Encounters [Import]

Encounters [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Jungle: 12 Tracks Mixed by Decoder and Subsance, featuring Tracks from Breakbeat Culture Label and One from 31 Records.

Tracks:

The Planets: Mars, The Bringer Of War
The Planets: Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
The Planets: Mercury, The Winged Messenger
The Planets: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity
The Planets: Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
The Planets: Uranus, The Magician
The Planets: Neptune, The Mystic
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Suite
Star Wars: Main Title

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful! And with thanks to John Williams for introducing this listener to "The Planets!".......2007-05-07

I bought this CD after a Tanglewood concert a few years ago where John Williams, focusing on movie music including his own compositions, also conducted "The Planets." I recognized "Jupiter" as the theme music for a WQXR (the New York Times radio station) "New York at 6" program. It was a treat to find out where that piece came from. When I listened to this beautifully performed CD, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Williams' movie music included -- a brilliant move on the part of this item's producers (just listen to "Mars" and then to "Star Wars"). As another reviewer has suggested, it's not clear why his music was included, but there are similarities here which I'd love Mr. Williams to discuss some day. I've since become an avid amateur astronomer, and so the themes, musical and otherwise, projected in the works of Holst and Williams have become a special treat for the mind as well as the ear.

Streaming Space.......2006-11-17

Music to travel by - to the market, the mountain top - anywhere.
Beautiful music performed beautifully. A treat for the ears and
the soul.

ALMOST A REFERENCE RECORDING.......2006-11-10

Very good recording of The Planets. I like it even better than the Sir Alexander Gibson recording, although that was my previous favorite. This piece needs to be played dynamically, and Mehta certainly does that. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a certain amount of bombast and a decent workout for their woofers.

It Doesn't Get Much Better.......2006-09-26

This is the fourth recording of "The Planets" I've purchased, and I am extremely pleased. The Los Angeles Philharmonic was at its best here, and much of that was owed to the genius of its then director Zubin Mehta. Crisp arrangements, and a full orchestral sound is how you achieve the full effect of "The Planets." Other conductors should take note. Not my favorite, that honor still goes to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the leadership of Leopold Stokowski. But you definitely can't go wrong with this one.

A fine CD at a friendly price.......2006-09-01

I've heard several recordings of "The Planets," and I like this one very much. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (with Zubin Mehta conducting) and the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Women's voices) do a fine job of capturing the drama of the work. And I think it was a good idea to couple it with a little of the outer-space-related music of John Williams.

Holst wrote selections about all eight planets, except for the Earth. But what about Pluto? Oh, wait, it got demoted last week! It's only a dwarf planet. Or maybe just a big rock. In any case, we hear some imaginative musical descriptions of the remaining planets.

I recommend this excellent performance.

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Average customer rating:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been
Always a pleaser
JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music
Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia
John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999
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Summon the Heroes

ASIN: B0000C6K09
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

The Sugarland Express-Main Theme
Jaws-Main Theme
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind-Suite
Raiders Of The Lost Ark-March
Raiders Of The Lost Arc-The Map Room:Dawn
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrail-Adventures On Earth
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-Mine Car Chase
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-End Credits
Empire Of The Sun-Exsultate Justi
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-Indy's First Adventure

Tracks:

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-End Credits
Always-Follow Me/Dorinda's Solo Flight
Hook-Main Themes
Jurassic Park-Main Themes
Schindler's List-Main Theme
Amistad-Dry Your Tears, Afrika
Saving Private Ryan-Hymn To The Fallen
A.I. Artificial Intelligence-Where Dreams Are Made
Minority Report
Catch Me If You Can

Tracks:

The Rare Breed-Suite (Universal Emblem/Hilary's Plight/Scottish Romeo/The Hunt)
Jane Eyre-Suite: The Jane Eyre Theme
Jane Eyre-Suite: To Thornfield
Jane Eyre-Suite: Restoration
The Cowboys-Overture
The Poseidon Adventure-Prelude
The Towering Inferno-Main Titles
Family Plot-End Titles
The Fury-Main Titles
Superman-Main Theme
Dracula-Main Titles & Storm
The River-Main Theme & Love Theme
The Witches Of Eastwick- Dance Of The Witches

Tracks:

Born On The Fourth Of July-End Credits
Presumed Innocent-End Titles
JFK-Arlington/End Titles
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone-Hedwig's Theme
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets-Fawkes The Phoenix
Star Wars: A New Hope- Main Theme
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-Hans Solo And The Princess
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-The Imperial March
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace- Anakin's Theme
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-The Flag Parade
Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones-Across The Stars
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-Duel Of The Fates

Customer Reviews:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been.......2007-04-20

Take a look at the running times:

Disc 1: 60 minutes
Disc 2: 50 minutes
Disc 3: 61 minutes
Disc 4: 58 minutes

What gives Silva? There is *MUCH* more John Williams in the silva screen back catalogue by the Prague Philharmonic than what is in this set, and thats not including their entire discs devoted to Star Wars Films, Indiana Jones Trilogy etc. Why isn't Hook "When You're Alone" included on Disc 2? There's room. Why isn't 1941 on Disc 1? There's room. Why isn't Earthquake on Disc 3? There's room. Why isn't Far and Away on disc 4? There's room. Where's the other ten minutes of the Rare Breed suite on disc 3? Why isn't Midway on disc 1? Where are the Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and Lots In Space tv themes? Etc. Etc. Etc.

C'mon Silva, most of these 4 disc mega boxes released in the past few years are packed to the brim, but not this one, and with new recordings made after this was released (the terminal, munich, geisha, war of the worlds, star wars ep 3, harry potter 3), it only makes sense for a "re-do" in the next couple of years.

Further, with Silva releasing the 100 Greatest Film Themes on six discs in a couple of months, it's only a matter of time before we see the ultimate six disc john williams set.

This isn't a BAD set to own, but it could have been much better and when compared to the Jerry Goldsmith and John Barry sets in this same series, this one is a major letdown.

Always a pleaser.......2007-03-31

I listen to music all day with patients in my dental chair. This one is a winner with everyone. Patients always comment on how they recognize a song. Who doesn't love John Williams? His music transcends time.

JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music.......2007-01-10

This 4 cd pack is an anthology of all John Williams works. From his earlier works "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Jaws" right through "Indiana Jones" and the most recent"Star Wars" prequel movies are included. Williams work in thriller and horror are also included. If you are into soundtracks and love movie music this is an essential buy. The quality of the music is excellent. With ten or more tracks on each cd it's well worth the money.

Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia.......2006-12-13

This four CD set expands on the previously released John Williams Greatest Hits. It's a grand collection of nearly four hours of famous music scores from over forty years. There are many songs never before available in any collection. The short liner notes tell a great tale of musical movie history and include all of his numerous award nominations and wins. Each song (oddly enough) mentions the actors and the director, so fond are John Williams's memories of his work with these people. All of the conductors are mentioned along with specific orchestras, choirs, arrangement and orchestration specialists and even the publishers (contractual, I am sure). The only things missing are his early television scores, such as those for "Lost In Space" (by Johnny Williams back then). But with four discs, one has nothing to complain about and everything to enjoy!

John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music.......2006-11-28

I have been a huge fan of John Williams and I have known about his music for years. However, I never actually bought any of his music on CD. I was rather skeptical about purchasing this CD but when it arrived I knew I had made the right choice. The sound quality of the compilation is outstanding. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra do a great job under the direction of Paul Bateman. The original London Symphony Orchestra CDs of John Williams' Star Wars Trilogy CDs are marginally better but this is still a great CD compilation. If you love ET, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, you will love this compilation soundtrack. Buy it, listen to these CDs in the car and enjoy every minute of the collection!!!

By Request: The Best Of John Williams And The Boston Pops Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Good popular music.
Still great!
Great Performances as well as Music
De Williams los Boston lo mejor...
Williams at His Finest....as of 1987

By Request: The Best Of John Williams And The Boston Pops Orchestra

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999
The Very Best Of The Boston Pops
Summon the Heroes
Salute to America
The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration (Film Score Anthology)

ASIN: B0000040YP
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Olympic Fanfare And Theme
The Cowboys Overture
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Excerpts From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
March From Midway
Flying Theme From 'E.T.'
Return Of The Jedi: Luke And Leia Theme From Return Of The Jedi
SUPERMAN: March From Superman
Liberty Fanfare
Raiders Of The Lost Ark: March From Raiders Of The Lost Ark
The Empire Strikes Back: Yoda's Theme From The Empire Strikes Back
'1941': March From '1941'
Jaws: Theme From Jaws
The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial March From The Empire Strikes Back
Mission Theme (Theme For NBC News)
Star Wars: Main Theme From Star Wars

Customer Reviews:

Good popular music........2005-08-14

The interesting issue about this recording is that Williams himself directs. It is always a plus to listen to music played by its author. Average performance by the orchestra.

Still great!.......2005-07-23

John Williams has the magic of translating music from movies. Even not watching the movies themselves, you can still understand what's happening because of the music that comes with it.

I'm happy the music industry compiled this marvellous CD together. It has all the greatest hits like Luke and Leia, Indiana Jones march and the star wars main theme. These songs are really some of the great examples of Williams' finest.

Even if the music isn't really that clear in movies, it's still gives a great impact on the stories. If you watch a movie made up of only dialogues and fights, what's the thrill, we can see fights anytime anywhere. So the element that makes the movies really attractive and interesting is the music itself.

Kirstie Mabitad

Great Performances as well as Music.......2005-04-06

When I picked up this CD I was amazed. I am a big Williams fan and love the Boston Pops. All the pieces are well done and flawless (except for some small tempo issues in "1941") Though all the peices stand out the handsdown best is "The Cowboys" Overture. The ritch sound as well as the great musicmanship make this a joy to here. Another good highlight is the "Midway" March. Midway was a relitivley underated score being in the middle of "Jaws" and "Star Wars" (Both of witch are also on the CD but, Jaws could have had solid feeling but is otherwise performed rather great) The rousing March in my opinion is as rousing as "Raiders of the Lost Ark" or "Superman" (Both yet again are on the CD and Superman's opening is absolutly breathtaking even better than the actual soundtrack. The Trumpet and French Horn fanfare makes you yourself visualize the might of the man of steel himself. But the Midway march is given a stunning representaion with the ritch, lush sound of the Boston Pop's brass section. The CD also has some of John Williams music for the concert stage such as the well known Olympic Fanfare (1984 Los Angeles), The Liberty Fanfare as well as the Mission Theme (The NBC news anthem) all offer a nice break from the movie scores. The only down side to the CD is that because it was made in 1987 it doesn't have music from Hook, Far and Away, Schindler's List and of course Jurassic Park. But even though it lacks Williams' early 90's scores its always a Joy to listen to as well as a treat for the ears. So i give it two thumbs up and *****.
I advise any John Williams/Boston Pops fan not to let this gem slip through their fingers! ;)

De Williams los Boston lo mejor..........2004-12-14

John Williams ademas ser un compositor sin igual es un extraordinario director es asi como en conjunto con Los Boston Pops logra grabaciones espectaculares.
Entonces lo mejor de Williams a cargo de Williams junto con los POps es sorprendente, la obertura de "Cowboys" es grandiosa, Encuentros cercanos es fantastica, asi igual lo son la marcha para superman, Indiana Jones, de Darth Vader y la menos conocida para Midway. En resumen lo mejor de Williams en unas interpretaciones increibles, y nadie que se queje que no son las originales porque suenan incluso como la Sinfonica de Londres, y eso es mas de lo que uno espera. Grandioso.

Williams at His Finest....as of 1987.......2003-07-13

For fans looking for a sampler of John Williams' music circa 1987, this CD is a treasure trove of selected movie and special occasion themes. While not as comprehensive as Sony Classical's Greatest Hits 1969-1999 collection, there is enough variety to satisfy even the most casual Williams fan. Included here among his famous themes (Star Wars, ET, Superman, and Raiders of the Lost Ark) are his 1984 Olympic Fanfare, "The Mission" (NBC News theme), and the rousing Overture to the John Wayne film The Cowboys. As always, the Boston Pops Orchestra shines under the baton of Hollywood's -- and America's -- favorite composer!

Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Average customer rating:

The planets are magnificent, and the cd is excelent
Lovely
If you like John Williams soundtracks, you'll love this!
You gotta love it! Perfect for the Sci-Fi fan.
Out of This World

Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Holst: The Planets / R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain
The Planets in Full Score
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ASIN: B0000042G5
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

The Planets: I - Mars, The Bringer Of War
The Planets: II - Venus, The Bringer Of Peace
The Planets: III - Mercury, The Winged Messenger
The Planets: IV - Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity
The Planets: V - Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age
The Planets: VI - Uranus, The Magician
The Planets: VII - Neptune, The Mystic
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - Suite

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra: Introduction
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of The Backworldsmen
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of The Great Longing
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of Joys And Passions
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Song Of The Grave
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Of Science
Also Sprach Zarathustra: The Convalescent
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Dance Song
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Night Wanderer's Song
Star Wars - Suite: I - Main Title
Star Wars - Suite: II - Princess Leia's Theme
Star Wars - Suite: III - The Little people
Star Wars - Suite: Cantina Band
Star Wars - Suite: IV - The Battle
Star Wars - Suite: V - The Throne Room And End Title

Customer Reviews:

The planets are magnificent, and the cd is excelent.......2007-01-09

I love the Planets Suite, and I was looking for a cd of the Planets to buy. When I saw this one with the Star Wars Suite. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, AND Also Sprach Zarathustra at this low of a price, I was hooked

Lovely.......2006-11-04

I've thoroughly enjoyed both CD's. I do wish the Holst and Strauss pieces were a little louder, but I guess that's my radio's problem.

If you like John Williams soundtracks, you'll love this!.......2003-12-19

Okay, so the album isn't all John Williams. However, I think the selections to create this album were superb! You get the best of outer space soundtracks with this double CD set!

I should mention that I enjoy this album merely because of the works used to put it together. Some of the interpretations left a bit to be desired (hence, the reason why I give this only four, instead of five, stars). For example, I felt the horn player in "Mars" (the first movement of "The Planets") was too overbearing (I thought he/she overdid the vibrato, among other things), rather than subtle (as done in the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal's version, ASN# B0000041S7 -- check out my review of that album). Additionally, I wasn't too crazy about "Cantina Band" in "Star Wars" -- it's not that I don't like the piece (I do!); rather, the fade out by the sound engineer was unnatural and inappropriate for an orchestral work. (C'mon, shouldn't a fine group led by the great Zubin Metha be able to perform a decrescendo ending without any electronic help?)

Criticism aside, let me say that I LOVE this album! Even though I might attack the performance quality, I loved how the works were selected and organized. If you're a fan of sci-fi or action/adventure soundtracks, you'll thoroughly enjoy what you hear!

You gotta love it! Perfect for the Sci-Fi fan........2002-11-28

This is a great CD for the Sci-Fi fan. It has all of the music that you could want. It has the classic "Star Wars Suite" from " Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," but it also includes the "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" suite from Lucas' director buddy, Steven Spielberg.

The compilers got another bull's-eye by including Holst's "The Planets," which is the source for the themes of Star Wars. For example, play "Mars," then listen to the themes associated with the Empire. Or play "Venus" and compare that to "Princess Leia's Theme." And the similarities between "Mercury" and "The Little People" are too obvious to state.

"The Cantina Theme" is strong, except for the bridge. In the original recording there were steel drums that are conspicuously absent.

For some reason, the entire "Also Sprach Zarathustra" was included on the CD. The introduction was made famous by "2001: A Space Odyssey," but the rest of the opus has been forgotten. I think they just had extra space on the CD, so they included the rest of the composition. Whatever reason, we are better for hearing all of the music that was based on Nietzsche's philosophical book of the same name.

The recording is clear and sharp, and I have had no technical problems with the CD skipping. The cover-art has some of those unusual pictures from the Hubble Telescope that gives the entire product that sense of otherness we all crave.

Out of This World.......2002-06-30

This is the version of "Star Wars" you want. It has the raucus, almost bawdy victorious power you remember from the movie.

Likewise are the other pieces. Besides being the themes from "Star Wars", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Close Encounters", there is the classical classic (can I say that?) work, "The Planets" by Holst.

I think the them to 2001 ("Thus Spake Zarathustra") also was the intro the famous Macintosh commerical (1984 Superbowl?).

These are more than pop-culture favorites that happen to be orchestral works. They are sophisticated and poetic, with more than easy melodies sweeping occasionally.

These are the complete suites. You might remember the glorious intro to 2001, but enjoy with this CD the full piece: almost 33 minutes.

The pace and range of the music undulates from serene, almost pastoral quietude to raging, fist in air excitement.

I fully recommend "Holst: The Planets/John Williams: Star Wars/Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra."

Anthony Trendl

Average customer rating:

Encounters Erotica CD

Close Your Eyes......And Open Your Ears.

SMOKING HOT!!!

Great quality and sensual

very hot

Encounters Erotica

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Erotic Lounge

Erotic Lounge: Sensual Passion, Vol. 2

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Jessica Vale presents The Sex Album

ASIN: B00004WFWF
Release Date: 1998-07-01

Tracks:

Warm Up!
Femme A Femme
The Whip
Sensual Trio
Digital Domain

Album Description

A Virtual Reality audio sexual experience in 3-D sound. An unforgettable audio sex experience featuring real life lovers in the most intimate situations. No scripting or acting, only the explicit sounds of real people having real sex. Underscored by moving music that adds to an already exciting experience, Encounters Erotica delivers that "you are there" feeling. Recorded in 3-D sound. Headphones suggested.

Customer Reviews:

Encounters Erotica CD.......2007-03-09

This is by far the worst CD ever so retarted I hate it I would suggest not to buy this product or CD or
for consideration think about this product at all for purchase its just a CD of a group of teens it seams like or just crack heads talking dirty but its soo cheesy that its like two people talking while watching TV so much back ground noise and static it sucks bad terrible not erotic at all very poor quality and trashy material totally not worth a penny. THE WORSE ever.

Close Your Eyes......And Open Your Ears........2006-12-05

the perfect thing to listen to if you can't sleep at night........just like it says on the cover of the c.d....please use headphones..and your imagination...WOW!

SMOKING HOT!!!.......2006-02-10

This audio was fantastic!! I enjoyed every minute of it and was not disappointed in the least bit. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to hear hot erotic stories..

Great quality and sensual.......2004-08-26

This cd does a good job of making you feel like the people talking on the cd are right next to you. I was listening to it before going to bed and woke up thinking someone was in the room. Each scene hits the points well and starts off correctly according to the theme. The talk that the other reviewer mentioned was actualy welcomed to me. I enjoy it very much because it adds to the foreplay before the scene gets down and dirty. The only complain i have is that I think it is too short overall. Now that i've listened to it already about 4 times, i wish there was more that i can listen to. In summary, this is a keeper because it successfuly make me enjoy what I hear and also because it is one of a kind. You won't find audio cd like this anywhere and this is far better then the standard audio books on cdrom quality.

very hot.......2004-08-13

4 of us found it very erotic, we were already in the mood for fun but this added some hottness was exciting to listen and feel we listen to it 3xs over ...

Average customer rating:

The penultimate collection ...
Muisic of the Spheres
The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection
SciFi Album gift
Away From to be a Collectible Peace

The Science Fiction Album
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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The Fantasy Album

ASIN: B000066HE5
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey
Aliens
Sound Effect - The Nostromo
Alien
A.I.
Armageddon
Sound Effect - Apollo 13 Lift-off
Apollo 13
Back To The Future
Battle Beyond The Stars
Battlestar Galactica
The Black Hole
Contact
Capricorn One
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Dune

Tracks:

Galaxy Quest
Sound Effect - Dogfight in Space
Enemy Mine
Ghostbusters
Gremlins
Heavy Metal
Independence Day
E.T.
Judge Dredd
The Last Starfighter
Lifeforce
Sound Effect - Crash Landing
Lost In Space
Mars Attacks
The Matrix
Predator
The Right Stuff

Tracks:

Moonraker
Robocop
Silent Running
Sound Effect - Alien Organism
Species
Stargate
Starship Troopers
Starman
Star Trek - TV Theme
Star Trek: The Motion Picture End Title
Klingon Attack
Sound Effect - Warp Drive
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Tracks:

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Sound Effect - Transporter Crew
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Theme
Star Trek First Contact
Star Wars
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
Sound Effect - Battle Stations
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace - The Flag Parade
Anakin's Theme
The Adventures of Jar Jar
Duel of the Fates
The Time Machine
Things to Come
The Thing From Another World
War of the Worlds
When Worlds Collide
Total Recall
You Only Live Twice
Superman

Customer Reviews:

The penultimate collection ..........2006-12-07

Generally I agree with Strategos in his ecstatic Spotlight Review above. It is a joy to here some of the most memorable themes and cues from some of the most memorable science fiction and fantasy movies (re)recorded in great sound and in lavish (re)orchestrations, played by renowned classical orchestras, namely the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, no less.

I have always had a weak spot for (good, or maybe even intelligent) science fiction/fantasy and film music, especially its way of evoking mystery, grandure and wide open spaces. Call it a weakness if you want. But it was maybe really kick started off, for as far as I can remember, with Star Trek. But especially Star Trek II, III and IV - essentially a trilogy - because of their very romantic but very warm, human core, set on the broadest canvasses of unlimited and mysterious outer space. But then there was the music for adding that essential extra dimension of emotion and atmosphere. I am happy that much of the music on this album is from the Star Trek series and films, often equaling or sometimes even outclassing the original recordings.

This kind of music (for the movies) should be seen as an art on its own rights with its own merits and qualities. As such, the musical sequences on these CD's are a beautifully played cross section of some of the most evoking orchestral music for science fiction/fantasy film ever created. And I very much like the nicely blended, wide and deep orchestral soundpicture with enough reverberation to evoke a sense of wide open spaces.
I am quite thrilled by tracks like the evocative music from Dune, truly transporting one to the vastly sands of Arrakis (the music is wonderful, but to my great regret I think the movie itself is a flawed masterpiece at best, alas.). And then there is the very different, goofy music for Ghostbusters (memories of childhood), the spoofy but electrifying music from Mars Attacks (lovingly parodist music, this, with not a little touch of irony) and the happily adventurous, forward driving Theme from Galaxy Quest ('Never give up, never surrender!'), now also used for the internet-based fan-series Star Trek: The Hidden Frontier. On the other side of the spectrum we have the atmospheric music for Enemy Mine (an underestimated 'little' movie), the Theme from The Right Stuff (actually science FACT, not fiction, this film, just like Apollo 13, of course), the eerily attractive music for Species, the original End Title for Alien (not used in the theatrical version of the movie, where it was replaced by music from howard Hanson's Second Symphony), the exquisitely exotic music for Stargate, the sweet and warmly sympathetic, beautifully re-orchestrated, theme for Starman, the title cue for Star Trek: TOS (much more melodiously played than the original! If only a series nowadays could continue to be as thought provoking and as original as Star Trek was during its launch, fourty years ago ...) and a truly overpowering End Titles Suite from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I especially like the thrillingly grandiloquent rendition here of the music for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And how nice it is to hear the (thematic) similarities between James Horner's music for The Wrath of Khan, his great break-through as a film music composer, and his (two years) earlier music for Battle Beyond the Stars (which did indeed help him earn the job for writing the music for Star Trek II) ...

But on the 'down side', if one is looking for - for example - the gorgeously expansively played End Titles from Cocoon, it is not included here: one has to acquire the album that 'kicked it all off', so to say, namely 'Space and Beyond', also on Silva Screen. I was very pleased also with the inclusion on that album of some of the music from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, namely where one of the characters, Tasha Yar, in one of the episodes (Skin of Evil) is saying goodbye to her crewmmates: sweetly sentimental and simple music which I have always wanted to own on CD. I guess that a few cues from the other two sequals ('Alien Invasion: Space and Beyond II' and 'Space3: Beyond the Final Frontier') didn't make it onto this 4 CD collection-album as well, but I guess that it would be the 'better part of the bargain' to opt to buy this 'The Science Fiction Album' instead of buying all three albums separately. Well, of course it is for yourself to ultimately decide what you really want ;-)

If I were to nitpick (which is not easy with such a marvellous project as this one), then I would say that while all music is performed with magnificent grandure and with style, some of it is not performed as crisply and as technically 'on the spot' as some of the original recordings: ensemble is a little slack and the playing somewhat stilted sometimes, losing some of the edge and the originality of the writing. ET and Star Wars spring to mind, but then the soundtracks for Star Wars are traditionally recorded with the magnificent London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro John Williams himself, and these superior recordings (especially the ones for Episode I, II and III) can't really be bettered, IMHO. Likewise for the music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I believe that in the end one really has to resort to the ultimate reference, namely the original recording (which is true in many other instances of 'original recordings'), and then the 20th anniversay colector's edition of this soundtrack on Columbia/Legacy (truly unmissable, this veritable classic of sci-fi/film music soundtracks!).

But all in all this 4CD-collection amounts to probably being the penultimate high quality sci-fi music album collection (I certainly know of no other project that comes as close quality as well as quantity wise), with some of the most memorable musical moments from classic to modern sci-fi/fantasy film captured in lavish orchestrations.
Collection-wise: five *stars*. Playing: generally four *stars*, sometimes more. The recording quality: five *stars*. The music (qualified on its own merits as film music) and its (re)orchestrations: generally five *stars*. In the end this is all highly recommended, and certainly not to be missed by science fiction and fantasy film music fans. Klaatu barada nikto.

Muisic of the Spheres.......2006-11-06

You wonderful four disk collection of SF music. It startsa up the the grand master of SF music, 2001: A space Odyssey all the way to Superman. This is all American SF music and several themes I would have liked to have included are not there. All in all though, a collection you will enjoy.

The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection.......2005-10-23

If one person gives great gifts, it's the illustrious Codemaster Talon. I've received a fair number of gifts in my lifetime, but so far, my older sister's take the cake. Take this one for instance. I'm real big on orchestral music, to the point where I listen to them more than any other kind of music. I've got orchestral versions of video game themes, orchestral soundtracks to truck-loads of anime shows (Big O, Escaflowne, and Giant Robo are incredible), and could probably spend the rest of my life just trying to study the nuances of all the classical music I've got. Being such a huge fan of orchestral music, I also have come to believe that orchestra music produced for movies and television is the new classical music (or as someone once said, Mozart would be making music for movies if he were alive today). Being a huge sci-fi fan, that kind of music has always been particularly near and dear to my heart. But were I to buy each and every soundtrack for every sci-fi I liked it would cost quite a bundle, and would include a lot of sub-par music along with the grandiose and fantastic main and memorable themes. That's where this beauty comes in.

The moment I ripped off the shrink-wrap and popped it into my cd player was a moment of great trepidation. Believe me when I tell that I've seen my fair share of sub-par orchestral recording in my lifetime. Very often they are in those big super-packs of music, and suffer from poor direction, improper mastering, and sometime even pathetic orchestration (or worse yet have something sounding like a cheap synthesizer and a kazoo in place of a full orchestra). I needn't have worried though. This sucker is fantastic.

Many people who are not audiophiles will probably miss the point of this cd collection. It is not the original versions of the pieces. It is re-orchestrations, mostly by the phenomenal Prague Symphony Orchestra. Many of these themes didn't sound all that hot in there original versions because they were low budget films or were not recorded in high-fidelity. Here they are given the full treatment, mastered with the most loving care imaginable. Often the version found in these cds is SUPERIOR to the original.

Remember the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey? Of course you do. But how many times have you heard a cheap imitation of the original version from the movie, starting too low in volume and ending too high (and missing the essential pipe-organ that gives it that extra oomph)? Well, this first track in the entire collection is not only everything it should be instrumental and timing-wise, but it also has been oh-so-carefully adjusted during the mastering process so that at no time is the music either too low or too high in volume (surely a benchmark for every other recording ever to be made of the piece).

Or what about the theme from the (at-the-time) uber-creepy The Black Hole? The orchestration of this piece of music goes from tiumphant to terrifying and back again, with a splendor and cleanness that I CERTAINLY don't remember being in the original recording.

Then there's the new version of the theme from Independence Day, complete with a violin solo, a far more electrifying ending climax, and a chorus so thunderous that you feel like applauding at the end. Simply indescribable. Kind of like the MIND-BLOWING rendition of the theme from The Last Star Fighter. This has been one of my favorite themes for a long time now, but I've never heard it played like this. I think the original version of the theme is something like 1 minute long, but this new version doesn't just fade out (HAHAHAHA!!!!) THIS version is THREE minutes long, goes through the main theme THREE times, with the final strains being so triumphant and joyous I could not help but feel an electrifying charge the first dozen or so times (come to think of it, I still feel that way). This is superior to the original in EVERY way. AWESOME.

And let's not forget the incredible new rendition of Stargate with it's heavy use of clarinets (for Egyptian effect!) and a triumphant new ending (completely lacking the chanting from the original version. This version is so different that for the first minute it is very hard to tell that it is in fact Stargate. But then the main theme kicks in, and then you get this incredible flute solo for my favorite part of theme (the whole thing is played slower, but arguably more powerfully than the original). My goodness. At first I found the thing so different I didn't like it. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again.

I could go on and on, talking about the fantastic new rendition of Moon Raker, the ear-popping Battlestar Galactica, the classic Star Trek (First Contact has a minute or two of the theme from Star Trek:The Motion Picture before going into the main theme), or the sweet renditions of music from the Star Wars movies (or the music from E.T.).

I have to mention though that this collection was not picked based merely on what people want, or on what is popular. No, the people who made it obviously thought a GOOD music collection was better than a popular one. That's why you get a heartbreakingly beautiful theme from A.I. instead of the main theme. It's why you get music from movies that you probably never gave a second thought to the music (because the movie was lousy). It's why you get Armageddon, Judge Dredd, and Robocop (who would have guessed their music was so COOL when there was all that crazy action and bad-acting going on on-screen).

I said it before and I'll say it again. This cd-set was mastered with tender-loving-care, and it shows BIG-TIME. High-fidelity the likes of which I have not seen since the days when cds were brand-new in the world. Dolby Surround. Perfectly balanced. BEAUTIUFL orchestrations. About the only thing that makes me scratch my head is the weird sound-effect tracks (Oooookay.....). Other than that, it's PERFECT. Obviously they could not include every sci-fi theme ever (no one can), but this collection is REALLY GOOD. A lot of great themes that got away (forgotten gems :), new versions of old favorites, and under-appreciated classics aplenty, but ALWAYS the full and complete versions with nothing cut-out (the theme from Dune is quite extended).

If you love movie music (and sci-fi movie music in particular) you MUST buy this awesome collection). It is not the original recordings. Almost always the new ones are better (if they aren't better they're just equal). This is what you have been waiting for. I for one am going to be buying quite a few cds from this company in the future. Give your ears the treat they deserve. Buy it NOW.

SciFi Album gift.......2005-07-20

I bought the Science Fiction Album as a gift for my son who is twenty-one years old. He is a musician, and also a huge fan of many SciFi shows and movies. I thought this would be the perfect thing for him and I was right. He loves it!

Away From to be a Collectible Peace.......2004-12-16

If you like Sci-Fi movies and want a compilation of their important scores, this is the CD-set to buy. But let me warn you about that very few songs in the cds are from the original soundtracks. Most of them is re-recorded by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. But the sound quality of cds are very good, because they have HDCD and Dolby Surround labels. This set is away from to be a collectible peace, but it is a good general compilation of favorite Sci-Fi movie scores.

Average customer rating:

Nothing too new, but mighty enjoyable
F*CKING AWSOME
Beautiful!
pointless bandwagon jumping
WTF ???

Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
Psyopus
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ideas of Reference
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ASIN: B000MCICNI
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

The Pig Keeper's Daughter
2
Scissor F*** Paper Doll
Whore Meets Liar
Insects
Imogeni's Puzzle Pt. 2
Play Some Skynyrd
Kill Us
Siobhan's Song
Happy Valentine's Day
Our Puzzling Encounters Considered

Amazon.com

Noisier than a 50-car pile-up and more disorienting than a spin on a demonic merry-go-round, the music of Psyopus provides the listener with an endless barrage of challenging riffs and rhythms that, like much arriving to the second tier of mathcore, fails to be wholly memorable. The jarring, nightmarish guitar figures in "2" are undoubtedly impressive as is the gentle and beautiful moment of calm, "Siobhan's Song." The sheer athleticism of tracks such as "Whore Meet Liar" and unimaginatively titled "Play Some Skynyrd" is dealt in equal supply and skill. On the whole, there's enough aural action to inspire a month-long bout of insomnia as the listener tries to figure out how so many disparate but relentlessly aggressive elements are pieced together. But tricks such as these--inexplicably shifting tempos, moods, time signatures, and plainsong vocals--can't make up for the fact that Psyopus seems largely incapable of writing a straightforward and coherent song that can stir a series of diverse moods and emotions in the listener. Remove "Siobhan's Song" from the picture and Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is all dull, monochromatic rage.--Jedd Beaudoin

Customer Reviews:

Nothing too new, but mighty enjoyable.......2007-05-12

Greatly improving on Psyopus's so-so debut Ideas of Reference, Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is a fast, grinding piece of wildly excessive noisecore, brilliantly rendered and sure to please all fans of over-the-top displays of musical madness. Criticisms of this album as one-dimensional are somewhat justified, as Psyopus do generally have the intensity pushed well past max, but I actually find the single-minded ferocity that's generally on display to be part of this album's charm. With the obvious exception of the relatively calm instrumental tracks, these guys reach a level of sonic devastation that manages to rival anything unleashed by the likes of the Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge, and they do it with a staggering, free jazz-esque level of technical skill and flair to boot. The jarring, stop/start rhythms of tracks like 2 and Whore Meets Liar are some of the most confounding and disorienting out there, combining with the unhinged-mental-patient screams of Adam Frappoli to result in a listening experience somewhat tantamount to trying to solve a calculus problem while being beaten over the head with a crowbar, while the incredibly fast and intense Insects perfectly epitomizes the everyone-soloing-at-once style as Chris Arp unleashes wave after wave of corkscrewing guitar lines and Chris Herman seemingly hits his drumkit about 45,000 times a minute. My personal favorite, Kill Us opens with a succession of crashing waves of sound, all gut-wrenching vocals and scathing guitar riffs, before a dizzying tempo change leads straight into a maelstrom of clashing instruments. Another classic, Play Some Skynrd, is mighty short at around 30 seconds, but it packs in more heaviness and sonic anarchy than many bands will manage in an entire career, with a devastating main riff early on than regretfully doesn't get repeated amid all the rapid-fire chaos. But hey, in an album where time signatures shift every few seconds, the best parts are going to give way pretty quickly, so you're better off not getting too comfortable.

F*CKING AWSOME.......2007-05-01

IF you like technical metal and you don't like this album your a f*cking retard. Psyopus= best f*cking band in the world???YES!

Beautiful!.......2007-04-28

This is exactly the kind of music I have been waiting for since Dillinger screwed the pooch. The technicality is great. What an amazing guitarist & drummer. This is more along the lines of extreme metal than tech. The murderistic screaming is what gets me. Congrats on a great album.. To me, this is one for the ages. Will not disappoint ( if you can handle it ).

pointless bandwagon jumping.......2007-04-16

If listening to Dillinger Escape Plan's Calculating Infinity makes you think "why can't more bands try to sound like this" rather than "why can't creativityless trendy little [...] just leave this alone" you will enjoy this album. add this guitarist to the "proof virtuosos have no creativity" file alongisde vai, satriani, and malmsteen.

WTF ???.......2007-04-12

Wow is this stuff boring.Songs w/no real structure And the singing? doesnt even match the music.Fast & erratic is the best description i can give this.How do bands like this even get signed?Only recommended if you want a headache.....

Average customer rating:

WHAT A COMBO!!!! WHAT A RECORDING!!!!
saxophone delight
The Meeting of Giants
More Than Meets The Eye
The nobility of tenor sax players

Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster
Coleman Hawkins w , Ben Webster , and Coleman Hawkins
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: 1452142726
Release Date: 1997-07-29

Tracks:

Blues For Yolande (Stereo)
It Never Entered My Mind
La Rostia
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Prisoner Of Love
Tangerine
Shine On Harvest Moon
Blues For Yolande (Monaural)
Blues For Yolande (Incomplete Takes)

Amazon.com

Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster first met at a Kansas City jam session at which Hawkins finally encountered his match in local tenors Webster, Herschel Evans, and Lester Young. The all-night meeting has become the stuff of legend (and a continuous thread in Robert Altman's film Kansas City, though there it's reduced to two tenors). Recorded by Norman Granz, this 1957 meeting supports the two with fine accompaniment that includes Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Herb Ellis. The material includes the great "Blues for Yolanda," with a honking, squeaking solo that suggests Hawkins is the father of all R&B tenor saxophonists as well as those in jazz, while "Rosalita" has an engaging Latin beat. There's also plenty of room for the two to display their ballad art, but there's no real competition between the two big-toned, gruff tenorists, each a mature artist enjoying the highest challenge a peer might offer. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

WHAT A COMBO!!!! WHAT A RECORDING!!!!.......2007-05-13

A great album to do nothing but relax to. Turn this one on, dim the lights down low, crash on the couch and let this marvelous music work it's magic. This album is the perfect panacea for the blues, a perfect preventive for all of the daily stress in living in this chaotic, barbarous world. If you are a fan of jazz, and you don't own this one yet, then you definitely need to make this purchase.

This 1957 recording is a work of art, and why shouldn't it be with a such a great group of legends. The whole album, every second, every single solo, every song, is perfect. And first-rate of a line-up this certainly is, with - Hawkins & Webster (tenor sax), Oscar Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass) and Alvin Stoller (drums) - all giving excellent, first-rate performances.

Webster is wonderful! He plays with such warmth and tenderness and in many ways his playing reminds me of Sinatra (when crooning a sad song) in the way that he is not afraid of bravely baring his whole, frail soul. He emits from his sax the softest, sweetest, most serene sounds I can ever remembering hearing from anyone at anytime. And then, there's Coleman Hawkins (a.k.a the Bean) who compliments his partner so well with his sweet, soulful, harmonious style. Hawk always seems to be under full control, always at ease, while he makes it look and sound so effortless, so easy it almost seems as if he came out of his mother's womb making those sounds. As I said before, and it's worth repeating - WHAT A COMBO!

These two legends really shine, and with the excellent, if not perfect performances by their supporting cast it makes for one of the most memorable recordings in my jazz collection and one that I very highly recommend. This music is soft, stirring and tranquil, yet most of all it's just plain and simply BEAUTIFUL!

Enjoy and live well!

saxophone delight.......2007-04-16

Backed by the Oscar Peterson quartet on this 1959 Verve release, `Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster' is mandatory listening for jazz fans. Hawkins and Webster were two jazz saxophone ambassadors. This fairy-tale meeting of raw talent falls nothing short of spectacular. The album has been remastered at a 20-bit transfer with bonus alternate takes of "Blues for Yolande".

Track 1, "Blues for Yolande", is a bluesy jazz tune in stereo that you can really dig. Track 2 is a solemn, mellow bluesy tune called "It Never Entered My Mind". Track 3, "La Rosita", starts to a Latin rhythm with Hawkins and Webster amusing listeners with smooth and bouncy blows. Oscar Peterson kicks it off on track 4, "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To", with Hawkins and Webster kicking up a more swinging endeavor. "Prisoner of Love", track 5, is a satisfyingly quiet song perfect for a late night drink. Track 6, "Tangerine", is laid back and slicker than grease. "Shine on Harvest Moon", Track 7, puts on its Sunday best and marches down the avenue with a slow motion marching band. The remaining two tracks are a monaural version of "Blues for Yolande" and an incomplete take of the song, as well. A great album well worth the time and money.

Personnel: Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster (ts), Oscar Peterson (p), Herb Ellis (g), Roy Brown (b), and Alvin Stoller (d).

The Meeting of Giants.......2006-09-30

Some might say (including historians, musical producers and liner notes writers) that Hawkins was much better than Webster, that only Young could equall his power with his unique approach. Even if this is true, the level at which Hawk and Webster play is so high that I see the meeting of two true giants.
Impecable rhythm section led by great Oscar Peterson always helps at these Verve style encounters and I feel that both tenor plays made the best of it. Whether it is gentle ballads, blowing the blues or harmonizing in rhythm, this CD should satisfy not only swing and mainstream fans but also modern jazz fans: mainstream by definition leans somewhat towards modern jazz and Hawk and Peterson particularly well blend the best of both worlds (as they did throught their careers; Hawkins even before modern jazz was born).
A classic.

More Than Meets The Eye.......2005-10-11

A classic of jazz, the studio work of these 2 giants together in this mid to late 1950's period put forth some of the greatest sounding music ever layed down.
Hawkinks the master,Webster,the sweet soul bluesman on these tracks are an amazing display of blues,and jazz with the great Oscar Peterson on piano.
There are a whole slew of recordings done in this 1950's era for Verve comprising a similiar lineup of these stellar musicians and many are on the Veve master-editions issue...not to be missed for those exploring are the Genius of Coleman Hawkins,Ben Webster and Associates,Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson,Ben Webster's Soulville..these releases were all repackaged with liner notes and given great treatment..
All of these "senior" masters were given their due late on in their careers but the greatness of their youth is revisited on this and the other fine releases.

The nobility of tenor sax players.......2005-08-18

Without doubt Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster are the best tenor players ever. Their distinctive sounds are the best one can produce on such a horn. That would be enough reason to buy this 'Encounter.' Apart from that, this is just a great swinging disc.

Average customer rating:

Encore!

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000294RO4
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

Star Wars - Main Theme
Star Wars - Princess Leia's Theme
E.T. - Flying Theme
Superman - March
Superman - Love Theme
Raiders Of The Lost Ark - March
Chariots Of Fire - Main Theme
Gone With The Wind - Tara's Theme
A Summer Place - Love Theme
The Pink Panther - Main Theme
Never On Sunday
The Trolley Song
Singin' In The Rain
Pops Salutes The Oscars
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind - Suite

Tracks:

Candide - Overture
New York, New York - Main Theme
Night Waltz/Send In The Clowns
Memory
There's No Business Like Show Business
Gigi - Selection
By The Sleepy Lagoon
Moonlight Serenade
Satin Doll
In The Mood
Sing, Sing, Sing
A Chorus Line - Overture
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Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: The Collector's Edition Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

One of Williams's best scores, even 30 years later
Arguably Williams' best
So disappointed in the changes they made!
Why fix it if it ain't broke???
Best film soundtrack ever...

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: The Collector's Edition Soundtrack
John Williams
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000636B
Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

Opening: Let There Be Light
Navy Planes
Lost Squadron
Roy's First Encounter
Encounter At Crescendo Summit
Chasing UFOs
False Alarm
Barry's Kidnapping
The Cover-Up
Stars & Trucks
Forming The Mountain
TV Reveals
Roy & Gillian On The Road
The Mountain
Who Are You People?
The Escape
The Escape (Alternate Cue)
Trucking
Climbing The Mountain
Outstretch Hands
Lightshow
Barnstorming
The Mothership
Wild Signals
The Returnees
The Visitors/'Bye'/End Titles: The Special Edition

Amazon.com essential recording

Steven Spielberg's extraterrestrial-themed follow-up to the Jaws phenomena cemented his reputation as a cinematic wunderkind capable of shameless emotional manipulation and continued blockbuster ticket sales. But Close Encounters (whose soundtrack is now gratifyingly back in print on Arista) also displayed Spielberg's wise confidence in at least one of his collaborators.

Composer John Williams, fresh from the Wagnerian success of Star Wars, was allowed the unusual luxury of composing much of the Close Encounters score before principal photography began. Thus Spielberg was able (as had Sergio Leone with Morricone's Once Upon a Time in the West) to stage much of his action to the Williams music playing on the set in a rare way. The entire special-effects finale was in fact edited to match the composer's rhythms.

For his part, Williams composed arguably his most ambitious and accomplished score. Balancing his more obvious sentimental skills with refreshingly bracing doses of atonality (and just a nod to the modern Ligetti pieces Stanley Kubrick had wedded so well to 2001: A Space Odyssey). Williams produced a mature work that holds up remarkably well 20 years on; a true classic. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

One of Williams's best scores, even 30 years later.......2007-08-02

The score for Close Encounters of the Third Kind offers a particularly striking contrast to that of Star Wars, which Williams wrote around the same time. It bears much more in common with Jaws, from a couple of years before. While Star Wars leans heavily on the brass section and relies on a series of Wagernian leitmotifs to passively reinforce character and action, the score to Close Encounters actively drives the film, and it's much more subtle, but much less operatic than Star Wars.

So many of the tools that comprise the modern toolbox for the horror or suspense score -- spine-tingling pizzicato, strident discord in the brass and woodwind sections, unnerving sostentuto dissonance on the strings, creepy glissandos and powerful crescendos -- were practically invented by Williams here in the Close Encounters score. One hears a few prefiguring echoes in the score for Jaws as well, and Williams would go on to use similar techniques in Jurassic Park (especially for the raptors) some fifteen years later. But Close Encounters remains the model.

Williams relies on relatively few recurring motifs in his score, though the ones he does use are beautiful and haunting. More often, however, it's atonal, interstellar mood music. Listen to the tracks "Barry's Kidnapping", "The Returnees", and "The Visitors" for examples of these. They're quite otherworldly and brilliant. And the "dialogue" between the scientists and the mothership, with its universally recognizable five-tone sequence (an essential plot point in the film), is playfully rendered in the track "Wild Signals".

All together, one of Williams's very best scores.

Arguably Williams' best.......2006-01-22

Second only to Star Wars because of its historical importance, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind remains John Williams' most remarkable effort.
From hard to soft, from creepy to downright haunting, from mysterious to shocking, from thematic grandeur to terrifying cacophony, practically everything you can do with a symphony orchestra is presented here.
And not only that; John Williams defined alien music for generations to come.

Presented here is the full score in chronological order, plus alternates and unused cues, and it was about time.
What John Williams managed to do to the film and the listener is outstanding: there has never been, nor will there ever be a score that is so strange and dissonant, but so fascinating, powerful and capturing at the same time.
I don't know where Williams dug up all those playing techniques and writing styles, sometimes so abstract that you'd think it would be impossible to incorporate them into a coherent piece of music, but Williams did it; and you just can't detach yourself.

What fascinates me most about Close Encounters is the way dissonance and harmony full of awe are combined. John Williams would write fast aleatoric, almost incomprehendable violin passages, and suddenly slow, huge sounding tuba lines come in underneath to illustrate the arrival of the aliens. Out of the cacophony, suddenly an emotional horn line would emerge. You can hear this approach for instance in "The Mothership". I think hearing one of these cues with the film in mind is one of the most chilling moments someone can experience; this truly is the power of movie and music.

One of the best cues on the album is the track "Wild Signals", written in a call-and-response manner. This piece accompanies the scene in which humans and aliens are communicating via music (which is such a touching idea itself) and Steven Spielberg actually edited the movie in a way so that it would fit the music.
This track also introduces the main theme for the film, the five-note motif that NASA now sends out into the space to look for extraterrestrial life.
There is a handful of other themes, all featured in the final 12 minute track that is in my humble opinion one of the best cues ever written for film. The thematic and choral beauty is so overwhelming; and the terrifying, yet awe- inspiring alien music transforms over the course of the piece into something friendly and pure, until the main theme is sung by a boy choir.

It's not only the technical aspects that make Close Encounters so outstanding, it's first and foremost the emotions you feel when you hear it.
Just like in the film, there's always a sense of mystery in the air; you can't put your finger on it, but there's always something in the air.
The movie, and much more so the music, make you yearn. You believe it, you long for the great mystery. This score will change the way you look at the evening sky forever, so be prepared; it might never let you go!

So disappointed in the changes they made!.......2005-12-19

I'm a 36 year old who grew up with the 1977 soundtrack. I have great memories of turning off all the lights in our house and running around with my brothers, jumping on all the beds and just LOVING the music as it blasted over our huge speakers. Even our mother let us - she knew it was quality music (and loved the movie). As an adult, on certain days/moods I'd crank it on my stereo as I did dishes or did some art work. Then my c.d. was stolen from my car and I went to buy another, only to discover they'd changed things, and for the worse. Yes, part of the reason I don't like it as much anymore is because I'm used to hearing it the way I'm used to, but it just doesn't sound as good anymore - it's all choppy - which takes away a good part of its magic. I'm destroyed....I need my fix and don't know how to get ahold of the old soundtrack on c.d. anymore! :-(

Why fix it if it ain't broke???.......2005-09-09

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND is my favorite Steven Spielberg film of all time, so the music is always great to listen to, but even the most perfect things in this world can be needlessly screwed with.

The problem with re-releasing it in its sequential order is that without the transitional blending of one piece into the next, as it was on the original 1977 soundtrack, is that each piece is now too short. Just as you really start to enjoy a particular cut, its over. You find yourself taking more notice of the breaks in between rather than the cuts themselves.

Also, on this CD, you get the final end credits as it was written for the 1980 special edition, which in my opinion, is inferior to the original 1977 ending.

As a movie and soundtrack purist, I'm afraid I also have this beef with the original STAR WARS trilogy soundtracks, which were re-shuffled for the 1997 special editions. I'm glad I still have STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK in their original form, both on vinyl and cassette (STAR WARS on CD, too). Lucky me! Never bothered to get RETURN OF THE JEDI, though, because it pretty much rehashed the same cuts that were already from the first two films.

Best film soundtrack ever..........2003-08-27

Though I have many complaints and quibbles with the various "versions" of the Close Encounters of the Third Kind movie, this is wonderfully conceived and put together and there's no need for any other soundtrack versions at least of CE3K.

A lot of soundtrack releases based upon motion pictures often get it wrong. There are always considerations of what music from the film to keep in or out. This is not such a problem with movies that have a dozen or more "pop hits" in them, or classic musicals and broadway type stuff. But in a soundtrack like Close Encounters, there is only the music in the film (all versions) from which to draw material. It is a pleasure to announce that almost ALL of John William's BEST work ever, in my humble opinion, is ON THIS ONE CD. But wait, there's more!

Unlike previous treatments of the music in Close Encounters (from vinyl to 8 track to cassette to CD), not only is there a ton more music here than previously released, but it is arranged in an amazing manner. Though there are many individual tracks, almost all of it proceeds in a symphonic whole. And while it generally follows events in the movie, there are detours along the way that are a pleasant surprise. It is great on repeat or random mode.

John Williams is a composer of many fine movie scores, but is especially associated with Star Wars. Rightfully so, as his work for those films is great. But back in 1977, he not only did the soundtrack to Star Wars, but Close Encounters as well. While even casual music fans know many themes from Star Wars, the five note sequence in CE3K is about all that's memorable for most folks. But dive into the wonder and magic and power of the music on this CD, and hear what you might've missed from the film.

While this work stands alone as a symphony with the best of composers of all time, including the classics, fans of the movie itself, and especially those who've seen it several times, will love this. There are many little touches here that will bring back memories of the film that were both subtle and sublime. As one who has listened to this soundtrack since 1977 in all its forms, I applaud the producers of this treatment. There had always been musical moments from the films missing, but not here. Everything is here, and it's all great.

John Williams uses almost every style imaginable here, every orchestral instrument being used to create alternative moods of doom and the scary and unknown, to rousing, joyous chorus voices mixed with dozens of instruments. Part Star Wars, part 2001, the music here is an awesome ride all the way.

There are a few liberties taken here, and parts of this were not in the film but seem arranged for this CD especially, but everything works beautifully. While John Williams will probably always be better remembered for Star Wars, Jaws, ET and other soundtracks, in my view, the glorious roller coaster ride of his music for Close Encounters will always remain my favorite. And there are really no need for anymore music from the movie CD's at this point. They got it right with this one, and it just doesn't get any better than this.

Even if you don't care that much for the film(s) this music comes from, if you've never heard this work of art in its entirety, you're missing something. And for fans of John William's other work who've never heard a lot of this also (apart from the visual experience of watching the movie), you're in for a pleasant surprise.

An amazing musical trip. Get it!

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