Ecoutez le cinéma John Williams release - The Legend of John Williams 20CD box set

[Thor 7,518]

Thanks for the info, Miguel! So "The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye" was several years after they worked together on NONE BUT THE BRAVE. Somehow, I always thought it was composed much closer to the film. Would be nice to get a new recording of it that is closer to the original composition. And those poetry bits are tantalizing. There could be a whole Williams/Bergmans album, with both released and unreleased material!

[Juanki 23]

1 hour ago, JW collector said:

The Banda Sonora release got best sound quality i think....

More clear. 

Love it.

 

 

 

Is this a legal release?

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

1 hour ago, Thor said:

Thanks for the info, Miguel! So "The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye" was several years after they worked together on NONE BUT THE BRAVE. Somehow, I always thought it was composed much closer to the film. Would be nice to get a new recording of it that is closer to the original composition. And those poetry bits are tantalizing. There could be a whole Williams/Bergmans album, with both released and unreleased material!

 

Back when the Fenstein recording came out it was mentioned this was a 70's project. I seem to recall the original thing being called a song cycle and, for whatever reason, being in four parts come to mind (I'm likely misremembering...). On the Alan Bergman interview it's obvious it was a long 10-minute piece. It would be great to have that available on it original full form, even more because, the way Bergman says it, I'm inclined to believe that what we know is just a derivation from some of that material wrote back in 1974 and not a selection lifted directly from it.

[JW collector 47]

1 hour ago, Juanki said:

 

Is this a legal release?

should be.....

 

available in   imusic.dk,   amazon,  discogs.com  among others.......

 

( fantastic sound.... )

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

41 minutes ago, JW collector said:

should be.....

 

available in   imusic.dk,   amazon,  discogs.com  among others.......

 

( fantastic sound.... )

 

I've got countless bootlegs from Amazon, Discogs and also major specialist soundtrack retailers.

So that doesn't really prove anything.

[Jurassic Shark 12,080]

It depends what you mean when you say bootleg. An LP-to-CD transfer is basically legal in Europe without having to license the recording, given that the recording is at least 50 years old. Fresh Sound does that as well.

[Bespin 8,484]

Of course, all the Checkmate CDs available on the market are actually LP transfers. The process of digital restoration has greatly improved since the 1990s. Therefore, the best reissue is simply the one that transfers from the cleanest LPs and restores it without muffling any of the liveliness. I have several CDs from 'Fresh Sound Records' in my collection, and they truly know how to make an LP shine.

 

The Fresh Sound releases of John Williams that I've included in my discography and highly recommend are:

https://www.jwfan.com/discography/music/disco/albums.htm

 

[bigjimwilson 256]

21 hours ago, Bespin said:

@Bryant Burnette @bigjimwilson Did you even listen to the Fresh Sound 2015 reissue?

 

 

Yep, I've got it. 

But from your post I'm wondering if you've listened to the FSM!  

As far as I can tell/hear/assume.... the Fresh Sounds and the Banda Sonora (european boot essentially) are from the same master as the FSM. Perhaps a small amount of EQ tinkering, but negligible. 

[Jay 37,371]

23 hours ago, Thor said:

By the way, what is this FSM interview you're all talking about?

 

 

https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/fsmonline/story.cfm?maID=8913

[Thor 7,518]

Ah. Shame I haven't subscribed since they went online-only.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

Music Box is preparing my shipment, so I guess more copies have landed!

[Thor 7,518]

Is there a square version of the cover that one can use in one's iTunes? Didn't find any by googling, nor one I could edit without it looking weird (with stickers and all).

[BB-8 3,481]

My copy arrived yesterday, one day earlier than announced - and in perfect condition...so all-in-all, Amazon.fr worked OK. [where it is still "en stock"]

[Yavar Moradi 2,599]

On 03/12/2023 at 7:04 AM, Bespin said:

Of course, all the Checkmate CDs available on the market are actually LP transfers

 

100% untrue. The Film Score Monthly release used the original album master tapes:

https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/cds/detail.cfm/CDID/363/Checkmate-Rhythm-in-Motion/

"These two vintage Columbia LPs are remastered from the original stereo master tapes for sterling sound quality. (The LPs at the time were meant to show off first-rate stereo imaging.)"

 

I think the FSM sounds great and it's bizarre to see an unlicensed and rather shoddy-looking knockoff being recommended over an officially licensed release from the original master tapes.

 

Yavar

[Bespin 8,484]

22 minutes ago, Yavar Moradi said:

I think the FSM sounds great and it's bizarre to see an unlicensed and rather shoddy-looking knockoff being recommended over an officially licensed release from the original master tapes.

 

After comparing the FSM 2006 release with the Fresh Sound 2015 release a few years ago, I found that the Fresh Sound Record release sounded better to me. Therefore, my recommendation has always been in favor of the Fresh Sound release.

[Yavar Moradi 2,599]

Well I suspect the Fresh Sound release was mastered from the FSM, with just some added bass or something. If mastered from LP I don't see how it could possibly sound better... though if Fresh Sound is exploiting that European copyright rule, maybe they have to say it's mastered from an LP copy, for legal cover or something.

 

Yavar

[lairdo 726]

What a day - 

Hook from La-La Land

Dial of Destiny 4K UHD with isolated track

 

and this showed up too! It's much larger than I expected. 

 

 

[BB-8 3,481]

Yeah, also found the box larger than expected.

 

I generally think that this box of special treats is very well made. It has value for beginners and for established fans alike.

 

I started with the very last CD last evening, followed by the second CD which had a Christmassy feeling throughout (not only towards the end) - a nice compilation that worked very well. I wonder where I'll be going next...

[Bespin 8,484]

Kind of a surprise regarding Dracula... the treatment of the version on the box set differs from the 2018 Varèse Sarabande release... Further analysis will be needed to compare the two versions.

 

Compression alert?

 

Left: the 2018 Varèse release of the OST; Right: the 2023 box set version.

 

EDIT: Overall, I believe they managed to bring a bit more life (bringing more life to Dracula, hehe) to the Varèse version that I found somewhat dull and lackluster compared to the vinyl, but the trade-off is a greater level of audio compression. It suits me perfectly, but I know that for many of you, compression is like garlic to a vampire!

[The Lost Folio 183]

Spotted a tracklisting error on CD 1: tracks 6 (Jabba the Hutt) and 8 (Parade of the Ewoks) are inverted on the CD. So, the 4 tracks from Return of the Jedi are heard in the same order as on the album Out of This World, and not as marked on the set.

[Bespin 8,484]

I renamed my tracks, I suspect the wanted order is the one printed two times in the boxset and the booklet.

 

I'm currently listening to the 17th CD, and it's my least favorite one because it lacks a cohesive thematic unity (Family Plot, Black Sunday, Monsignor, Sleepers, Seven Years in Tibet, Angela's Ashes).

[BB-8 3,481]

3rd and 4th discs I listened to were CD 17 (Single Film Collaborations) and CD 13 (OS American Triptych).

 

"Monsignor" and "Nixon" were the unexpected highlights of these discs.

 

I may be ignorant, but are we still waiting for an expanded Nixon?

[Jurassic Shark 12,080]

Depends who you ask. @Thor?

[JTN 2,036]

On 6/12/2023 at 4:53 AM, lairdo said:

What a day - 

Hook from La-La Land

Dial of Destiny 4K UHD with isolated track

 

and this showed up too! It's much larger than I expected. 

 

 

I hate you rich people, because I used to be one. 

[Jay 37,371]

5 hours ago, BB-8 said:

I may be ignorant, but are we still waiting for an expanded Nixon?

 

There has never been an expanded release of Nixon, if that's what you mean

[Bespin 8,484]

3 minutes ago, Jay said:

 

There has never been an expanded release of Nixon, if that's what you mean

 

@Jay He wanted to know how many years it would take for the expanded release of Nixon, which you were working on with Mike, to be released.

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

On 04/12/2023 at 4:17 PM, Thor said:

Is there a square version of the cover that one can use in one's iTunes? Didn't find any by googling, nor one I could edit without it looking weird (with stickers and all).

 

Does this helps you?

 

[Thor 7,518]

It does, thank you so much!

[BB-8 3,481]

They could have done less. I mean a simple 20 CD boxset (cardboard sleeves with a booklet in square format).

But this big bulky edition is clearly more representative.

[Bespin 8,484]

Just to alternate the bites of broccoli!

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Suite (from Disc 1)
2. Prelude and Fugue (from Disc 19)
3. Flying/Over The Moon/Adventures on Earth (from Disc 9)
4. Sinfonietta for Wind Ensemble (from Disc 19)
5. Schindler's List Theme (from Disc 18)
6. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No 2 (from Disc 19)
7. The Chairman's Waltz (from Disc 18)
8. Elegy for Cello and Orchestra (from Disc 19)

[Bespin 8,484]

Unboxing for a fan who is also making his 'John Williams coming out'.

 

[Bryant Burnette 654]

14 hours ago, Bespin said:

Unboxing for a fan who is also making his 'John Williams coming out'.

 

 

Based on the image, I'd just about rather die than have to watch that.

 

Either way, I got my copy in the mail today.  What a gorgeous box set!  I probably won't be able to make time to listen to it until next year, but this is a lovely addition to my collection.

[Bespin 8,484]

Now that my files are tagged... a second pass on the boxset, year by year!

The 60's

 

 

[Marian Schedenig 8,207]

8 hours ago, Bryant Burnette said:

23 hours ago, Bespin said:

Unboxing for a fan who is also making his 'John Williams coming out'.

 

Expand  

 

Based on the image, I'd just about rather die than have to watch that.

 

Based on the image, the creator may have thought the same.

[BB-8 3,481]

Has anyone removed the backside sheet from the box/book? I first thought it was supposed to be permanent but, apparently, it is meant to come off.

 

I've left mine on for the time being.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,551]

On 12/12/2023 at 5:09 PM, Marian Schedenig said:

Based on the image, the creator may have thought the same.

 

Marian. Marian!

We... are the creator.

[Bespin 8,484]

3 hours ago, BB-8 said:

Has anyone removed the backside sheet from the box/book? I first thought it was supposed to be permanent but, apparently, it is meant to come off.

 

I've left mine on for the time being.

 

Remove it... to put it where? I left the ones of my 5 boxsets.

[JohnnyD 1,223]

I had gone back and forth debating whether I should get this set or not since I own all of the Maestro's work that is on this set either physical or digital. After seeing the beautiful packaging and the booklet it comes with, including an original interview with the Maestro, I finally decided to get this. Ordered from Music Box Records, their last copy in stock!

[Bespin 8,484]

It's enjoyable to rediscover John Williams from the perspective of a casual music enthusiast. And yes, the object is beautiful, but the arrangement is also intriguing to listen to. Since we're aware that John Williams was involved in creating the content, it enables us to appreciate the material he holds most dear.

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

2 hours ago, JohnnyD said:

I had gone back and forth debating whether I should get this set or not since I own all of the Maestro's work that is on this set either physical or digital. After seeing the beautiful packaging and the booklet it comes with, including an original interview with the Maestro, I finally decided to get this. Ordered from Music Box Records, their last copy in stock!

 

Surely not everything... There is one totally unreleased track on disc 20, plus some rather rare stuff too that I'm pretty sure some of the most die hard fans may have not heard before.

[JohnnyD 1,223]

5 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

There is one totally unreleased track on disc 20, plus some rather rare stuff too that I'm pretty sure some of the most die hard fans may have not heard before.

Really? What tracks are those? I’m intrigued.

[scoreman36 68]

The Sinfonietta is the only piece I don’t already have on cd (I think) - long out of print I think

[Miguel Andrade 1,263]

"Come Tuesday" was newly recorded for this set and was a private song Williams and the Bergmans wrote for the late Barbara Ruick.

Also, a few songs were never available on CD/digitally, just on vinyl. And the disc 20's previous released stuff came from all over the place, most surely there will be something one didn't already have.

 

As for the Sinfonietta, this is actually a new transfer from the original master source, instead of using the Japanese transfer from some 15 years ago.

[rough cut 1,714]

I’ve been an avid collector for 30 years, and still I “only” own 75 % of the content of this box. And I’d wager that’s a pretty decent percentage!

 

Still, lots of the stuff that is on here that I never got isn’t really “rare” - it’s just that I never pulled the trigger on the OSTs. I just figured I’d “get to it later”.

 

Thats about five discs worth of content that I don’t own.

 

This box is a great way to “catch up” on a lot of that music!

[BB-8 3,481]

The first CD is quite a tough ride. Especially after the Vienna and Berlin sound experiences.

But somehow I was previously never really aware of this Jabba concert arrangement.

[Cindylover1969 32]

On 06/12/2023 at 9:17 AM, BB-8 said:

Yeah, also found the box larger than expected.

How small were you expecting a 20-CD set to be, exactly?

[Jurassic Shark 12,080]

On 22/10/2023 at 2:39 PM, Richard Penna said:

 

Ludovico Einaudi is the worst in my case at the moment - releasing deluxe versions of a couple of albums with just a handful of remixes/bonus tracks. I actually have to check new albums from him with a bit of care that they are actually new music!

 

Just stop listening to his music. Problem solved.

[BB-8 3,481]

9 hours ago, Cindylover1969 said:

How small were you expecting a 20-CD set to be, exactly?

Well, like the kinda standard Shostakovich-Box.

 

 

 

 

[Tom 4,666]

5 hours ago, BB-8 said:

Well, like the kinda standard Shostakovich-Box.

 

 

 

 

Well, that box set was redacted by the gov't to remove the music that did not reflect the Russian spirit.  Hence, a bit smaller.  

[GerateWohl 4,371]

On 22/12/2023 at 3:06 PM, BB-8 said:

The first CD is quite a tough ride. Especially after the Vienna and Berlin sound experiences.

At the Philips recordings often the percussion is much too loud and the solo instruments, like the tuba at Jabba, somewhere in the background.