James Horner's WILLOW (1988) - NEW! 2022 2-CD Intrada Records

[mahler3 478]

Doug and Roger from Intrada will be introducing one of the best unreleased moments as a world premiere tomorrow (Sunday) night at 7pm with me on Movie Magic

 

Can’t wait to share this with you and hope you can listen in.

[Brundlefly 2,385]

On 24/06/2022 at 3:41 PM, Luke Skywalker said:

I had to manually adjust the volume in Goldsmith's CONGO, because the softer cues were so loud, as if they were action cues. IRRC the brackground noise was very noticeable because of that. After that, i always check the volume level of non mattessino intrada releases before creating itunes tracklists.

You have the Air Force One Deluxe Edition? That one is insane, like they just clicked on "normalize" for every cue. The cue "Empty Rooms" has two very loud orchestra beats in the middle, that's why the quieter rest of the piece is barely audible. To be fair, it is quite a common issue with film music releases.

 

On 24/06/2022 at 8:16 AM, publicist said:

I myself perform several listening passes to look for flaws. But no, Douglass Fake cannot be bothered to do that.

That is the thing that confused me the most about the recent flawed releases: The flaws were mostly very obvious - I spotted these infamous clicks on Extreme Prejudice during my first listen - so it seemed like there was no such thing as quality checks and listening passes.

[Luke Skywalker 1,791]

1 hour ago, mahler3 said:

Doug and Roger from Intrada will be introducing one of the best unreleased moments as a world premiere tomorrow (Sunday) night at 7pm with me on Movie Magic

 

Can’t wait to share this with you and hope you can listen in.

Oh…no Mattessino then. Damn

[Andy 4,070]

Then this was not the huge non-Williams project Matessino hinted at recently. 

[mstrox 6,637]

Jay already confirmed it wasn’t.  I honestly can’t think of what score would be that big anymore.  Of course the last time there was similar prerelease hype it was LLL’s Planet of the Apes box, which was very not for me.

[Jay 37,249]

The only thing MV said about that boxset before it was announced was "it's a huge one worthy of our 500th release. So excited about this" 

[crocodile 7,973]

It was a great release.

 

Karol

[Edmilson 7,367]

It'll be the first post-2005 score to be expanded by the labels thanks to their new agreement with the AFM! A harbinger of a new era of expansions! 

[Andy 4,070]

Before we get the expansion, let's have a trip down memory lane, shall we?

 

Very classy design, but they did crop quite a bit of the artwork with that square.

 

 

 

 

 

What a cool design Willow's Darth Vader General Kael had.  For the life of me, I can't remember him doing anything interesting in the film though.

 

 

 

 

Ron Howard doing an awesome Indiana Jones cosplay.

 

 

 

 

 

This one's for Jay.  All SONGS.... All of them.  Yep, James Horner wrote ALL of the SONGS you will hear on this album.  Love those SONGS.   Honestly though, what a oddly phrased credit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did anyone else's CD come with the Lucasfilm merchandise booklet?  I remember getting this and feeling depressed how Lucasfilm was putting Star Wars and Indy to the side.  And I'm sorry, but those "army men" are NOT Action Figures!  $2.50 seems expensive for those.

 

 

 

My CD still plays fine, but ever since college, there's been a peeling of film from the top surface.  I seem to remember it came back from one of my roommates like that, and I sort of blamed them.  Maybe their player did it?   "Mastered by Nimbus" ... cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Amer 2,077]

7 hours ago, Andy said:

Then this was not the huge non-Williams project Matessino hinted at recently. 

We will need a bigger boat! 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

That bigger project will probably be releasing Deep Blue Sea. 

[1977 1,743]

All this talk of clicks in recent Intrada releases has me worried. Other than Extreme Prejudice and The Last Castle, are there any others that are simarly blighted?

 

8 hours ago, Andy said:

Before we get the expansion, let's have a trip down memory lane, shall we?

 

You forgot to post a photo of the longbox that my copy arrived in

[mahler3 478]

It’s detriment free and sounds better than ever, so please have faith. You’ll hear specifics when Doug and Roger talk later on the show. If you can’t listen live I’ll post a link.

 

Chris Malone worked on restoring a particular cue and we all know that he is from the school of Mike Matessino excellence!

[Holko 9,491]

He definitely is, but one cue only? Was it only found in some worse source or how come?

[Bounty95 557]

11 minutes ago, mahler3 said:

It’s detriment free and sounds better than ever, so please have faith. You’ll hear specifics when Doug and Roger talk later on the show. If you can’t listen live I’ll post a link.

 

Chris Malone worked on restoring a particular cue and we all know that he is from the school of Mike Matessino excellence!

 

 

 

[Andy 4,070]

4 hours ago, JTWfan77 said:

You forgot to post a photo of the longbox that my copy arrived in

I kept all my longboxes for decades, and then sold off all but a handful of them.  Sometimes I wish I hadn’t but it sort of is like hoarding if you don’t display it. 

[mahler3 478]

Here’s the link to Doug, Roger and Chris Malone talking up the new Willow release ICYMI:

Information about the elements they had to work with, details of the 2CD contents, Frank KDW’s superb booklet notes and the history of James Horner & Shawn Murphy’s collaboration in LA & London.

James Horner Willow Intrada Premiere

[Frank Vincent 225]

Some tidbids:
- Disc 1 has 13 tracks and is 55 minutes long, disc 2 has 5 tracks and is 52 minutes long.
- Sled race cue closes disc 1
- "Bavmorda's Spell Is Cast" is still 18 minutes
- There's a 20 second cue missing
- Some of the source music couldn't be found

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

What am I supposed to do with that extra twenty seconds, drink a glass of chocolate milk?!?

[Edmilson 7,367]

45 minutes ago, FrankV said:

- Sled race cue closes disc 1

Can't wait to hear this one! It's my most desired unreleased cue from this movie.

[bruce marshall 1,314]

5 hours ago, FrankV said:

Some tidbits:
-
- There's a 20 second cue missing
- Some of the source music couldn't be found

 

[ThePenitentMan1 741]

2 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

 

 

[Luke Skywalker 1,791]

Damn….

 

it does not look good for star wars and indy, if the elements used for willow come from the lucasfilm vaults…

[crocodile 7,973]

Think I can live without 20 seconds. 🤣

 

Karol

[Amer 2,077]

Also they didnt have the direct session masters. They used the final mixes that Horner had made himself. Also something was mentioned that it was originaly a 2CD program?-I cant recall exactly.

[mahler3 478]

Exactly, Roger received the assembly which Horner created with Shawn Murphy from Simon Rhodes. Leading to the conclusion that a double album was in mind at the time. We have to be thankful for that!

[Luke Skywalker 1,791]

Was the 2cd thought in the 80s or recently prior to horners passing?

[SyncMan 313]

Who wants to make a bet that the 20-second-long cue will turn-up in Intrada’s CD re-release 10 years later?

 

BTW, at what point in the movie is this cue?

[jacksparrow900 32]

It seems in recent years expanded scores always have something missing. Robin Hood,

3 minutes ago, SyncMan said:

Who wants to make a bet that the 20-second-long cue will turn-up in Intrada’s CD re-release 10 years later?

 

BTW, at what point in the movie is this cue?

Right after the Tavern Escape  and Chase

[Yavar Moradi 2,576]

25 minutes ago, SyncMan said:

Who wants to make a bet that the 20-second-long cue will turn-up in Intrada’s CD re-release 10 years later?

 

IF that somehow did happen, are you suggesting that Intrada has intentionally left off that cue this time so they can make more people double dip later? And if that cue turns up in the intervening 10 years, and Willow is due for a reissue (and able to be licensed again), would you not want it to then be included?

 

Yavar

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

It’s a bagpipe source cue.

 

 

Which means without it, the listening experience just feels empty.

[Edmilson 7,367]

It's Shawm all over again.

[Jay 37,249]

I watched the film yesterday, and also if you search GEMA they have the "official" name of every cue listed - though curiously, the GEMA list is also missing the very short cue for Bavmorda slapping Kael - just a coincidence?

 

Anyways, the full list of music heard in the film is very straightforward

1. Elora Danan (Omni: 1M1 Elora's Birth / Titles) OST 1 (9:45)
2. The Nelwyns (source, not in Omni book) unreleased
3. Diggery Doo (source, not in Omni book) unreleased
4. Nelwyn #2 (source, not in Omni book) unreleased
5. Death Dogs (Omni: 2M5 Village Attack) unreleased (2:17)
6. Willow's Farewell (Omni: 3M1 Saying Goodbye) OST3A [0:00-2:42] (2:42)
7. Bavmorda's Castle (Omni: 3M2 Bavmorda & Kael) unreleased (1:13)
8. Willow's Journey Begins (Omni: 3M3 Search / Travel Montage) OST 3B [2:42-end] (2:44)
9. Airk's Army (Omni: 4M2 Crossroads) unreleased (4:10)
10. The Enchanted Forest (Omni: 4M3 The Brownies) unreleased (5:34)
11. The Tavern (source, not in Omni book) unreleased
12. Dust of Broken Hearts (not in Omni book) unreleased (0:45)
13. Tavern #2 (source, not in Omni book) unreleased
14. Madmartigan's Escape (Omni: 5M2 Escape From The Tavern) OST 2 (5:04)
15. {not in GEMA list} (Omni: 6M0 Bavmorda Slaps Kael) unreleased (0:11)
16. Magic Wand (not in Omni book) unreleased (0:11)
17. The Island {actually listed as "The Island Pt. 1" and "The Island Pt. 2" in GEMA} (Omni title: The Island) unreleased (1:40)
18. Fin Raziel (not in Omni book) unreleased (1:49)
19. Willow Captured (Omni: 7M0 Sorsha Arrives) unreleased (1:48)
20. Arrival At Snow Camp (Omni: 7M1 The Trek) unreleased (1:13)
21. The Sled Ride (Omni: 7M2-3/8M1 Snowy Escape) unreleased (7:52)
22. Canyon Of Mazes (Omni: 8M2 Canyon Of Mazes) OST 4 (7:52)
23. Tir Asleen Pt. 1 (Omni: 9M1 Tir Asleen Battle Pt. 1) OST 5A [0:00-6:03] (6:03)
24. Tir Asleen Pt. 2 (Omni: 9M2 Tir Asleen Battle Pt. 2) OST 5B [6:03-end] (4:44)
25. Bavmorda's Spell Is Cast (Omni: 10M1 Spell / Razel Transforms) OST 7A [0:00-9:10] (9:10)
26. Battle Of Nockmar (Omni: 11M1 Nockmaar Battle) OST 7B [9:10-end] (9:01)
27. Death Of Bavmorda (Omni: 12M1 Bavmorda's Death & 12M2 Willow Returns) OST 8A [0:00-5:33] (5:33)
28. Willow - End Titles (Omni: 12M3 End Credits Pt. 1) OST 8B [5:53-7:33] (1:40)
29. Willow - End Titles (Omni: 12M4 End Credits Pt. 2) OST 8C [7:33-end] (4:22)

 

It sounds like the Intrada CD will have (what was located of) cues 1-21 above on Disc 1, and 22-29 on disc 2 based on Tim's interview with Doug and Roger.  

 

Those first 21 cues above are what's in the first 75 minutes of the 2 hour movie; The final 45 minutes of the movie is 22-29.  So for 5/8ths of its running time you mostly hear music that wasn't on the OST, then the final 3/8ths of the movie is 100% music that was on the OST.

[1977 1,743]

So based on Doug/Roger's comments any possible alternates are lost due to the missing recording sessions?

[Jay 37,249]

Is there any reason to think any alternates were recorded?

[bruce marshall 1,314]

Really?!😳😗

Could have fooled me!😉

 

[mahler3 478]

If the session masters are found someday then it would be very cool to hear the various THX Logo takes which we’re recorded at the Willow sessions. Listen from 02:40 here.

 

 

[bruckhorn 105]

2 hours ago, Jay said:

Is there any reason to think any alternates were recorded?

 

Considering that Omni has included alternates and even cues that weren't recorded in other releases, no.

 

Jay: so you have the Omni score for WIllow, but can't read music.  Do I have that correct?

[Jay 37,249]

I did not buy the Omni release, no.

 

The guy who put that book together posted his initial research into it (with the original reel/part numbers) on JWFan here, and the publicist listed the final titles used in the final book here.

[bruckhorn 105]

You and your near eidetic memory.  You're my hero.

 

Some mornings I have trouble finding my phone.

[Jay 37,249]

4 minutes ago, bruckhorn said:

eidetic memory

 

Woah, never heard that term before.  I like it!

[bollemanneke 3,334]

4 hours ago, Edmilson said:

It's Shawm all over again.

RED ALERT. RED ALERT. 2018 PTSD TRIGGERED.

[Jay 37,249]

Funnily enough, the score to Willow features shawms.

[crocodile 7,973]

It's up. Ordered (along with Matinee)

 

https://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.12619/.f

 

Karol

[Jay 37,249]

Roger says:

 

"

INTRADA Presents



WILLOW
Composed and Conducted by JAMES HORNER
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
KING'S COLLEGE CHOIR
INTRADA ISC 476

Following quickly on the heels of Intrada's release of James Horner's Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Intrada presents one of the most sought-after soundtrack expansions – Horner's epic fantasy score to the 1988 film Willow. With the cooperation of Disney and Lucasfilm, Intrada has prepared a 2-CD set featuring a greatly expanded program of Horner's score. Up to that point, it was probably Horner's most complex work. The score features at least five themes, including a noble theme for Willow, a heroic theme filled with adventure and triumph, a beautiful love theme, a simple theme for the baby Elora and a serpentine motif for the evil Queen. It's a score that runs over 100 minutes, making it one of his longest works, featuring some of the longest and most cohesive cues of his career. It's no wonder such a massive, colorful and passionate work has been in demand for so long.

While the original album featured a generous 73-minute program, Horner had chosen a larger selection of cues to possibly include, including significant and lengthy cues such as "The Enchanted Forest" and "The Sled Ride." This release is mastered from the original stereo sessions mixes made by Shawn Murphy and recorded at Abbey Road and Air Studios.

Willow is a traditional fairy tale quest that blends elements from many sources, including J.R.R. Tolkien, the Brothers Grimm—and even the Bible. The eponymous character is Willow Ufgood, an aspiring sorcerer (Warwick Davis). Willow is a Nelwyn, a race of small folk that farms and mines peacefully in a land surrounded by Daikinis, “tall folk” engaged in a bitter war against the evil sorceress Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) and her daughter, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley). An infant princess who is destined to overpower Bavmorda and restore peace to the world is entrusted to Willow, who must deliver her safely to her faraway kingdom. To do that, he must conquer daunting terrain, fight terrifying trolls, ruthless warriors, a two-headed dragon and all the magical powers Bavmorda can summon against him.

Intrada Special Collection Vol. 476
Retail Price: $30.99
Barcode: 720258547606
Shipping Now
For track listing and sound samples, please visit https://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.12619/.f

"

 

http://www.intrada.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8938

 

 

Doug says:

 

"At last! Magnum opus fantasy score by James Horner receives expanded 2-CD set! A LucasFilm Production, Ron Howard directs, scripted by Bob Dolman, story by George Lucas who also executive produces with Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis sharing majority of the screen time with Joanne Whalley, Billy Barty, Jean Marsh all nearby. Evil sorceress Bavmorda imprisons all pregnant women in her domain to prevent birth of a baby prophesied to bring about the end of her reign. Said baby is born and cast adrift, with Bavmorda, her vicious Nockmaar Hounds and her army in pursuit. Enter Willow Ufgood and the Nelwyns, who find the infant. A perilous adventure ensues that involves the Brownies, a fairy queen, an aging enchantress… and flamboyant rogue and expert  swordsman Madmartigan.

 

James Horner took inspiration from rousing action and swordplay as well as fantastic special effects made by ILM, including landmark early use of digital morphing technology, a CGI breakthrough. Film unfolds with generous amount of dazzle dazzle and derring-do but also offers darker side to fantastic tale, especially in latter battle and climactic duel sequence. Horner showcases his energetic youthful big-orchestra vernacular on one hand while balancing with his newly-maturing severe, intense musical vocabulary, resulting in incredibly wide-ranging score. Richly drawn main theme anchors, makes key appearances, shares time with exhilarating theme for Madmartigan, takes back seat to ferocious sequences, then ultimately brings score home. Besides colorful array of material, score is also notable for several lengthy cues, amongst the longest of the composer’s career.

 

Massive pieces often play as movements of a symphony, developing ideas with cohesion, complexity, generating considerable tension, then relief - no easy feat: “Canyon Of Mazes” (7 minutes), “Tir Asleen” (10 minutes), “Bavmorda’s Spell Is Cast” (18 minutes), “Willow The Sorcerer” (12 minutes) are massive, masterful works for large symphony orchestra. Generous original 1988 album featured over 70 minutes of music but film’s wall-to-wall scoring included over 100 minutes of music! Finally, on this Intrada 2-CD presentation, some 107 minutes of music by Horner appears, with a wealth of previously unavailable cues, including aggressive, fierce “Death Dogs”, colorful and fantastic “Enchanted Forest”, and riveting and florid “Sled Ride”, all courtesy LucasFilm and Disney, mastered from original digital stereo mixes made by Shawn Murphy at the scoring sessions and beautifully preserved by engineer Simon Rhodes.

 

Front cover art by John Alvin, package design by Kay Marshall, booklet notes by Frank DeWald. Score recorded in January & February 1988 at Abbey Road Studios. Greig McRitchie orchestrates, James Horner composes, conducts. Intrada Special Collection 2-CD available while quantities and interest remain!"

 

CD 1
01. Elora Danan (9:45)
02. The Nelwyns (2:41)
03. The Nelwyns No. 2 (2:35)
04. Death Dogs (2:26)
05. Willow’s Journey Begins (5:26)
06. Bavmorda’s Castle (1:21)
07. Airk’s Army (3:26)
08. The Enchanted Forest (5:31)
09. Escape From The Tavern (5:04)
10. The Island (5:10)
11. Willow Captured (1:59)
12. Arrival At Snow Camp (1:17)
13. The Sled Ride (7:56)

CD 1 Total Time: 55:16

 

CD 2
01. Willow’s Theme (3:54)
02. Canyon Of Mazes (7:52)
03. Tir Asleen (10:47)
04. Bavmorda’s Spell Is Cast (18:11)
05. Willow The Sorcerer (11:55)

CD 2 Total Time: 52:58

 

 

 

[Bounty95 557]

Ordered together with Jumanji. Looking forward to listening to the samples when I get home! 

[A. A. Ron 1,736]

Glad to see it went up early. Ordered!

[Jay 37,249]

Who knew the originally recorded version of "The Island" was so long - there must be some music that was dialed out in the final film.  Awesome!

[Jean-Baptiste Martin 249]

My modest contribution: http://jameshorner-filmmusic.com/willow-expanded-edition-our-exclusive-review/

[Frank Vincent 225]

Great to finally seeing this released.