Quartet Records Announces: DAD (2CD) (Music by James Horner)

[Amer 2,188]

 

 

QUARTET ANNOUNCES:

Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

DAD (2-CD)
Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music Composed and Conducted by James Horner

Produced by Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk
Mastered by Mike Matessino
Liner notes by Deniz Cordell
Limited edition of 2000 units

Release date: 12/12/2023

Quartet Records, Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Music Special Markets and Geffen Records present an expanded and remastered 2-CD edition of DAD, the sensitive score composed by James Horner (FIELD OF DREAMS, CASPER, BRAVEHEART, TITANIC) for the 1989 Steven Spielberg production. The film is a family drama written and directed by Gary David Goldberg, and features stars Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, Olympia Dukakis and Ethan Hawke.

The film tells the story of John Tremont (Danson) who returns home after his mother (Dukakis) suffers a heart attack, and ends up caring for, and developing a new bond with, his dad, Jake (Lemmon). This new stage in their relationship restores Jake’s will to live. Meanwhile, Jake’s relationship with his grandson Billy (Hawke), upset by the separation of his parents, encourages the rebuilding of the family.

James Horner composed a touching score, dominated by a beautifully heartwarming theme. This expanded collection has been produced by Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk and mastered by Matessino from original 2-track mixes by engineer Shawn Murphy. Disc one includes the film score presentation with never-before released material and additional bonus tracks. The original MCA album, long out of print, is on Disc 2, which features performance variation in some tracks. The package includes an in-depth essay by film music writer and conductor Deniz Cordell.

Tracklist:

DISC 1. SCORE PRESENTATION

1. Prologue From “Dad” (1:55)
2. Dad (3:12)
3. Saying Goodnight (2:34)
4. I Think It’s White (1:25)
5. Farm Flashback / Visiting Mom (1:06)
6. Mopping The Floor (1:03)
7. Playing Catch (2:01)
8. The Farm (1:51)
9. The Hug (1:02)
10. Wheelchair (2:28)
11. Taking Dad Home (6:41)
12. Where’s Dad? (2:41)
13. The Vigil (2:23)
14. Recovery (1:28)
15. Fashion Show (4:37)
16. The Greenhouse (4:06)
17. Goodbyes (Film Version) (8:23)

Additional Music

18. Playing Catch (Alternate) (1:59)
19. Taking Dad Home (Alternate) (6:42)
20. Where’s Dad? (Alternate) (2:34)
21. The Greenhouse (Alternate) (4:09)
22. The Vigil (Alternate) (2:28)

Total Disc: 67:14

DISC 2. ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM

1. Prologue And Main Title (5:16)
2. Saying Goodnight (2:30)
3. Mopping The Floor (1:03)
4. Playing Catch / The Farm (3:27)
5. The Vigil (2:23)
6. Taking Dad Home (6:41)
7. Dad (3:12)
8. Recovery (1:27)
9. The Greenhouse (4:04)
10. Goodbyes (9:09)

Total Disc: 39:16

Total 2-CD Time: 106:30

https://quartetrecords.com/product/dad-2-cd/

[pete 933]

I would never have guessed this would get a 2CD release, but I love the score!

[Thor 7,951]

Love the score too, but [insert my trademark phrase here].

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

4 minutes ago, Thor said:

Love the score too, but they're all dead.

 

[Thor 7,951]

That's your trademark phrase!

[Marian Schedenig 8,580]

No. His trademark phrase is "they could have done more." Yours is "they could have done less."

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

You know us too well.

[Edmilson 8,180]

Great! More Horner!

 

I've listened to the OST once or twice and the thing I remember the most about it is that one of the themes found its way into Legends of the Fall (and many others) a few years later.

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

Are you thinking of the danger motif?

[GerateWohl 4,789]

2 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Legends of the Fall

I recently listened to Legends of the Fall and it sounded to me like Horner trying to sound like John Barry... and failing.

[1977 1,744]

There is only one Barry. But this is still great Horner.

[GerateWohl 4,789]

Hm. I found it boring. But that's an issue I have with a lot of Horner scores. 

Seems I am just not... horny enough. 

[Yavar Moradi 2,780]

If LLL's one-two expansion punch of Zorro and Sneakers hadn't decided it already, this is the final triumphant release to declare 2023 as the greatest year for James Horner releases EVER. And all of them expansions or premieres!

 

Yavar

[Thor 7,951]

16 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

I recently listened to Legends of the Fall and it sounded to me like Horner trying to sound like John Barry... and failing.

 

Are you keeping track of all our disagreements? Here's another one to add, because LEGENDS OF THE FALL is not only one of the best Horners, but one of the best scores ever written.

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

3 minutes ago, Thor said:

LEGENDS OF THE FALL is not only one of the best Horners, but one of the best scores ever written.

 

You ol' softie.

[GerateWohl 4,789]

Just now, Thor said:

Are you keeping track of all our disagreements? Here's another one to add, because LEGENDS OF THE FALL is not only one of the best Horners, but one of the best scores ever written.

Usually I assume, that we always disagree. I was recently rather irritated because we had two or three matches.

But I guess it's a fair assumption, that in 80-90% of the cases we have an opposite taste when it comes to filmmusic. Which is ok, I guess. I respect your taste. I just don't share it. 

[Thor 7,951]

1 hour ago, GerateWohl said:

Usually I assume, that we always disagree. I was recently rather irritated because we had two or three matches.

 

What a scandal!

[Chris Shaneyfelt 5]

I really enjoy this Horner score and put in my order for the new album. When playing the old MCA CD, I remember thinking the score reminded me a bit of Sylvester Levay's music for Creator.   

[GerateWohl 4,789]

On 08/12/2023 at 6:30 PM, Thor said:

 

Are you keeping track of all our disagreements? Here's another one to add, because LEGENDS OF THE FALL is not only one of the best Horners, but one of the best scores ever written.

After that praise of yours I listened to the score again. And I wouldn't call that main theme in any way memorable or remarkable. But the way this score tries to hammer that ridiculous melody into my brain to make it stick somehow is really penetrant. Sorry, no. This is a score that wished to be great. But... it's not. 

[Bespin 8,602]

I purchased the OST primarily due to James Southall's review on his website, where he awarded it 4/5 stars.

 

His review praises Horner’s score, highlighting the soundtrack's merits despite the film's lack of critical success. The main theme is commended for its beauty and playfulness, featuring a captivating piano melody and a warm, joyful tone. Southall also appreciates Horner's ability to adapt the theme to suit various moods and scenes in the film.

 

The score is described as fresh and appealing, offering a range of arrangements that evoke feelings of tenderness, nostalgia, and joy. Southall mentions a secondary theme introduced in 'The Vigil,' which he describes as heart-melting. Overall, the review highly commends Horner’s contribution to the 'Dad' soundtrack, suggesting it significantly enhances the film.

 

Currently, I'm undecided about needing the expanded version…

[Brónach 1,304]

On 08/12/2023 at 5:30 PM, Thor said:

 

Are you keeping track of all our disagreements? Here's another one to add, because LEGENDS OF THE FALL is not only one of the best Horners, but one of the best scores ever written.

 

it was okay

[Edmilson 8,180]

1 hour ago, GerateWohl said:

After that praise of yours I listened to the score again. And I wouldn't call that main theme in any way memorable or remarkable. But the way this score tries to hammer that ridiculous melody into my brain to make it stick somehow is really penetrant. Sorry, no. This is a score that wished to be great. But... it's not. 

[The Great Gonzales 5,817]

6 hours ago, GerateWohl said:

After that praise of yours I listened to the score again. And I wouldn't call that main theme in any way memorable or remarkable. But the way this score tries to hammer that ridiculous melody into my brain to make it stick somehow is really penetrant. Sorry, no. This is a score that wished to be great. But... it's not. 

The score wants nothing. It's not sentient.

[GerateWohl 4,789]

3 minutes ago, Presto said:

The score wants nothing. It's not sentient.

Maybe that's the issue. Poor testament for a score like this.  But mission accomplished I would say. 

[A. A. Ron 1,770]

Well I love Legends of the Fall and I ordered this, so hopefully I'll love it too!

[Ollie 1,098]

I’ll pick this up. I have a gap in my Horner collection and this one of the missing titles.

 

[Jay 38,291]

Listening to this now.  It's quite lovely, isn't it?

 

I like Horner's original, intended Main Title much more than Jay Gruska's revised version!

[Stark 400]

Wait, what did Gruska do on this score? (I have not bought this yet.)

[Jay 38,291]

He arranged and produced the track titled "Dad", which is used in the film instead of what Horner recorded for the main titles.

 

Disc 1 has "Dad" in chronological place as the main title, and doesn't have Horner's original main title cue on it at all. 

 

Disc 2 (the OST album) has Horner's original main title in track 1 (combined with the prologue cue), and "Dad" is track 7.

[Jay 38,291]

Wow!  I LOVE the dramatic underscoring that opens the tracks "Wheelchair" and "Where's Dad?"!  It provides such an important counterpoint to the generally up-beat nature of the rest of the music.  Really cool stuff!

[Edmilson 8,180]

I listened to it a while ago. I didn't really care for the more "modern" stuff like the sax, synth, drums and pop/easy listening vibes of "Dad" (CD 1 Track 2). Sounded way too dated, too much like the 80s. It reminded me of something you'd hear in a VHS family or school tape back in the 80s and 90s.

 

The rest of the score isn't that bad. It was nice to hear the origins of one of the themes of my favorite Horner score ever (Legends of the Fall). And the more atmospheric piano parts were nicely similar to Field of Dreams. Overall a decent score but its best elements were better used in superior scores later.

[Jay 38,291]

Yes, I find Gruska's track hard to enjoy, and its so at odds with the tone and feel of everything Horner did. 

 

I like Horner's main title cue a lot, it's beautifully written and performed, and sets up the rest of the score perfectly!

 

 

[Jay 38,291]

2 hours ago, Jay said:

Wow!  I LOVE the dramatic underscoring that opens the tracks "Wheelchair" and "Where's Dad?"!  It provides such an important counterpoint to the generally up-beat nature of the rest of the music.  Really cool stuff!

 

In addition to those two cues offering a nice counterpoint to the main score by way of being more dramatic, I also love the way "Mopping The Floor" and "Fashion Show" offer fantastic counterpoint by way of being more whimsical!  The jazzyness of both tracks, as well as the steel drum element in "Fashion Show" make the main program such a fun experience!

 

 

The original soundtrack album was also a very very well done abridgement of the score in 1989.  The way the piano solo in the original main title in track 1 parallels with the piano solo in the final track is great, and the Gruska track is much more palpable where Horner slotted it in. 

 

I have never seen (or even otherwise heard of) this movie, and had never heard a note of the score before this Quartet announcement, but boy, it's a little gem in Horner's discography, and I'm so glad Quartet hired Mike and Neil to make this expansion, and that I've already opened and listened my physical copy. 

 

It's great!  I'm really looking forward to sitting down and reading Deniz' notes!

[Badzeee 112]

Quartet have just announced a 25% off sale for anyone who wants this... worldwide shipping "thrown in" if you buy 8 items. 

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

On 12/12/2023 at 7:55 PM, GerateWohl said:

And I wouldn't call that main theme in any way memorable or remarkable.

 

I find it one of Horner's best, whatever that means.

[GerateWohl 4,789]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

I find it one of Horner's best, whatever that means.

That might be. I must admit, in my register Horner is not the great theme guy. But he has about a handful of really great ones. 

[Jurassic Shark 12,618]

3 minutes ago, GerateWohl said:

That might be. I must admit, in my register Horner is not the great theme guy. But he has about a handful of really great ones. 

 

One of the good things about this theme is the unexpected turns that keep it interesting.

[Thor 7,951]

Horner not a great theme guy.....now I've heard it all.

[GerateWohl 4,789]

In this regard some of us are more fastidious than others.