Amer 2,117 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 http://quartetrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/VENOM1.jpg Quartet Announces: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack VENOM Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Music Composed and Conducted by Michael Kamen Produced and Mastered by Chris Malone Liner notes by Jeff Bond Limited edition of 1000 units Release date: 12/12/2023 Quartet Records, in collaboration with Aribage Limited and the Michael Kamen estate, is proud to present the premiere release of the early Michael Kamen (BRAZIL, LETHAL WEAPON, DIE HARD, LICENCE TO KILL) score for 1982 British thriller VENOM. Directed by Piers Haggard and based on the novel by Alan Scholfield, starring Sterling Hayden, Klaus Kinski, Sarah Miles, Nicol Williamson, Susan George and Oliver Reed, VENOM tells the story of a group of international terrorists who attempt to kidnap a wealthy couple’s child. Their plan comes unstuck when a deadly Black Mamba escapes with the terrorists and several hostages trapped in the boy's London home. A tense evening is had by all as the snake creeps around the house, picking off the characters one by one. The young Michael Kamen composed a tremendous score, one of his best and an obvious precursor to some of his future successes. In VENOM, one can hear everything from a variation of his future and celebrated theme for THE DEAD ZONE to echoes of what would later be the CONCERTO FOR SAXOPHONE AND ORCHESTRA (as well as parts he later used in ROBIN HOOD and DIE HARD 2). Kamen wisely avoided mimicry, instead imprinting the film with his distinctive voice. Using low woodwinds, low strings and muted brass, he masterfully crafted an atmospheric and personality-rich soundtrack. VENOM is a pivotal score in the composer’s filmography, not only suitably serves the film, but also foreshadows Kamen’s rapid ascent to the ranks of Hollywood’s A-list composers in the years ahead. Performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the composer (who also orchestrated the score in its entirety), this release utilizes three reels of two-track Abbey Road mixes by Eric Tomlison and provided by the Michael Kamen estate. Upon reviewing these masters, it became apparent that editorial adjustments had been made to Kamen’s original compositions for the film. Notably, the “End Titles” music, intended as an unsettling coda, was repurposed within the body of the film. In presenting this release, we restore Michael Kamen’s music to its intended sequencing, allowing the composer to present his story arc. Bonus tracks, including “snake” motifs and drones, conclude the listening program. This album has been meticulously produced, restored and mastered by Chris Malone. The package includes a 20-page booklet with in-depth liner notes by film music writer Jeff Bond. Tracklist: 1. Main Titles 2:52 2. Seduction 1:05 3. Mugambo 1:44 4. Picking Up Jacmel / Drive To Jacmel House 3:08 5. Boy In Car / First Kill 6:06 6. One Dead Maid 2:49 7. Praparate / Waiting 0:57 8. One Dead Rabbit 0:49 9. Grandfather Hunt 3:25 10. That’s It 1:35 11. Duct 1:43 12. On The Steps / Snake 2:09 13. Drinks? / Dave’s Leg 2:57 14. Final Death 3:44 15. End Titles 2:36 Bonus Tracks 16. Main Titles (Film Version) 2:49 17. Mugambo (Orchestral Only) 1:43 18. Snake 1 1:09 19. Snake 2 1:14 20. Snake 3 1:09 21. Snake 4 1:03 22. A Drone 0:39 23. C Drone 0:58 24. End Titles (Alternate) 2:29 Total Disc Time: 51:06 https://quartetrecords.com/product/venom/ Yavar Moradi and JTN 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F 100 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Finally a Kamen release!! Loved hearing the Guitar concerto in that main title. Yavar Moradi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 I had a feeling this was coming out when I saw that the revamped Kamen site had sound clips from it. Looking forward to checking out the whole thing. Kamen is hit/miss, but some of his best stuff, I truly adore. And I will always - ALWAYS! -- applaud premiere releases of previously unreleased scores regardless. bruce marshall and Yavar Moradi 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,473 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Okay, when I saw the name of the movie my first reaction was "wait, isn't 2018 too early for an expansion? And what's missing from the Göransson score?". And the second was "wait, did Kamen write a superhero score?" But then reading the explanation I saw that this movie, which I haven't heard about, is even older than the Marvel Comics character... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 4,141 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Main title is awesome. Not sure about the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,519 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 32 minutes ago, Edmilson said: Okay, when I saw the name of the movie my first reaction was "wait, isn't 2018 too early for an expansion? And what's missing from the Göransson score?". And the second was "wait, did Kamen write a superhero score?" You forgot about X-MEN? JTN and Yavar Moradi 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,473 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Oh right, you're correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chris Malone 49 Posted December 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 14, 2023 I’m really pleased this one has seen the light of day! As an early Michael Kamen score, its instructive to hear how he gave this film a musical voice whilst further developing his own film music voice. It’s also one of the early film scores recorded at Abbey Road after the Anvil team moved there in late 1980. So, we’re hearing that lovely EMI TG12345 mixing console before everything was completely modernised a few years later. Chris Jay, JTN, Yavar Moradi and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindylover1969 32 Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 On 08/12/2023 at 2:26 PM, Edmilson said: "wait, did Kamen write a superhero score?" Yavar Moradi and JTN 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,473 Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 Yeah, but now I'm imagining what if they had released a Venom (the Marvel character) movie back in the 80s with a Kamen score. Would it have had an end titles rap song as ludicrous as this? Cindylover1969 and Giftheck 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 4,141 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 On 2/1/2024 at 10:41 AM, JTW said: The main theme is fantastic. Makes me think what a tremendous loss the passing of Michael Kamen has been for the world of film music. I listened to the samples and I agree the Main Title sounded fantastic. Does anyone have any thoughts on the rest of the score? None of the other samples made me to buy it. Is it for Kamen completists only? JTN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Smeltington 1,441 Posted January 12 Popular Post Share Posted January 12 Wow they really are the same! JTN, Cindylover1969, Edmilson and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTN 2,045 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 5 hours ago, Andy said: I listened to the samples and I agree the Main Title sounded fantastic. Does anyone have any thoughts on the rest of the score? None of the other samples made me to buy it. Is it for Kamen completists only? I wasn’t as impressed by the rest of the score, but an alternate version of the main title is also included, that alone is worth getting the CD for imho. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thestat 348 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 This is horrible - it is like the worst of Kamen brought to table, cheesy-arse light entertainment music (in this case what sounds like an approximation of British propreity with a dangling piano) and those optimistic melodies. Still, great orchestration. JTN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTN 2,045 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 The Main Title is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thestat 348 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 What, as in 'let's announce the BBC newsreporters', with a bit more brass oomph but a lot more piano cheese! Kamen's always been a chap that has traversed the line with being a ridiculous character and an amazing icon.....the hair, the beard. I love him, but that is just me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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