MojoPin
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Posted:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 6:06 pm Post subject: WILLOW (Deluxe Ed) by James Horner |
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new release today from Intrada: WILLOW (1988)
composed by James Horner
https://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.12619/.f
From site:
At last! Magnum opus fantasy score by James Horner receives expanded 2-CD set! A LucasFilm Production, Ron Howard directs, scripted by Bob Dolman, story by George Lucas who also executive produces with Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis sharing majority of the screen time with Joanne Whalley, Billy Barty, Jean Marsh all nearby. Evil sorceress Bavmorda imprisons all pregnant women in her domain to prevent birth of a baby prophesied to bring about the end of her reign. Said baby is born and cast adrift, with Bavmorda, her vicious Nockmaar Hounds and her army in pursuit. Enter Willow Ufgood and the Nelwyns, who find the infant. A perilous adventure ensues that involves the Brownies, a fairy queen, an aging enchantress… and flamboyant rogue and expert swordsman Madmartigan.
James Horner took inspiration from rousing action and swordplay as well as fantastic special effects made by ILM, including landmark early use of digital morphing technology, a CGI breakthrough. Film unfolds with generous amount of dazzle dazzle and derring-do but also offers darker side to fantastic tale, especially in latter battle and climactic duel sequence. Horner showcases his energetic youthful big-orchestra vernacular on one hand while balancing with his newly-maturing severe, intense musical vocabulary, resulting in incredibly wide-ranging score. Richly drawn main theme anchors, makes key appearances, shares time with exhilarating theme for Madmartigan, takes back seat to ferocious sequences, then ultimately brings score home. Besides colorful array of material, score is also notable for several lengthy cues, amongst the longest of the composer’s career. Massive pieces often play as movements of a symphony, developing ideas with cohesion, complexity, generating considerable tension, then relief - no easy feat: “Canyon Of Mazes” (7 minutes), “Tir Asleen” (10 minutes), “Bavmorda’s Spell Is Cast” (18 minutes), “Willow The Sorcerer” (12 minutes) are massive, masterful works for large symphony orchestra. Generous original 1988 album featured over 70 minutes of music but film’s wall-to-wall scoring included over 100 minutes of music! Finally, on this Intrada 2-CD presentation, some 107 minutes of music by Horner appears, with a wealth of previously unavailable cues, including aggressive, fierce “Death Dogs”, colorful and fantastic “Enchanted Forest”, and riveting and florid “Sled Ride”, all courtesy LucasFilm and Disney, mastered from original digital stereo mixes made by Shawn Murphy at the scoring sessions and beautifully preserved by engineer Simon Rhodes. Front cover art by John Alvin, package design by Kay Marshall, booklet notes by Frank DeWald. Score recorded in January & February 1988 at Abbey Road Studios. Greig McRitchie orchestrates, James Horner composes, conducts. Intrada Special Collection 2-CD available while quantities and interest remain!
Label: Intrada Special Collection Volume ISC 476
Film Date: 1988
Album Date: 2022
Time: 108:14
Tracks: 18
CD 1
01. Elora Danan (9:45)
02. The Nelwyns (2:41)
03. The Nelwyns No. 2 (2:35)
04. Death Dogs (2:26)
05. Willow’s Journey Begins (5:26)
06. Bavmorda’s Castle (1:21)
07. Airk’s Army (3:26)
08. The Enchanted Forest (5:31)
09. Escape From The Tavern (5:04)
10. The Island (5:10)
11. Willow Captured (1:59)
12. Arrival At Snow Camp (1:17)
13. The Sled Ride (7:56)
CD 1 Total Time: 55:16
CD 2
01. Willow’s Theme (3:54)
02. Canyon Of Mazes (7:52)
03. Tir Asleen (10:47)
04. Bavmorda’s Spell Is Cast (18:11)
05. Willow The Sorcerer (11:55)
CD 2 Total Time: 52:58 |
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Dragonel
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Location: Dragonia, US
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Posted:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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*Looks at CD 2* 5 tracks > 50 minutes
Well, there's the go-to album for Long Track Day next year ...
... although admittedly the current Willow gets plenty of play every year anyway _________________ If you can't stand the heat, don't tease a dragon |
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CharlesSmith1972
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Joined: Jun 28, 2022
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Posted:
Mon Jun 27, 2022 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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The music from "Willow" technically stands on a high level. Surprisingly it doesn't get boring quickly, even though most of what we hear is a variation of the main theme or extremely dark underscore. James Horner refers a bit to John Williams' style in this track and he does it in a very beautiful way, interweaving adventurous rhythms with atmospheric, dark atmosphere. A wonderful, captivating leitmotif keeps us firmly in the mood of the film. The orchestra, on the other hand, constantly assaulting our ears, is in fact an extremely clearly outlined battle between good and evil, taking place in a world where they meet at almost every turn. It is very dynamic and very calm music at the same time. Many would probably also call it a bit chaotic. Indeed - as one of the drawbacks one could accuse it of being too loud and difficult to concentrate with. However, there is no doubt that it is a classic of the fantasy genre and one of the more original achievements of this composer. A work that I personally associate with my childhood, when the world of Willow was one of those I most often visited. This is how I return to it and to this music today. The soundtrack is definitely worth recommending, although not for every evening. |
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Luther_III
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Joined: Jun 20, 2005
Member#: 10621
Posts: 846
Location: New Orleans
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Posted:
Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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Wow! Intrada has done it again! One of Horner's best scores finally gets a complete release! Order placed!!
I'm a proud owner of the original CD release of this masterpiece by Horner, but these new cues and the alternate cues included on disc 2 (not shown MojoPin's post) might be of interest to collectors and enthusiasts like me. The very long tracks are indeed somewhat inconvenient for SST or for making compilations. But on the other hand these huge pieces of music really display Horner's mastery. I'm thrilled for this new release even though the original is very, very good, containing music from all the major themes and representing most of the major set pieces in the film. The new track that possibly stands out is "Sled Ride," which is a pretty major action cue from the film. But I"m also looking forward to hearing "The Nelwyns" 1 & 2, "Airk's Army," and "The Enchanted Forest." There's quite a bit of previously unreleased music here.
I'm really looking forward to receiving my copy. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Mojo!
_________________ "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
--Albert Einstein |
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MojoPin
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Member#: 4569
Posts: 712
Location: Texas
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Posted:
Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to SST and to the forum, CharlesSmith1972! Glad to have you with us. Willow is certainly a great spot to jump into the conversation.
Dragonel wrote: |
Well, there's the go-to album for Long Track Day next year ...
... although admittedly the current Willow gets plenty of play every year anyway |
Yes, "Bavmorda's Spell Is Cast" – though I wouldn't call it the best track of the album musically – is one I usually check to see if it's green on the day.
Luther_III wrote: |
these new cues and the alternate cues included on disc 2 (not shown MojoPin's post) might be of interest to collectors and enthusiasts like me. |
Where are you reading about that, Luther? Most of my post was the direct C&P from the store's info page for the title.
Luther_III wrote: |
Order placed!! ... I'm really looking forward to receiving my copy. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Mojo! |
You're quite welcome! Same here. This is probably my all-time fave Horner score and I was downright giddy when I saw the announcement. LOL I already received shipping confirmation from Intrada today and can't wait for it to arrive! _________________ "A day without music is a mistake." – John Williams |
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Luther_III
Commander
Joined: Jun 20, 2005
Member#: 10621
Posts: 846
Location: New Orleans
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Posted:
Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:56 am Post subject: |
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MojoPin wrote: |
Where are you reading about that, Luther? Most of my post was the direct C&P from the store's info page for the title. |
You know, now that you mention it, I think I totally imagined those alternate cues! So sorry to get anyone's hopes up.
_________________ "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
--Albert Einstein |
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MojoPin
Vice Admiral (Moderator)
Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Member#: 4569
Posts: 712
Location: Texas
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Posted:
Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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LOL Luther – that's okay, I was just going, "Wait, where did I miss that? There's more?"
I'm always glad to get new Horner material – this title especially – so I'll happily take whatever Intrada can dig up for us!
Btw, this has already been a VERY popular title: the Intrada page now says it's temporarily out of stock because initial orders plowed through the first batch, but they're hoping to restock soon. Wow. |
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Luther_III
Commander
Joined: Jun 20, 2005
Member#: 10621
Posts: 846
Location: New Orleans
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Posted:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 9:38 am Post subject: |
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MojoPin wrote: |
Btw, this has already been a VERY popular title: the Intrada page now says it's temporarily out of stock because initial orders plowed through the first batch, but they're hoping to restock soon. Wow. |
Well, then I'm especially glad I ordered when I did! I owe you another thanks, Mojo, for your post alerting me to the release.
_________________ "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I get most joy in life out of music."
--Albert Einstein |
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