarmer form (which would override 2)?

4) Do I have the funds, and is the item a justifiable purchase at it's selling price?

If 1) is not satisfied, then the others have no bearing, except when 3) comes into the picture, in which case I will destroy the footwarmer.

Generally, I need a yet to all 4 to make a purchase, and items 1..3 to add an item to the Want List, where I may re-assess the title as funding is freed up.

For me, it is not about the size of my Collection, but the enjoyment of the music and it's presentation within it.

I could not have put it better myself. I go through the same thought process. I wouldn't consider myself collector so much as a person who deeply enjoys good film scores, particularly by Williams. When I buy music, it's because I think I'm going to want to listen to it repeatedly over the years. As a result, I don't have a HUGE amount of fluff in my collection...a lot of it is stuff that I either really like, used to really like, or hope to really like someday.

There's sort of an exception right now - all the releases of old Williams material that have been making it out of La-La Land and the other labels. I've been trying to convince myself to buy those whenever I think there's any chance that I'll enjoy repeated listens, because I do want to expand my Williams collection into more esoteric scores, and I don't want to miss out on limited releases that I'll later wish I'd bought.

But yeah, generally speaking, I buy music at a relatively slow rate, and I only buy music that I think I'll really enjoy, so I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. If modern film music continues in this same direction, though, I could see myself running out of music to buy after a while. =/

[Andy 1,492]

As soon as we get Sugarland.

In all honesty, I'm having a ball collecting and enjoying the music. But I guess there will eventually come a day when the grail list is complete. Like Mark, I have almost no interest in most of the stuff from the current decade, so I suppose my wish list is finite. But it's always fun to discover stuff you never knew you needed, and try other composers. So for me, no end in sight. The quality of the specialty releases now is something we take for granted. In the 80s and 90s, it was unheard of to have thick CD booklets with track by track liner notes, or even a photograph beneath the tray that holds the CD! I know a good product when I see one, and I'll keep supporting things that are done right.

[John Crichton 4]

I've always been selective about what I get, for both budgetary and practical reasons. I never want to get to the point where I'm so overwhelmed with STUFF I feel like I could never listen to it all. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,064]

I've always been selective about what I get, for both budgetary and practical reasons. I never want to get to the point where I'm so overwhelmed with STUFF I feel like I could never listen to it all. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Smart man. My logic as well.

[stewdog1 50]

I have good friends that like films, and some are crazy about "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones", "Star Trek", "James Bond", etc, and are at least familiar with the music, but I could not chat with them about "Sayuri's Theme". or how "Window To The Past", is reminiscent of sections of "Jane Eyre". I guess that I don't move in those kind of circles.

It does get a bit depressing when I can't discuss any details about music with people. My love for film music, Vangelis, Yanni is basically my own, except when discussing in forums like this. But there is hope. My 7 year old son loves listening to movie music and is always asking me what movie a particular que is from or what scene in a movie, even if he has never seen the film. It will be fun as he gets older.

As for this thread, my buying of movie music has slowed tremendously over the years as life has gotten busier, coaching baseball, work schedule, etc. There are still things that I will buy like the expanded Star Trek scores and the re-recording of Conan for example.

But once all the expanded Star Trek scores are released and hopefully expanded Jurassic Park and Hook scores, I'm not sure what else I will buy, outside of Arnold's Bond next Bond score.

I'm hoping one day there will be another golden age of film music, but I don't see that happening until the current trend of editing in movies changes from the fast paced cutting of scenes and allowing of the music to breath.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I stopped when it became clear to me that I don't listen to everything and that collecting more and more was akin to hoarding. Seriously at 50 I figure I should live another 30 to 35 years and that I won't/don't have time to listen to my entire collection anymore.

Once you've gotten 500+ albums you're never going to listen to them all again, there are many you'll never listen EVER AGAIN.

Of course it's your money, or your parents money, do with it what you want.

Personally I don't need it anymore.

I still remember how so many of you freaked out when I threw out the majority of my albums.

How many of you said that I should(must) sell them on EBAY, or give them away.

Next time I downsize I will get rid of what I want but this time I'll give them to the Library, or throw them in the trash as I won't waste time on EBAY.

[Wojo 2,442]

I thought I was doing the literary world a favor when I donated many of my old books to a used bookstore chain about 2 hours away. They placed them in a large plastic trash can, which I thought was just the big container they used to store unsorted books.

Nope. When I was leaving, I noticed a guy wheeling that container to the big industrial sized dumpster out back. My heart sank. I would have had much more pleasure throwing them away myself or finding local "homes" for them, than drive that far to have someone else throw them away, with zero financial reimbursement for them.

So I can understand some of the deliciously evil glee you might get from throwing away what you no longer want, instead of trying to sell it to someone who will give you piddly money, or just throw it away for you.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

Of course it's your money, or your parents money, do with it what you want.

Personally I don't need it anymore.

Can I have some?

[Richard Penna 2,083]

I've twice had a clearout in which I get rid of anything I don't listen to. The last was last summer when probably 1/5 of my collection went - that was very brutal, and no composer was safe. I had built up a collector mentality over the years, downloading stuff I 'sort of' liked. Some of it never gets listened to much more and often it's because it wasn't for me to begin with.

There's still plenty that I want. So much material in the 90s/00s either didn't get a release, or a crappy release, or promo/boot/whatever. And only LaLaLand is doing anything meaningful in this period.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

Next time I downsize I will get rid of what I want but this time I'll give them to the Library, or throw them in the trash as I won't waste time on EBAY.

I always donate my old books and VHS/DVD movies to the library.

[Trent B 317]

There's really only a few handful of scores that I really would love to have in expanded or complete form legit and once I get those (if all eventually get released) I maybe done getting scores. They are...

The Abyss

Air Force One

Back To The Future Part 2

Back To The Future Part 3

The Core

Die Hard

Die Hard 2: Die Harder

Die Hard With A Vengeance

Hook

The Hunt For Red October

Jurassic Park

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park III

The Matrix (all though I don't expect a real complete version any time soon)

The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Revolutions

Spider-Man

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 3

Starship Troopers

Star Trek The Motion Picture

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Star Trek: Generations

Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: Insurrection

Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith

The Mummy

The Mummy Returns

Twister

I don't think I'll be down sizing my collection either. I don't think I could ever do it. I definitely plan to pass my CD's onto my kids too when ever I have any.

[Uni 306]

Like most things, collecting hits a peak of passion (driven, in my case, by the great and classic scores of JW, JG, JH, and JB), then gradually--almost unnoticably--begins to diminish over the years. You wind up pleased with what you have, on the lookout for a few rarities that might emerge, but overall no longer enthused with the act of collecting in itself. It's just hard to get excited about buying a new 5-CD set just so you can finally get your hands on those missing eight seconds from a score that's been rereleased ten times already.

Actually, LP's made collecting more fun back in the day. Finding a rare, laser-etched or picture-disc double set was an archaelogical triumph of it's own. Just can't get that with CD's. And now that everything's digital, well. . . .

- Uni

[Wojo 2,442]

There's really only a few handful of scores that I really would love to have in expanded or complete form legit...

<proceeds to name 33 scores>

Whose hands, Trent's? The Rock Biter?

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Next time I downsize I will get rid of what I want but this time I'll give them to the Library, or throw them in the trash as I won't waste time on EBAY.

I always donate my old books and VHS/DVD movies to the library.

I give away movies, they are more precious than CD's. The library doesn't want many of our type of cd's they just take up space as I've learned.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

I just don't listen to much non-John Williams stuff obsessively like I used to. I sort of outgrew a lot of other composers and scores, I guess. I can still revisit them every so often, enjoy them, mostly in the films if I watch them. Stuff like Elfman's Batmans, Apollo 13, Titanic, the Back to the Futures, John Barry, the Star Treks etc. now collect dust. I am limited to buying mostly JW, and it really comes down to desire. I don't see myself stopping.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Definitely less newer stuff gets my interest these days. Most of my recent purchases have been digitals (i.e. legally owning mp3s of albums previously too rare or expensive).

I have 19 days of scores, and in nerdy statistic mode, if I listened every day for 12 hours, it would take over a month to get through everything. That's one f**k of a lot of music and why I'm being selective at the moment.

[Thor 5,273]

I stopped buying extensively 7-8 years ago, and have spent the last 2-3 trying desperately to sell off lots of my CD's. I've probably rid myself of 150-200 so far, but I still have a long way to go. I aim to lose 1/4 of the remaining lot....but it moves very slowly, as the items on my sales list apparently aren't very popular (either that or most people save their money for new limited editions).

In the long run, I aim to sit with only the CD's I really, really can't live without. And yes, that includes ripping my John Williams completism apart too and selling off some of the things I can't stand or never ever play. But that's the final stage of The Shrinking.

[fommes 126]

that includes ripping my John Williams completism apart

But, but, don't do it, Thor! You are the big example for all of us JW completists!

:cool:

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

I don't know why collecting film scores has become such a dilemma for some people. I simply want a personal library of everything I like, and I'll adapt if it outgrows my current shelves.

[Trent B 317]

I don't know why collecting film scores has become such a dilemma for some people. I simply want a personal library of everything I like, and I'll adapt if it outgrows my current shelves.

I think for those that it is a dilemma for, a lot of people think they have to buy every single limited release that is released.

Personally I have only bought scores that I've had an interest in or been wanting an expanded/complete form for a long time. Of course there have been a few very rare exceptions where I've done a blind buy and ended up liking those particular albums. Black Sunday, The Goonies, the rest of the Superman scores, Haunted Summer and just a couple of others. Those are just examples. It is very rare that I will make exceptions like this.

However, there is no need for me to buy every limited release because it says, "Limited Edition". To me that's going overboard and most of those CD's would end up being coasters.

Also it's been proven, just because it says "Limited Edition", doesn't necessarily mean it will be out of print forever. Recent things have been re-released and were once limited before IE: Predator.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Yeah, I can't see myself buying everything for the sake of it. When Varese bring out their Club batches, there's usually only one I want. There's collecting, then there's just plain hogging. How many editions of Link (with identical content) do people need?

[Trent B 317]

Yeah, I can't see myself buying everything for the sake of it. When Varese bring out their Club batches, there's usually only one I want. There's collecting, then there's just plain hogging. How many editions of Link (with identical content) do people need?

Exactly. A lot of those people too like with Link are ones who bought multiple copies to sell on ebay for extra than what it's worth. To me that's wrong and I never can see myself doing that at all. It also deprives those who actually want it and they miss out on it because others buy the multiple copies

Like you with Varèse I'm the same way. There's been a few things here and there with Varèse but most of the stuff I've had zero interest in. Also a lot of Intrada's stuff I won't bother picking up because I just don't have any interest in it.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Well it's a free market, so they can buy as many as they like, but it's not what I'd call considerate.

[indy4 152]

I am only a completist for John Williams. I'm not sure at this point exactly how far I'm going to take it - at the very least, I will own one representation of every score of his that has been officially released. Perhaps I will go to the trouble of buying redundant OSTs, bad rerecordings, etc. It's fun to track these items down and watch a collection grow.

For all other music, I buy a CD if I want to hear it. It is cool to see my general soundtrack and general music collection grow, but that's never a motivation behind a purchase for anything other than Williams music.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

IMO being a completist is a recipe for an out of control collection. You can't possibly enjoy every score that a composer ever writes. There's too much variation in inspiration and style.

I've bought 2 Varese club releases, and probably about 15 Intrada/LLL/FSM combined. And even that isn't entirely 'must haves' (and just one a grail). I had to think about maybe 1/3 of them before buying. I'm prepared for that to pick up eventually.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

There are few JW scores I really don't enjoy. Rare examples are John Goldfarb, Please Come Home and Munich. I still want to have them, however. Most everything else gets a listen at some point. I have many lesser re-recordings as well, which I still like to listen to. I discovered a bunch of old Prague JW CDs in my closet and they're back on the shelves with the rest of the stuff. There isn't much left currently that I need or want. Just some concertos, re-recordings, Bostons Pops and a couple rare/OOP titles. Those can come whenever the opportunity arises and I spot them for a reasonable price. I'm very satisfied with my collection. I can fully understand how someone would want to own just the essentials, and most complete or current versions.

I don't feel I have a problem owning so many versions of Star Wars, E.T., etc., as well as most every JW score released. It's not setting me back or anything and it's not like I'm hoarding the stuff and keeping it preserved to re-sell like a guy with a bunch of Star Wars toys or something. It's for my enjoyment. I don't even like calling it a hobby, because I think of the 40 Year Old Virgin and all his toys or something as opposed to a guy and his favorite music.

[Trent Hoyt 13]

I eventually felt the same way about my book collection. I always picked up Star Trek and Star Wars books at book sales. I have boxes full of paperbacks. So, I've been going through those boxes. I've donated what I'll never read again. I've started a pile of books to read and then donate; and I've got a few that I'm going to save. This has really cleared up a lot of wasted space.

With my cd collection, I have over 600 but it doesn't feel like it. I have them all on shelves in an otherwise useless corner in my house. Once I run out of room then I'll think about downsizing. But I feel like music is the one thing that I will always collect. I'm not a completest, but I enjoy finding a good deal at my local used music shops.

[King Mark 2,924]

IMO being a completist is a recipe for an out of control collection. You can't possibly enjoy every score that a composer ever writes. There's too much variation in inspiration and style.

not if you limit yourself to one or 2 composers .but if you go and buy every new c.d. the labels release it's a different story

with JW it's feasible because he didn't write hundreds of scores like Goldsmith or Morricone .You have about 120 JW scores + limited amount of concert works

I used to go nuts buying Star Wars figures and assorted figurines too , but I stopped all that and sold most of them. Now I buy a movie figure every year or so .This year I plan to by the new Sideshow Collectible Yoda because it's the best Yoda I've seen, but that's it

[Joe Brausam 203]

IMO being a completist is a recipe for an out of control collection. You can't possibly enjoy every score that a composer ever writes. There's too much variation in inspiration and style.

not if you limit yourself to one or 2 composers .but if you go and buy every new c.d. the labels release it's a different story

with JW it's feasible because he didn't write hundreds of scores like Goldsmith or Morricone .You have about 120 JW scores + limited amount of concert works

I used to go nuts buying Star Wars figures and assorted figurines too , but I stopped all that and sold most of them. Now I buy a movie figure every year or so .This year I plan to by the new Sideshow Collectible Yoda because it's the best Yoda I've seen, but that's it

I've got that on order too, plus his hut!

[King Mark 2,924]

hut?

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

That's cool, KM. It's like something you only get when you're really captivated enough. I'll occasionally buy collectible or toy stuff that interests me enough. I've sold most of my Star Wars figures. All I have left are a vintage Vader, the first series of buff 90s Star Wars figures, Galloob and Playmates Star Trek TNG crew and Batman 1989 and Returns figures. I've even tried getting back into collecting Star Wars figures, since I feel something's just wrong with me given I used to love that stuff. They even brought back vintage style packaging and it wasn't enough to get me buying anything. I guess it's just over! But JW collecting isn't.

[Score_Fan 36]

Angels and Demons

Batman Begins

The Dark Knight [NOT the "Complete" Score from watertower]

Da Vinci Code

Harry Potter (All 8)

Hook

Hulk (Danny Elfman's)

Inception

Iron Man 1/2

Jurassic Park Trilogy

Kick-Ass (at the very least, an actual release)

The Matrix Trilogy

Spider-Man Trilogy (Especially SM3)

Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

X-Men Series

Once these expanded(or actual releases of) CD's hit the shelves, I think I'll be good for a while.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

My current list is in no danger of disappearing any time soon, and doesn't include stuff I'd *probably* buy. And Varese's rights only affect 3 of them.

Spidey 3

Ghostbusters 2

Gladiator

The Flintstones

Galaxy Quest

Air Force One

Dante's Peak

Volcano

Breakdown

Falling Down

My Best Friend's Wedding

Blown Away

Jurassics

From the Earth to the Moon

Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets

Magnificent Desolation Imax

Wyatt Earp

Phenomenon

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I am overwhelmed by music, but to me that's too strong of a word, because I don't feel pressured. There's stuff I have that I'll honestly probably never listen to again, but then there's stuff I absolutely love and listen to over and over. However, the best part of having a wide array of music, there'll be scores you love but don't really listen to often, and when you finally get around to it, it's bliss.

A few of you were puzzled by how I generally listen to a score 4-5 times. Well, I've got 74 days of music, times that by 4-5 and that's over a year. Add a bit insight to my listening habits? I like to give everything a listen.

As for the collection size... I'm only 20 and I've got more than most people, who knows where I'll be in another 20 years?

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

As for the collection size... I'm only 20 and I've got more than most people.

How many is that?

[Quintus 5,391]

I'm only 20 and I've got more than most people, who knows where I'll be in another 20 years?

40.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

As for the collection size... I'm only 20 and I've got more than most people.

How many is that?

Well, I'm still getting used to the downsizing that happened a few months ago, when my brother moved out. He took everything he owned, no surprise there, but I still consider them as "mine." As in legally obtained and officially owned. My personal collection probably contains around 250 CDs. I've never counted.

I'm only 20 and I've got more than most people, who knows where I'll be in another 20 years?

40.