This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
1975, Fantasy Films.
Jack Nitzsche.
Fantasy, CD, 1991, 0025218453127. Rating:
The film version of Ken Kesey’s cult 1962 novel, about a lone rebel turning the order of a state asylum on its head, swept the board at the Oscars, winning best film, director (Milos Forman), actor (Jack Nicholson) and actress (Louise Fletcher). Nitzsche’s score was also nominated, highlighting the film’s central theme of state control of the individual in the shadow of the Vietnam war, in a rather understated way. The quivering, melancholic ‘Opening Theme’ sets the pace with a quietly knowing series of cues that highlight disturbing situations and incidents in an almost matter-of-fact fashion, particularly in ‘Medication Valse’ - the daily round of deadening tranquilisers fed to patients sounding like a Sunday afternoon tea party. Meanwhile ‘Bus Ride To Paradise’ is a reminder of the beatnik break for freedom so much a part of the spirit of the novel. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Opening Theme).
2. Medication Valse.
3. Bus Ride To Paradise.
4. Cruising.
5. Trolling.
6. Aloha Los Pescadores.
7. Charmaine.
8. Play The Game.
9. Last Dance.
10. Act Of Love.
11. Jingle Bells.
12. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Closing Theme).
Top Gun Movie Soundtrack Expanded Edition.
1986, Paramount.
Harold Faltermeyer/Various.
Legacy, CD, 1999, CK 65554. Rating:
Jerry Bruckheimer’s action/romance stars Tom Cruise as ace fighter pilot Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and Kelly McGillis as his trainer and love interest. The film and soundtrack were both worldwide hits, the latter scored by electronic whiz Harold Faltermeyer (‘Beverly Hills Cop’) with songs by Kenny Loggins (‘Danger Zone’) and Berlin (‘Take My Breath Away’); generally upbeat and exciting, with a couple of love songs thrown in, the soundtrack is perfectly matched to the impressive aerial action sequences and slightly syrupy love story beneath. This expanded edition, includes three tracks not included on the original release, including that well-used film favourite, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ by the Righteous Brothers. A date movie and soundtrack with something for the boys. Top Gun Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins).
2. Mighty Wings (Cheap Trick).
3. Playing With The Boys (Kenny Loggins).
4. Lead Me On (Teena Marie).
5. Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from “Top Gun”) (Berlin).
6. Hot Summer Nights (Miami Sound Machine).
7. Heaven In Your Eyes (Loverboy).
8. Through The Fire (Larry Greene).
9. Destination Unknown (Marietta).
10. Top Gun Anthem (Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens).
11. (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding).
12. Memories (Harold Faltermeyer).
13. Great Balls of Fire (Original Version) (Jerry Lee Lewis).
14. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling (The Righteous Brothers).
15. Playing With The Boys (Dance Mix) (Kenny Loggins). Other Versions Available:
Top Gun Soundtrack CD
Deluxe Edition Including Songs From & Inspired By ‘Top Gun’
Columbia, CD, 2006, 5099 751995227 1. Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins).
2. Mighty Wings (Cheap Trick).
3. Playing With The Boys (Kenny Loggins).
4. Lead Me On (Teena Marie).
5. Take My Breath Away (Berlin).
6. Hot Summer Nights (Miami Sound Machine).
7. Heaven In Your Eyes (Loverboy).
8. Through The Fire (Larry Greene).
9. Destination Unknown (Marietta).
10.Top Gun Anthem (Harold Faltermeyer).
11.(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding).
12.Memories (Harold Faltermeyer).
13.Great Balls Of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis).
14.You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling (The Righteous Brothers).
15.Playing With The Boys (Kenny Loggins).
16.Can’t Fight This Feeling (REO Speedwagon).
17.Broken Wings (Mr Mister)
18.The Final Countdown (Europe).
19.Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now (Starship).
20.The Power Of Love (Jennifer Rush).
To Kill A Mockingbird.
1962, Universal.
Elmer Bernstein.
Verese Sarabande, CD, 1998, VSD-5754. Rating:
Elmer Bernstein’s outstanding score to the film adaptation of Harper Lee’s highly thought of novel, is a master class of a movie score, perfectly in sync with the film’s central theme about two youngsters coming of age in the American deep south, as their lawyer father (Gregory Peck) defends a black man charged with rape. Bernstein claimed that he used instruments such as piano, bells and harp to evoke memories of childhood (‘Main Title’); his ability to incorporate the films darker undertones (‘Lynch Mob’) is just as masterful. Despite this, the score has been unavailable for many years and its first CD release was marred by poor sound quality; this re-recording puts this right, with crisp sonics and expanded liner notes. Excellent. To Kill A Mockingbird Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Main Title.
2. Remember Mama.
3. Atticus Accepts The Case/Roll In The Tire.
4. Creepy Caper/Peek-A-Boo.
5. Ewell’s Hatred.
6. Jem’s Discovery.
7. Tree Treasure.
8. Lynch Mob.
9. Guilty Verdict.
10. Ewell Regret It.
11. Footsteps In The Dark.
12. Assault In The Shadows.
13. Boo Who?
14. End Title.
