Home Alone - 25th Anniversary 2CD Edition by La-La Land Records (2015)

[Frank Vincent 226]

1 minute ago, Jay said:

Great release of a great score

 

Yes, definitely.

[GlastoEls 556]

+1 - magical score and superlative release. 
 

Hammered it in December - a must to get me in the festive mood along with Vince Guaraldi’s score for Charlie Brown Christmas. 

[GerateWohl 4,326]

You are ruining me.

I just ordered it.

 

[blondheim 1,157]

Is there a breakdown of the original album somewhere? Apologies if it is right in front of my face

 

Let me edit this to also ask what is unique to the original album?

[Jay 37,281]

Nothing. Everything on the original album is also in the main score program. 

[crumbs 14,296]

7 hours ago, Jay said:

Nothing. Everything on the original album is also in the main score program. 

 

Any mixing differences?

[bollemanneke 3,337]

8 hours ago, Jay said:

Nothing. Everything on the original album is also in the main score program. 

Wait, you're forgetting the Clothesline Trapeze insert. That's different in the main program on CD1. Also Star of Bethlehem vocal version, the film version on CD1 has beautiful organ overlays.

[crumbs 14,296]

I finally got around to hearing disc 1 of this set last week, I'm just curious what's on disc 2 that isn't on disc 1 (excluding the non-JW songs obviously).

[Jay 37,281]

There are some slightly different takes and edit points that appear only on the OST album, because the main program has all the film takes and edit points

 

1. OST 03 "The House" contains 27 seconds of a different take of "Banished To The Attic" than the take used in the main program
2. OST 05 "Man Of The House" has slightly different edit points between takes in the "The Basement" part
3. OST 07 "Scammed By A Kindergartner" contains 2 seconds of a different take of "Target Practice / Sledding On The Stairs" than the take used in the main program, and the "Scammed By A Kindergartner" part is edited slightly differently than the main program version
4. OST 09 "Follow That Kid!" contains different edit points between takes than the main program (and shortens the pauses)
5. OST 11 "O Holy Night" has different edit points between takes
6. OST 13 "Star Of Bethlehem" does not have the synth overlays heard in the main program version
7. OST 15 "Somewhere In My Memory" has a different take used for a portion

[Jay 37,281]

In the latest episode of Maurizio's The Legacy of John Williams podcast, Mike Matessino talks a bit about Home Alone, and how the two songs came about. 

 

https://thelegacyofjohnwilliams.com/2022/01/29/remembering-leslie-bricusse/

 

The Home Alone discussion is about 1 hour, 30 minutes in, but the entire episode is well worth a listen!

[bollemanneke 3,337]

I'm just re-reading part of the liner notes and have a question: Williams saw Home Alone for the first time in a test screening for Amblin Entertainment, but why did that screening even take place? Filming had already ended, so the movie was going to come out anyway. Why would anyone want Spielberg's potentially negative feedback? Why not a random audience?

 

PS: Last batch back in stock.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Perhaps because Spielberg is a good director with good sense of how to build excitement?

[bollemanneke 3,337]

Yes, I get that, but were they going to do re-shoots if Spielberg did give feedback?

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Re-edit more likely.  I gather that "industry screenings" are very common.  I think of those stories of Lucas showing Star Wars to all his director friends.

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

It was a tricky film to do. Watch nexfix episode of movies that made us about it.

 

Columbus highly praises williams.

[bollemanneke 3,337]

That episode was the reason I read the liner notes.

[Brundlefly 2,385]

15 hours ago, bollemanneke said:

Why would anyone want Spielberg's potentially negative feedback?

Silly question. Why would anyone seek for feedback from a professional in order to improve the own product?

[Dr. Rick 1,155]

 

 

Likewise, there are less than 75 units of
HOME ALONE left, and less than 120 units of FIRST KNIGHT left.
These are last batches as well and they will be out of print once they are gone!

Get them now at www.lalalandrecords.com!

© 2022 La-La Land Records. All Rights Reserved.

[mrbellamy 6,272]

On 23/02/2022 at 2:00 PM, Jurassic Shark said:

Perhaps because Spielberg is a good director with good sense of how to build excitement?

 

Along with being talented and in tune with audiences, Spielberg is kind of a perfect storm in Hollywood of somebody who has a million friends (don't forget he produced three Columbus scripts), commands a lot of respect, has experience as director, producer, and executive that makes him uniquely skilled at navigating artistry through studio politics, and on top of it all is very nice, makes himself available, and probably knows how to give effective feedback while still being supportive. And he would know what kind of note to give based on where they were at, e.g. if there were no chance of reshoots he'd focus on post-production fixes.

 

I'm no longer surprised whenever I see some interview or article mention that Steven Spielberg gave input at some stage of the process. I have no idea how he has the time for all this. 

[Jay 37,281]

"HOME ALONE 25th ANNIV (2-CD SET) last batch – almost gone – less than 20 remain!"

 

https://secure.campaigner.com/csb/Public/show/4our-2jw9l1--zw34g-ag4f6q6

[Brando 1,855]

I couldn't find this being discussed anywhere: When Star of Bethlehem plays in the film, why are there extra chimes during several sections of the cue that aren't present in either the film version or the OST? Or is it supposed to be the actual organ in the church as source music?

[Richard Penna 3,669]

I think you're asking the wrong sort of question - all sorts of things will happen in post when the director wants to add or change stuff for the final mix and the composer isn't fussed about, or doesn't want them on album.

 

And that's assuming they're meant to be part of the score at all.

 

It winds me up all the time when stuff in the film is different to the album, but it happens.

[MrJosh 892]

10 hours ago, Brando said:

I couldn't find this being discussed anywhere: When Star of Bethlehem plays in the film, why are there extra chimes during several sections of the cue that aren't present in either the film version or the OST? Or is it supposed to be the actual organ in the church as source music?

I never noticed, I'm going to check it out later. 

[Brando 1,855]

5 hours ago, Richard Penna said:

I think you're asking the wrong sort of question - all sorts of things will happen in post when the director wants to add or change stuff for the final mix and the composer isn't fussed about, or doesn't want them on album.

 

And that's assuming they're meant to be part of the score at all.

 

It winds me up all the time when stuff in the film is different to the album, but it happens.

I get that, but there’s chimes in the film version in some of the same places heard in the film, but not all. And the chimes both in film and album sound the same, just in different places. It could be something like source music, but it’s still perplexing.

[bollemanneke 3,337]

The added chimes in that film version are horrendous.

[bollemanneke 3,337]

Listened to part of disc one on the CD player. This is such a great release. Amazing dynamic range quality and stunning presentation. I used to dislike the fact that the carols were all moved to the end of the score, but what MM did really works. All hail Mike.

[Trope 519]

On 23/12/2018 at 8:18 PM, Holko said:

I really like this set.

But anyone else hear a distracting scratch hard in the left channel at 1:55 of Follow That Kid (film version)? Thankfully it's in a repetitive spot so for the rip and digital playlist I can just loop over it.

I've had this CD sitting in shrink-wrap on my shelf for 9 months, waiting until December to listen to it. I just completed my first listen through of CD 1 today, and picked up on this straight away (I was listening on good headphones). It was the only noticeable audio blip on the whole first CD, particularly since the score sounds so much cleaner than the regular OST which I am used to listening to.

 

BTW I checked CD2 and "Follow That Kid!" has the exact same scratching noise at 1:53. I compared it with the OST on Spotify, and right where the noise is on the LLL set, the OST instead has some kind of high frequency drop-out (perhaps to mask it?). Most intriguing... Regardless, I'm keen to listen to the score again, as it was a fun time (and very cartoony-feeling, with all the extra Wet Bandit musical material included on the LLL set).

[GlastoEls 556]

6 minutes ago, Trope said:

I've had this CD sitting in shrink-wrap on my shelf for 9 months, waiting until December to listen to it.

Nice!  Exactly the same for me with Home Alone 2.  I bought it ready for 1 Dec, today!  

[Brando 1,855]

@Holko @Tropehow about this-that little scratch (heard as Follow That Kid! is fading out), is even in the film. It’s very low but it is there. 

[Marc 758]

Definitely one of the most fun JW cues to play 😃

 

 

[Brundlefly 2,385]

It seems like the trumpet has always been intended to be that much in the foreground!

[bollemanneke 3,337]

Another thing I recently noticed: in the original Clothesline insert version, I think the horns play a wrong note. Real shame they never re-did it since it's so beautiful.

[Marc 758]

33 minutes ago, bollemanneke said:

Another thing I recently noticed: in the original Clothesline insert version, I think the horns play a wrong note. Real shame they never re-did it since it's so beautiful.

 

Yeah...there are actually quite a few cues with wrong notes here and there ! Typically when the Horn section is in unison in the high register, someone is always bound to mess up a note 😛 I've heard that so many times during live concerts, even with the best orchestras ! Horn definitely is not the easiest instrument to play 🙃

[bollemanneke 3,337]

Right. Really pity, it could have been so good. He could... No, not today.

[BB-8 3,461]

I've only got the expanded HA2 and the HA OST.

 

Am I missing anything significant?

[Luke Skywalker 1,792]

About 30 minutes or more of williams material for the original film?

[bollemanneke 3,337]

In great sound quality.

[GlastoEls 556]

And with a lovely booklet!

[rough cut 1,714]

One of the top expanded Williams releases ever!

[A. A. Ron 1,738]

It's certainly a really, really good one.

[rough cut 1,714]

Hell yes!
 

It’s certainly on the top 10 of the 70 or so expanded scores we’ve got. Depending on where in the top 10 is a matter of taste. Or, if you’re not a fan, then number 11! ; )

 

On top of that - as far as expansions go - it has been one of the most necessary ones.

Thank God we got this expansion. After living with the OST for far too long, along came Mike Matessino, asking the JWfan community:

 

“You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?”

 

More, Mike. Always more.

[GerateWohl 4,326]

On 02/12/2022 at 11:39 AM, BB-8 said:

I've only got the expanded HA2 and the HA OST.

 

Am I missing anything significant?

Of all the releases of HA and HA2, OST and expansion, the HA expansion C&C disk has for me the best listening experience as an album. But if you are someone who doesn't care much for album programs and you create your own playlists and edits anyway, it doesn't matter much and you are probably fine with the OST and the HA2 expansion.

[Holko 9,498]

Lol no, you need the LLL to have a proper base of the full score and songs to build from without stupidly pre-joined stuff etc.

 

Also it's a great score as is, better than 2.

[bollemanneke 3,337]

That crossfade between Man of the House and The Basement on the OST is the most disgustingly unmusical thing ever.

[GerateWohl 4,326]

3 hours ago, Holko said:

Also it's a great score as is, better than 2.

Yes. It is quite comparable with Harry Potter 1 and 2. A lot of repetition but also further development of the themes in part 2, the new themes are great, but the end to end listening experience of the sequel feels a little bit disjuncted compared to the first part.

[rough cut 1,714]

We’re visiting family in Madrid, Spain, when I noticed this playing in the background for the kids.

 

 

[BB-8 3,461]

On 02/12/2022 at 12:41 PM, bollemanneke said:

In great sound quality.

Enjoying this right now.

 

My order arrived today just in time for Christmas!

[Trope 519]

I re-watched the movie on Christmas Eve and it was a very fun time! I thought the "Walking Home" track was especially poignant this time through.

 

Question: Is the track titled "Hard Count" a typo, considering that in the movie scene they perform a "head count" of the children. Is there something I'm missing with this track title?

[Holko 9,498]

28 minutes ago, Trope said:

Is there something I'm missing with this track title?

Maybe that they're trying to count them, Buzz is interfering, and they're miscounting them because the neighbour kid "stands in for" Kevin?

[bollemanneke 3,337]

I know this was never gonna happen, but it would have been so nice had we had the carol medley really quietly and with lots of reverb, like in the film. I love that echoey sound as Kate is in the airport.