Compilations: Telarc and the CPO: The Nineties
Rants, Ravings and Reviews: Label Series Compilations
#2
Entry No. 6 by Dennis Logsdon
[See
the first installment about Telarc here.]
By the end of the '80s ,Telarc and the Cincinnati Pops had established
themselves as a leading label and Orchestra for the popular film music
theme crossover type of music. They finished the '80s with strong entertaining
CDs like Chiller and Happy Trails that even today grace a few store bins.
10. CLASSICS OF THE SILVER SCREEN Telarc CD-80221,
1990
The CPO started out slow in the '90s with this been there done that
compilation of light classics used in films. All the standards are here,
Barber: Adagio, Puccini: Nessun dorma, Un bel di, and O mio babbino caro,
and others. If you don't have one of the numerous compilations out there
like this, this is a good one.
11. FANTASTIC JOURNEY Telarc CD-80231, 1990
This is one of the best compilations in the CPO issues. What sets this
CD apart are the varied selections of time and type and yet it's a pleasing
listen from start to finish. It starts off with a 15-min. BATMAN SUITE
and then moves on to THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, WAR OF THE WORLDS,
BOY WHO COULD FLY, DRAGONSLAYER, MOONWALKER, LAST STARFIGHTER and others.
Get this one!
12. BOND & BEYOND Telarc CD-80251, 1991
If you are a Bond fan then you can leave this in the slots, but if you
are a cops and robbers theme fan then this may be worth your time. There
are 7 selections from Bond movies here but it is the others that are worth
the CD. UNTOUCHABLES, FIRST BLOOD, DICK TRACY, MEDLEY OF TV THEMES, LETHAL
WEAPON, DARKMAN and more. The Bond selections are good but if you love
the real thing then no one does it better.
13. MOVIE LOVE THEMES Telarc CD-80243, 1991
It must be my personal taste but if I wanted music for an evening of
love, this is not the CD I would put on. This is a compilation of themes
from movies about love, not a CD of lovely themes. This is a pleasant and
varied listen from SOMEWHERE IN TIME to SOONER OR LATER from Dick Tracy.
Included are, FLASHDANCE, THE WAY WE WERE, ON GOLDEN POND, EVERGREEN, ARTHUR,
COUSINS, and others. My personal favorite is SHIRLEY VALENTINE.
14. HOLLYWOOD'S GREATEST HITS, VOL II Telarc CD-80319,
1993
Like Vol. I in 1987 this Vol. II has a very good selection of hits that
cover a broad range of time and composers. From SMILE by Charlie Chaplin
to BOOK OF DAYS by Enya, this CD is a winner. Included are GRAND CANYON,
VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, MIDNIGHT COWBOY, MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, PICNIC, BEN-HUR,
GODFATHER and others.
15. THE GREAT FANTASY ADVENTURE ALBUM Telarc CD-80342,
1994
One of the reasons I like some of the CDs that the CPO does is the choice
of selections and how they put them into a total package of listening pleasure.
This is one of them. Some orchestras that play many of the rousing themes
scored for movies just don't get the excitment going and you would like
to jump into your system and beat them with a race horse whip. Not a problem
here with a great start with "Fanfare and Entry of the Nobles" crisply
done from EL CID. Follow this with the likes of HOOK, JURASSIC PARK, WILLOW,
SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, TOTAL RECALL, PRINCESS BRIDE and others plus
a few sound effects like "T Rex" and you should find yourself with your
mouth open at least once during this CD. The arrow going thru the air from
left to right just before ROBIN HOOD is very effective in Surround sound.
16. SYMPHONIC STAR TREK Telarc CD-80383, 1996
I am a CPO and Star Trek music fan so this CD is a natural. Nothing
new here but it is a very good compilation of the TV and movie music through
Generations. A few good sound effects besides. Warp speed please.
17. THE BIG PICTURE Telarc CD-80437, 1997
After over 13 years of CPO CDs this is the first that I believe falls
into the popular themes from recent movies catagory. If by this time you
are a CPO movie music CD fan then by all means add this to your collection.
You can stand and wave your fake baton to exciting themes like BATMAN FOREVER,
APOLLO 13, CRIMSON TIDE, CUTTHROAT ISLAND, DRAGONHEART, EXECUTIVE DECISION,
STARGATE, GETTYBURG and others.
18. BEAUTIFUL HOLLYWOOD Telarc CD-80440, 1997
This may be elevator music to some but again what sets this CPO compilation
apart is the selections. Outside the scores themselves you would be hard-pressed
to find good renditions of "Robert and Mary" from ROB ROY, or "Doe's Eyes"
from BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Sit back and enjoy FREE WILLY mixed with
FORREST GUMP and GRUMPIER OLD MEN plus others.
19. MEGA MOVIES Telarc CD-80535, 2000
Like THE BIG PICTURE CD this is a recent movie theme compilation of
popular movies like THE MUMMY, MASK OF ZORRO, TITANIC, X-FILES, PHANTOM
MENACE and others. If you like the sound effects then you can sink with
the Titanic in wet direct stream digital recording.
The Telarc series has great production value and the performances
on average are very well-played and in my mind well-paced as well -- they
feel right. There are many new movie music fans today because of this compilation
series.
Next up is a look at the Cinema Gala series from London Label. Any inputs
on the gala series or compilations in general please reply to logied@juno.com.
Send comments for publication to: MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com
|
