AMISTAD (1997) - 2022 2-CD 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition produced by Mike Matessino

[Jay 45,823]

 

 

 

ANOTHER WILLIAMS/SPIELBERG MASTERPIECE...

 

RELEASE #4

 

AMISTAD: 25th ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED LIMITED EDITION (2-CD SET)
LLLCD 1612
Music by John Williams
Limited Edition of 5000 Units
RETAIL PRICE: $29.98
 

ORDERS BEGIN TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 AT 12 PM PST
 

In celebration of John Williams‘ 90th birthday and the 25th Anniversary of the acclaimed feature film AMISTAD, La-La Land Records, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures and Geffen Records present AMISTAD, a special 2-CD remastered and expanded release of Academy Award-Winning composer John Williams’ (E.T., SCHINDLER’S LIST, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) original motion picture score to the renowned 1997 big-screen historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Djimon Hounsou. Maestro Williams’ masterwork encompasses the depths and heights of human experience, unleashing unforgettable moments of anguish and uplift as it supports the film’s true chronicling of the 1839 African slave ship revolt abord the La Amistad and its subsequent landmark U.S. court case. 

A breathtaking fusion of orchestral Americana with African percussion rhythms and vocal chanting, this important John Williams score finally gets a definitive release with this deluxe 2-CD presentation, meticulously produced, edited and mastered by Mike Matessino, in consultation with the composer and director. 

Remastered in high resolution from studio master elements, Disc One and Disc Two of this program features the film Score Presentation, which expands the original 1997 soundtrack album by almost double its length, including cues not used in the film. The score presentation is followed on Disc Two by 50 minutes of bonus tracks including source music, concert arrangements, and alternates - some of which offer completely different approaches than the film versions. The exclusive, in-depth liner notes are by writer Jeff Bond, with the packaging’s elegant design by Jim Titus. This is a limited edition release of 5000 units. 

TRACK LISTING:
SCORE PRESENTATION 1:45:04
1 Introduction And Retribution 4:40
2 July 4, 1839 4:04
3 Steering East 1:27
4 The Capture 5:00
5 Introducing John Quincy Adams 5:15
6 Meeting Of The Minds 3:58
7 Counsel Meets Client 1:36
8 The Ship Remembers 5:32
9 Visiting Adams 1:32
10 What Is Their Story? 3:44
11 Learning To Count 1:57
12 Tale Of The Lion’s Tooth 5:48
13 The Capture Of Cinqué 4:03
14 The Crossing 4:41
15 Tales Of Horror 7:40
16 Discovering The Bible 5:05
17 Prisoners’ Song 1:33
18 The Letter To Massachusetts 2:09
19 Cinqué’s Legal Mind 2:26
20 African Violet 5:33

Disc One Time: 78:10

 

DISC 2 
SCORE PRESENTATION CONT’D
1 Adams’ Address To The Court 7:21
2 Adams’ Summation (Film Version) 3:01
3 The Verdict 5:10
4 Liberation Of Lomboko: Dry Your Tears, Afrika 2:17
5 Going Home 2:05
6 Dry Your Tears, Afrika (Reprise) 3:37
7 The Long Road To Justice 3:19

ADDITIONAL MUSIC 49:53
8 Cinqué’s Theme 4:13
9 Introduction (Alternate) 1:12
10 The Capture (Alternate) 5:02
11 Harbor Tavern 3:05
12 Cinqué’s Theme (Solo Flute) 2:07
13 Meeting Of The Minds (Instrumental Version) 3:45
14 The Ship Remembers (Alternate) 5:26
15 What Is Their Story? (Alternate) 3:33
16 The Crossing (Alternate) 4:23
17 Tales Of Horror (Alternate Excerpt) 3:19
18 Discovering The Bible (Alternate) 5:11
19 Cinqué’s Memories Of Home 2:39
20 Going Home (Alternate) 2:06
21 Dry Your Tears, Afrika (Alternate) 3:35
 

Disc Two Time: 76:50
 

Total 2-Disc Time: 2:35:00
 

This is a CD format release.

 

https://www.facebook.com/lalalandrecords/posts/pfbid02C5KU3xb3nP4WCT7WxYTaESVxuT8ft2jsQpkeBUvMYQbwm9BhcWkYhFUiDFJKFUn4l

[Incanus 5,889]

Wohoo! Excellent!

[Brando 2,766]

Very nice!

[Luke Skywalker 2,364]

Wow so much music

[MaxTheHouseelf 402]

Nice!

[JohnnyD 1,822]

YES!!!!

[crumbs 15,934]

Absolutely amazing! Look at that runtime!

 

We estimated 40 minutes of unreleased music but this trumps those estimates (and expands upon the 55 minute OST) with a whopping 100 minutes! Also consider the OST partially repeated music from track 1 in track 14!

 

Completely blown away by this. This could be the Eiger Sanction of 2022 in terms of a completely new musical experience we hardly knew existed.

 

Thank you LLL and MM!

[Incanus 5,889]

1 minute ago, crumbs said:

Absolutely amazing! Look at that runtime!

 

We estimated 40 minutes of unreleased music but this trumps the estimates (and expands upon the 55 minute OST, which has repeated music) by a whopping 100 minutes!

 

Completely blown away by this. This could be the Eiger Sanction of 2022 in terms of a completely new musical experience we hardly knew existed.

 

Thank you LLL and MM!

The amount of alternate material was a surprise. I am so glad we got this release. This is easily one of the most overlooked Spielberg/Williams collaborations. 

[crumbs 15,934]

9 minutes ago, Jay said:

11 Harbor Tavern 3:05

 

Please please please be the beautiful guitar source music inside the tavern!

[JohnnyD 1,822]

Just now, crumbs said:

 

Please please please be the beautiful guitar source music inside the tavern!

Pretty sure it is.

[Jay 45,823]

6 minutes ago, crumbs said:

Also consider the OST partially repeated music from track 1 in track 14!

 

That wasn't the only repeated music on the OST album!

[ZackR 187]

So excited for this one! Amistad is one of Williams' works that I'm less familiar with so cannot wait to dig in!

[crumbs 15,934]

10 minutes ago, Incanus said:

The amount of alternate material was a surprise. I am so glad we got this release. This is easily one of the most overlooked Spielberg/Williams collaborations. 

 

So agreed on this, and I think the unsatisfying OST presentation is a huge reason for why the score is underrated.

 

There's so much amazing music in the film that Williams left off the album, including some of the finest and most emotional statements of the major themes. It's insane that the triumphant version of Cinque's Theme (when he is freed by the Supreme Court) was left off the album, given it's the emotional climax of the score.

[Jay 45,823]

2 minutes ago, crumbs said:

It's insane that he left the triumphant version of Cinque's Theme (when he is freed by the Supreme Court) off the album, given it's the emotional climax of the score.

 

Right?

[crocodile 9,636]

Sweet, this realese looks really packed. 😀

 

Karol

[JohnnyD 1,822]

While I’m REALLY glad I was right about this, I’m surprised the film has not gotten a 4K Blu-ray release to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the film. Delayed maybe? I mean, the Blu-ray presentation is phenomenal, don’t get me wrong. I was just expecting a 4K home video release since we know that the film was restored in 4K recently. Regardless, I CANNOT WAIT to have this!

[Josh500 1,620]

Wow, what fantastic news. I've come to really appreciate these scores to the historical Steven Spielberg movies, even more so now than when they were first released... I'm especially talking about Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, Lincoln, Empire of the Sun, and Amistad. 

 

Not always easy listens, but something profoundly moving and fundamentally compelling about these scores, reverberating deep within our souls and hearts.... Music for the ages, as it were.

 

 

[crocodile 9,636]

1997 was such an interesting year for Williams. Very rewarding music all around.

 

Karol

[crumbs 15,934]

Looks like the African drum source might not have made it, which is understandable (don't think it would've fit anyway, given how packed the album is with alternates).

 

The blurb does reference source music on disc 2 however, so the Tavern track must be the guitar source. Fingers crossed!

 

3 minutes ago, crocodile said:

1997 was such an interesting year for Williams. Very rewarding music all around.

 

Karol

 

And this leaves Seven Years in Tibet as the only 1997 score that hasn't been expanded

[A. A. Ron 2,476]

I love that cover!

[Bayesian 1,613]

In some other thread, I hoped the next JW expansion was going to be Amistad for its 25th anniversary -- and here it is! I can't wait to order this one!

[Dr. Rick 1,371]

Wow!  So much music packed full on both discs!  So excited to discover all the newly released tracks!

[Jay 45,823]

I don't know what to say about this album, except that it's a masterpiece on multiple levels.

 

It's a masterpiece of a film score - from themes to underscore to orchestration to soloist work.... I continue to be astounded by this score's many stand-out moments

 

It's a masterpiece of a recording - say what you want about other recordings of his, but Shawn Murphy was at the top of his game in 1997 and this recording is one of the most satisfying recordings of his I've ever had the pleasure of listening to

 

It's a masterpiece of album production - the main program is paced brilliantly, finally showcasing what Williams did for this film in a way the old score album couldn't come close to, and even the film does not.  The main program flows so perfectly into the bonus track section you just want to keep listening and don't even feel like you're in a bonus track section.  Any so many specific decisions were made to fit everything recorded for the score into 2 discs, but still keep a great flow throughout... Mike's instincts have never been better are how to take a big score and make it listenable.  And time I listen to a random track, I just keep listening to the album from there.

 

There is no album of music of any genre I've listened to more than this since getting it.  It's an amazing release and I can't wait for everyone to hear it.  It's a must-have for any Williams fan.

[Germoney814 21]

I really couldn't think of what was missing from the OST so I never thought we'd see an expanded release!

 

Here's to hoping Munich gets an expanded release soon! 

[Raiders of the SoundtrArk 2,665]

Such a terric release to end the year. This score is absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to hear it completely.

Titus' cover is so perfect, probably one of the best he did.

Thanks to all involved for this incredible set.

[crumbs 15,934]

18 minutes ago, Germoney814 said:

I really couldn't think of what was missing from the OST so I never thought we'd see an expanded release!

 

A lot. And some of the best music in the whole score, frankly.

 

Just wait until you hear African Violet and The Verdict. Two stunning cues I've posted with SFX before, but I'll refrain from posting again now we can look forward to high quality versions

 

Another exciting tidbit in the blurb is the score was mastered in high resolution, which presumably means fresh transfers and a big upgrade over the OST. We might have another Minority Report sound upgrade on our hands!

[GerateWohl 6,473]

Great news!

[Amer 2,721]

In addition to the extra music and alternates - it will be a solid listening experience in this new High Resolution transfer.

 

Mike Matessino is the Man of the Hour- A Very Happy Birthday to you today Mike !!!

[bollemanneke 4,321]

Now I really need to see the movie.

[Steve 700]

Never heard the score before except for "Dry your tears" and "The long road..." which I like a lot, but saw the film. Can't wait to add another part to my Williams collection

[Brundlefly 2,401]

So, Cinque's Theme and Cinque's Memories of Home are concert pieces and no film cues?

[GlastoEls 579]

Never seen the film nor listened to the soundtrack (shame on me!).

 

Immediate purchase!

[Brundlefly 2,401]

Well, there goes my #1 holy grail and hands it over to The Witches of Eastwick!

 

@Jay Is that the mysterious title with the fantastic bonus section presentation that you've been talking about?

[Disco Stu 15,517]

Just extraordinary.  That track list makes me so happy.  This will be a rich full meal of a score and I cannot wait to savor every second.  Thank you LLL and Mike Matessino from a very grateful JWFan!

[Holko 12,020]

5 hours ago, Incanus said:

This is easily one of the most overlooked Spielberg/Williams collaborations. 

It played a big part in starting my current JW fandom and making me come to this forum where I learned about so much more scores and releases! I bought the S/W collaboration trilogy in early 2017 and liked the first 2 enough, but Dry Your Tears Afrika was the almost shocking (positively) switch to a different style that really made me perk up my ears and discover just how versatile he is and how much his style evolved over time. I still adore S/W III, but I can specifically remember replaying DYTA multiple times after it was first over. Instant purchase ASAP!

[Brundlefly 2,401]

Might be the most exciting special edition release since the Harry Potter box set! After all, it's one of my 10 favourite Williams scores!

[Sandor 908]

Looks a wonderful release and kudos to the art department who worked on this! 

[Disco Stu 15,517]

14 minutes ago, Brundlefly said:

Might be the most exciting special edition release since the Harry Potter box set! After all, it's one of my 10 favourite Williams scores!

On this, we are the same

[BB-8 6,118]

I remember getting the OST first and then seeing the film.

 

Great opportunity to revisit!

 

Love those Africana and Americana vibes.

[Marian Schedenig 11,606]

I'm happy. Over the past decade or so, this has become one of my most played JW scores (until I stopped playing it about a year ago or so in anticipation of a new release). Probably my favourite of the plausible candidates for this batch.

 

A very happy birthday to Mike! It still seems odd that we're always the one getting musical gifts on his birthdays.

 

5 hours ago, Jay said:

It's a masterpiece of a recording - say what you want about other recordings of his, but Shawn Murphy was at the top of his game in 1997 and this recording is one of the most satisfying recordings of his I've ever had the pleasure of listening to

 

Does that mean the new release sounds significantly better than the old one? The sound of the OST was always alright, as far as I recall - certainly better than the (in parts) lousy Seven Years in Tibet, but not half as good as Dennis Sands' masterful Rosewood.

[rough cut 1,785]

Very nice! Of course I have the OST, but I am in spite of that quite unfamiliar with the score. Will be cool to dig into this.

[GerateWohl 6,473]

I never was a fan of "Dry Your Tears Africa". I always found it a little overdramatic and emotive like many scenes in the movie itself. But Cinque's theme is georgious and I really enjoy listening to the soundtrack album. This is really a great opportunity to discover the score new from a different angle. 

[crocodile 9,636]

52 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

I never was a fan of "Dry Your Tears Africa". I always found it a little overdramatic and emotive like many scenes in the movie itself. But Cinque's theme is georgious and I really enjoy listening to the soundtrack album. This is really a great opportunity to discover the score new from a different angle. 

You mean the "happier" Emperor's theme?

 

Karol

[Incanus 5,889]

8 hours ago, A. A. Ron said:

I love that cover!

Jim Titus' design is as fantastic as usual. The cover is gorgeous. LLL releases have hands down the best visual designs.  

[Brundlefly 2,401]

3 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

On this, we are the same

And it's just my third favourite score of his from that year - which makes it obviously (not only the year I was born, but also) my favourite year regarding John Williams' output.

[BrotherSound 2,666]

4 hours ago, Brundlefly said:

So, Cinque's Theme and Cinque's Memories of Home are concert pieces and no film cues?

“Cinque’s Memories of Home” is not a concert arrangement, but is actually 13M2 Cinque’s Legal Mind. I haven’t seen the film, but I’m guessing the track called “Cinque’s Legal Mind” in the score presentation must be a revision of it.

[Bounty95 587]

I'm not familiar with this score. Would you rather recommend listening to the OST first or should I wait until I can hear the expansion? 

[Jay 45,823]

Wait for the expansion!!! 

[WampaRat 1,955]

19 minutes ago, Bounty95 said:

I'm not familiar with this score. Would you rather recommend listening to the OST first or should I wait until I can hear the expansion? 

I don’t think it ever hurts to listen to a Williams OST first to get an idea of the main components of the score. But from what Jay is describing, this new release seems like a revelation on the same tier as A.I.!

 

@Jayforgive my ignorance, but can I ask what your role in this release (and subsequently the newest JP release) is/was? Do you function as kind of a consultant due to your plethora of spreadsheets and breakdowns etc? Hopefully that doesn’t come across as demeaning…

[Dr. Rick 1,371]

Hope we get a podcast discussing this!