pacey988 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I have a modest John Williams collection, which you can take a look at on the trading board, but I've been wondering as a collector, what are the scores and soundtracks you've really "got" to have? I don't have any of his Star Wars soundtracks, though I like the main title theme I am not a big fan of Star Wars the movie, there are a lot of soundtracks of movies that I have not seen or just don't really care much for that I have, it seems that the music is the only thing I like about them. I have Jaws, I have the Indiana Jones trilogy, though Temple of Doom and Last Crusade are only half the entire music used in the film on both cds, I have some of his earlier works (The Reivers, The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, Earthquake) and the greatest hits compilation which came out in 1999. What I would like to know is what is in your opinion an "essential" soundtrack, one that no Williams fan or collector should be without? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth 67 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 The entire Star Wars classic trilogy should be heard at least once. There is a lot of music there and nearly every note is brilliant. Return of the Jedi drags for me. For a taste of more modern Williams I would say Minority Report is a must have. I recently rediscovered this score and it is quite good. The Star Wars prequels are not as good as the old ones but are still good, despite what some here would say about Attack of the Clones (I like some parts of it quite a bit). E.T. is also a must have; I also enjoy An American Journey, which has a lot of his incidental fanfares and the score to the film from the Millennium Celebration. Then there are the concert pieces; the Cello Concerto is interesting. What I have heard of the Bassoon Concerto and Violin Concerto are also not bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacey988 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Author Share Posted May 10, 2005 I have An American Journey and the score from E.T., in fact here is the listing of the entire material I have from John Williams on cd:The ReiversThe Poseidon AdventureThe Towering InfernoEarthquakeJawsClose Encounters of The Third KindSupermanRaiders of the Lost ArkE.T. The Extra-TerrestrialIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomSpacecampThe Accidental TouristEmpire Of The SunIndiana Jones and the Last CrusadeBorn On The Fourth Of JulySummon The HeroesJohn Williams' Greatest Hits 1969-1999American JourneyLiberty FanfareNBC NewsThere are two things I am considering at this time. Should I dump any bootleg recordings such as the NBC News pieces that only exist on bootleg? What about re-recordings like his score for "Amazing Stories" and "Midway"? I've read reviews and some people criticize the re-recordings for being "not bold enough" or "too slow, not true to the original, lacking flair" things like that. Before I got the Towering Inferno and Poseidon Adventure I had a disaster movie album that was decent, one of the Silva Screen releases, some notes were off, there were some faults in the re-recording, overall not stacking up to the original, should I stick with original recordings only? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth 67 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I don't really care for what I have heard of Midway that much. As far as the other scores you mention, I have not heard anything beyond the themes. In the realm of re-recordings, the Gerhardt Star Wars re-recordings are well thought of; what I have heard I liked, but I vastly prefer the original recordings with the LSO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jynxpossum 0 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I would say the Star Wars Trilogy, the Harry Potter Trilogy, Jurassic Park, Hook and Schindler's List are all essential scores you are missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Make sure you have these at least:clicky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Barnsbury 8 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Adding the Potters to that list would make a good foundation.Ray Barnsbury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scissorhands 16 Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Like it or not, Sleepers is essential in any good film music collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightscape94 965 Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 What about "The Fury", great music that is unlike most of Williams' work.Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 Kind of hard to get though, these days. But I'd get some SW, HP and JP before getting The Fury. Although being on the lookout for it would be a wise thing to do.- Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie 45 Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 See, the more scores you add to this list, the more you want to add. Where do you draw the line between essential and excellent or great? Especially since we are all fans here... you need to set a number and stick to it. Like 5The Empire Strikes BackE.T.: The Extra-TerrestrialHookJurassic ParkSchindler's List...where every moment sustains your attention from start to finish, chord to chord, melody to melody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orrakul 0 Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 Top 5 huh?:Star Wars (also known as Episode 4 to some...)E.T.Close Encounters of the Third KindRaiders of the Lost ArkJurassic ParkVery tough to just choose 5... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prick vs The DD 0 Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 All of them!The Village Idiot has spoken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontyBurns 0 Posted May 12, 2005 Share Posted May 12, 2005 What about "The Fury", great music that is unlike most of Williams' work. I'm very fond of The Fury too. It's certainly one I'd add to the list (though admittedly since Varese sold out of the two-disc not long ago it is going to be hard for some people to find, bit in my opinion once found it makes for a very rewarding listen). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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