News 2017

News Archive

Damnation Alley From Intrada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is quite incredible to be typing this after decades of wondering if one day this score would ever make it properly to CD. But December 5th is clearly Damnation Alley Day!

Intrada Records have done it! They have taken on a unique and complex project and finally made available one of Jerry Goldsmith's greatest action adventure scores in complete form!

The film is instantly forgettable and hugely disappointing considering how expensive the production was and at one point was considered a safer box office bet for 20th Century Fox than Star Wars!



Musically though Damnation Alley is a different story. It remains the movie's saving grace and a work of pure class. Simply one of Jerry Goldsmith's finest works from his action scoring canon. A large orchestral score highlighted by aggressive and often thunderous brass complimented by an array of prominent but crucial electronics, which sadly became separated from the orchestral elements and have prevented this one being released until now.

To get over this frustrating stumbling block was to entertain re-creating the synthesizer elements! To take on this monumental task was Leigh Phillips who's love of Jerry Goldsmith scores and his incredible talent at reconstructing them, notably a number of Goldsmith works released by Tadlow Records; namely The Salamander and recent TV scores from Thriller. The results are quite incredible! So here we have the complete original soundtrack, plus unreleased extras with a new synth overlay to bring this score finally to CD and to life!

Thank you Intrada Records, Mike Matessino, Nick Redman and Leigh Phillips for making a dream come true for me and many other Goldsmith fans.

Order from Intrada today!

The Russia House - Complete Score CD

Quartet Records has announced a complete presentation of one of Jerry Goldsmith's finest scores and featuring a beautiful main theme for Michelle Pfeifer's character - Katya . The Russia House was released on CD by MCA Records back in 1990 and had a generous running time of over 60 minutes. A fairly comprehensive presentation but was missing a handful of extra cues and one or two highlights as well. The melancholy cue for when Barley and Katya first talk about Yakov at the church is case in point.



The new disc runs to over 75 minutes now and has been produced by Mike Matessino. The disc features a 16 page booklet to round out the package. The release is limited to just 1000 copies, which may again be due to the licensor rather than Quartet as per the situation with this year's release of Papillon.

Order from Quartet Records!

The Haunting - Deluxe Edition CD!

Varese Sarabande's CD Club announce a new expanded presentation of Jerry Goldsmith's 1999 score for the Jan De Bont remake of the classic ghost story The Haunting. The film, heavy on CGI, didn't garner much critical acclaim but did pretty good box office. No doubt helped by the kid friendly scares and lack of blood.

Jerry Goldsmith's score was the highlight! Heavy on atmosphere but headlined by one of the composer's sweetest themes for main protagonist Nell. This was countered by a suitably Bernard Herrmann inspired theme for the creepy Hill House and its gothic grandeur. The lengthy powerhouse finale raps the score up in spectacular fashion. The spacious recording of the score is an added bonus.

As with many of Varese's 90's albums The Haunting was a mere 35 minutes but this new presentation is now over twice as long and is said to contain all Goldsmith wrote for the film. The CD ships November 20th and is limited to just 2000 copies.

Order today from Varese!

Hour Of The Gun Blu-ray From Twilight Time

Twilight Time has released a new Blu-ray of the 1967 John Sturges western Hour Of The Gun. The movie dealt with events after the gun fight at the O.K. Corral. The acclaimed western drama was a serious look at the protagonists and featured powerful performances from James Garner, Jason Robards and Robert Ryan. Jerry Goldsmith provided a superlative western theme and dramatic action as well as some beautifully melancholy scoring for the drama and low key finale.

Although we had an excellent 30 minute LP, later on CD by Intrada, the complete soundtrack is lost to the ages. Tadlow did an interesting re-recording a few years back though. This new disc features an isolated score with effects track as a bonus.

Order from Twilight Time/Screen Archives

One Little Indian - Intrada Reissue

Reissue of rare western score from 1973 that sold out rather quickly when first released by Intrada in 2009. Essentially the same as the earlier release but with a slight re-mastering and a slightly reconfigured booklet.

Goldsmith's trademark western scoring is evident throughout and features a warm main theme for the title character, some powerful Goldsmith western action and some comedic scoring for the unusual mode of transport - a camel.

Back in 2009 this score seemed unlikely to ever be released, even if it still existed. But thanks to Disney taking care of its film music history and Intrada's relationship with the legendary company we got to hear this score in full stereo for the first time. Don't miss out this time!

Order from Intrada today!

Psycho II Blu-ray with Extras

Arrow Films announce a HD release of the 1983 sequel to the classic Psycho - Psycho II. The special edition disc comes with a generous selection of extras. One extra is of interest to Jerry Goldsmith fans and is something that did not appear on the Intrada special edition CD release. An intriguing and rare synth demo by Jerry Goldsmith of his Psycho II theme. Director commentary and interviews briefly mention Jerry Goldsmith's important contribution too.

Order from Arrow Films

Papillon - Complete Edition From Quartet!

Quartet Records announce a new presentation of a Goldsmith classic - Papillon. The score has been out on several CDs and of course early LP releases. But Quartet, working with Mike Matessino, have unearthed the original multi track masters of the complete sessions in mint condition! The wonderful score is presented for the first time with alternates, extended versions of cues and music not featured in the film. The CD also includes all the source music arranged by Alexander Courage and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith. The package is rounded out with a 20 page booklet.

The CD was limited to just 1000 units and sold out in a short time.

Thriller Volume 2 In The Works!

Tadlow Records has announced a second volume of Jerry Goldsmith music from the classic TV series Thriller. The first volume has proved very popular and James Fitzpatrick has revealed a second volume of TV highlights from Goldsmith scored episodes has already been selected and will be recorded and released later in the year. The scores will again be reconstructed by the incredibly talented Leigh Phillips!

Order volume 1 now - direct from Tadlow!

Poltergeist II - Definitive 3 CD Edition

Intrada Records present a 3 CD set of Jerry Goldsmith 1986 score to the horror sequel Poltergeist II The Other Side. This score has proved amazingly popular over the years making this the 5th incarnation! Intrada's first Jerry Goldsmith CD was this score, but back in 1986 could only release 30 minutes of highlights. They followed this up in 1993 with an expanded release produced by the composer. This was followed by a Deluxe Edition from Varese in 2003 - expanded still further. Enter the Kritzerland label in 2013, who appeared to release the complete version, but notably presenting the film mixes for the first time, revealing far more detail than ever heard before - plus a host of extras making it a 2 CD presentation.

But now Intrada comes full circle and present the score on a specially priced 3 CD set! The first two discs feature the complete score from both the analogue film mixes and the digital mix made by the composer with his engineer Bruce Botnick. Disc 3 for the most part features score highlights sans choir, plus for the first time ever we get to hear Goldsmith's initial presentation of the finale “Reaching Out/The Astral” in two versions one with and without chorus.

Order the definitive presentation from Intrada today!

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star For Jerry Goldsmith!

Jerry Goldsmith received his Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star today - May 9th 2017 at a special ceremony on the iconic Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd. The event saw Carol Goldsmith and son Aaron Goldsmith alongside tributes from film composers and close friends David Newman and Charles Fox as well as song writer Paul Williams. All had worked tirelessly over a number of years to bring Jerry Goldsmith this lasting tribute which received support from film directors, composers and stars that knew of Jerry's music, or had worked on films with his scores. Letters of support came from Sean Connery, Quincy Jones, Alec Baldwin and Donald Sutherland. As well as support from Fred Schepisi and Paul Verhoeven, to name but a few.

The 30 minute ceremony featured warm and some times emotional words on the person they knew so well and his incredible contribution to music for film and television over his long career.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Leron Gubler with Carol and Aaron Goldsmith standing in front of Jerry Goldsmith's star - the 2611th!

Watch the video of the event on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame You Tube Channel.

 

Mondo's Alien Vinyl Sets And Alien Covenant Soundtrack

Mondo have issued news of their Alien soundtrack vinyl sets due in September. There will be two versions; one with the film soundtrack over 2 LP sides and a complete version with the same content as the original Intrada CD set over 4 LP sides. Both versions will of course be on 180gram and feature colour vinyl.

 

As usual the main selling point appears to be the artwork and presentation. Apart from the dramatic front covers the inner sleeves detail the evolution of the Alien creature.

Pre-order from Mondo today:-

2 LP Version

4 LP Version

In other Alien news Jed Kurzel's score to Alien Covenant will feature Jerry Goldsmith's main Alien theme in a number of tracks as well as feature other Goldsmith composed Alien music too. Goldsmith's music has now turned up in parts in all the Alien movies except for Alien³.

Tadlow's Jerry Goldsmith Thriller CD!

Tadlow's new recording of highlights from the 1960's TV series Thriller is due to be released on May 30th. This exciting recording brings together some of the finest music Goldsmith wrote for television at the beginning of his long career. The TV show came from the mind of movie legend Boris Karloff and featured tales of horror and suspense. It has remained a critically acclaimed show in the vein of the Twilight Zone ever since.

The music has been reconstructed by the incredibly talented Leigh Phillips who has worked with Tadlow on previous Goldsmith re-recordings including The Salamander, Hour Of The Gun and The Blue Max. The CD will feature excerpts and suites from Goldsmith's scores to THE GRIM REAPER, HAY-FORK AND BILL-HOOK, WELL OF DOOM, MR.GEORGE, THE POISONER and YOURS TRULY, JACK THE RIPPER.

To complete the package are notes from TV music expert Jon Burlingame and the music is once again performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Nic Raine. The CD is produced by James Fitzpatrick and Leigh Phillips.

Order now - direct from Tadlow!

Star Trek The Motion Picture Vinyl Release

La-La Land Records are releasing a 2 LP set on a 180 gram vinyl of Jerry Goldsmith's legendary soundtrack to Star Trek The Motion Picture. The set follows on from the label's spectacular 3 CD release featuring the complete film soundtrack, alternates, outtakes and album versions. Whether the 2 LPs can hold all of  this remains to be seen so it may just be the film soundtrack plus extras. The LP set features alternate artwork and is limited to1500 copies.

La-La Land Records have also just released a 4 CD set of music from the TV series Star Trek Voyager, which of course features Jerry Goldsmith's series theme.

Visit La-La Land Records March 17 to order.