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Originally posted by Kevin:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by Numenorean Music:
[b] "All good things come to those who wait."<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's such a Ford thing to say![/B]

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Originally posted by Kevin:
I think I read on r.m.m. that it had been cancelled.

But don't quote me on that. We all know how reliable news on the internet is.

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Very unreliable. Dark Crystal is still in production, but unfortunately it has hit some snags according to Numenorean. Hopefully the release will see the light of day before years end.

Regards,

MV Gerhard

I can confirm a few things

a.) it is a 2 CD set (Price isn't set quite yet)

b.) CD #1 is the original album master taken from the 1610 Digital masters

c.) CD #2 is the Full score that contains just about every note you hear in the final film.

The project is is now in the artwork approval stage and once that is complete it will move into full production of the discs.

More details to follow in a very shortly.

Ford A. Thaxton

The album is probably coming in April.

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Originally posted by jonathan_little:
Of course it's going to be a 2CD set. You can get so much more money from 'collectors' out of those!

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Yeah...I agree with you on that one.
Honestly I don't need the album, and then the full score. I don't want to be forced to pay extra for a second disc with the same music!(The Fury) Either one or the other is suitable. Now if it were two different scores like Dark Crystal along with Lochness or Last Days of Pompeii, then thats more reasonable.

But I don't know anything about the album version of Dark Crystal, so maybe I don't know what I'm saying.

Excellent news! Thanks for sharing.

PS. Tim, Jonathan, stop yer yakin'.

However it contains music that was not featured in the movie. The album is NOT a re-recording as some may think. It is a re-working of the original score that also includes music that was cut from the film.

As someone who has had the opportunity to listen to this set I must say it's quite impressive. It's like two different scores! The album is much tighter and is a better listening experince. However, the complete score satisfies the completist in me. You know what this release reminds me of -- the film THE ABYSS. It's the same film, but when you watch the original theatrical version and then you watch the director's cut it's like watching two different movies! That's how this album is -- like you're listening to two different scores! It's definitely the best of both worlds. I know I'll be buying one!

Oh, and before anyone makes any comments on how I'm trying to put a positive spin on this release because I WAS involved in it when I worked with Numenorean, please pipe down now and don't waste your energy. If there is one person in the entire world that should be bad mouthing this CD and the company releasing it, it's me. Kudos to the hard work and tenacity of Ford Thaxton for keeping his sanity and cool throughout the hellish ordeal that was this release.

Kind Regards,

MV Gerhard
La La Land Records

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Originally posted by La La Land Records:
I know I'll be buying one!
[/B]

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That's the problem. You must buy two, not one, and JL's point. Personally, I would be very very happy with just the LP re-issued on CD. Like you say LLL, it's tight and a great listening experience... oh? The reason I buy soundtracks, for listening experience. I could care less for "complete" score releases, because they are not good listening experiences. At least it appears the original LP content will remain (kudos to the original producer of the LP for such great work), instead of it completely being torn apart and served up into bits, as I imagine the "complete" disc will be.

Thumbs down on the 2CD thing. Plenty of other companies have released single CD re-issues and then an expanded "complete" CD separately. There is no reason why there shouldn't be an option for the consumer, other than the obvious stupid one aimed at gouging collectors. Not every Dark Crystal fan gets 100 bucks allowance every week.

My only regret is that I'm sure there's music that was cut from the film and didn't make the album...and there's also all the original library music that supposedly exists. It would have been nice if some of that could bave been tacked onto the "LP transfer" disc (the LP isn't that long).

As someone who was privy to what was going on behind the scenes on this project I have to say it's a miracle that it is finally seeing the light of day.

Kind Regards,

I really think the criticism of the set as "too expensive" is off-base. Clearly, this is a limited release aimed at collectors, not the discount market, and I think collectors have certain expectations of quality and "completeness" and are willing to pay for them (within reason). No one's being forced to buy it, and having both versions of the score is a tremendous plus.

I think the soundtrack market, tiny as it is, is falling victim to the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" syndrome. When a film like CRYSTAL fails to appear on cd, people complain. When it's announced as a forthcoming release, people complain because they'd rather have some other score first. When the producers go the extra mile to include another version of the soundtrack on a second disc, people complain because they'll have to shell out an extra $5. When it finally appears, I have no doubt that many will find fault with the sound quality, the fact that it wasn't digitally-recorded decades ago, the artwork, the liner notes, the photos being flopped left-for-right, and so on ad nauseum.

Releasing DAMIEN and THE FURY with both versions was the right thing to do. The same goes for DARK CRYSTAL. For all the soundtracks being produced, few of them really go the extra mile. All the FSM releases do. Many of Intrada's do. Some of Varese's do. I think when a big effort is made the least we as fans can do is applaud it, and then decide if we'll purchase it. I worry that much of the instant reaction to long-awaited reissues is so negative and so frankly ill-informed that it actually may impede future releases.

Ed

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I worry that much of the instant reaction to long-awaited reissues is so negative and so frankly ill-informed that it actually may impede future releases.

Ed[/B]

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I can't speak for my fellow label owners when I say this but there is some truth in the above statement. 10 years ago a collector like myself had to dig into the deepest darkest skankiest corners to find music to some of my favorite films and TV shows. Now, most of my dreams have come true with the creation of FSM, Intrada, SAE, Prometheus, Percepto, and even my company, La La Land. It's because of our love for film music and our sheer dedication that these Holy Grails have seen the light of day. I have spoken to many of these gentlemen in the past regarding "this business" and believe me when I say this -- NO ONE is getting rich off of their releases. HELL, one can't even make a living releasing these soundtracks. With the exception of Varese, none of these labels make enough money to sustain a "real business." It's like a hobby to them (and myself).

Lately it seems that everyone is getting on the "BITCHING BAND WAGON" regarding all these releases -- "The prices are too high! The sound is not great! The artwork sucks! There's TOO MUCH artwork! There's too much music! There's not enough music! Etc..."

A company is lucky if they even sell out of their first run (usually 1000 - 1500) units. Considering production costs, AFM fees (if any), royalties and the likes, most projects barely turn a profit. You usually make enough to jump onto the next cd and pray you make your money back so you can do the next one and the next and so on and so forth!

It's really sad when you pour your heart and soul into a project as if they our your own children, send them out into the world where, the people that should be the most thankful, call them stupid and ugly. If you had any CLUE, and I know some of you do, what all of us have to put up with from the studios and the production companies to get these projects out there you wouldn't be acting like this. For example, here is a common answer, "It's not worth our time." Meaning, it's not worth some lawyer's time to take 10 minutes and read a contract and say we want more money or more back end points. That's the kind of BS we have to deal with on a daily basis. It's a miracle anything ever gets out there. Or, you may have a composer that doesn't want the work out there, but a production company that does. How does one deal that that matter? I'll tell you -- LOT'S OF ADVIL!!!

Now guys and gals, please be reasonable here. No one is forcing you to buy the product. If something is priced at $25.00 because it's a 2 disc limited edition collector's CD that's a pretty good deal in the grand scheme of things. If something is priced at $20.00 for a limited edition CD that's a GREAT deal when you consider that most "regular" cd's that you can find in Tower, Wherehouse and the likes are going for $16.99 - $19.99 a pop! And, when a limited edition CD is going for $15.00 -- well, then I don't need to go on any further.

Are some of these releases priced too high? -- Yes. Are some priced reasonably? -- most are.

Releasing film scores is about love and passion for the works. NONE of us are Corporate whores out to milk every last cent out of you. If we could sell 50,000 units of something I'm sure prices would drop immensely! However, given the incredibly small portion of the music buying market film score buyers represent (.08 % the last time I looked) I think you naysayers should cut the little guys some slack.

Be like me -- buy what you REALLY like. Stop having the collector's mentality and buy everything that is out there.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I'm sure MANY will think I'm wrong.

Peace Out.

Sorry about this continued rant about pricing, but FSM has recently annoyed me by evidently offloading a quantity of discs to another retailer for a very cheap price. The price they struck is so low that this retailer can then turn around and sell them to us for $15, with free shipping! It really makes me feel stupid after buying about ten of FSM's discs over the years directly from them at $20. In total, I spent $50 more than if I had just waited for them to finally adjust their "everybody gets it for $20" price scheme. I feel even worse for the "charter members." They might as well just quit that service and buy them from the cheaper source.

And yes, I'm a proud, card-carrying member of the "BITCHING BAND WAGON."

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Originally posted by jonathan_little:
And yes, I'm a proud, card-carrying member of the "BITCHING BAND WAGON."

[Message edited by jonathan_little on 02-26-2003]

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And that's why we all Love ya, Jonathan!

Kind regards,

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I've always wanted to hear it without the surface noise that intrudes on the "Gelfling Song."
-Ed

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I always found the swamp noise to be charming, myself, actually. =p

Well, all my questions have been answered so far except about a possible release date (even a "Q3- 2004" or some such would be nice. =p) but many thanks go to Frank V for his precise info. I'll be checking those boards out for recent and future developing details.

As for the matter of the 2 disc set, frankly I find the idea marvelous that they would release both a digitally remastered version and a full score release. I would personally be very happy to have both in my collection, even were the pricetag not a projected $24.99. It's good to see that the company DOES want to please the fans, and I for one would be willing to pay whatever amount necessary to see that their hard work so far does not go un-requitted.
What with all the recent talk of Lucas "butchering" the original Star Wars trilogy, I think it's exceptional that this particular soundtrack will be able to appeal to both sets of buyers-- and keep everyone happy.

On that note, thanks again for the info and comments, folks. It's good to know the project hasn't stopped altogether.

THE DARK CRYSTAL is something that I've been waiting 20 years to hear on CD!

I own the original LP, and the score is one of my three favorite of all-time. It's gorgeous. One of the best scores of all-time. If it were written by James Horner, all the fanboys would have crusty-white undies from listening to it. It amazes me that average fantasy scores like WILLOW get more press!

Numenorean is set to make a killing with the DARK CRYSTAL. There is a large following for this film. Congrats to them for finally getting it released.

My only request is that the artwork is really classy. I have a ton of good stuff on THE DARK CRYSTAL, including some stuff on the scoring sessions. Alas, I'm not involved in the least :/

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Originally posted by Skexis:
I always found the swamp noise to be charming, myself, actually. =p

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I, uh, actually meant the surface noise from the record. Or was that a joke and I missed it? Rats.

I can't wait for this one. For me there were only a few important fantasy scores of the '80s. Heavy Metal by Elmer Bernstein, Dark Crystal by Trevor Jones, Conan by Basil Poledouris, Return To Oz by the sorely-underused David Shire, and of course, Legend by Jerry Goldsmith. One thing each of these scores had in common was their ability to instantly take me into another world the moment the cd began. Right from the first notes you are someplace else entirely, and I can remember a few warm spring nights listening to them and finding myself suddenly 45 minutes later at the end of the tape I'd made and having done nothing to finish my homework.

Of these Heavy Metal stands now as the only one without a proper cd reissue. Any takers?

For those who are complaining about the 2 CD set issue... look, it isn't that much more expensive, and frankly, the album version of the score is a worthy listen. I hate that shuffle and mix crap (John Williams often pulls this on his albums, and that plagued the release of Howard Shore's The Two Towers), but I have to say that in the case of The Dark Crystal, the album presentation of the score has its own internal logic that serves the music well.

On the other hand, there is plenty of music in the film not on the album (and vice-versa, actually, such as the Skeksis funeral scene which was cut from the film), not to mention the fact that there are several themes that develop from others, so hearing the intended progression would be an advantage... so, therefore, a 2 CD set is the best news I think I've heard about this release since I heard it was coming out.

I would love to have a decent CD release of Heavy Metal. The LP has such a wonderful, spacious and expansive sound... I'd love to hear a good remaster of this score. I wouldn't mind the original LP program released on CD, but if they wanted to expand it (there is maybe fifteen minutes or so that was not included on the album), I wouldn't complain...

Before I got the LP, I actually had to sit through Heavy Metal to hear Elmer's masterful score. Unlike The Dark Crystal, which was visually imaginative despite its standard storyline, Heavy Metal is so much less than the sum of its parts...

Some of the creatures are much more exotic than what one sees in other films with less imaginative creators, and many of the characterizations make a permenant impression (to this day, when my brother whines, my mother makes the Lord Chamberlain whimper at him).

If the characterizations of the Gelfling heroes are a bit thin, their connection to one another is convincing, and there is a nice little surprise that the female has up her sleeve... or at least up the back of her dress, which leads to the best line in the movie.

There is the crochety old Aughra, who is so much fun to watch (Frank Oz really enjoyed himself with this one)... contemplating the possibility that the whole world might blow up, she pauses and shrugs, "End of Aughra."

...and there is the Skeksis, so evil and disgusting that you can practically smell them. A banquet scene is a real showstopper.

The score takes all of these elements and deals quite well with them, giving the Skeksis a dark malevolence, emphasising their great power (as well as their social ineptitude).

The music for the hero's quest is strong and flowing, washing forward and back. Many of the other themes for the film come out of this main theme, and the love theme is Jones' best.

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Originally posted by justin boggan:
I've never heard this score, maybe i should make a leap of faith and buy it on a whim.

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Believe, Justin, believe! It's a great score.