Jaws 2 (1978) - 2015 2-CD Expanded by Intrada Records!

[stravinsky 206]

Oh this is glorious music. I bought the Varese Album when I was about 21 in 1991 although I could have got to know the score a decade earlier. In Glasgow the Disctict Libraries had a gigantic book sale every year which included records and tapes. I remember seeing the tape of Jaws 2 in a rack with a load of other tapes but I recall thinking in my 11 year old head that it would just contain the same music from the first movie all over again! So I skipped it. 

        Even though there is like only about 8 minutes of extra music in the Intrada set it was well worth the price. I've never actually played Disc 2 because I hoped and prayed for a complete expansion of this wonderful score for years. 

       I was working in a production of Andrea Chenier for Opera North in Leeds at the time of the release of Jaws & Jaws 2. Which was 7 years ago now (!) and I ordered them both immediately. 

       We were scheduled to work until December 23rd that year but the Director let us away a day early which added an extra day to our Xmas holidays. I bolted back to my digs where I had been lodging for the previous six weeks and proceeded to pack my bags as quick as I could. 

        I managed to buy a bottle of wine and slowly imbibed it on the way back up to Scotland. By the time I got off the train in Glasgow I was pished. 

         For the whole journey up I couldn't wait to get home and check to see if the package from Intrada had arrived in time for my own Xmas. Sure enough the box was lying on the mat and I was in some sort of tuquoise cloud as I puffed a few Joints whilst devouring Jaws 2.

       The fact I played J2 first is proof that as much as I love and revere the first score, somehow Williams' music for the sequel just has the tiniest edge for me. The material is so expansive and I'm sure a larger ensemble was utilised. Its as if Jaws is 2D in my head whereas Jaws 2 is utterly a 3D musical experience. 

       Disc 1 SOUNDS completely glorious on headphones. The whole Sea Shanty thing provides some of the most optimistic music Williams ever wrote. The orchestration is totally beguiling and the action writing is breathtaking. The entire scope of the composition seems entirely broader and more expansive, although when I listen to the 1975 score I realise I still love it  but in a different way. 

      Jaws 2 has been and will always remain probably in my top 5 favourite Williams scores of all time along with ANH, Superman, CE3K & The Towering Inferno. 

       It's the small introspective moments I love like the short cues "Brody's Thoughts" & "The Photo", the previously dialled out close of "Sailing" and the small previously unheard section in the main title. 

      It's a shame there aren't more alternates. But the joy for me was also hearing the music in a new way with previously combined cues being separated and placed in correct film order. It's fascinating to hear. 

       All power to Mr Mattesino once more for making a holy grail happen that I honestly never thought would see the light of day. The sonics are marvellous. 

[Datameister 2,043]

I wish I could relate. For me it remains a very disappointing follow-up to a real masterpiece. It's got some good moments, but it feels like a cheaper, cheesier cousin. I'm happy for you, though, @stravinsky! It sure is an amazing feeling when a "holy grail" like this comes to fruition.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

@stravinsky, you just name-checked three of my top-5 JW scores. Kudos.

Do you still live in Glasgow?

Although JAWS is the undoubted masterpiece, I, too prefer the sequel score. It just seems warmer, and more human.

[stravinsky 206]

Yes I'm still in Glasgow Graham how you doin? Warmer and more Human! Couldn't have put it better myself mate. Cheaper and cheesier maybe but I love a slice of dairy product Datameister. Haha! Cheers Ray

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Anybody that speak Spanish can tell me if this guy's videos are any good?  Seems like a really interesting channel about film scores that actually posts consistently, I just wish I understood what he was saying! 

 

 

[danbeck 123]

1 hour ago, Disco Stu said:

Anybody that speak Spanish can tell me if this guy's videos are any good?  Seems like a really interesting channel about film scores that actually posts consistently, I just wish I understood what he was saying! 

 

 

I liked the video, will check some of his other videos.

The guy discusses a bit the different approaches for the shark in the original and the sequel scores, with the sequel using less the shark motiv and highlighting the Jaws 2 shark as violent and savage. He concludes praising the music as a good sequel score from Williams that elevates the movie.  

[Brando 1,864]

Like with Home Alone, I think I prefer the sequel's score over the first. And in both cases that is a very huge wall to leap over, but both sequels are so much fun to listen to. And watch

[GerateWohl 4,370]

On 03/11/2022 at 4:55 PM, Brando said:

Like with Home Alone, I think I prefer the sequel's score over the first. And in both cases that is a very huge wall to leap over, but both sequels are so much fun to listen to. And watch

Both, Jaws 2 and Home Alone 2, don't deserve their score. But I like listening to both.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

1 hour ago, GerateWohl said:

Both, Jaws 2 and Home Alone 2, don't deserve their score. But I like listening to both.

That's the best way of summing up both films/scores 

[Brando 1,864]

4 hours ago, GerateWohl said:

Both, Jaws 2 and Home Alone 2, don't deserve their score. But I like listening to both.

I sort of agree. While I love both films, Jaws 2 is definitely a step down from 1, whereas I actually enjoy Home Alone 2 more than the first. But both scores are so good.