James Horner's BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS (1980) - 2023 2-CD Intrada

[Manakin Skywalker 4,897]

Yep like @Presto said the Main Title sample is mistakenly in mono, so it'll definitely sound much better on the CD.

[OneBuckFilms 324]

4 minutes ago, Andy said:

Not jerky sounding at all. I get what you’re saying.  Not an instrument player myself, I have a tendency, right or wrong, to let the whole of the orchestra wash over me. I have to really train myself to listen to the sum of the parts so to speak. 

 

I try to do both with repeated listens.

 

I enjoy the overall cue, then go back and try to pick out what the instruments are doing.

 

And in many cases I get lost in those scores.

 

If CDs were not digital, I'd wear them out.

[Faleel 5,359]

7 minutes ago, Andy said:

Not jerky sounding at all. I get what you’re saying.  Not an instrument player myself, I have a tendency, right or wrong, to let the whole of the orchestra wash over me. I have to really train myself to listen to the sum of the parts so to speak. 

OK, I was just afraid I sounded like this haha:

 

[Andy 4,141]

Oh and @filmmusic you may want to wait and see if Shout Factory unveils a 4K, as it’s mentioned they are issuing a vinyl record of this. They often do bundles with their home video releases and vinyl releases. 

[Trope 527]

"Intrada will be releasing it digitally as well."

 

YAY!

[Tydirium 1,167]

Ordered! Can’t wait; the samples sound amazing.

[filmmusic 1,841]

2 hours ago, Andy said:

Oh and @filmmusic you may want to wait and see if Shout Factory unveils a 4K, as it’s mentioned they are issuing a vinyl record of this. They often do bundles with their home video releases and vinyl releases. 

Yes, I'll wait. I'm in no hurry to buy this film, but if a 4K is released I will, probably.

[JTN 2,042]

Available for pre-order on MBR:

https://www.musicbox-records.com/en/cd-soundtracks/13882-battle-beyond-the-stars-expanded.html

[GerateWohl 4,371]

On 12/11/2023 at 1:37 AM, Ollie said:

So it will be 2 disc set.

When I hear that main theme I am happy, that I am no Horner completist. 

[Holko 9,531]

What the hell is that cloning on the cover, like an 8 year old in computer class...

[Jurassic Shark 12,087]

Stop bragging.

[JTN 2,042]

[Andy 4,141]

4 hours ago, Holko said:

What the hell is that cloning on the cover, like an 8 year old in computer class...

 

I didn't notice it at first, but it seems unnecessary.  The old LP and CD covers fit the artwork just fine without needing to extend the image.

 

This is where predictive A.I. could actually be useful, to extrapolate an image and extend it.  Photoshop does it pretty easily.

[Jay 37,373]

Roger:

 

Intrada Announces

BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS
Composed by JAMES HORNER
INTRADA ISC 496

Following closely behind the release of James Horner's Humanoids From the Deep, Intrada presents one of the most requested expansions from Horner's catalog: Battle Beyond the Stars (1980). The original vinyl program has been released several times on CD, but this is the first release expanded and restored from the complete 24-track recording sessions. As with the earlier release of Humanoids, this new program features a level of detail not previously heard. Although there were many films released in the wake of Star Wars to try to capture an audience hungry for more, Battle Beyond the Stars rose above the rest, featuring clever casting, respectable special effects, and an epic space-faring score the likes of which had not been heard before. Space adventure had a new sound. The distinctive sound and musical embodiment of space in music would form the basis for scores such as Star Trek II and Krull just a few years later.

While the performance of the original recording wasn't perfect, Intrada has been able to address some errors by leveraging different takes to improve the overall performances. Following the complete score program is the newly remastered original album, preserving those edits made for the LP program as well as the album mix with which collectors have become familiar.

The score was meticulously restored by Douglass Fake and Chris Malone and will be available both on CD and digitally from Intrada. Shout!Factory will be releasing it on vinyl in the near future. Check out the trailer here.

The film takes a page from The Magnificent Seven: when ruthless conqueror Sador (John Saxon) comes to take the planet of Akir, the brave Shad (Richard Thomas) sets out in his planet's lone spacecraft to recruit a band of mercenaries (some played by such luminaries as George Peppard and Robert Vaughan) to come to Akir's aid. The tone is tongue-in-cheek and Sador ultimately meets hi match.

Intrada ISC 496
Retail Price: $31.99
Barcode: 7 20258 54960 0
Starts Shipping 11/14
For track listing and sound samples visit the Battle Beyond the Stars soundtrack

 

 

 

Doug:

 

BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS (2CD - EXPANDED)
James Horner
Label: Intrada Special Collection Volume ISC 496
Film Date: 1980
Album Date: 2023
Time: 105:07
Tracks: 44
Price: $31.99

 

World premiere of complete James Horner early space opera soundtrack! Following on the heels of Intrada’s expanded release of Humanoids From The Deep is James Horner’s wildly popular early outer space epic, scored in 1980 when the young composer’s career was literally just getting underway. Highlights from the score were released on vinyl at the time, and that program has appeared numerous times on CD. Now Intrada is proud to finally present the entire score, newly expanded and remastered from the actual 2” 24-track recording session masters for the first time ever!

 

Details in the recording come through with stunning clarity and power previously not available. In addition to the familiar cues, this new edition also offers many cues previously not released, including the powerful early cues for the “Hammerhead” and the “Sniper’s, Fire!” sequences. Other exciting new pieces include “Dr. Hephaestus’s Station”, “The Destruction Of Umateal”, “Kidnapped!” and many others, all in splendid stereo sound. The performance on the original release was less than perfect, but with current state-of-the-art technology, engineers Douglass Fake and Chris Malone were able to meticulously address some of the errant notes, particularly in the high trumpet parts. The complete score runs over an hour on CD 1. Intrada will be releasing it digitally as well. For fans of the popular original 1980 program, we have included that album as well, newly remastered on CD 2. And vinyl collectors can enjoy this expanded edition from the Shout! Factory label.

 

Jimmy T. Murakami & Roger Corman directed this outer space fantasy in the wake of the exploding popularity of Star Wars and the many imitations that followed. Drawing inspiration from the famous Seven Samurai and Magnificent Seven feature films, the script from John Sayles now set the action in outer space, with Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, John Saxon, Sybil Danning starring and George Peppard grabbing the spotlight as “Cowboy”. Another asset: the special effects feature the imaginative early work of James Cameron. Initially released through Roger Corman’s  New World Pictures, the movie was a modest box office hit. Trivia of interest: Bill Paxton was then working as a carpenter on the set. Horner’s energetic score was literally a launch pad for his later Star Trek II and Krull scores. David Newman conducts the orchestra, James Horner composes. Intrada Special Collection 2-CD set available while quantities and interest remain!

 

Track List

 

CD 1 The Score
01. Main Title (2:03)
02. Hammerhead (3:37)
03. Snipers, Fire! (1:19)
04. Shad’s Entrance (0:58)
05. First Flight (3:51)
06. Dr. Hephaestus’s Station (2:57)
07. First Conversation (4:16)
08. Jackers Ahead! (3:37)
09. The Destruction Of Umateal (1:22)
10. Nanelia’s Capture (1:31)
11. We Cruise For Akir! (1:32)
12. Kidnapped! (1:25)
13. Nascosto Flyaway (0:28)
14. Gelt’s Kill (2:32)
15. Hammerhead Stinger II (0:32)
16. Love Theme (1:35)
17. The Alarm Sounds (0:40)
18. Space Battle (4:36)
19. Battle In The Maze (2:25)
20. Zed’s Death (3:13)
21. Gelt Dies (1:31)
22. Shad And Nanelia (1:29)
23. Another Space Battle (1:00)
24. St. Exmin’s Death (1:33)
25. Cowboy Attacks (1:47)
26. Destruction Of Hammerhead (5:56)
27. Epilog/End Title (5:08)
Total Score Time: 62:53

 

THE EXTRA
28. Gelt’s Chamber Music (1:35)
CD 1 Total Time: 64:28

 

CD 2 Original 1980 Soundtrack Album
01. Main Title (2:00)
02. Malmori Rear Guard (3:51)
03. The Battle Begins (3:31)
04. Shad And Nanelia (1:29)
05. Cowboy And The Jackers (3:37)
06. Nanelia’s Capture (1:28)
07. The Maze Battle (3:10)
08. Shad’s Pursuit (3:22)
09. Cowboy’s Attack (1:44)
10. Love Theme (3:52)
11. The Hunter (1:38)
12. Gelt’s Death (1:28)
13. Nanelia (1:32)
14. Heading For Sador (0:59)
15. Destruction Of Hammerhead (2:35)
16. Epilogue / End Title (5:03)
CD 2 Total Time: 42:39

 

 

 

[OneBuckFilms 324]

@Jay, I don't think it's all that necessary, but one of your famous and handy spreadsheets would be cool for this release.

 

[OneBuckFilms 324]

Mine just got the shipped notice.

 

I'll likely have it by the weekend, at which point my ears will be given a treat.

[Andy 4,141]

Does the reconstructed album mix preserve the performance flubs?  Or are they corrected there too?  The wording is somewhat ambiguous. 

[OneBuckFilms 324]

Good question. I guess we'll find out.

 

I did notice that they combined Shad's Pursuit and Destruction of Hammerhead in the main score.

 

Makes sense as they are that way in the film.

[Holko 9,531]

Doug usually just plomps the unaltered album master in to "preserve the original [see usually: worse] mix" so yeah probably.

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

No sign of that digital release.

[1977 1,743]

HftD took a few weeks after the physical release to appear on digital platforms.

[Andy 4,141]

It’s here!  That was fast. Unfortunately I don’t have time to get to it tonight. 

[OneBuckFilms 324]

I've been listening to it for a couple of hours.

 

Sound quality is excellent, and the new mix is really good.

 

Dry compared to the LP with a natural level of reverb.

 

Just like the samples, you can definitely hear more details in most of the instruments.

 

Kudos to Chris Malone and Doug Fake on this release. Love it.

[The Dark Trilogy 39]

Well, I have to say after listening and comparing that score with the other scores in the same vein (Star Trek 2, Star Trek 3, Krull) I like it very much. I may in the minority here but I like it more than Krull. The action passages are stunning. What Horner has done with only 40 players is remarkeble.

 

So will order this and have my Horner "Space-Trilogy" -> Battle Beyond the Stars, Star Trek 2 and Star Trek 3.

I remember a guy who said he wanted a Star Trek trilogy from Horner and not as we all know ending up with a duology. So instead he put and listen to BBtS as his Star Trek 4 instead of Rosenman's score. Love it.

[1977 1,743]

7 hours ago, ckappes said:

What Horner has done with only 40 players is remarkeble.

 

Wow, did not know that. Most impressive. What a talent he was

 

7 hours ago, ckappes said:

I remember a guy who said he wanted a Star Trek trilogy from Horner and not as we all know ending up with a duology. So instead he put and listen to BBtS as his Star Trek 4 instead of Rosenman's score. Love it.

 

My Horner Star Trek trilogy:

 

Star Trek 1.5: The Booby-Shipped Battle Beyond the Stars

Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

I get liking Battle Beyond the Stars more than Krull, but to exclude it from Horner's space series is heresy! We don't need a trilogy of Horner Trek scores. We already have a quadrilogy as far as I'm concerned.

[OneBuckFilms 324]

The Album CD on this is basically the album master, but it sounds like it is from a better source or something.

 

It sounds pretty good, but with far more reverb (it is the album master), so I think they did something to clean it up.

 

I'll personally only listen to the CD 1 contents for the most part.

[A. A. Ron 1,742]

Well if they’d just put it on digital already I’d listen to it!

[Andy 4,141]

8 hours ago, JTWfan77 said:

My Horner Star Trek trilogy:

 

Star Trek 1.5: The Booby-Shipped Battle Beyond the Stars

Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock

Precisely this!  Yes!!

 

I bet you could track parts of Voyage Home with Rascals and Robbers and it would work as Horner’s Trek IV score. 

[Stark 316]

59 minutes ago, Andy said:

Precisely this!  Yes!!

 

I bet you could track parts of Voyage Home with Rascals and Robbers and it would work as Horner’s Trek IV score. 

That would be an improvement!

[Jay 37,373]

Mine arrived today!  I can't wait to hear it.  I avoided the samples!

[OneBuckFilms 324]

Love to get your feedback on this one.

[DangerMotif 1,038]

Has anyone else noticed skips (disc 1 track 27 at 3:28 and 1-25 at 1:25)or is it and Issue on my end?

thanks

[1977 1,743]

It starts

[OneBuckFilms 324]

No skip in the end credits here.

[Bespin 8,484]

12 hours ago, DangerMotif said:

Has anyone else noticed skips (disc 1 track 27 at 3:28 and 1-25 at 1:25)or is it and Issue on my end?

thanks

 

Com'on, use EAC to rip your CDs, mercy!

[Andy 4,141]

12 hours ago, DangerMotif said:

Has anyone else noticed skips (disc 1 track 27 at 3:28 and 1-25 at 1:25)or is it and Issue on my end?

thanks

 No nothing on my end. Are you playing it in a CD player and it’s skipping?  Or did you rip it. If you can, try a different machine to rip it. 

[Faleel 5,359]

2 minutes ago, Andy said:

 No nothing on my end. Are you playing it in a CD player and it’s skipping?  Or did you rip it. If you can, try a different machine to rip it. 

Yeah, I noticed Intrada CD's sometimes rip with skips on certain drives, especially in latter portion of the programs

[Andy 4,141]

Precisely.  It's always on the outer portions of the disc where that happens.  I use a ridiculously old MacBook to rip them and it does a better job than my usb optical drive.  Tedious, but worth it.  It's not just Intrada, although they are often the most frequent.  I had a Quartet Big Country CD do the same thing.

[Andy 4,141]

 

This might be my favorite expansion of the year.  I LOVE the new mix.  It’s just the right amount of dry for my taste.  Everything is so balanced. Chris Malone is a wizard.  As for the score… just joyous, thrilling, and daring. You’d have to try really hard not to enjoy this. 

 

[Faleel 5,359]

 

[blondheim 1,157]

I’m not sure how I feel about fixing wrong notes with new technology. Does that mean a true expansion of what was actually recorded will never be released?

 

I understand why someone would want to do this but it’s essentially auto-tune for instruments. Fixing pitch that had been warped due to years of damage? Sure. Lots of old historical recordings that would otherwise have been lost to time have been restored this way. Fixing pitch because the players were a little off on the day? Ehhhhhh.

 

I know I personally would rather have the original performance, warts and all, ALL of the time.

 

So while my personal jury is still out debating this issue, anyone have any thoughts about fixing errant notes with technology?

[Trope 527]

I’m excited to hear how this version sounds. It hasn’t appeared on Spotify yet, so once it does, I will sit down and listen to it all the way through.

 

By the way, does the original album program on disc 2 also feature pitch-corrected notes?

[OneBuckFilms 324]

1 hour ago, Trope said:

I’m excited to hear how this version sounds. It hasn’t appeared on Spotify yet, so once it does, I will sit down and listen to it all the way through.

 

By the way, does the original album program on disc 2 also feature pitch-corrected notes?

 

The Album mix is unchanged as far as I can tell.

 

It is improved sound quality wise, but I think it is just from a better source for the Album master, and even has the same reverb applied (a much wetter sound than the main score program).

[Jurassic Shark 12,087]

3 hours ago, blondheim said:

I’m not sure how I feel about fixing wrong notes with new technology. Does that mean a true expansion of what was actually recorded will never be released?

 

It's not much different from recording inserts to patch over flubs. And hey, now we've got the chance to get decent sounding Goldsmith scores.

[OneBuckFilms 324]

3 hours ago, blondheim said:

I’m not sure how I feel about fixing wrong notes with new technology. Does that mean a true expansion of what was actually recorded will never be released?

 

I understand why someone would want to do this but it’s essentially auto-tune for instruments. Fixing pitch that had been warped due to years of damage? Sure. Lots of old historical recordings that would otherwise have been lost to time have been restored this way. Fixing pitch because the players were a little off on the day? Ehhhhhh.

 

I know I personally would rather have the original performance, warts and all, ALL of the time.

 

So while my personal jury is still out debating this issue, anyone have any thoughts about fixing errant notes with technology?

 

I generally sympathize with this, but BBTS is a bit of a special case in that the corrections seem to be done sparingly for a few of the more egregious playing errors.

 

From my listening the full spirit of the recordings are there, and unless one is familiar with the more glaring errors one wouldn't know that parts of the performance were taken from different takes of the recordings.

 

They did the same for Superman IV which suffered many of the same kinds of performance issues.

 

They playing was very spirited and I love the rawness.

[1977 1,743]

3 hours ago, OneBuckFilms said:

They playing was very spirited and I love the rawness.

 

I love many (but not all) of the older City of Prague Philharmonic recordings for the same reason. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

It's not much different from recording inserts to patch over flubs. And hey, now we've got the chance to get decent sounding Goldsmith scores.

 

I wonder if A.I. would be able to fix these kinds of things seemlessly in the not too distant future.

 

 

4 hours ago, Trope said:

It hasn’t appeared on Spotify yet, so once it does, I will sit down and listen to it all the way through.

 

It's already on YouTube Music.

 

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nZWYIaWayjGeGMxDmCK7GtsWdBvIO8nrI&feature=shared

[Andy 4,141]

I never noticed the flubs as I don’t have an ear for that.  All I hear in the new remix is a spirited performance that delights me.  I do get the controversy and if CD space issues weren’t limiting, I’d like to see the original performances preserved. But it’s not stopping me from absolutely loving this. 
 

But I get it. It’s like removing the reflection of the glass when Indiana Jones falls in front of the cobra in Raiders. 

[Yavar Moradi 2,599]

@blondheim it is my understanding that the fixes of egregious flubs on this new album are not accomplished through pitch-correction software, but (as with the album for Superman IV before it) just using modern digital editing tech to splice in other takes/performances by the same orchestra which were preserved on the master tapes of the recording. It is common practice today and has been for a couple decades. These are the same players who managed to get the notes more right in a different take (where likely there were other performance issues elsewhere).

 

Yavar

[Jay 37,373]

Yup, Yavar just said what I was going to say. 

 

Apparently for the OST album they just used complete takes, likely whatever ones had the least flubs overall. Now, they can re-examine each cue and edit between takes throughout, in order to create a new edit with the least amount of flubs and the most amount of good performing.

 

But maybe Chris Malone will go on a podcast somewhere and explain definitively.