Sabrina 2 CD from La-La Land Records (2023)

[Jay 37,351]

The actual film doesn't use Williams' intended end credits piece; No one had heard it for 28 years until Mike debuted it here in this new set

[BrotherSound 2,242]

Linus’ New Life is the standout among the alternates so far: it’s quite different from the revised version, and ends on a surprisingly ambiguous tone, in contrast to the clear resolution of the ultimately used cue.

 

My first thoughts on PITM - SOS:

 

These two songs from Sabrina really do stand comfortably alongside all the well-known standards presented (in superb arrangements) on this disc, which is truly a remarkable achievement.

[JohnnyD 1,223]

Delivered and listening on the sofa with a cup of hot tea.

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

Having made it through the main program once, I think I might actually like Always just a skosh more than Sabrina. This is a really lovely new album though!

[BB-8 3,472]

8 hours ago, JohnnyD said:

Delivered and listening on the sofa with a cup of hot tea.

 

Tea?

 

Pellegrino!

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

11 hours ago, filmmusic said:

It's the same with the sheet music, isn't it?

 

By the way, OMG!

Musicboxrecords price:

38,95 euros + 17euros (shipping!!!!) = 55,95 total!!!

 

I wonder if I pay less (with customs included) if I order from LLL....

edit: $50.48 total (and who knows what I'll pay at customs. I guess it's the same, or maybe more expensive if I order direct from LLL)

 

Custom charges in Portugal are 23% upon the item price plus shipping, so I usually get this releases through music box. If I combine with other stuff, diluting the shipping charges, it always ends up being the most affordable solution.

[MrJosh 892]

I listened to the main score program (not alternates yet) and really, really enjoyed it. The score as a whole feels nicely fleshed out, is not too repetitive to me and is a nice overall length at 53+ minutes. 

 

I really enjoy the nice woodwind writing and performances throughout the score, and the warmth of the writing throughout. I liked hearing the different keyboards sprinkled throughout the score in addition to the beautiful piano playing. There is the Randy Kerber celeste sound in some tracks, there is the harpsichord bits which are fun, and then some other synth noises, similar or the same as the synth 'chime' (?) sounds in Home Alone and reminding me of the synth bell noise in 'Hide and Seek' from ChatGPT A.I. 

 

It's a beautiful score with a lot of nice intimate moments, along with more grand flourishes of romanticism. Really happy to have this expansion! 

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

Well Mike definitely made the right decision sticking the film version of "Learning the Ropes" in the bonus section. Still glad it's included though.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,515]

10 hours ago, BB-8 said:

 

Tea?

 

Pellegrino!

 

Earl Grey!

[QuartalHarmony 542]

Can anyone find out whether the very quiet comment of ‘lovely’ from JW that made it on to the OST (between tracks 12 and 13) has survived on to this edition?

 

Aside from that, are there any reasons for me to hang on to my OST once I buy this new version, or is every bit of the OST carried over?

 

Mark

[Taikomochi 1,136]

The “lovely” is not in this set, sadly

[Faleel 5,346]

Just now, Taikomochi said:

The “lovely” is not in this set, sadly

They'll put it in the next reissue!

[BrotherSound 2,242]

1 hour ago, A. A. Ron said:

Well Mike definitely made the right decision sticking the film version of "Learning the Ropes" in the bonus section. Still glad it's included though.

Yes, absolutely!

 

It’s not just that the rhythm track is extremely 90s and dated; the orchestral overlay just doesn’t gel very well with it to my ears. It was an inspired choice to present the overlay separately, especially since it’s the introduction for both of the film’s secondary themes, Moonlight and How Can I Remember.

[Faleel 5,346]

4 minutes ago, BrotherSound said:

Yes, absolutely!

 

the rhythm track; the orchestral overlay just doesn’t gel very well with it to my ears.

I felt the same thing.

[MrJosh 892]

19 hours ago, JohnnyD said:

Delivered and listening on the sofa with a cup of hot tea.

Ah so you took Track 19 literally then!

[QuartalHarmony 542]

2 hours ago, Taikomochi said:

The “lovely” is not in this set, sadly

Well, I won’t be throwing away the OST, then!

[MrJosh 892]

I listened to the alternates, all nice too though for a few I need to directly compare to make sure I'm right about the differences. 

 

Learning the Ropes (Film Version) is awesome! What cool 90s nostalgia I am getting. I can just picture a spry 1995 John Williams doing the moonwalk to this. 

 

Nice to have the La Vie En Rose with orchestral accompinament all the way through, I might prefer this version. 

 

And yeah, like @BrotherSound said, interesting totally different feel to the ending of Linus' New Life (alt)!

[BrotherSound 2,242]

For anyone curious about what exactly was unreleased, here’s my best attempt to indicate the entirely unreleased and partially unreleased tracks:

 

*Previously unreleased

**Contains previously unreleased material

 

DISC 1

 

SCORE PRESENTATION 53:32

1. Theme From Sabrina (Extended Version) 5:19

2. Main Title* 1:28

3. To Paris* :57

4. Learning The Ropes* 1:34

5. Thinking Of Home / Work Montage** 2:10

6. Photographing Paris* 1:51

7. Growing Up In Paris 3:01

8. La Vie En Rose 1:20

9. The Drive* 1:48

10. Sabrina Is Home** 2:06

11. Linus And Mother** 2:44

12. Off To The Vineyard** 1:44

13. On The Porch* 2:12

14. Beach Walk** 2:21

15. Linus And Father** 3:05

16. Sabrina To The Office* 1:09

17. Dinner Montage** 2:21

18. The Princess Grows* 3:16

19. Have Your Tea* :39

20. Eavesdropping** 1:10

21. Sabrina’s Return To Paris 2:24

22. Wrapping It Up* 1:35

23. Linus’ New Life 2:46

24. End Credits** 4:24

 

ADDITIONAL MUSIC 25:09

25. (In The) Moonlight - Instrumental of Moonlight 2:59

26. To Paris (Alternate)* :58

27. Learning The Ropes (Film Version)* 2:13

28. Work Montage (Alternate)* 1:47

29. Growing Up In Paris (Alternate)* 2:43

30. La Vie En Rose (Alternate)* 1:18

31. Sabrina Is Home (Alternate)* 1:59

32. On The Porch (Alternate)* 2:12

33. Have Your Tea (Alternate)* :38

34. Linus’ New Life (Alternate)* 2:47

35. Theme From Sabrina (Reprise) 5:21

DISC 1 TOTAL TIME: 78:43

 

DISC 2

PARTY IN THE MOONLIGHT • SONGS OF SABRINA

1. Moonlight 5:23

Performed by Sting

2. (In The) Moonlight Piano Improvisation* 4:29

3. Stella By Starlight 2:58

4. Call Me Irresponsible 2:39

5. Moonlight Becomes You* 1:20

6. Isn’t It Romantic?* 2:36

7. (In The) Moonlight Piano Interlude* 2:51

8. (In The) Moonlight Party Instrumental* 3:17

9. All The Way / High Hopes* 2:22

10. I Wish I Were In Love Again* 2:30

11. My Old Flame* :35

12. How Can I Remember? 2:50

Performed by Michael Dees

13. How Can I Remember? Party Instrumental* 3:17

14. (In The) Moonlight Piano Interlude No 2* 4:03

15. (In The) Moonlight Party Instrumental No 2* 4:13

16. For All We Know* 3:37

17. When Joanna Loved Me 2:36

18. The Shadow Of Your Smile 2:53

19. La Vie En Rose Party Instrumental* 1:12

20. How Can I Remember? Party Instrumental No 2* 2:56

21. (In The) Moonlight Party Instrumental No 3* 4:43

22. (In The) Moonlight Piano Closing* 4:22

DISC 2 TOTAL TIME: 68:39

[MrJosh 892]

Learning the Ropes, official* music video wow!

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yT3B5zDJ3ktqZHS4Z1Z-e85q2x5uOHxF/view?usp=sharing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*not really

[Faleel 5,346]

49 minutes ago, MrJosh said:

Learning the Ropes, official* music video wow!

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yT3B5zDJ3ktqZHS4Z1Z-e85q2x5uOHxF/view?usp=sharing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*not really

Redo that with the Hook rap song when it is released/leaked

[pete 907]

Why isn't that ever performed live?

[MrJosh 892]

Not finished with Party in the Moonlight disc yet, but wanted to pop in and say that surprisingly, it's not the main theme or Moonlight that's been stuck in my head the last couple days, but it is 'How Can I Remember?'! Something about the melody is connecting with me more than the other themes at the moment. 

 

I particularly love the appearance of this melody in the score cues it shows up in. It works well as a sentimental theme within the score, though it's not used as often as the other themes. 

[Jay 37,351]

YES!  Easily my favorite theme in the score, too!

 

Moonlight is #4 for me, behind How Can I Remember, the main theme, and whatever the fun theme that was in the OST track Nantucket Visit is called

[pete 907]

Speaking of How Can I Remember, on the new release, which track has the short "Sabrina Remembers" piece that segues into La Vie en Rose on the original soundtrack? Does it continue with the How Can I Remember theme? 

[Jay 37,351]

4 minutes ago, pete said:

on the new release, which track has the short "Sabrina Remembers" piece that segues into La Vie en Rose on the original soundtrack? 

 

It's at the end of Eavesdropping. 

[BrotherSound 2,242]

I absolutely love this release so far! The themes themselves are gorgeous, and the orchestration absolutely sparkles.

 

I've been comparing the alternates to see what's different:

 

To Paris

 

Opens with the B-section of the Sabrina theme, rather than the A-section.

 

Learning The Ropes

 

Includes the very 90's New Jack Swing-style rhythm section mercifully omitted from the main program.

 

Work Montage

 

Heavier orchestration, including timpani dropped from the main program version.

 

Growing Up In Paris

 

The big swell of the full orchestra towards the end was replaced with a much lighter passage spotlighting the piano.

 

La Vie En Rose

 

As, @MrJosh pointed out, orchestration accompanies the accordion solo from the beginning.

 

On The Porch

 

The accompanying woodwind figures are staccato rather than legato.

 

Linus’ New Life

 

A significantly different composition overall, with a different opening ostinato rhythm. The ending is much more ambiguous in tone.

 

 

After several listens, I'm still not sure about what's different about the alternates of 'Sabrina Is Home' and 'Have Your Tea'. Could you help me out, @Jay?

 

I wish this release had included detailed notes about the alternates like Amistad, but we now know it was basically finished back in 2020. Hopefully future releases will include them. 🤞

[MrJosh 892]

That's awesome, thanks @BrotherSound

 

I'm not sure about Sabrina is Home, but for Have Your Tea, the alternate appears to omit a couple of the first the first note of the celeste at the start, and has cellos starting on a lower pitch, while the non-alternate has cellos start on a higher pitch, then moves to lower. 

 

I wonder if there was a logistical reason why to modify the cue to have it start a little bit later? Not sure. 

 

Edit:

Oh wait, I see. Sabrina is Home (alternate) doesn't have violins on the big statement of her theme, only violas it sounds like (or cello too?). 

[Jay 37,351]

1 hour ago, BrotherSound said:

After several listens, I'm still not sure about what's different about the alternates of 'Sabrina Is Home' and 'Have Your Tea'. Could you help me out, @Jay?

 

First cue inside "Sabrina Is Home" (0:00-1:00) - The big theme statement that starts about 12 seconds in is more sparsely orchestrated in the alternate compares to the main program version

Second cue inside "Sabrina Is Home" (1:00-end) - The main program version ends with a 4-note passage that is not played in the alternates version

 

Have Your Tea - The opening synth bell part is a little different between each version

 

 

1 hour ago, BrotherSound said:

I wish this release had included detailed notes about the alternates like Amistad, but we now know it was basically finished back in 2020.

 

So was Amistad!  Mike posted on FSM that he wasn't going to do a podcast episode about it because it was a pre-Covid project. 

 

 

1 hour ago, BrotherSound said:

Hopefully future releases will include them. 🤞

 

I hope so too!

[filmmusic 1,826]

Are you planning to do a spreadsheet @Jay?

[Jay 37,351]

I'll eventually do a google doc for every score JW ever wrote, but don't like posting those kinds of "clinical" approaches to a examining a score when a brand new expansion has just come out.  I think people should just press play and enjoy the release as it is presented for a while before that kind of deep analysis, and many people haven't even gotten their copies yet.

[Tallguy 3,385]

That gives you time to do The Empire Strikes Back.

[Taikomochi 1,136]

I actually think I’ll be putting the film version of “Learning the Ropes” into my personal playlist. I understand why some find it jarring, but I think it’s kind of necessary to break up the otherwise samey quality of the score. And to be clear, I dearly love this score, but it can be repetitive. It helps I kinda like the groovy overlay and find it’s merging with the traditional orchestral writing very satisfying. 

[Jay 37,351]

I'd say the drum machine and guitar is the main component of the cues, and the orchestral part is the overlay!

 

And man was it a brilliant idea by Mike to put those overlays isolated in the main program, and boy are we lucky that Williams approved it!

[Taikomochi 1,136]

I’m glad to have both versions, for sure

[MrJosh 892]

22 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

I actually think I’ll be putting the film version of “Learning the Ropes” into my personal playlist. I understand why some find it jarring, but I think it’s kind of necessary to break up the otherwise samey quality of the score. And to be clear, I dearly love this score, but it can be repetitive. It helps I kinda like the groovy overlay and find it’s merging with the traditional orchestral writing very satisfying. 

I think I'll be doing this too. I haven't found the score to be too repetitive, but I just love the film version. 

 

7 minutes ago, Jay said:

I'd say the drum machine and guitar is the main component of the cues, and the orchestral part is the overlay!

 

And man was it a brilliant idea by Mike to put those overlays isolated in the main program, and boy are we lucky that Williams approved it!

Yeah I am so glad Williams approved of it because I love having both options! I wouldn't have been surprised if he said 'no' to the idea. 

[filmmusic 1,826]

So, if I understand correctly, the first Learning the ropes track, is not a real alternate, just the overlay, right? Or was it supposed to be used like that and they decided afterwards to use the film version?

[Jay 37,351]

Mike already explained it on FSM, and I shared his post here:

 

On 05/05/2023 at 12:09 AM, Jay said:

Mike Matessino:

 

Among many fine creative choices the producers made with this album: there is a pop-style Williams cue called "Learning The Ropes" that underscores a comic photo shoot gone wrong. Think "Training Montage" from Spacecamp. The new soundtrack assembly uses an alternate for that cue that fits in better with the score and moves the pop film version to the alternates at the end of disc one. Good call.

 

Not an alternate, but the orchestral component only without the synthesizer.

 

 

So, yes: Williams didn't approach the scene in two different ways.  The only music he wrote and recorded for the scenes got used in the film as planned.  It was Mike that thought about presenting the orchestral components separately on an album, 25 years later!

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

And it was a great idea!

[MrJosh 892]

I finished the 2nd disc. All really nice, lovely arrangements of classic tunes, and of the two JW songs. My favorites right now are In the Moonlight Piano Interlude No. 2, the Closing track, and the How Can I Remember renditions. 

 

This disc would work great at actual parties (if ever I were to host one), and weddings. Regardless of whether some of the tune arrangements were Williams or orchestrators/ collaborators, the sounds of the arrangements transports me to John Williams' early jazz sounds, such as in Checkmate or the Fascinating Rhythm album. 

 

All together, this is a really great release! 

[Bespin 8,480]

So JWFAN finally understand why it's a personal favourite since so many years.

 

[Will 2,215]

So do we know what role (if any) JW had in the material on the second disc? (e.g. "(In the) Moonlight [Party Instrumental #1]")

[Jay 37,351]

What do you mean? 

 

As a performer, I think the 3 minute piano solo version of Sabrina's theme is the only thing he performed. 

 

As a conducter, he conducted everything on both discs apart from the Sting song.

 

As an orchestrator/arranger? I don't think individual track credits are known. 

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

Did anybody write a chonological tracklist?

 

I would like to try how the party music would work intregrated within the score....

[filmmusic 1,826]

I wonder this, if anyone knows (perhaps @Jay ?)

Were the wonderful piano renditions/variations/interludes of Moonlight that are on disc 2, notated on paper by Williams exactly as they sound?

Or was it more like improvisations on the piano on the fly?

[King Mark 3,631]

I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this has been asked

'

Is track 1 (theme from sabrina) and track 35 (Reprise) the same recording? If so why is it there?

 

The score presentation on disk 1 is quite an improvement over the OST with lots of interesting previously unreleased music

 

I might move the In the Moonlight variations on disk 2 at the end of Disk 1 

[Jay 37,351]

On 27/05/2023 at 9:07 PM, King Mark said:

Is track 1 (theme from sabrina) and track 35 (Reprise) the same recording? If so why is it there?

 

The piano solo performed by John Williams that makes up the first 3 minutes of both tracks is identical in both.

 

The remainder of either track is comprised of different performances of the end of the End Credits. As in, different performances from each other, and also different from the performance in the "End Credits" track.

 

On 27/05/2023 at 9:07 PM, King Mark said:

The score presentation on disk 1 is quite an improvement over the OST with lots of interesting previously unreleased music

 

Yes!

 

 

 

On 27/05/2023 at 1:44 PM, Luke Skywalker said:

Did anybody write a chonological tracklist?

 

I would like to try how the party music would work intregrated within the score....

 

1. 1-2    Main Title    
2. 2-21    (In The) Moonlight (Party Instrumental No 3)
3. 2-4    Call Me Irresponsible    
4. 2-12    How Can I Remember?   
5. 2-3    Stella By Starlight   
6. 1-3    To Paris    
7. 1-4    Learning The Ropes or 1-27    Learning The Ropes (Film Version)
8. 1-5    Thinking Of Home / Work Montage    0:00-0:23
9. 1-5    Thinking Of Home / Work Montage    0:23-0:47
10. 1-5    Thinking Of Home / Work Montage    1:11-1:32
11. 1-6    Photographing Paris    0:00-1:06
12. 1-5    Thinking Of Home / Work Montage    1:32-end
13. 1-7    Growing Up In Paris    
14. 1-8    La Vie En Rose    
15. 1-10    Sabrina Is Home    0:00-1:00
16. 1-9    The Drive    
17. 1-10    Sabrina Is Home    1:00-end
18. 2-15    (In The) Moonlight (Party Instrumental No 2)    0:00-3:00
19. 2-10    I Wish I Were In Love Again    
20. 2-19    La Vie En Rose (Party Instrumental)    
21. 2-5    Moonlight Becomes You   
22. 2-11    My Old Flame   
23. 2-9    All The Way / High Hopes    1:48-end
24. 2-18    The Shadow Of Your Smile   
25. 2-16    For All We Know   
26. 2-17    When Joanna Loved Me   
27. 2-20    How Can I Remember? (Party Instrumental No 2)   
28. 2-7    (In The) Moonlight (Piano Interlude)   
29. 1-11    Linus And Mother
30. 1-12    Off To The Vineyard    
31. 1-13    On The Porch
32. 1-14    Beach Walk    
33. 1-15    Linus And Father    
34. 1-16    Sabrina To The Office    
35. 1-17    Dinner Montage
36. 1-18    The Princess Grows    2:35-end
37. 1-19    Have Your Tea    
38. 1-20    Eavesdropping
39. 1-18    The Princess Grows    0:00-2:35
40. 1-21    Sabrina’s Return To Paris    
41. 2-22    (In The) Moonlight (Piano Closing)    
42. 1-22    Wrapping It Up    
43. 1-23    Linus’ New Life    
44. 1-24    End Credits
45. 2-1    Moonlight   

 

 

On 27/05/2023 at 1:59 PM, filmmusic said:

I wonder this, if anyone knows (perhaps @Jay ?)

Were the wonderful piano renditions/variations/interludes of Moonlight that are on disc 2, notated on paper by Williams exactly as they sound?

Or was it more like improvisations on the piano on the fly?

 

Well the 3 Mike Lang tracks [ 2-2    (In The) Moonlight (Piano Improvisation) / 2-14    (In The) Moonlight (Piano Interlude No 2) / 2-22    (In The) Moonlight (Piano Closing) ] are certainly Mike Lang improving

 

The rest were probably written out, but I dunno

[Holko 9,520]

2 hours ago, Jay said:

are certainly Mike Lang improving

Yes, the first one is quite bad but he gets better by the third

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

Jay, the split score tracks are true different tracks or they have been cut for the film? I suppose the former, but just in case

[Jay 37,351]

What? 

[ThePenitentMan1 743]

17 minutes ago, Jay said:

What? 

 

I think he's asking whether those tracks are made up of more than one cue per track, or if they were single cues that were chopped up in the film.

 

9 hours ago, Holko said:

Yes, the first one is quite bad but he gets better by the third

 

The vital difference between improving and improvving.  (I don't know if that's a legitimate spelling of the word or not...  but it really should be.)