Indiana Jones: The Soundtracks Collection
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Free Music Notes for Indiana Jones: The Soundtracks Collection
Free Music Review: 5 stars for the music, 3 stars for the presentation
Hit: 4 Stars
Since the 1980s, Indiana Jones music has been pretty hard to come by. The soundtrack to Temple of Doom has been out of print for ages, very hard and very expensive to track down. Raiders was given an expanded release in the 1990s but went out of print pretty quickly. Last Crusade has been available on CD pretty much since it first came out. Now, finally, we have them all together in one set along with the soundtrack to the recently released Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
First, the good news. Temple of Doom and Last Crusade are expanded so as to be nearly complete. The original soundtrack to Temple of Doom in particular suffered greatly from its low running time, a mere 40 minutes. What was on the original album was great, but clearly a lot of key scoring moments were not included. Now with this set, we have close to 90 minutes of the score and it is a revelation. In the scene when Indy takes the Sankara Stones, we can finally hear the glorious choral piece. The thrilling music for the fight on the bridge finale can finally be heard. There isn't a dull note in the whole score, from the exciting fight and chase music to the suspenseful to the tragic music for the starving villagers to the playful love theme. This is a masterpiece of a film score nearly equal to the original Raiders score, Temple of Doom alone is worth the price of this set. We are also given a couple extra tracks from Raiders that have never before been released. We have about double the amount of music from Last Crusade now. Crystal Skull is merely a re-pressing of the soundtrack issued earlier this year. There are no bonus tracks for Crystal Skull. So, about 90-95% of music from the original three films has been released. This is definitely a good thing and overall makes this set a must-buy!
Now, the not so good news. This set could have been a home run, but falls short in a couple areas of presentation. The presentation is why I can't give this set 5-stars, even though it is some of the best film music ever written. Each movie is given its own disc, then we get a bonus fifth disc with a 17 minute interview and about ten extra tracks from the original three films. The interview is a waste of space, if you own the DVDs or any behind the scenes material on these films then this interview offers no additional insight into the music or the films.
The format they chose is similar to the Star Wars Anthology box set that was released in the early 1990s where each Star Wars film got its own disc and a bonus fourth disc contained extra tracks from all three films. The problem with the Indy set is that the bonus disc is only about 50 minutes long, even including the 17 minute interview. Why then are there are still several notable cues missing from the original films that could have easily fit in this space? The Star Wars box I mentioned was filled to capacity and very little was left off. Here on the Indy set, we get a worthless interview and 20 minutes of unused disc space. Take away the interview and there is plenty of room where remaining tracks could be placed, really making these scores complete. This is kind of a missed opportunity here and mind boggling why the fifth disc is only about half utilized.
Also odd is the insert booklets. We are given no liner notes to this music, just notes from Spielberg that were on the original soundtracks (nice to have but they offer no insight). No track by track analysis, nothing. All we get is a booklet containing some pictures from the movies. This is really disappointing given the wealth of music and thematic material in these films. These scores are just begging for some in depth analysis.
Even with the flaws, I am happy to finally have this music and still recommend this set. Here's hoping we see another release of these scores someday that includes every last note of music. John Williams and Indiana Jones deserve nothing less!
Free Music Review: THIS IS THE REAL DEAL, FOLKS...BUY IT!
Hit: 4 Stars
What has been said above is all correct: This is NOT 100% all of the scores, but, so far, from what I've heard (I'm only allowing myself to listen to the "Raiders" and "Temple of Doom" scores at the moment, since this is a X'mas gift), this is an excellent collection. I am slightly though sharply disappointed that after being one of the near 900 petitioners who signed up, on Master John Williams' Official Fan website, to request that LucasFilm Ltd. reissue the entire 4 scores (even the dreadfully unfulfilling mess that was KOTCS...I wanted to know if the music was better than the film, or did John only do what he could w/ that uneven film), our request was only 85% answered. I mean, we basically splelled it out for them: We told them everything we wanted, and how we wanted it. And, for those in the know, we don't have any liner note contributions from Mr. Matessino or Lukas Kendall, which really sucks! I never got to read any of their quality distillations of The Maestro's music (including the 1997 notes for the Star Wars trilogy Special Edition reissues), and guess I never will in CD form. However, there are liner notes for all four albums, and a goodly amount of photographs, stills, storyboards, poster recreations, etc. I can only assume that some of these are a recreation of the 1995 expanded edition of "Raiders" that everyone glows about. This collection's packaging is more striking than either of the Star Wars box sets, unfortunately (Sans the great mini LP reproductions and CD-Rom that should've been included w/ the 1st freakin' box set in 2004, like us fans thought we were getting. GOD, PEOPLE! GET QUALITY ASSURANCE ON THE LINE! HOW MANY TIMES BEFORE WE GET IT RIGHT, HUH?)
Most importantly, THE MUSIC IS GREAT! The sound quality matches the two "Star Wars" box sets. If you've got a good sound system and/or Discman, it sounds like you're sitting in the midst of the orchestration. What IS here is excellent. "Raiders" contains what has to be over 90% of the film's music. Granted, much of this music doesn't reach the FANTABULOUS heights of Williams' Space Opera score from 1977-2005, this is great for its own Saturday afternoon serial matinee genre; and besides, Indiana Jones' universe isn't Obi-Wan Kenobi's. I believe The London Symphony Orchestra (You guys ROCK!!!) performed all of the scores for the movies, except, of course (I took that as a bad portent in May of this year before seeing INDY IV), KOTCS, even though they are only credited on the "Raiders" album (and each listed, as well, by name).
So, bottom line? BUY THIS BOX SET! It's a great present for yourself or a loved one. What is here is unquestionably worth having for posterity and just musical enjoyment. Plus, I don't think we're going to get another one, since this one is so near being complete, THOUGH STILL NOT QUITE THERE...
Which any JW fan will find an unmitigated disappointment.
Free Music Review: The Almost Complete Soundtrack Collection
Hit: 4 Stars
For the past few years, soundtracks to well known motion pictures like Star Wars, Superman, and The Lord of the Rings have been given the royal treatment: boxed sets with every minute of music included and ordered according to the movie (which in the case of Superman and Empire Strikes Back even included some cues that were never in the film).
We've waited a long time for the Indiana Jones films to get their long overdue "completist" makeover, and with Indiana Jones: The Soundtrack Collection, we come as close as we've ever gotten. As many reviews before me have noted, not everything is included, but chief for me is the absence of the "Source Music" that one hears in the background, particularly in Temple of Doom. To note, the Star Wars Trilogy and Superman soundtracks each have source music tracks included (Jabba's Baroque Recital, Lex Luthor's Luau, etc), yet it's visibly lacking for Indy.
Anyways, the ups and downs of this set:
First, the sound quality is beyond perfect. All discs are clean, clear, solid. Many tracks that could have been simple Copy/Pastes from previous CD soundtracks were given just as much of a makeover as the newly released tracks. From a technical point of view, the audio is excellent.
Second, the previously unreleased tracks will be a new enjoyment to most listeners who never bothered to track down "bootleg" soundtracks that existed online for years. I remember getting a complete uncut soundtrack of Last Crusade almost 10 years ago online, and one could easily note the difference between the officially released tracks and the the lesser quality of the uncut.
However, as I mentioned above, not everything has been released. There are noticeable gaps in music for Last Crusade and Temple of Doom. What I really wanted to get was a clean copy of the Pankot Palace banquet music that was playing (traditional Indian sitar and percussion music). Also missing from the TOD soundtrack are much of the background tribal percussion pieces, such as when Indy comes upon the outside shrine to Kali, or the bridge scene before he cuts the rope. Viewers will also be diasspointed to note that "Der Koniggratzer", the German march played at the Nazi book-burning scene in TLC - and for which Williams conducted anyways - is also missing.
Despite these disappointing absences, I'd say there are more pros than cons on this set. It's certainly a welcome addition to my collection, but I'll still need some Last Crusade tracks I got on Napster to round out this set. To me, the best quality "complete set" soundtracks are the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings sets. The same should have been done to Indy, and I can only hope that in the near future, all remaining music cues will be released either for direct purchase, or for download.
Free Music Review: At long last...
Hit: 4 Stars
It's been a long time coming, but here at long last, are the expanded 'Indiana Jones' scores. I'll try not to ramble: ;) These are not the COMPLETE scores, regrettably; 'Raiders'is missing just under five minutes, 'TOD' and 'LC' are missing roughly 23 minutes each, and 'KOTC' is the standard release score that became available in May.. having said THAT... the music that IS available is OUTSTANDING. The restoration is vast and noticeable, and the missing tracks, parTICULARLY in 'TOD' are glorious. So much of it's complexity and layers are drowned out by the mixing and sound effects in the movie, that in a few cases, it really is like listening to the music for the first time. Whilst 'Raiders' has one track that is edited by nearly a minute ('Desert Chase), it's restoration even surpasses the quality of the DCC expanded release from 1995, in my opinion. 'LC' has several moments restored that were just shameful to have cut in the first place; namely, the last four minutes of 'Indy's Very First Adventure,' and its follow-up, 'The Boat Scene.' Stylistically, each of these scores is unique; and yet, there is a sense of growth and maturity as they progress, and end with what I believe is a more dramatic and majestic score in 'LC.' In the case of the second and third films, we now hear themes more frequently, and thus, hear their growth and development. I highly recommend this collection.
I give this four stars, simply because I am a 'completionist.' In 'TOD, there are a few unreleased tracks that are actually alternative versions of pieces, and are therefore NOT what is heard in the film. I believe that, if one is going to only EXPAND the score and not COMPLETE it, they should limit the tracks to what IS in the movie; The LOTR complete recordings, Mike Matessino's presentations of the 'Star Wars' collections and his recent 'Superman Collection' represent what I really believe should be the standard for soundtrack releases. They have EVERYTHING that was scored for the film, and THEN include alternates as well. I admit it, I'm spoiled. I'd rather have everything. This was a perfect opportunity to complete all four scores. Nevertheless... it is a wonderful presentation that I know I will enjoy for years to come.
Free Music Review: Fantastic set, with minor flaws
Hit: 4 Stars
The music for these films is among the greatest put to film, and is as much of a classic as John Williams' Star Wars scores, or Jaws.
Although not complete, most of the music from the movies is there, and unlike many, I enjoy the partitioned nature of the cues.
I could not detect the Pitch issues, even though I know they are there, and the sound quality is stunning.
The only disappointment with this set is the truncated album version of the Desert Chase for Raiders of the Lost Ark. The album edits jump out at several points, and the complete music for this sequence was released in 1995 on the DCC label (Silva Screen in the UK).
For that reason, I have given the set 4 rather than 5 stars.
Having said that, The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade have been greatly expanded, to the point where Temple of Doom is a revelation to those familiar with the rare, 11 track, 45 minute Japasese Import CD or the original LP on which it was based. Including Disk 5, we now have about 86 minutes from that score, all remastered with stunning sound quality.
The interviews on disk 5 are no great revelation, but more casual listeners may find some good information and viewpoints.
This is a must have set, and if the sound quality can be maintained for a complete score release of each film, similar to the 2CD Complete Score releases for the Star Wars Special Edition, I would be in heaven.
Listening to this set, I feel as though I have just discovered the Ark.