Couple of days ago he asked me to do a favor for him, drawing a poster for the band he's playing in - and as the reward I will get a free day at the studio, to do whatever I want.

From the moment I heard this, I knew exactly what I want to do - and simultaneously to take care of the Christmas presents...

About ten years I've been planning the ultimate John Williams compilation, entitled OVER THE MOON - and definitely not anything you ever heard before !! Now this peculiar dream project of mine comes true: 74 minutes of ONLY the most magical Williams themes & cues, mixed together in special suites. There will be some quite drastic cuts in the thematic material - but only to serve the compilation's biggest attempt to take the listener really "over the moon" with one continuous, wonderful symphony... Naturally all the music has been previously released, but not in a form like this !!

There will be at least two special "Flying Suites" and the selections from E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, FAMILY PLOT, SUPERMAN - THE MOVIE, AMAZING STORIES, SPACE CAMP, HOOK, and HOW TO STEAL A MILLION, THE REIVERS, maybe even HEARTBEEPS, THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST and STANLEY & IRIS, and others too. I will know the final sequencing only when the CD is completed, in the next two weeks (if anyone's interested).

I will take some extra copies of this compilation for future purposes,
but mainly the compilation is just a personal dream-project meant for me and some friends.

- This project is not just about "burning a CDR" and throwing a bunch of themes there.
It's about CREATING believable "suites", and because I've already worked with this guy, I know he knows all the tricks of trade about music mixing and is the right person to make my dream come true.

For example, the compilation starts with "Over the Moon" (Album Version) from E.T. and directly changes into the latter part of "E.T.'s Halloween" (also the album version), the music where Elliot and E.T. drive into the woods and the flight follows... These kind of mixes must be done with knowledge and flair, so a CD burner and some computer program are not enough for the project.

Another problem is the sound levels of the original recordings - they vary so much, that all the selections must be "remastered" for one specific sound level - not an easy task...

But you are right about one thing, Marian -
if I had the money, the equipment and the knowledge as the recording engineer guy does, then I'd probably would found a record label of my own and start producing real soundtracks for us soundtrack lovers.

KEN

1. I still maintain that all one needs to do this is a PC with a burner. It might even give you better sound quality, depending on whether or not the studio is fully functional. That was why I was a bit surprised. Of course you have to have a lot of experience to do this well, and the skill. So I don't say you could to this at home (I doubt I could) - in reasonable time that is (he says, still not having finished the Matrix discs after months). I don't know what *I* would do if I had access to a studio, but I'd probably something I can only do there, i.e. really recording something.

2. Is this going to work? I'm rather sceptical about mixing various tracks into suites. All those cut & paste jobs on Williams albums, particularly Phantom Menace (UE).

Sorry for the bitching.

I mix tracks all the time into suites for my own personal compilations.

They aren't "studio quality" or anything, but others here have heard what I've done to the music, good or bad.

I will be getting the 8-page inlay booklets and inserts from the print by the end of the week, so this Limited Edition is ready for Santa's bag.

JOHN WILLIAMS: OVER THE MOON
The Most Magical of John Williams
29 tracks of Themes or Music Excerpts in a compilation you never heard before.
Including some of the most magical and happiest music from: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL • JURASSIC PARK • SUPERMAN, THE MOVIE • FAMILY PLOT • HOOK • THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST • SABRINA • AMAZING STORIES: THE MISSION • THE REIVERS • RETURN OF THE JEDI (A Very Surprising Cue from the Original & '97 Special Edition Version) • THE TOWERING INFERNO • SPACECAMP • INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Another Surprise Cue) • LOST IN SPACE: The Original TV Series • HOW TO STEAL A MILLION • FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Total Playing Time 67 Minutes 25 Seconds

"Forget the traditional film music compilations - this is not one of them ! All the selections possess an everlasting impact on anybody who has seen the movies and sensed all the childlike emotion within the music. Just listen. Sense it. Soar with it. Let John Williams take you OVER THE MOON."
- Ken on the liner notes

Would it take food?
Drink?
Money?

Name it!
I would love a copy!

- Johnnyecks

quote:

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Originally posted by Ken S:
So, it's finally here... (if anyone cares)

I will be getting the 8-page inlay booklets and inserts from the print by the end of the week, so this Limited Edition is ready for Santa's bag.

JOHN WILLIAMS: OVER THE MOON
The Most Magical of John Williams
29 tracks of Themes or Music Excerpts in a compilation you never heard before.
Including some of the most magical and happiest music from: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL • JURASSIC PARK • SUPERMAN, THE MOVIE • FAMILY PLOT • HOOK • THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST • SABRINA • AMAZING STORIES: THE MISSION • THE REIVERS • RETURN OF THE JEDI (A Very Surprising Cue from the Original & '97 Special Edition Version) • THE TOWERING INFERNO • SPACECAMP • INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Another Surprise Cue) • LOST IN SPACE: The Original TV Series • HOW TO STEAL A MILLION • FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Total Playing Time 67 Minutes 25 Seconds

"Forget the traditional film music compilations - this is not one of them ! All the selections possess an everlasting impact on anybody who has seen the movies and sensed all the childlike emotion within the music. Just listen. Sense it. Soar with it. Let John Williams take you OVER THE MOON."
- Ken on the liner notes

KEN

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