KUNDUN - Philip Glass
- Philip Glass is one of those composers that I wish got more work and respect from the industry as a whole. And in saying that I don't mean something big budget summer action film from Michael Bay - that might lead to a beautiful disaster - but he should generally get more prestigious work. I'm not saying the things he's done aren't very prestigious (this score belongs to one of Scorsese's best films), but more of him would not be a bad thing. This is a score I've been on a "bargain hunt" for recently; and I'm glad I picked it up today. There are some great examples of melody here, as well as polyrhythms (a standout being "Norbu Plays"). Although this isn't my favorite Glass work, it's still head-over-heels more inspired than a lot of film score.

BASIC INSTINCT (Expanded) - Jerry Goldsmith
- Only one word for this: YAY! I was so excited when I picked this up feeling as though the used shop finally picked up a real piece of gold (price of $7.99 ). I'll be playing this tomorrow on the drive to school.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 - Michael Giacchino
- . . . and I'm finally bought this too; I opted for it rather than the Season 2 score for Lost. It's just as I remembered it from the movie: intense, dramatic, and Schifrin-esque. For my money, nothing beats Lalo's original stuff; or Alan Silvestri's rejected score for the first film. I find Giacchino's entry a little above Danny Elfman's and a major leap of above Zimmer's rockapalooza murdering of the original theme. "The Plot" motif - as has been said before - is a stand-out and works very well. The emotional music is typical Giacchino composing, the same that can be found in Lost and The Family Stone.

NP> Ottman's Superman Returns (****/*****)

1. Dark City-Jones
2. Promise-Badelt-really good
3. Poseidon
4. Music from Star Trek-the old label X stuff-found it from Peter and MM-nice find and cheap too
5. Korngold-Juarez, etc. very nice
6. Voyage to Bottom of Sea-Goldsmith episode Jonah and Whale
7. old Gringo-nice western score by Holdridge a very underrated composer
8. Saturn 3-exc
9. Three Amigos-the score cuts are good, the dialogue junky
several others

ordering these right away

1.Mighty-Jones
2. Gullivers Travels-Jones

I have three in mail right now

1. a North
2. a Herrmann
3. another Korngold

The highlight of the disc for me is easily the suite from my favorite Hisaishi score, Laputa: Castle in the Sky. The arrangement on this disc is outstanding! Of the non-Hisaishi tracks, I most enjoyed the rendition of Michel Legrand's Windmills of Your Mind, but it's all good here.

In December a second World Dreams disc is coming out in Japan. This is a listing of some of what was performed the night the recording was made:

J.Hisaishi: World Dreams

J.Hisaishi: Yamato suite

Orff: Carmina Burana

J.Hisaishi: Demon God

J.Hisaishi: Eve

B.Herrmann: Prelude

M.Oldfield: The Orchestra Tubular Bells Pt.I

Should make for an interesting disc…

A.I.: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - John Williams
- This is one of those Williams' scores that has eluded me for some time. I think the score works remarkably within the film, but I've just never felt compelled to pick it up. This is another case of mine finding a good CD at a great price. I have yet to listen to this one, but I hope to give it a spin before the night turns out.

LALO SCHIFRIN: THE DISSECTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF MUSIC FROM THE PAST AS PERFORMED BY THE INMATES OF LALO SCHIFRIN'S DEMENTED ENSEMBLE AS A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE MARQUIS DE SADE - Lalo Schifrin
- Quite a title, huh? This odd little curiosity isn't exactly film music per se; but because it's Schifrin's work, I decided I'd include it. This is along the lines of some of his other classical arrangements and conductions (I also own his version of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, classic stuff). These are very jazzy renditions of earlier classical pieces (I need to take some time and read through the liner notes for the whole background). I thoroughly enjoy this album, and it's been playing in my car all day. I can't exactly link up to anything for you all to take a look at it right now, but I'm still on a mad search to find some site that carries it (Amazon seems null). Be careful, only for diehard Schifrin fans or fans of experimental jazz music.

Alien (Goldsmith) $5
Alien 3 (Goldenthal) $5
Batman Forever (Goldenthal) $5

Predator (Varese Deluxe Edition) - $138 shipped from ebay and a SEALED copy at that. Been searching for this soundtrack for a while and was able to snatch one up and seller was generous enough to wait for me to pay until I get paid on the 3rd.

Batteries Not Included / Vibes (two scores on an actual CD) - $30.00 (opened but in mint condition)

The Three Worlds Of Gulliver [Bernard Herrmann] One of my favourite Herrmann scores,I already have the original recording on LP but this is the Joel MeNeely re-recording which has a few extra tracks. Fantastic score,especially the great 18th century-style-dance main theme,the beautiful love theme and the quirky Lilliputian music.

LOST: SEASON 2 - Michael Giacchino
- For many here, Giacchino is hit or miss; many of you treat him as a miss. His Lost material is a perfect oppurtunity for those who aren't pleased with his work so far might find some solace. He has a style - albeit a style very reminiscent of past composers - and it's to be found here. The second disc of his television score puts most other television scores (and many current film scores) to shame. He's drawing from a huge Herrmann inspiration here; but he does it so well, that I find myself completely enthralled. This is a better-formed disc than season one's, and they compliment each other well. The orchestrations here are original (just listen to "World's Worse Landscaping") and they function the many arrangements of the "Fate Theme" well. There are also some incredible suspense cues here ("Peace Through Superior Firepower", etc.). This is a great buy and expect both it and its predecssor on my Top 20 at the end of the year.

MEMENTO - David Julyan and various artists
- It's incredible to me how well Julyan's simple ambience-laden string scores fit to Christopher Nolan's films (and Neil Marshall's The Descent, as well). It's a pairing akin to David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti. You know you might not find it appealing seperated from the film; but together, it's flesh and blood. This was my first experience to both Nolan and Julyan back in 2000; and it was near-life-changing for me. The main reason I picked this up was because I plan on using it in a short film I'm near in filming. It was also at the great price of $3.99.

NP> Julyan's Memento (****/*****)

quote:

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Originally posted by nuts_score:
It's a pairing akin to David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti. You know you might not find it appealing seperated from the film; but together, it's flesh and blood.

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Well as far as my purchases go... the guy who I was going to be buying "Batteries Not Included / Vibes", and "The Lost World Jurassic Park" said he's not taking any orders until January because he's too busy with school and work. He said he'll hold those discs for me since I'm also buying another score from him (one on CD-R).