Bottomline: I at least plowed through it BEFORE I offered my opinion
You couldn't be toubled to do the same..
That's is absurd to do on part...
Ford A. Thaxton
For the nineteenth time, Ford:
I'm NOT offering my opinion on the Varese release.
Again:
I'm NOT offering my opinion on the Varese release.
And for the third time, just in case you missed it:
I'm NOT offering my opinion on the Varese release.
I'm just agreeing with those who say that the MCA release is good enough for their use. I actually couldn't give a monkey's toss about the Varese release, which isn't designed for people like me in the first place.
Geez, I would think you would at least READ what I say before you reply.
This thread is starting to resemble the original CLASH OF THE TITANS thread which ultimately had nothing to do with the delightful soundtrack which Intrada produced.
Anyone who actually has the Spartacus set will have seen in the excellent notes that Alex North listed 34 specific tracks that he himself selected as being the best representation for a single CD-length re-recording. Alhough the re-recording didn't take place, those selections can be still be put together from the content of the Varese set.
But we're fortunate that North's content preference isn't the only one, and that we also have Thor's to consider.
I actually got my MCA Spartacus from the chap who sells his wares at Grammar School Records. He would set up his stall in the foyer of the Barbican exclusively so that anyone wanting to buy a soundtrack could do so during the interlude of a concert. I bought mine smack bang in the middle of one of JG's attendances. And very happy I was with it, too. In fact, I obtained the Tsunami 'More Music From' disc from the same establishment. The thing that struck me about the MCA disc was the good quality sound it afforded. On balance, given that it was all there was for the duration, I don't think it was a bad effort. Not by a long way.
Of course, if anyone would like to exchange their Varese for my two Spartacus patch-ons, I'd be very happy to oblige.
A year has passed but I've never got tired of this release. I think I may have listened to the "picturesque" double CD with love theme and variations countless times so far.
Let me say that I really admire Townson for his courage and audacity.
A year has passed but I've never got tired of this release. I think I may have listened to the "picturesque" double CD with love theme and variations countless times so far.
Let me say that I really admire Townson for his courage and audacity.
Stange how coincidences pop up.
I have Spartacus on my iPod and listen to it frequently when I am at the gymn. I was thinking only today, whilst listening to the mono tracks on the treadmill, that I hadn't read anything recently about this wonderful score. I have come to Alex North quite late and my appreciation for him as a composer really hit the high note with this score.
Anyway, i get home only to find that someone else was also wondering about it.
I have to admit that it would be one of my top five to receive a rerecording should I ever win the lotto.
Strangely I do find it not too dissimilar to Tiomkin's FOTRE in sound though. But perhaps the is just only my perception?
I have to admit that it would be one of my top five to receive a rerecording should I ever win the lotto.
Strangely I do find it not too dissimilar to Tiomkin's FOTRE in sound though. But perhaps the is just only my perception?
I think perhaps it is.
As for Lotto, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Whatever some others may think about the mono/stereo debate, this above all scores needs to be heard in the glories of stereo, preferably modern digital stereo.
I'm late to the game here. I compliment the producer on the mono sound for the complete score discs. The mono sound is EXCELLENT! It is rich, full, expansive. And I listen almost always with headphones. Just excellent work.
So if someone came up with a 2-CD stereo Spartacus for, say, $40, would you buy it or would you say, "No, I already find the mono sound rich, full and expansive"?
Or let me put it this way: Do you find much difference between the mono and the stereo tracks? If not, I can suggest some better headphones.
The sound is excellent. And, from all reports complete stereo tracks do NOT exist. This what we have. Some of the best music in the score is not in the available stereo tracks. If you love the music the set is worth getting.
So if someone came up with a 2-CD stereo Spartacus for, say, $40, would you buy it or would you say, "No, I already find the mono sound rich, full and expansive"?
mmmmmmmmmmmmm no. Maybe $20 but I'm not sure about that. I like the score and all but Varese can't sell thru their 5,000 copies. Not sure there is much of a market left.
So if someone came up with a 2-CD stereo Spartacus for, say, $40, would you buy it or would you say, "No, I already find the mono sound rich, full and expansive"?
mmmmmmmmmmmmm no. Maybe $20 but I'm not sure about that. I like the score and all but Varese can't sell thru their 5,000 copies. Not sure there is much of a market left.
The problem with the release is mainly a marketing error by Varese. They overestimated the market and basically 'should' have released a 3 cd version of the stereo tracks plus complete mono score. Charging something like $35-40 would have sold plenty. Lose the book and all the other extras and the SPARTACUS release might have actually made money for Varese. Who knows?
Also, why Varese has not yet released individual cds from the Herrmann box is a mystery to me. I'm sure they can sell a lot more than 1000 copies of some of Herrmann's greatest scores.
The problem with the release is mainly a marketing error by Varese. They overestimated the market and basically 'should' have released a 3 cd version of the stereo tracks plus complete mono score. Charging something like $35-40 would have sold plenty. Lose the book and all the other extras and the SPARTACUS release might have actually made money for Varese. Who knows?
Also, why Varese has not yet released individual cds from the Herrmann box is a mystery to me. I'm sure they can sell a lot more than 1000 copies of some of Herrmann's greatest scores.
I do agree with you. I know that I am in the minority here but I didn't buy the Varese mainly because of the price=value to me. For me the release ,as handsomely produced as it is, has too much filler. I need 2 discs of Love theme and variations? I guess the dvd is nice but I could live without it. And I have. A 3 or4 disc set would've been just fine.
The problem with the release is mainly a marketing error by Varese. They overestimated the market and basically 'should' have released a 3 cd version of the stereo tracks plus complete mono score. Charging something like $35-40 would have sold plenty. Lose the book and all the other extras and the SPARTACUS release might have actually made money for Varese. Who knows?
I took the plunge and bought the SPARTACUS box set. It is one of my favorite scores and this was how the manufacturer chose to make it available, so I bought it in spite of my anger over having to pay for all of the extraneous crap (extra disc of "interpretations" of the love theme, hard cover book etc.) to get the music I wanted. Suffice it to say that, short of a miracle discovery of pristine stereo soundstage tapes of the entire score, I am officially "tapped out" on SPARTACUS, and will never spend another dime on it. Not from Varese, not re-recorded by Tadlow or by anyone else. The above comment sounds about right to me, but the whole SPARTACUS thing (to quote George in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?) is blood under the bridge.
I also purchased the Varese set as SPARTACUS is my favorite score. That said I have yet to play the extra discs and DVD. The book is nice but not a necessity. If on the other hand a new recording(highly unlikely) or the original complete stereo tracks appear I will purchase anew.
