 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Oct 17, 2006 - 2:17 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Nesius
(Member)
|
I've recently inadvertently assembled a sizeable Basil Poledouris collection. What can I say-- the man has a gift for consistent quality (we need more!). In my hunt for new Poledouris treasures, Amerika was my biggest pleasant surprise since Cherry 2000 (which I actually prefer to Robocop!) and The Touch. First off, this 76-minute score rightly deserved its award for best special release of 2004, with its supurb booklet, artwork, and arrangement (overseen by Poledouris himself). And as a lover of classical music as well as film scores, I have to rate this the versatile maestro's finest ever "classical strings" score. When I popped it in, I was impressed with the fanfares, the titles with their typically great sweeping melodies, and the action cues for the Russian soldiers. But I was totally unprepared for the deep complexity and maturity to this score, the intense interaction among the themes in so many different chords and moods, and above all the virtuoso violin solos. "The Burial" should be performed on the professional stage. "Dieter's View," in the rich context of the overall score, is in my humble opinion one of Poledouris's all time greatest achievements. And that's saying a lot when it has to stand beside such gems as The Hymn to Red October and Conan's Antlantean Sword and Funeral Pyre. And of course, how can we not love the FUGUE in "The Dance Begins" or the unlikely magic in "Ride to the Brothel"? This finely-assembled album does leave me wondering what I'm missing out on in the other 7 hours or so of music from the miniseries. Anyone know anything about it? It also makes me wonder if anyone here has another favorite "classical" style score by Poledouris. I just can't imagine a more sublime use of strings! If you haven't bought this limited-edition score, RUN to buy it. If nothing else, it'll give you the only candy-cane spine artwork on your whole CD shelf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I agree. This has to be one of Poledouris' best. I needed a couple of listenings before warming up to the music, but once I "got it" it remains one of those specials discs I love to hear.
It has so many motifs, themes and variations on those that there's always something going on for you to enjoy and apreciate.
Another classical Poledouris, you ask? I would definetely say Les Miserables. Now, that is another masterpiece for everyone to marvel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm also in agreement. AMERIKA is one of my favorite works by Poledouris. Its overflowing with powerful thematic material, and outstanding orchestrations. I wonder if there are other scores like this by the maestro that are awaiting discovery/release. One that I would really like to have is his score to the Circle-Vision film that played at Disneyland many years ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've been enjoying this score immensely, something I bought soon after Basil's recent passing.
'DIETER'S VIEW' is a beautiful cello piece - with a classy reference to Elgar's magnificent CELLO CONCERTO (as immortalised by cellist Jacqueline DuPre).
|
|
|
|
|
|
A question about AMERIKA: I downloaded a track back in the days when illegal downloading seemed less illegal that was titled 'AMERIKA - track 14'. It ran for 7 minutes and 22 seconds, and featured a lengthy exploration of the main themes of this wonderful score. It sounded like a classic Poledouris finale cue, and the sound quality was very average.
Sadly it isn't on the Prometheus album - which features a handsome selection of the rest of the score in superior presentation. I can guess what source the cue I heard came from - but I'm curious now why such a magnificent track wasn't included on the Prometheus release? Were they keeping some goodies for a volume 2 down the track, or is that extremely wishful thinking on my part?
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just recieved my copy of this score and am AMAZED at how good it is!
After Red Dawn, Robocop, Les Miserables... this one really adds to the palette!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How does one amass such a collection "inadvertently?" Did you trip over a suitcaseful of Poledouris CDs on the sidewalk one afternoon and drag them home as compensation for your skinned shin?
Inadvertently?
Don't know where you got that idea, but I've been building my collection of music over 25 years. Maybe not as much time as some of the other people here, or neowhere near as large a collection as some of the completists... but definitely NOt inadvertant lol.
Someone pointed the Amerika score out to me elsewhere and I ordered it from Intrada (thanks again guys!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
I adore Poledouris's music and particular style. Its brazen and heartfelt in a way that I only hear in one other composer (Bill Conti) and I find it as a personal nourishment when I hear that kind of music.
Amerika may be the single exception though. A friend played it for me on his car stereo and it just didn't click at all. Perhaps I'm missing out on something - but I think its simply my loss.
I guess its all in each of us having different ears. I have the old release of conan 1&2 and don't care much for it. Both are cassettes whcih could be my listening problem. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
How does one amass such a collection "inadvertently?" Did you trip over a suitcaseful of Poledouris CDs on the sidewalk one afternoon and drag them home as compensation for your skinned shin?
DOH, just realized you were referring to the original poster.
Thats what i get for staying up 27 hours straight lol.
|
|
|
|
|
|
How does one amass such a collection "inadvertently?" Did you trip over a suitcaseful of Poledouris CDs on the sidewalk one afternoon and drag them home as compensation for your skinned shin?
Who ARE you? Your voice seems kind of familiar.... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
I adore Poledouris's music and particular style. Its brazen and heartfelt in a way that I only hear in one other composer (Bill Conti) and I find it as a personal nourishment when I hear that kind of music.
Amerika may be the single exception though. A friend played it for me on his car stereo and it just didn't click at all. Perhaps I'm missing out on something - but I think its simply my loss.
Perhaps listening to this work in a car might not be the best place to judge this work
Since I produced it for PROMETHEUS, my opinions are highly biased, but in my view this is one of the major works in his catalog that was almost forgotten.
The score is really best described as LONESOME DOVE by way of RED DAWN.
It's a dark and emotional work with a very TRAGIC edge to it, you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it.
Of all of the soundtrack projects I did with Basil, this title was the one he cared about the most, he invested a great deal of his time (and his own money) in order to create a master he was happy with.
The project brought back many memories to him as we worked on it and in my view this is title that should have been reworked into full symphony, it's full of emotional charged moments and Basil's tradeworks and the fact that we were able to get it out before his passing is something that I'm very happy we were able to do.
It also makes me miss him, he was a great human being and an incredible artist who I wish had more years on this earth then he did.
AMERIKA is a work that I hope seek out, you'll be richly rewarded.
IMHO of course.
Ford A. Thaxton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You did a great job on that release, Ford, and did Basil proud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I adore Poledouris's music and particular style. Its brazen and heartfelt in a way that I only hear in one other composer (Bill Conti) and I find it as a personal nourishment when I hear that kind of music.
Amerika may be the single exception though. A friend played it for me on his car stereo and it just didn't click at all. Perhaps I'm missing out on something - but I think its simply my loss.
Perhaps listening to this work in a car might not be the best place to judge this work
Since I produced it for PROMETHEUS, my opinions are highly biased, but in my view this is one of the major works in his catalog that was almost forgotten.
The score is really best described as LONESOME DOVE by way of RED DAWN.
It's a dark and emotional work with a very TRAGIC edge to it, you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it.
Of all of the soundtrack projects I did with Basil, this title was the one he cared about the most, he invested a great deal of his time (and his own money) in order to create a master he was happy with.
The project brought back many memories to him as we worked on it and in my view this is title that should have been reworked into full symphony, it's full of emotional charged moments and Basil's tradeworks and the fact that we were able to get it out before his passing is something that I'm very happy we were able to do.
It also makes me miss him, he was a great human being and an incredible artist who I wish had more years on this earth then he did.
AMERIKA is a work that I hope seek out, you'll be richly rewarded.
IMHO of course.
Ford A. Thaxton
Its a pity that the actual series is nearly unobtainable these days (less you have $400 to spend on amazon for the vhs set).
It was only shown once as best as I can recall, but it was still interesting to watch.
Mick
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I found the score disappointing, especially with the main theme a re-write of Lonesome Dove.
Kevin....
AMERIKA was written in 1987
LONESOME DOVE was written in 1989..
So could you please explain how it can be "a re-write of Lonesome Dove"
Did Basil have a Time Machine???
Perhaps you might wish rethink your post......
Ford A. Thaxton
|
|
|
|
|
|
I purchased this CD at the same time as the Tribute DVD (I still have some catching up to do with Poledouris) -- and just on a first listen I thought it was utterly gorgeous. I'm curious about the 7 min. segment mentioned earlier (well years ago really!) in this thread. Is it available on any other legimate release?
|
|
|
|
|
|
I purchased this CD at the same time as the Tribute DVD (I still have some catching up to do with Poledouris) -- and just on a first listen I thought it was utterly gorgeous. I'm curious about the 7 min. segment mentioned earlier (well years ago really!) in this thread. Is it available on any other legimate release?
It's avaiable from PROMETHEUS RECORDS.
Ford A. Thaxton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
