Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 In our modern binge on expanded releases, sometimes I feel like returning to the original soundtrack releases. Especially if a particular artistry is applied to the OST presentation.Not because I've been influenced by the thunder god, but because I like seeking out different experiences in music. For years, all I knew of Star Wars was the 2-CD 1997 release, but I was eager to hear how Williams presented it himself on album. The result was intriguing.Of course, he can be hit and miss. Raiders of the Lost Ark makes for an interesting listen in its OST, but it has too many miscalculations to be considered my go-to album, but I still love owning it.And now with announcement of Jaws 2 from Intrada, I see people claiming that they plan to sell off their Varese OST. Really, guys? Not only is that thing a fine album, it's a collector's item and a significant part of the score's history.I find these expanded releases can sometimes bring out the revisionist historian in many film score listeners. As soon as an expanded and remastered version is released, the kneejerk reaction from some people is that they think their existing CD is now obsolete and worthless. That ain't so! You might regret offloading it.I've never allowed an expanded release to replace an OST. I rather think they compliment each other. They make for fun comparisons and I can't bear to part with the vintage cover art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Often they do! JoeinAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,359 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 The original Star Wars album is very well put together (minus a few edits let down by older technology) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 As does SupermanWilliams is a multiple award winning album producer afterall JoeinAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 And now with announcement of Jaws 2 from Intrada, I see people claiming that they plan to sell off their Varese OST. Really, guys? Not only is that thing a fine album, it's a collector's item and a significant part of the score's history. The new Jaws 2 set contains the LP program, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,359 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 As does SupermanSuperman does not work as well IMHO, at least in its CD presentation, the tracks seem too separate, they don't feel like one fluid experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandor 797 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 As a producer, Williams is underrated IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 My answer is "it depends". Some of the OST programs Williams assembled are great summations of their score, with great musical flow and nothing "essential" missing from all he wrote for the score. Some are not, missing important highlights or putting climactic pieces earlier than they should be heard. So yea, it depends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Just like to add that many non-Williams OSTs are frustrating because they're not necessarily presented how the composer wanted on album, but the composer was limited by the reuse fees and only had a limited amount of music to choose from.For example, Independence Day is a score that felt very stripped down in its 50 minute program because it created too many gaps in its narrative. But the 2-CD expanded version made the score feel like it all made sense.I only keep the OST as a nostalgic keepsake and it remains special to me because it was the first score I ever bought.The new Jaws 2 set contains the LP program, though.Maybe so, but it's still a different item to the old CD. It's merely a replica of the original CD release, not the actual CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 First thing , for me a great album lenght will always be 30-40 minutes...Concerning JW disco, only a few of his soundtracks came out first as double LP... Star Wars, Superman, Empire... well, this is history.Then, except for the Star wars trilogy, I never got an appetite for expanded sets. They can be fun to discover... but enjoyable to listen? With usualy all the bonus and source music? Are you kidding me? Star wars is maybe the only example of expanded sets that became almost the standard version sold at large for the great public. All the rest remains rarities, often printed in limited editions and made for very few aficionados.Some expanded sets may offers greater representation of the movies... but hey, just watch the movie if you want to hear all the music!To all major labels: please never stop reissuing original albums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 John Williams's albums, with some exceptions, contain too much filler. For most of his scores, a 20-25 minute release would be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 John Williams's albums, with some exceptions, contain too much filler. For most of his scores, a 20-25 minute release would be ideal.Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkissimo 1,973 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 No. They leave out my favourite moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 People love misremembering things, it's one of our favourite pastimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,345 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yes, what Thor said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,359 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yes, what Thor said.What did Thor say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Tasker 21 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Usually, his original albums are very well assembled and make an intuitive sense.On the other hand, there is always a bit of music that doesn't go to the album and it will drive you nuts for over a decade before you get it. (Last one that comes to mind is the first half of the jungle battle from Indy 4). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Do Johnny's OSTs make for better listening?Yes. Always. Without exception. Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Do Johnny's OSTs make for better listening?Typically, yes. Although there are exceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loert 2,515 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I will always always always always always always always always always always always always prefer an album with more music than less music. You can skip tracks after all. Jay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent B 337 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 AOTC's album (Target version) is by far the best for the Star Wars Prequels.For me though I think it depends on the film if I want all the music for it or not... IE: Star Wars a dead give away is one I do want all the music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 AOTC's album (Target version) is by far the best for the Star Wars Prequels.That's the one with "On the Conveyor Belt" in bonus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 He's a terrific album producer. Even when he leaves out terrific tracks, what ends up on the cd always makes musical sense Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Even when he put the end credits in the middle of the album on SpaceCamp and Jurassic Park? indy4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Even when he put the end credits in the middle of the album on SpaceCamp and Jurassic Park?That's an absolutely fantastic idea. It's like a mid climax of a symphony. More of that, please! Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 In the case of Jurassic Park, I actually think it works. I haven't listened to Spacecamp in a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Of course it works. JURASSIC PARK isn't only the best score ever written; it's also one of the best soundtrack albums ever produced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 How about when he repeated a 7 minute section of "Omaha Beach" in "High School Teacher"? That was odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It's a very eclectic score. I find its ecleticism is often overlooked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent B 337 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 AOTC's album (Target version) is by far the best for the Star Wars Prequels.That's the one with "On the Conveyor Belt" in bonus?Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yes.Never heard of it before doing my website few weeks ago! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 How about when he decides to leave off a theme he used throughout the score of an entire film from the OST, such as Peter Pettigrew's Theme from Harry Potter 3 or the Chamber Theme from Harry Potter 2? (at least in that case it appears in the concert arrangement track, but not a single actual film cue that uses the theme was included). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Peter Pettigrew's... Theme? Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It's not so much about what he left out, but what he put in. The albuns flow very well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Peter Pettigrew's... Theme? Really? Yes, he has a theme. Have you never seen the film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,484 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Peter Pettigrew's... Theme? Really? Yes, he has a theme. Have you never seen the film?Yes, that's the rat. Remember I can't listen to a soundtrack without seeing the movie first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Well next time you watch the film, you'll notice a theme plays just about every time he's talked about, and it even plays at the end of the end credits, too!Isn't on the OST once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 1,839 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I generally don't like ost presentations.I want the complete score and I choose what I will listen to and what not.i don't like others to make the decisions for me, even if it's the composer.I had mentioned it again, I remember how frustrated I was at the E.T. 1982 ost when I got it!Not to mention A.I., perhaps the worst album presentation of a Williams score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Even when he put the end credits in the middle of the album on SpaceCamp and Jurassic Park?I bet those make more sense as programs for LP or casette tape then CDWell next time you watch the film, you'll notice a theme plays just about every time he's talked about, and it even plays at the end of the end credits, too!Isn't on the OST once.It's a crime! A crime i tells ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbellamy 6,291 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Peter Pettigrew's... Theme? Really? Yes, he has a theme. Have you never seen the film?Yes, that's the rat. Remember I can't listen to a soundtrack without seeing the movie first!More of a motif than a proper theme, but yeah it's all over this scene if you don't remember: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It's not so much about what he left out, but what he put in. The albuns flow very wellExactly. I don't care if there's an unreleased Beethoven symphony left out of the soundtrack. What matters is only what the existing album sounds like, and how it flows. Williams' album arrangements have NEVER disappointed in that area, and that's a pretty good track record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I've never listened to an OST again once the expanded version comes out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 I've never listened to an OST again once the expanded version comes outNot once?Although I have the OST and LLL editions of First Knight, recently I had an itch to hear the score, but looking at the pair of them I thought bugger it, shorter album it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I think 15 or 20 years from now the whole "complete and chronological" thing will be seen as a bit of a fad.People will return to the original album presentations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 It's not so much about what he left out, but what he put in. The albuns flow very well Exactly. I don't care if there's an unreleased Beethoven symphony left out of the soundtrack. What matters is only what the existing album sounds like, and how it flows. Williams' album arrangements have NEVER disappointed in that area, and that's a pretty good track record.Oh come on. The Catch Me If You Can OST is terrible with the random existing source songs Williams had nothing to do with wedged in between the score tracks, for one example.The man's scores over 100 films; not every OST is a perfect masterpiece of sequencing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 The Look of Love is great in Casino Royale but has no logical place on the CMIYC soundtrack despite its moment in the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,453 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I think 15 or 20 years from now the whole "complete and chronological" thing will be seen as a bit of a fad. People will return to the original album presentations.It's not going to take that long to run out of scores to complete and chronologize, and then the niche labels will fade. The market will move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 I think 15 or 20 years from now the whole "complete and chronological" thing will be seen as a bit of a fad.People will return to the original album presentations.Haha, good one Stefan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Well next time you watch the film, you'll notice a theme plays just about every time he's talked about, and it even plays at the end of the end credits, too!Isn't on the OST once.It's a crime! A crime i tells ya!It is! That's my favorite bit from the score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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