Whether by plan or not, Cat Stevens's decision to renounce his phenomenally successful career as a singer-songwriter (and to embrace a life of spiritual education and charity) neatly coincided with the explosion of punk and new wave that would drastically reshape the pop landscape for decades to come. Released in December of 1978, Back to Earth would be the last of Stevens's pop career, an album with a recognizable, even slightly mature feel. But one doesn't have to scratch too far beneath the surface of the familiar, invitingly simple balladry here to find an artist wrestling with any number of weighty personal issues. Indeed, Stevens seems almost angry and bitter at the failed relationship of "Just Another Night," owns up to the edgy state of his sanity on "Bad Brakes," and displays a resigned fatalism on "Last Love Song" and "Never" that's ironic indeed coming from the artist who heralded the "Peace Train" with such convincing optimism. --Jerry McCulley
Back to Earth,Cat Stevens,A&M,Album Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock
Back to Earth [Original recording remastered]
Average customer rating:
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The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music
Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000C6K09 Release Date: 2003-10-07 |
Tracks:
- The Sugarland Express-Main Theme
- Jaws-Main Theme
- Close Encounters Of The Third Kind-Suite
- Raiders Of The Lost Ark-March
- Raiders Of The Lost Arc-The Map Room:Dawn
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrail-Adventures On Earth
- Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-Mine Car Chase
- Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-End Credits
- Empire Of The Sun-Exsultate Justi
- Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-Indy's First Adventure
Tracks:
- Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-End Credits
- Always-Follow Me/Dorinda's Solo Flight
- Hook-Main Themes
- Jurassic Park-Main Themes
- Schindler's List-Main Theme
- Amistad-Dry Your Tears, Afrika
- Saving Private Ryan-Hymn To The Fallen
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence-Where Dreams Are Made
- Minority Report
- Catch Me If You Can
Tracks:
- The Rare Breed-Suite (Universal Emblem/Hilary's Plight/Scottish Romeo/The Hunt)
- Jane Eyre-Suite: The Jane Eyre Theme
- Jane Eyre-Suite: To Thornfield
- Jane Eyre-Suite: Restoration
- The Cowboys-Overture
- The Poseidon Adventure-Prelude
- The Towering Inferno-Main Titles
- Family Plot-End Titles
- The Fury-Main Titles
- Superman-Main Theme
- Dracula-Main Titles & Storm
- The River-Main Theme & Love Theme
- The Witches Of Eastwick- Dance Of The Witches
Tracks:
- Born On The Fourth Of July-End Credits
- Presumed Innocent-End Titles
- JFK-Arlington/End Titles
- Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone-Hedwig's Theme
- Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets-Fawkes The Phoenix
- Star Wars: A New Hope- Main Theme
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-Hans Solo And The Princess
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-The Imperial March
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace- Anakin's Theme
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-The Flag Parade
- Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones-Across The Stars
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-Duel Of The Fates
Customer Reviews:
Very disappointing, considering what it could have been.......2007-04-20
Disc 1: 60 minutes
Disc 2: 50 minutes
Disc 3: 61 minutes
Disc 4: 58 minutes
What gives Silva? There is *MUCH* more John Williams in the silva screen back catalogue by the Prague Philharmonic than what is in this set, and thats not including their entire discs devoted to Star Wars Films, Indiana Jones Trilogy etc. Why isn't Hook "When You're Alone" included on Disc 2? There's room. Why isn't 1941 on Disc 1? There's room. Why isn't Earthquake on Disc 3? There's room. Why isn't Far and Away on disc 4? There's room. Where's the other ten minutes of the Rare Breed suite on disc 3? Why isn't Midway on disc 1? Where are the Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and Lots In Space tv themes? Etc. Etc. Etc.
C'mon Silva, most of these 4 disc mega boxes released in the past few years are packed to the brim, but not this one, and with new recordings made after this was released (the terminal, munich, geisha, war of the worlds, star wars ep 3, harry potter 3), it only makes sense for a "re-do" in the next couple of years.
Further, with Silva releasing the 100 Greatest Film Themes on six discs in a couple of months, it's only a matter of time before we see the ultimate six disc john williams set.
This isn't a BAD set to own, but it could have been much better and when compared to the Jerry Goldsmith and John Barry sets in this same series, this one is a major letdown.
Always a pleaser.......2007-03-31
JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music.......2007-01-10
Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia.......2006-12-13
John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music.......2006-11-28
Average customer rating:
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The Lover & The Beloved
Donna De Lory Manufacturer: AJNA MUSIC ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001DHQNA Release Date: 2004-01-31 |
Tracks:
- Ganapati Om
- Om Nama Shivaya
- He Ma Durga
- Hare Krishna
- Govinda Jaya Jaya
- Samba Sadashiva
- Govinda Jaya Jaya (Mac Quayle Mix)
Amazon.com
Donna de Lory has several solo albums out, but she's still best known as a back-up singer for Madonna, fleshing out choruses since the mid 1980s. There's more than a little bit of Madonna in De Lory's voice, at once fragile and vulnerable, yet still powerful, with a gospel-like yearning. On her own, De Lory has crafted artful pop on albums like Bliss and In the Glow, but she also tends toward the mystical and began incorporating Sanskrit mantras or Kirtans into her songs, a tact culminated on The Lover & the Beloved, a full-fledged Mantra journey. De Lory draws from the golden oldies of mantras, including "Hare Krishna," but revs them up with electronica beats, verse-chorus arrangements, multi-tracked vocals, and electronic textures sprinkled in with the sitars and tablas. Cameron Stone weaves his processed cello through De Lory's melodies and harmonium in serpentine rivulets, tying together the tablas of Girish Gambhira and the answering chants of Kirtan singer, Dave Stringer. Endowed with the materiel girl's sense of pop form and irresistible hooks, De Lory posits a confluence between pop and spiritual music, in which a repeated chorus has the same mantric effect as a chant. Her chants could be hymns to Krishna or a plea to a lover, but they are equally ecstatic and powerful. --John DilibertoAlbum Description
These Sanskrit mantras bubble with a groove and atmosphere that takes tradition to heaven and back. Donna's voice resonates with ether and earth, beauty that asks you to join in, become one with the sound of deep celebration.Customer Reviews:
WOW.......2007-06-26
Soothing. Peaceful. .......2006-09-12
They last a long time which is perfect for use as background music while working or while chatting with friends.
It makes it easier to relax to the melody,let your cares float away as the music wraps around you.
It's one of my favorites, I'm so glad I took a chance and got this one:)
Amazing Soulful Yoga Music.......2006-03-18
brilliant masterpiece.......2005-09-12
Just love it!.......2005-04-11
I found all the songs to be melodious. The lyrics are simple for anyone to remember easily. The tune is catchy and lingers on after listening. There is a nice blend of western and Indian instruments providing soothing background music. As in many Indian songs/chants, you will find repetition within each song, which is a nice thing. You probably will not notice it as it encourages you to remember the tune/song much easily.
I use this album in my Yoga classes regularly and come away humming for a long time. Just love it!
Average customer rating:
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Superman - The Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000046PVN Release Date: 2000-02-15 |
Tracks:
- Prelude and Main Title March
- Planet Krypton, The
- Destruction of Krypton
- Star Ship Escapes
- Trip to Earth, The
- Growing Up
- Death of Jonathan Kent
- Leaving Home
- Fortress of Solitude, The
- Welcome to Metropolis
- Lex Luthor's Lair
- Big Rescue, The
- Super Crime Fighter
- Super Rescues
- Luther's Luau
- Planet Krypton (Alternate), The
- Main Title March (Alternate)
Tracks:
- Superman March (Alternate)
- March of the Villains, The
- Terrace, The
- Flying Sequence, The
- Lois and Clark
- Crime of the Century
- Sonic Greeting
- Misguided Missiles and Kryptonite
- Chasing Rockets
- Supefeates
- Super Dam and Finding Lois
- Turning Back the World
- Finale and End Title March
- Love Theme from Superman
- Can You Read My MInd (Alternate performed by Margot Kidder)
- Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind, The
- Can You Read My Mind (Alternate Instrumental)
- Theme from Superman (Concert Version)
Amazon.com
Released during the era of leisure suits and pet rocks, the film Superman: The Movie has aged about as well. But the often-clumsy charms of Richard Donner's cartoonish, hit-and-miss take on the Man of Steel was blessed with at least one superlative artistic effort: John Williams's epic score. The composer's Oscar-nominated music (coming on the heels of Star Wars and Close Encounters) was a wall-to-wall heroic symphony, rife with memorable melodies and ominous arrangements. Almost every original cut on this soundtrack appears in an expanded version, supplemented by nearly a dozen previously unreleased cues and alternate takes. Featuring a deluxe slipcase and extensive, new liner notes, this is the definitive release of one of Maestro Williams's greatest scores. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
Original 1978 Recording?.......2007-04-04
AWESOME! John Williams shows again why he's the master of movie scores.......2006-08-31
The original soundtrack release from 1978, while still an excellent collection, was sadly lacking in several of the best cues from the film. Most important of these was Track 12 (Disc 1) in which the helicopter crashes on the Daily Planet's roof and dangles precariously above the street. Williams builds on it, introducing Superman's theme into it as Clark Kent runs across the street, then rips open his shirt to reveal the 'S' - the symbol of the House of El - then enters the revolving door & exits as Superman. At the end of this is one of my favorite cues; the Superman theme is played as the Man of Steel appears above Metropolis, flying over the city on the hunt for criminals. 'Crime of the Century' (Track 6, Disc 2) was one of my favorite cues; this one portrayed the missile convoy as it made its way along the freeway, where Luthor staged the accident to get his cronies close enough to sabotage the missiles. There are too many new tracks to list here that should have been included the first time around, just a lack of space precluded this from happening.
Is John Williams Superman???.......2006-08-20
Excellent!.......2006-08-10
Hector, about the liner notes..........2006-07-14
Average customer rating:
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Back to Earth
Cat Stevens Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000058TDY Release Date: 2001-02-13 |
Tracks:
- Just Another Night
- Daytime
- Bad Brakes
- Randy
- The Artist
- Last Love Song
- Nascimento
- Father
- New York Times
- Never
Amazon.com
Whether by plan or not, Cat Stevens's decision to renounce his phenomenally successful career as a singer-songwriter (and to embrace a life of spiritual education and charity) neatly coincided with the explosion of punk and new wave that would drastically reshape the pop landscape for decades to come. Released in December of 1978, Back to Earth would be the last of Stevens's pop career, an album with a recognizable, even slightly mature feel. But one doesn't have to scratch too far beneath the surface of the familiar, invitingly simple balladry here to find an artist wrestling with any number of weighty personal issues. Indeed, Stevens seems almost angry and bitter at the failed relationship of "Just Another Night," owns up to the edgy state of his sanity on "Bad Brakes," and displays a resigned fatalism on "Last Love Song" and "Never" that's ironic indeed coming from the artist who heralded the "Peace Train" with such convincing optimism. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
Back to Earth by Cat Stevens.......2006-02-01
Sharon Dillard
49agent
Not Up to Cat's Standards.......2005-11-12
Beautiful cover, shame about the music.......2004-10-02
My All time favourite.......2003-06-19
A Light Fitting Farewell By Cat Stevens.......2002-09-13
It is a nice album to relax to, and not as keyboard drenched like its predecessor, Izitso.
There are many highlights including: Just Another Night, Daytime, and Never. And there's really only one lowlight -- New York Times (the chorus sounds like a cheesy "I Love New York" commercial!).
A very good album as I said before, a nice calm way to go out as Cat Stevens!
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The Incredible Film Music Box
Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007S687Y Release Date: 2005-05-10 |
Tracks:
- Gone With The Wind: Overture
- Citizen Kane: Overture
- Casablanca: As Time Goes By
- It's A Wonderful Life: It's A Wonderful Life
- The Third Man: The Harry Lime Theme
- The Searchers: Suite
- The Bridge On The River Kwai: Colonel Bogey March
- Vertigo: Prelude
- Touch Of Evil: Main Title
- Ben-Hur: Parade Of The Charioteers
- North By Northwest: Prelude
- Psycho: Suite
- The Magnificent Seven: The Magnificent Seven
- Lawrence Of Arabia: Overture
Tracks:
- To Kill A Mockingbird: Suite
- The Great Escape: Main Title
- Doctor Zhivago: Main Title & Lara's Theme
- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
- Once Upon A Time In The West: Jill's Theme
- 2001: A Space Odyssey: Also Sprach Zarathustra
- Midnight Cowboy: Midnight Cowboy
- Get Carter: Main Title
- A Clockwork Orange: Ode To Joy
- The Godfather: Waltz & Love Theme
- Jaws: Jaws
- Rocky: Gonna Fly Now
- Taxi Driver: Suite
- Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope
Tracks:
- Superman: Main Theme
- Alien: End Title
- Raging Bull: Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana
- Raiders Of The Lost Ark: Raiders March
- Blade Runner: End Titles
- E.T.: The Extraterrestrial: Adventures On Earth
- Once Upon A Time In America: Deborah's Theme
- Back To The Future: Main Theme
- Witness: Building The Barn
- Aliens: Main Title
- Cinema Paradiso: Cinema Paradiso
- Glory: Charging Frot Wagner
- Dances With Wolves: The John Dunbar Theme
- Unforgiven: Claudia's Theme
Tracks:
- The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First
- Schindler's List: Main Theme
- Braveheart: End Credits
- Titanic: My Heart Will Go On
- Saving Private Ryan: Hymn To The Fallen
- American Beauty: Any Other Name
- Gladiator: Now We Are Free
- Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: The Fellowship
- The Girl With The Pearl Earring: Griet's Theme
- Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl: Suite
- Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban: Suite
- Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Letter That Never Came
- Finding Neverland: Impossible Opening
- The Incredibles: Overture
Customer Reviews:
Six Decades of Film Music.......2007-05-13
Excellent collection with fine performances.......2007-03-28
"essential film scores from 1939 to 2004 ~ Incredible Music".......2005-05-16
There are compilations and then there are "Compilations" beginning with a classic that even the youngsters today recognize "GONE WITH THE WIND" (1939) (Max Steiner), sweeping score that captures the tragic history of the South during the Civil War, one great cue after another, it doesn't get any better than this, nominated by the Academy for Best Original Score...and closing on Disc 4 with "THE INCREDIBLES" (2004) (Michael Giacchino), the big hit in computer animation from Walt Disney & Pixar that once again pit Super-Heroes against the forces of evil...our family of five Supers prove crime doesn't pay, but box-office receipts do...gotta love it!
Silva Screen Classics as usual, has put quality into this 4-CD-Set featuring The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by Kenneth Alwyn, Bill Ashton, Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens, Derek Wadsworth, and Nic Raine. Recorded in "Dolby Surround" with the new technology of "HDCD", this is a "film-score-buffs" dream, one to treasure now and years to come.
Some selections are missing, but when you think of what Silva has included, it is impossible to please everyone...was happy to see "TOUCH OF EVIL" (1958) from composer Henry Mancini, as I feel this composer deserves all the recognition that has been overlooked recently in the music world...This collection is aimed directly at the "Serious Film Score" music fans and collectors...Silva is as always, perfect in every way...just the way we like 'em!
Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1181 ~ (5/10/2005)
Average customer rating:
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The Science Fiction Album
Various Artists Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000066HE5 Release Date: 2005-02-08 |
Tracks:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Aliens
- Sound Effect - The Nostromo
- Alien
- A.I.
- Armageddon
- Sound Effect - Apollo 13 Lift-off
- Apollo 13
- Back To The Future
- Battle Beyond The Stars
- Battlestar Galactica
- The Black Hole
- Contact
- Capricorn One
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- The Day The Earth Stood Still
- Dune
Tracks:
- Galaxy Quest
- Sound Effect - Dogfight in Space
- Enemy Mine
- Ghostbusters
- Gremlins
- Heavy Metal
- Independence Day
- E.T.
- Judge Dredd
- The Last Starfighter
- Lifeforce
- Sound Effect - Crash Landing
- Lost In Space
- Mars Attacks
- The Matrix
- Predator
- The Right Stuff
Tracks:
- Moonraker
- Robocop
- Silent Running
- Sound Effect - Alien Organism
- Species
- Stargate
- Starship Troopers
- Starman
- Star Trek - TV Theme
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture End Title
- Klingon Attack
- Sound Effect - Warp Drive
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Star Trek: Generations
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Tracks:
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
- Sound Effect - Transporter Crew
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Theme
- Star Trek First Contact
- Star Wars
- The Empire Strikes Back
- The Empire Strikes Back
- Return of the Jedi
- Sound Effect - Battle Stations
- Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace - The Flag Parade
- Anakin's Theme
- The Adventures of Jar Jar
- Duel of the Fates
- The Time Machine
- Things to Come
- The Thing From Another World
- War of the Worlds
- When Worlds Collide
- Total Recall
- You Only Live Twice
- Superman
Customer Reviews:
The penultimate collection ..........2006-12-07
I have always had a weak spot for (good, or maybe even intelligent) science fiction/fantasy and film music, especially its way of evoking mystery, grandure and wide open spaces. Call it a weakness if you want. But it was maybe really kick started off, for as far as I can remember, with Star Trek. But especially Star Trek II, III and IV - essentially a trilogy - because of their very romantic but very warm, human core, set on the broadest canvasses of unlimited and mysterious outer space. But then there was the music for adding that essential extra dimension of emotion and atmosphere. I am happy that much of the music on this album is from the Star Trek series and films, often equaling or sometimes even outclassing the original recordings.
This kind of music (for the movies) should be seen as an art on its own rights with its own merits and qualities. As such, the musical sequences on these CD's are a beautifully played cross section of some of the most evoking orchestral music for science fiction/fantasy film ever created. And I very much like the nicely blended, wide and deep orchestral soundpicture with enough reverberation to evoke a sense of wide open spaces.
I am quite thrilled by tracks like the evocative music from Dune, truly transporting one to the vastly sands of Arrakis (the music is wonderful, but to my great regret I think the movie itself is a flawed masterpiece at best, alas.). And then there is the very different, goofy music for Ghostbusters (memories of childhood), the spoofy but electrifying music from Mars Attacks (lovingly parodist music, this, with not a little touch of irony) and the happily adventurous, forward driving Theme from Galaxy Quest ('Never give up, never surrender!'), now also used for the internet-based fan-series Star Trek: The Hidden Frontier. On the other side of the spectrum we have the atmospheric music for Enemy Mine (an underestimated 'little' movie), the Theme from The Right Stuff (actually science FACT, not fiction, this film, just like Apollo 13, of course), the eerily attractive music for Species, the original End Title for Alien (not used in the theatrical version of the movie, where it was replaced by music from howard Hanson's Second Symphony), the exquisitely exotic music for Stargate, the sweet and warmly sympathetic, beautifully re-orchestrated, theme for Starman, the title cue for Star Trek: TOS (much more melodiously played than the original! If only a series nowadays could continue to be as thought provoking and as original as Star Trek was during its launch, fourty years ago ...) and a truly overpowering End Titles Suite from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I especially like the thrillingly grandiloquent rendition here of the music for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And how nice it is to hear the (thematic) similarities between James Horner's music for The Wrath of Khan, his great break-through as a film music composer, and his (two years) earlier music for Battle Beyond the Stars (which did indeed help him earn the job for writing the music for Star Trek II) ...
But on the 'down side', if one is looking for - for example - the gorgeously expansively played End Titles from Cocoon, it is not included here: one has to acquire the album that 'kicked it all off', so to say, namely 'Space and Beyond', also on Silva Screen. I was very pleased also with the inclusion on that album of some of the music from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, namely where one of the characters, Tasha Yar, in one of the episodes (Skin of Evil) is saying goodbye to her crewmmates: sweetly sentimental and simple music which I have always wanted to own on CD. I guess that a few cues from the other two sequals ('Alien Invasion: Space and Beyond II' and 'Space3: Beyond the Final Frontier') didn't make it onto this 4 CD collection-album as well, but I guess that it would be the 'better part of the bargain' to opt to buy this 'The Science Fiction Album' instead of buying all three albums separately. Well, of course it is for yourself to ultimately decide what you really want ;-)
If I were to nitpick (which is not easy with such a marvellous project as this one), then I would say that while all music is performed with magnificent grandure and with style, some of it is not performed as crisply and as technically 'on the spot' as some of the original recordings: ensemble is a little slack and the playing somewhat stilted sometimes, losing some of the edge and the originality of the writing. ET and Star Wars spring to mind, but then the soundtracks for Star Wars are traditionally recorded with the magnificent London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro John Williams himself, and these superior recordings (especially the ones for Episode I, II and III) can't really be bettered, IMHO. Likewise for the music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I believe that in the end one really has to resort to the ultimate reference, namely the original recording (which is true in many other instances of 'original recordings'), and then the 20th anniversay colector's edition of this soundtrack on Columbia/Legacy (truly unmissable, this veritable classic of sci-fi/film music soundtracks!).
But all in all this 4CD-collection amounts to probably being the penultimate high quality sci-fi music album collection (I certainly know of no other project that comes as close quality as well as quantity wise), with some of the most memorable musical moments from classic to modern sci-fi/fantasy film captured in lavish orchestrations.
Collection-wise: five *stars*. Playing: generally four *stars*, sometimes more. The recording quality: five *stars*. The music (qualified on its own merits as film music) and its (re)orchestrations: generally five *stars*. In the end this is all highly recommended, and certainly not to be missed by science fiction and fantasy film music fans. Klaatu barada nikto.
Muisic of the Spheres.......2006-11-06
The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection.......2005-10-23
The moment I ripped off the shrink-wrap and popped it into my cd player was a moment of great trepidation. Believe me when I tell that I've seen my fair share of sub-par orchestral recording in my lifetime. Very often they are in those big super-packs of music, and suffer from poor direction, improper mastering, and sometime even pathetic orchestration (or worse yet have something sounding like a cheap synthesizer and a kazoo in place of a full orchestra). I needn't have worried though. This sucker is fantastic.
Many people who are not audiophiles will probably miss the point of this cd collection. It is not the original versions of the pieces. It is re-orchestrations, mostly by the phenomenal Prague Symphony Orchestra. Many of these themes didn't sound all that hot in there original versions because they were low budget films or were not recorded in high-fidelity. Here they are given the full treatment, mastered with the most loving care imaginable. Often the version found in these cds is SUPERIOR to the original.
Remember the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey? Of course you do. But how many times have you heard a cheap imitation of the original version from the movie, starting too low in volume and ending too high (and missing the essential pipe-organ that gives it that extra oomph)? Well, this first track in the entire collection is not only everything it should be instrumental and timing-wise, but it also has been oh-so-carefully adjusted during the mastering process so that at no time is the music either too low or too high in volume (surely a benchmark for every other recording ever to be made of the piece).
Or what about the theme from the (at-the-time) uber-creepy The Black Hole? The orchestration of this piece of music goes from tiumphant to terrifying and back again, with a splendor and cleanness that I CERTAINLY don't remember being in the original recording.
Then there's the new version of the theme from Independence Day, complete with a violin solo, a far more electrifying ending climax, and a chorus so thunderous that you feel like applauding at the end. Simply indescribable. Kind of like the MIND-BLOWING rendition of the theme from The Last Star Fighter. This has been one of my favorite themes for a long time now, but I've never heard it played like this. I think the original version of the theme is something like 1 minute long, but this new version doesn't just fade out (HAHAHAHA!!!!) THIS version is THREE minutes long, goes through the main theme THREE times, with the final strains being so triumphant and joyous I could not help but feel an electrifying charge the first dozen or so times (come to think of it, I still feel that way). This is superior to the original in EVERY way. AWESOME.
And let's not forget the incredible new rendition of Stargate with it's heavy use of clarinets (for Egyptian effect!) and a triumphant new ending (completely lacking the chanting from the original version. This version is so different that for the first minute it is very hard to tell that it is in fact Stargate. But then the main theme kicks in, and then you get this incredible flute solo for my favorite part of theme (the whole thing is played slower, but arguably more powerfully than the original). My goodness. At first I found the thing so different I didn't like it. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again.
I could go on and on, talking about the fantastic new rendition of Moon Raker, the ear-popping Battlestar Galactica, the classic Star Trek (First Contact has a minute or two of the theme from Star Trek:The Motion Picture before going into the main theme), or the sweet renditions of music from the Star Wars movies (or the music from E.T.).
I have to mention though that this collection was not picked based merely on what people want, or on what is popular. No, the people who made it obviously thought a GOOD music collection was better than a popular one. That's why you get a heartbreakingly beautiful theme from A.I. instead of the main theme. It's why you get music from movies that you probably never gave a second thought to the music (because the movie was lousy). It's why you get Armageddon, Judge Dredd, and Robocop (who would have guessed their music was so COOL when there was all that crazy action and bad-acting going on on-screen).
I said it before and I'll say it again. This cd-set was mastered with tender-loving-care, and it shows BIG-TIME. High-fidelity the likes of which I have not seen since the days when cds were brand-new in the world. Dolby Surround. Perfectly balanced. BEAUTIUFL orchestrations. About the only thing that makes me scratch my head is the weird sound-effect tracks (Oooookay.....). Other than that, it's PERFECT. Obviously they could not include every sci-fi theme ever (no one can), but this collection is REALLY GOOD. A lot of great themes that got away (forgotten gems :), new versions of old favorites, and under-appreciated classics aplenty, but ALWAYS the full and complete versions with nothing cut-out (the theme from Dune is quite extended).
If you love movie music (and sci-fi movie music in particular) you MUST buy this awesome collection). It is not the original recordings. Almost always the new ones are better (if they aren't better they're just equal). This is what you have been waiting for. I for one am going to be buying quite a few cds from this company in the future. Give your ears the treat they deserve. Buy it NOW.
SciFi Album gift.......2005-07-20
Away From to be a Collectible Peace.......2004-12-16
Average customer rating:
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Back to Earth
Lisa Ekdahl , and Peter Nordahl Trio Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000IFUZ Release Date: 1999-04-13 |
Tracks:
- Now Or Never
- Nature Boy
- Stranger On Earth
- Laziest Girl In Town
- It Had To Be You
- Down With Love
- What Is This Thing Called Love
- Tea For Two
- The Lonely One
- I Get A Kick Out Of You
- Just For A Thrill
- Night And Day
- Plaintive Rumba
Customer Reviews:
A flower.......2005-08-15
Is she legal?.......2002-02-23
The presentation--from the album photos to the voice to the interpretations--seems calculated to evoke more than anything else a "jazz Lolita," a pre-nubile nymphet who through some inexplicable miracle has been constructed and cleverly packaged by some international marketing genius (though I think Lisa's producers errored by not going with either solo piano accompaniment or an unobtrusive string section).
This isn't my thing. I wouldn't even bother to mention it to my musican friends. On the other hand, fans of Nabokov may have some cause to celebrate.
Very nice!.......2001-11-24
Smooth Sound For Smooth People.......2001-07-05
i'm in love..........2000-12-24
Average customer rating: |
Come Back to You
Down to Earth Approach Manufacturer: Vagrant Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000R7I2W4 Release Date: 2007-07-10 |
Tracks:
- Waiting
- Frustrated
- Anyone Else
- Just Say So
- Night Moves
- You Don't Need Love
- The Wizard
- See You
- I Talk To Me
- Reunion
- When You're Around
Album Description
Come Back To You, the band's sophomore release, is filled with the band's soaring vocals, anthemic choruses and buoyant melodies. The bittersweet pop songs on their latest effort chronicle the young band grappling with significant changes in their lives; what happens when your dreams do come true, losing and finding love, and readjusting to life in your hometown once you explored beyond its borders.Special guests on a few tracks include Drew Glackin of The Silos on lap steel and Max Bemis of Say Anything on vocals.
Average customer rating: |
Classics Explained: Rite of Spring
Stravinsky , Rahbari , and Brt Po Brussels Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007FPFN Release Date: 2003-07-15 |
Average customer rating:
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Retro Rocket Back to Earth/The Legendary Stardust Cowboy Rides Again
Legendary Stardust Cowboy Manufacturer: Last Call Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009299CE Release Date: 2005-04-12 |
Tracks:
- Bladerunner
- Linda
- Geiger Counter
- Westward Creek
- Stealth Cowboy
- Earthquake
- Credit Card Blues
- I Hate CDS
- There'll Be Hot Coffee
- Magic in Your Eyes
- Egyptian Maiden
- Linda (Reprise)
Tracks:
- Relaxation
- Ride a Tractor
- Someone Took the Yellow from My Egg
- Pahrump
- World's Worst Titles
- Red Telephone
- Idiots Running Sideways
- Arise!
- Red Eyes
- Saturn
- Rubber Hits the Road
- I Love My Bed
- New Jersey Turnpike
Customer Reviews:
"Paralyzed" With Identifiable Words.......2006-01-29
I found the extremely jarring and disjointed "Geiger Counter" and "Egyptian Maiden" to be among the most entertaining tracks, while I found the spoken word (song-poem?) "Someone Took The Yellow From My Egg" to be perhaps the strangest thing I have ever heard on a commercially released CD (that is not to say it's good, it is one of the less inspired songs on the set, actually, but it is very peculiar.) My favorite song on the CD has to be "World's Worst Titles" a song of song titles too bad or strange for even the Ledge to use (for example, "My Baby is Shaped Like an Ironing Board"). For pure surrealism set to music, look no further.
The package is quite nice and includes a lengthy pamphlet (some of which is in French!) describing the life of the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, and true fans will not want to miss it. These recordings will never have wide commercial appeal, but like all good outsider music, that inherently is their appeal. I recommend this CD set to anyone who wants to broaden their musical horizons beyond the mundane.
Rap Music:
- Backstreet's Back [Import] [Extra tracks]
- Big Plans for Everybody
- Built by Blood
- Buttersprites
- Colour of Spring [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- Commercial Album: 25th Anniversary Special Edition [Special Edition]
- Crosby Nash
- Crystal Planet
- Dead Can Dance Tribute: The Lotus Eaters
- Desiderata [Explicit Lyrics]
Recommended Music:
Mussorgsky - Boris Godunov / John Tomlinson · Paul Daniel [in English] [Highlights]
Les Indispensables de Miles Davis [Import]
Music: Before Everything & After [Import]
Neath the Puke Tree [CD-single]
In The Broken Fields Where I Lie
Let's Dance [CD-single] [Enhanced]
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker (Favorite Excerpts from the Original Soundtrack Recording)