If you ever find yourself bored with movie music, pull out Porco Rosso and play "A La Recherche du Temps Passe." One of the most-darned beautiful themes I've ever heard.

Uhh, I am going to hijack an email I received tonight, as it is way more than appropriate for this post:

"So if you don't think this is hot you crazy because all the people that I know do and it is."

Sorry, feeling grumpy today. I hate missing out on good movie music. Especially lately. For the past couple of years there's been hardly anything I felt was worth buying.

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeterK:
As Spirited Away makes the rounds, hopefully people will take this opportunity to discover more of Miyazaki's animation, as well as Hisaishi's original scores. Tonight on the radio show I pieced together a playlist of Hisaishi scores, turning out to be a favorite program already.

If you ever find yourself bored with movie music, pull out Porco Rosso and play "A La Recherche du Temps Passe." One of the most-darned beautiful themes I've ever heard.

Uhh, I am going to hijack an email I received tonight, as it is way more than appropriate for this post:

"So if you don't think this is hot you crazy because all the people that I know do and it is."

My favorite new quote. So there.

---

Peter,

Would love to hear that score, but the problem is I've never even heard OF that score.

I'm relatively new to Hisaishi's work, only having discovered him via "Princess Mononoke." Since then I have only gotten what CDs are easily available here: "Brother," "Kikujiro," and the recent and exceptional "Spirited Away."

Any recommendations on more of his work would be gladly appreciated. (That way I can pull out the "Red Pig" when I am bored. Sorry...couldn't resist.)

To learn more about Hisaishi and what's available (he's also done lots and lots of non-film work), his site is http://www.joehisaishi.com/english/

As for Porco Rosso on DVD/video, it doesn't appear readily available. An anime website would probably have more details on whether or not this was ever released. I am betting it was available on VHS at one time, maybe even DVD....

First, thanks for plugging MY copy of PORCO ROSSO on ebay Pete PORCO ROSSO was the very first score that I bought online (at an outrageous price I might add), because after I first saw the film on Australian TV, I just fell in love with the score. It isn't as big in scope as PRINCESS MONONOKE, although it does have some gorgeous romantic themes and action music. The Japanese song at the end of the Tokuma release is also great!

James (and anyone else interested!), I actually prefer more of Hisaishi's 'symphonic re-recordings' as opposed to the OST's because the tracks are longer and have more time to develop. His rearranged themes also sound much better when performed with full orchestra and piano performed by Hisaishi himself. His compilation albums are a good start- try WORKS, WORKS II, and SUPER ORCHESTRA NIGHTS. I personally recommend WORKS II because most of the rejigged themes on it sound like full-blown piano concerto's! But yeah, it's a great sampling of the romantic Hisaishi sound (yes, I'm a big fan of romantic music), and it is recorded in very high quality even though it is a live concert performance! Hope that helps.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but I'm going through a HUGE piano phase right now, listening to a lot of work by Shostakovich- I can't get his 2nd Piano Concerto in F out my head- classic!!

Oh, and another thing, IMHO, Hisaishi's score to LE PETITE POUCET isn't that good apart from the main title which you can find on SUPER ORCHESTRA NIGHTS. So buy this album and you have all you need!

Btw, has anyone here heard Hisaishi's score to FIRST LOVE(or "Hatsukoi")? I'm a huge fan of his romantic music, and am dying to hear more of it! I can't find any clips online or any reviews mentioning it!

PS- sorry for all these random thoughts- just tired!

Cheers,

Alain (Board lurker)

*****************

Thanks for all the info.

Last night I watched the American dub version of "KiKi's Delivery Service." I noticed the score was adapted & arranged by Paul Chihara and that there were 2 "pop" songs in this version.

Has anyone here heard the original version? Does it sound better? I didn't find this score as interesting as his more recent ones and was wondering if it was because it may have been rerecorded for the English dub.

James

P.S. There appears to be a quite a few import Miyazaki DVD's on eBay that are all region playable. Anyone have any of these and are they worth getting?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al:
http://www.intrada.com/store.htm

For those interested, Porco Rosso and a handful of other Hisaishi scores are listed under Intrada's new releases page.

---

Before buying (at $34.99) I would confirm just WHICH Porco Rosso CD they have. I made the mistake of getting what I thought was the score and instead had the "image" album which was terrible. (Luckily I was able to return it and get credit where I bought it.)

It's great that they have so many Hisaishi scores, but the prices are VERY high.

Go to these two sites for both great prices and selection if you are looking for more of this composer's work...

AnimeNation
CDJapan

The shipping is really high at CDJapan since they're based in Japan. However, they have some of Hisaishi's work one can't find anywhere else. Well, at least at the typical sites one would probably visit. They are the only ones I have found who carry the Works I and Works II albums for an example.

BTW, it looks like Porco Rosso is still available. It was re-issued in 1997 and just found it at Animenation for slightly more than $20.

Oh well, take it from me. It's nice knowing where you can get this stuff. But, it's very expensive once you start...Good luck!

Regards,
Sean Robert Abbey

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeterK:
If you ever find yourself bored with movie music, pull out Porco Rosso and play "A La Recherche du Temps Passe." One of the most-darned beautiful themes I've ever heard.

---

Okay, maybe I am dense, but what's the track number of this theme you mentioned? Strangely enough, I am listening to the CD right now after checking my mail and finding a little package...

After going through and listening to a bunch of Hisaishi's work I found online and was able to download, all I have to say is, most of his best albums seem to be OOP. Bummer...

...Time for Milan Records to start get cracking and fill the void that is domestic Hisaishi CDs!

BTW, anyone know what type of numbers Hisaishi's work pulls over here in the US for Milan and others putting out his albums?

Regards,
Sean Robert Abbey