Make no mistake about it, I'm not claiming that "Nixon" is a masterpiece (it does drag a bit in the middle, where it is helped out by the "Battle Hymn of the Republic.") But it IS a consistently interesting, well-crafted, and eminently worthy composition that belongs in your collection. It certainly deserved its Oscar-nomination. Among my favorite cues: "The 1960's: The Turbulent Years," "Growing Up In Whittier," and "The Meeting With Mao." The fullness of the Hollywood Records release is also to be commended.

This is also a case where time heals wounds, so to speak. In an online review, Jonathan Braxton rightly points out that the score "marked the beginning of a real change of style for Williams, which has continued on through Sleepers and The Lost World, and for all those people who knew and loved his upbeat marches, soaring love themes and dramatic action cues, it came as quite a shock."

My opinion of the score is the same as yours and the venerable Mr Broxton's. Good, solid score.

the only thing I despise about it, while cool on it's own terms I admit, is the attacking main theme culled from the Darth Vader theme of ESB. Whether that was Williams' idea or Stone's I don't know, but that's also one movie that irritated me to no end.

However, I give John Williams FIVE STARS for a wonderful score.

I don't call it NIXON...I call it THE GREAT TRAIN WRECK!

I gave high praise to this CD when it came out, one of my favorite tracks being "The Turbulent '60s." I just wish I could listen to it again, but everytime I put it in my player, the interactive "bonus" part of the CD freezes up my player...

PK, if you want to remedy your situation, why not just make a CDR of the score? I mean, that's an easy solution!

However, I have to say all in all, it was something of a prelude to the absolutely stunning and modern Sleepers, one of Williams best.

The interview snippets with Williams on the enhanced track are really interesting, too. Took me YEARS until I was finally able to play them on my computer, this must have been one of the first "enhanced CDs".

And yes, Swash, Sleepers is great. The Football Game is one of my favourite single Williams tracks (although in the movie it's hardly mixed loud enough to be heard).

I was quite taken by the music when I saw Sleepers. It's true that I did have to strain to hear it at times, but what I could hear sounded so different, so interesting. I knew by the time I reached the end credits (track 2, "Hell's Kitchen" on the album: why, John, why?) that I needed to get the record. Then I heard the end credits and realized that the reason that I was so hooked by the score was it's dry modernity. The music doesn't force emotion onto you, it quietly and dispassionately describes what is happening.

Lou remembers correctly, I think the Nixon score is absolutely thrilling. I found a very cheap copy on St. Marks' Place and decided to get it because I had, at least, liked the trailer music. Then I found I couldn't stop playing the thing. A buddy I recommended it to (who doesn't post here) compared it to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and I think the parallel is reasonably apt.