Jay 37,042 Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 The thread for the box set as a whole will be filled with discussion of ordering, shipping, receiving, delays, excitement, etc etc for a while, so here's a thread to simply discuss the musical content (and liner notes) of THE TOWERING INFERNO without all that clutter. Discuss away!! Quote THE TOWERING INFERNO DISC ONE SCORE PRESENTATION 77:42 1 Main Title (Film Version) 5:07 2 Something For Susan (Film Version) 2:45 3 Lisolette And Harlee (Film Version) 2:36 4 The Flame Ignites 1:01 5 More For Susan 1:57 6 Harlee Dressing 1:43 7 Let There Be Light :40 8 Alone At Last :53 9 The First Casualty 2:09 10 The Elevator Victim 1:26 11 Trapped 1:20 12 Facing The Flames 3:33 13 Immolation 1:31 14 The Rescue Of Angela And The Blocked Door+ 2:16 15 Departmental Pride And The Cat 1:03 16 Doug’s Fall And Piggy Back Ride 2:31 17 Lisolette’s Descent 3:10 18 Down The Pipes 1:15 19 Down The Ropes 1:23 20 Out Of The Shaft+ 1:23 21 The Door Opens And The Hot Wire 2:56 22 Couples 2:48 23 The Mayor’s Wife :58 24 The Helicopter Explodes 2:34 25 Short Goodbyes 2:28 26 Hanging 1:47 27 Lowering The Elevator 1:29 28 What Explosion? 1:28 29 Passing The Word 1:15 30 The Solution 2:50 31 Setting The Charges 6:32 32 Waking Up 2:38 33 Finale 3:58 34 An Architect’s Dream – End Cast 3:34 DISC TWO ADDITIONAL MUSIC 18:33 1 Main Title (Alternate) 5:07 2 The Elevator Victim (Alternate) 1:26 3 Piggy Back Ride (Alternate) 2:03 4 Down The Pipes (Alternate) 1:18 5 Short Goodbyes (Alternate) 2:13 6 The Solution (Alternate) 2:49 7 An Architect’s Dream – End Cast (Alternate) 3:31 SOURCE MUSIC 22:43 8 We May Never Love Like This Again (Film Version) + 2:07 Performed by Maureen McGovern 9 We May Never Love Like This Again / Love Theme + 3:05 10 Again 2:44 11 You Make Feel So Young 2:58 12 The More I See You 3:51 13 The Morning After 2:09 14 Maggie Shoots Pool 2:58 15 The Promenade Room 2:37 1974 ORIGINAL ALBUM 36:33 16 Main Title 5:04 17 An Architect’s Dream 3:29 18 Lisolette And Harlee 2:35 19 Something For Susan 2:45 20 Trapped Lovers 4:32 21 We May Never Love Like This Again 2:13 Performed by Maureen McGovern 22 Susan And Doug 2:32 23 The Helicopter Explosion 2:51 24 Planting The Charges– And Finale 10:25Total 2-Disc Time: 2:35:40 + monaural source aescalle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MainTitle 37 Posted December 14, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 14, 2019 As I was fortunate to have had a hand in this release I must say that it was a wonderful achievement that Mike M. was able to convince the maestro to include the various source cues that are featured on this definitive version of the soundtrack. Even though its probably considered frivolous, I absolutely adore the low-key jazzy lounge music cue "The Promenade Room" which begins in the scene as the Fire Chief comes in to explain to builder Duncan that everyone has to be evacuated. The sequence culminates with a shot of guests dancing and in particular as the music becomes louder, shows the Lisolette and Harlee characters played by Jennifer Jones and Fred Astaire, participating in this bit of pre-disaster fun. There's just something about this catchy gem that I always appreciated and (after multiple viewings over the years which I have hummed incessantly) was always disappointed it never featured on the original LP or subsequent release, knowing full well it was an original tune by John Williams. I believe that the source music material adds so much to the overall score. I hope you all get to enjoy these too. Naïve Old Fart, Yavar Moradi, crumbs and 3 others 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,042 Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 Good point! MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 For those who have got this set...how does WAKING UP sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 It surely sounds like shit, but the fun is HISTORICAL in that case, com'on! Do you want a glass of wine? MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,042 Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Sounds great, one of my favorite tracks Naïve Old Fart and MainTitle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Waking up is always an inferno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MainTitle 37 Posted December 15, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2019 13 minutes ago, Naïve Old Fart said: For those who gave got this set...how does WAKING UP sound? As one of the tracks that was earmarked as 'damaged' (or sonically challenged) on the previous release, you'll be happy to know that all tracks in this edition sound the best they ever have. It's a great cue and in a sense a satisfying conclusion to the aftermath of the events in the story. crumbs, Naïve Old Fart and Amer 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 I don't like when people like my posts witth he confused character. Normally, I'm the person who is confuse heere. Do you weaqny a flass pf wine? Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Red or white? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranders65 65 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 All of Towering Inferno sounds fantastic, best I can tell - a huge step up from the old FSM release. MainTitle and Amer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 13 minutes ago, Jay said: Sounds great, one of my favorite tracks 7 minutes ago, MainTitle said: As one of the tracks that was earmarked as 'damaged' (or sonically challenged) on the previous release, you'll be happy to know that all tracks in this edition sound the best they ever have. It's a great cue and in a sense a satisfying conclusion to the aftermath of the events in the story. 1 minute ago, tranders65 said: All of Towering Inferno sounds fantastic, best I can tell - a huge step up from the old FSM release. Thanks, guys. By the way; you're all bastards, and can one of you lend me $75 plus shipping? igger6 and MainTitle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranders65 65 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 1 minute ago, Naïve Old Fart said: Thanks, guys. By the way; you're both bastards, and one of you lend me $75, plus shipping? I am inserting it into the laptop holes as we speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Just now, tranders65 said: I am inserting it into the laptop holes as we speak. You are insterting your finger where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Ow! Fuck! Ooh, yeah! Baby! Ah, that's nice. Ah, shit! Fuck! Bespin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 Terrible art work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 What's art anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 Fuck art. Let's dance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,457 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JoeinAR 1,949 Posted December 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2019 This is artwork. aescalle, Ricard and Naïve Old Fart 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MainTitle 37 Posted December 17, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2019 Yes the original John Conrad Berkey artwork is certainly iconic but I must admit the new artwork for the CD cover does grow on you after a while. It makes it stand out even more and for the uninitiated it was designed by poster artist Tom Jung utilizing the 1976 theatrical re-release poster. Some have commented that it doesn't look like Steve McQueen but it does, it just isn't that good a representation of him. Not crazy about the way they kept the title design all on one line, albeit aesthetically I can see why they did, to keep it balanced. However, the title design was iconic too and seeing it modified is a little jarring at first. I wonder if any of you have seen this alternate Berkey art before? I think the one that was used was the better one but this one is quite striking, I think. Naïve Old Fart, Steve H, bruce marshall and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JoeinAR 1,949 Posted December 17, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 17, 2019 I like it. Skyscrapers are so facinating. The best of them are like a living creature. The Towering Inferno worked well because the Tower became a character. Naïve Old Fart, Ricard and MainTitle 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faleel 5,278 Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Listening now, this is so great! MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundlefly 2,382 Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 The cover should have been busier, like The Poseidon Adventure. The artwork of the skyscraper would have been a great basis for that. And what a creepy alien skull Steve McQueen has... and is he wearing a wig? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Yeah @SteveMc, not your best portrait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Know 325 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 "Harlee Dressing": fab. MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 that's a cool poster. I should try to find a print MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 10 hours ago, King Mark said: that's a cool poster. I should try to find a print Really? As one of the old farts here your just figuring out what great artwork that was. Allegedly Januz Kaminski is scared of this poster because it uses colors. Naïve Old Fart and Ricard 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,385 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 15 minutes ago, JoeinAR said: Allegedly Januz Kaminski is scared of this poster because it uses colors. He, he. I adore Kaminski, but that's a good joke. JoeinAR and MainTitle 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 TTI had some remarkable artwork and designs for its multi-faceted publicity campaign for the original theatrical release all geared and designed for maximum viewer identification. This alternate title design was one featured on the rear of the 1975 vinyl LP cover. JoeinAR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Hey this release is a huge improvement over the previous one Sounds fantastic Out of the Shaft .what a cool cue.Didn't remember it Ricard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 1 hour ago, King Mark said: Hey this release is a huge improvement over the previous one Sounds fantastic Out of the Shaft .what a cool cue.Didn't remember it The triumphant march went unused in the movie and only the second movement after that part quietly subsides was segued in from the actual scene of the firemen rappeling down the elevator shaft because this was actually a revised version of "Down the Ropes". The march should have been kept; it actually had some good thematic elements that Williams capitalized on later in the score (ie. "Setting the Charges"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 I can't go. I'll fall. In that case, you'd better go first. That way, when you fall, you won't take anybody with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 13 hours ago, King Mark said: Hey this release is a huge improvement over the previous one Sounds fantastic Out of the Shaft .what a cool cue.Didn't remember it No the sound might be better but the music is 45 years old and it is good as it ever was. The Main Title is stunning and Planting the Charges remains one John's best long tracks. MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 That's a terrible illustration of Steve McQueen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,053 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I can hear more detail in the music, I especially noticed it in the main title. Hats off to Mike Matessino and co again for their work in restoring this gem. MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 The problem I have with Poseidon Adventure and Towering inferno is that the main theme is hardly used in the main body of the score. MainTitle and crumbs 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 1 hour ago, King Mark said: The problem I have with Poseidon Adventure and Towering inferno is that the main theme is hardly used in the main body of the score. Not necessarily true with respect to TTI. The main theme is quoted throughout the feature in the form of the 'rescue motif', complemented by a pair of love themes used for two sets of main characters which easily highlight the emotional impact of the score in the dramatic moments. I believe this was also facilitated by Williams' subtle use of the Wagnerian leitmotif technique. I've always believed that his skill in this area is what has made his composing talent stand out over the course of his career as he just has the perfect knack of capturing the essence of raw emotion in any given scene, thus putting the viewer/listener at the heart of the action. Ollie and Steve H 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,615 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 yeah, I know , but you also know what I mean MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,449 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 3 hours ago, King Mark said: The problem I have with Poseidon Adventure and Towering inferno is that the main theme is hardly used in the main body of the score. 1 hour ago, MainTitle said: Not necessarily true with respect to TTI. The main theme is quoted throughout the feature in the form of the 'rescue motif'... You're right, dude. The main theme, is used throughout THE TOWERING INFERNO. It's all over WAKING UP, and there are some nifty variations, in PLANTING THE CHARGES. MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H 24 Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 Anyone know where the source cue You Make Me Feel So Young shows up in the film . I've been making a chronological playlist including the source cues, but Im darned if I can find this one? The score plays great with the source cues included BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 19 hours ago, Steve H said: Anyone know where the source cue You Make Me Feel So Young shows up in the film . I've been making a chronological playlist including the source cues, but Im darned if I can find this one? The score plays great with the source cues included BTW. This cue has a unique background history in the sense that according to the official cue sheet, the song was initially slated to appear over a scene prior to the building's dedication ceremony featuring dialog between Wm. Holden, Faye Dunaway and Robert Wagner. However the song was dropped and is in fact scored with a brief snippet from the track "Susan and Doug". A longer deleted scene from the broadcast tv-version (found as an extra on the Bluray) confirms this as the music continues to play across the scene that was edited out of the theatrical cut. In any case it was probably felt that because all of the source music is coming from the same party, which essentially it is, and as the studio documentation indicated its potential use then why not just use it in this instance, especially as a master recording was found amongst the variously archived audio elements. It's a pleasant enough old standard, familiar to many people and certainly doesn't appear out of place here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H 24 Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Thanks for the info. I think i know the scene you're referring to... "Find me the architect who designed you..and who needs Doug Roberts?" It probably makes more sense that the cue goes there since it would be source music coming from the lobby and not a piece of Williams' underscore as such. Cheers. MainTitle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainTitle 37 Posted January 1, 2020 Share Posted January 1, 2020 25 minutes ago, Steve H said: Thanks for the info. I think i know the scene you're referring to... "Find me the architect who designed you..and who needs Doug Roberts?" It probably makes more sense that the cue goes there since it would be source music coming from the lobby and not a piece of Williams' underscore as such. Cheers. That's exactly the scene Steve. And you're very welcome. Steve H 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravinsky 203 Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Hello can anyone tell me if the previously unreleased tracks on Disc #1 of Inferno are now true Stereo even if they were built up from Mono sources? Would they have been created the same way the scores for Jaws and Earthquake were assembled? I mean from separate Mono stems now remixed to Stereo? Because they sound Stereo to me. Track 19 has no asterisk beside indicating it is Stereo whilst the fantastic track which follows it (Out of the Shaft) does have an asterisk. I'm confused. Would the treatment of these Mono tracks be similar to the way old LPs in the 70s presented Mono as "Fake Stereo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rough cut 1,712 Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 I finally, a bit late perhaps, had time to sit down with The Towering Inferno. Early this Saturday morning, with a cigar in hand, the sun rising and my headphones on tight, I sat down on the balcony and pressed play. I guess this is the “crown jewel” of The Disaster Box and it doesn’t disappoint. The composition is the epitome of disaster music. Each cue paints a vivid picture of wreckage and unfortunate events. I am not an avid fan of “action music” - those kind of busy cues rarely make it into my regular rotation when I listen to John Williams or any other composer. So a lot of these tracks - though expertly crafted - I am unlikely to return to. Nonetheless, there’s an abundance of good music on here. For example, I really like the suspense build-up in “The Solution”. But it is the quieter moments that I find the most appealing and most likely will put into regular rotation. The main theme pops up frequently throughout the score giving the score a clear identity but the arrangements differ enough not to make it to monotonous. The last three cues, “Waking Up”, “Finale” and “An Architect’s Dream/End Cast” is as good as an outro to a movie as John has ever written. In the score I was particularly taken in by the cue “Harlee Dressing” that had so many “Williams-isms” in its arrangement that I almost had to double check that I wasn’t mistakenly listening to a more recent soundtrack! That track is a clear prototype of techniques that Williams would infuse in to almost every big-budget soundtrack that he would write from the late seventies and onwards. It is amazing to listen to! The source cues are all a joy to listen to. It’s Johnny Williams all the way, baby! Jazzy, melodic and breezy... to hear what a musical mind like Williams comes up when composing easy listening jazz is mind blowing and I find this part of the release to be absolutely essential. I was quite surprised buy how heavy on the jazz the OST was compared to the original film score, which makes it an interesting listen - if albeit a bit jarring. Look out for “Susan And Doug” which is a jazzy underscore piece, but isn’t in the source tracks section of this 2 CD set! On the whole, the music to The Towering Inferno is an entertaining listen and a cool album to own. Lots of gems to come back to again and again, each with its own distinct flavour. Both CDs sound great and sits nicely in the collection of JW’s earlier works. MikeH, crumbs and MainTitle 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravinsky 203 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 I listened to Towering Inferno again today and must admit overall I am still a little disappointed in the quality of sound which to my ears sounds just about the same as the old FSM release. Also the best of the previously unreleased tracks (Out of the Shaft) is regrettably in Mono. A great shame because this is the best we'll get. Don't get me wrong it's fantastic to have this but the sonics weren't what I was hoping for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 11,956 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Thor says the old FSM release sounds fine! bruce marshall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravinsky 203 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Yes the FSM s fine for what it is. Its just the way the guys were talking on here I thought this release was going to be a sonic revelation. Maybe the sonics also had something to do with where the score was recorded. Who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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