I have a few Conti scores in my library but can honestly say it has been awhile since I gave any of them a listen. Among those I have are Murderers Among Us, North and South (both books), F.I.S.T(thanks to a dear friend), That Championship Season and The Thomas Crown Affair.
I began listening to them this week and realized what I had been missing. I did some looking around and it looks like some of his other releases are pretty pricey. I probably should have acted earlier. Sometime ago someone sent me a cdr of A Prayer for the Dying (shhhh) and how I wish this was released on a legit label.
Any suggestions of other Conti scores I might enjoy?
Unfortunately 2 of my favorites are probably hard to get now.... F/X & Gloria. Nice love music in both but the edgier, action material is what I love in these. O' Henry?
My favorite Conti score is "An Unmarried Woman." I'm a bit rough on the film (but have since softened my views on it), but here's an excellent thread from a few years ago that not only discusses the score, but the film and comparisons to another 1978 drama, "Interiors."
I find it interesting that none of the members posting here has mentioned ROCKY. I think ROCKY (and its gazillion sequels) is his best known score, and I think it is one of his finest. I had lost interest in collecting scores until I went to see ROCKY in the theater. I think now it is SO familiar that people may have tired of this score, but it is a memorable, iconic score.
The Right Stuff has been mentioned, and it is very good. I also love Conti's VICTORY.
I can't really contribute to the already lengthy recommendations but I did just want to comment that the clever thread title gave me a nice chuckle this morning.
I can't really contribute to the already lengthy recommendations but I did just want to comment that the clever thread title gave me a nice chuckle this morning.
I am glad you got a chuckle.
I feel like my prayers have been answered though! Who knew when I posted this that Quartet is releasing "A Prayer for the Dying"!!! Now I know there is a soundtrack goddess!!
Tall Guy's radar turns on each and every time Conti's Victory score is mentioned. Even if you dare fly under the radar and mention it he'll still find you no matter which thread. Funny.
I'm also a fan of Victory. One of my favorite scores by Conti. I also have the movie on DVD. I have to admit it's a guilty pleasure.
edwzoomom, I can honestly recommend every score by Conti.
This is awesome. I think I heard a few selections from Victory and really liked it. Cannot believe I missed this one. I am such a huge WWII nerd. Also did not know that Tall Guy was such a big Conti fan. You sure have company Tall Guy now.
Tall Guy's radar turns on each and every time Conti's Victory score is mentioned. Even if you dare fly under the radar and mention it he'll still find you no matter which thread. Funny.
You betcha! I do like several Bill Conti scores very much - For Your Eyes Only, Thomas Crown Affair, the two-fer of FIST and Slow Dancing, one or two others. But - and I know you're sick of me saying this, but it needs to be said - Victory/Escape to Victory is Conti's ham-fisted arrangement of excerpts from Shostakovich's 5th and 7th symphonies, with one theme by Conti.
And just to be tedious, I shall Conti-nue to say it at every opportunity...
Thanks, Anzi, for providing the platform this time!
It's certainly not gone unnoticed by others on the net Chris. And that's all for the good. Anyone who even takes a few moments to look up the film on various sites will find the "lift" information either somewhere in a comments section or a film synopsis on a popular site such as the one below. (Scroll down to where it mentions Conti's music.)
I wonder how many more people have been introduced to Shostakovich just by enjoying the Conti scores?
Glad to see you enjoy the film Joan. I watch it maybe once a year and I must say although it's considered a minor film it still holds up for pure fun, enjoyment, and star power than a lot of what gets made today. Plus for me it's nostalgic in a way. I can actually remember recording the movie in stereo on VHS off HBO when they first started showing it and transferring the main and end titles to a cassette tape! Of course there was no soundtrack album released at the time. How times have changed.
