 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Aug 14, 2012 - 9:13 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Dave Frolik
(Member)
|
Not sure how many of you have listened to the newest collection of Star Trek TNG music released last August, Star Trek: The Next Generation- Collection, Vol. 1 by Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Fred Steiner, John Debney and Don Davis. While I think that this album is ok, I still think that at least half the cues could be replaced by music that would be far more interesting. I think what they should do before a release like this, is have a poll or something like that so that the fans can voice their opinions in regards to what episodes and cues they would enjoy the most. If they sell what fans would like to hear the most, they would sell the most albums. For example, they released 3 versions of the music box / waltz from the episode "The Survivors", which in my opinion is fairly uninteresting since it's not really Star Trek music. The ship attack scenes in that episode would have been the ones to release, but only one of them is on there. Also, for the episode "Conspiracy", they released only the last part of the episode score, which is for sure very effective in the episode but it's simply not something you play to listen to for enjoyment, at least not for 99% of the people. Also over half of Chattaway's cues are nothing more but filling material, which is available already on previous releases by GNP Crescendo. Some cues that I would have found almost essential for a precious release like this would be:
- Battle Scenes and Ship Separation from "The Arsenal of Freedom", season 1
- Opening Sequence and Rescue Operation from "Hide and Q", season 1
- First half from "Conspiracy", season 1
- Battle Scene from "Peak Performance", season 2
- Battle / Escape Scenes from "The Hunted", season 3
I really hope that they will try to get opinions from as many fans as possible before releasing these kinds albums in the future, now we can probably wait for another 10 years, if at all ever a TNG album will be released again.
I'm curious about your guys' opinions on this subject.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As I understand it, McCarthy and Chattaway were both involved in the creation of the set and had input as to what they would like to see released. What is featured on the discs is music they may be particularly proud of.
Hopefully La-La Land will be able to make a follow-up set to this one to address more of the music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 15, 2012 - 9:28 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Tom Servo
(Member)
|
I agree with TJ and Schiffy on this... One, I like the episode selection and the suites created, being in fact surprised at how much I enjoyed the Chattaway scores and secondly, "the fans", like the internet, does not know it wants.
Those alternate episode titles are fine and also have some great cues, but you would get different answers from each fan if they had to submit a list. In with that list presented here, it is all MacCarthy and therefore the set would be far more biased towards his music, again leaving Chattaway out in the cold and possibly not having disc space for Steiner, Davis and Debney. The composers were indeed involved in selecting episodes and cues and it's great to have them involved in presenting their own music. The album is really well packaged and each disc wonderfully sequenced. Additionally, the Chattaway scores for "The Host", "Darmok" and "The Perfect Mate" feature a wining mix of action and melodic material.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 15, 2012 - 9:42 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Broughtfan
(Member)
|
Not sure how many of you have listened to the newest collection of Star Trek TNG music released last August, Star Trek: The Next Generation- Collection, Vol. 1 by Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Fred Steiner, John Debney and Don Davis. While I think that this album is ok, I still think that at least half the cues could be replaced by music that would be far more interesting. I think what they should do before a release like this, is have a poll or something like that so that the fans can voice their opinions in regards to what episodes and cues they would enjoy the most. If they sell what fans would like to hear the most, they would sell the most albums. For example, they released 3 versions of the music box / waltz from the episode "The Survivors", which in my opinion is fairly uninteresting since it's not really Star Trek music. The ship attack scenes in that episode would have been the ones to release, but only one of them is on there. Also, for the episode "Conspiracy", they released only the last part of the episode score, which is for sure very effective in the episode but it's simply not something you play to listen to for enjoyment, at least not for 99% of the people. Also over half of Chattaway's cues are nothing more but filling material, which is available already on previous releases by GNP Crescendo. Some cues that I would have found almost essential for a precious release like this would be:
- Battle Scenes and Ship Separation from "The Arsenal of Freedom", season 1
- Opening Sequence and Rescue Operation from "Hide and Q", season 1
- First half from "Conspiracy", season 1
- Battle Scene from "Peak Performance", season 2
- Battle / Escape Scenes from "The Hunted", season 3
I really hope that they will try to get opinions from as many fans as possible before releasing these kinds albums in the future, now we can probably wait for another 10 years, if at all ever a TNG album will be released again.
I'm curious about your guys' opinions on this subject.
Though I was thrilled that Fred's score for "Code of Honor" was included (a bit like having "first season 'Phase II' music"), the BIG disappointment for me with this release was the exclusion of Dennis' ethereal teaser cue from "Conundrum," which, with all the hundreds of cues he composed for the series over it's seven-year run, was unlike anything he had done up to that time. I also agree about the first half of "Conspiracy" being left off, especially the cue where Worf announces on the bridge that the Horatio has been destroyed and the build-up to this act-out.
In any case, there's still much music to enjoy in this collection, so, thumbs up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 15, 2012 - 9:56 AM
|
|
|
|
By: |
CrazyQuark
(Member)
|
@Tom Servo: To be fair, all of Steiners, Davis' & Debneys contributions to TNG were on Vol.1 so there would be no need to mention them for upcoming volumes. There's still George Romanis left, though - aside from more McCarthy and Chattaway, of course. 
Like others I also think that Volume 1 was a pretty good presentation, but I also would have loved more music from selected episodes like Hide & Q or Conspiracy, or in general more action music from the early seasons which is for some reason very underpresented here. So, overall I probably would have preferred less episodes, but more music for these selected episodes.
Btw, after listening to Disc 1 a couple of times I thought there's a little bit too much "episode ending"-cues for my taste. While most of these tracks are quite nice, there are just a bit too much for one disc, imho. On comparison, while I'm not the biggest fan of Chattaway's work for TNG Disc 2 turned out to be a better listening experience for me, in some ways because the music is more "samey" and the disc feels like "one" score as opposed to "many many very different cues in various musical styles combined on one disc".  For what it's worht I'd agree that his scores for season 4 and 5 featured here are much more fun to listen to than his efforts for season 6 & 7.
That aside, I'm not sure how well a poll would produce usable results for the soundtrack producers. As others already pointed out, everyone has their own preferences and favourites, especially when several composers are involved. I for one would have loved to see Chattaway's "Power Play", "Frame of Mind" and more of "Birthright Part 1", and for McCarthy more of his early action music along with "Time's Arrow Part II" (the ending cue at least).
Another point is that I would have never picked episodes like "The Host" - yet it's one of my favourites from the set and from Chattaway in general. Beautiful stuff, but I never really noticed it (or payed attention) in the episode, so I'm glad this was included. There are probably much more surprises buried in the soundmix... (I'm secretly hoping they turn up the volume for the music in the new BluRays, lol.)
Anyway, I enjoy this set - I rather be happy about something I have than beeing unhappy about something I don't have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: |
Aug 16, 2012 - 3:29 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Dave Frolik
(Member)
|
That aside, I'm not sure how well a poll would produce usable results for the soundtrack producers. As others already pointed out, everyone has their own preferences and favourites, especially when several composers are involved. I for one would have loved to see Chattaway's "Power Play", "Frame of Mind" and more of "Birthright Part 1", and for McCarthy more of his early action music along with "Time's Arrow Part II" (the ending cue at least).
Another point is that I would have never picked episodes like "The Host" - yet it's one of my favourites from the set and from Chattaway in general. Beautiful stuff, but I never really noticed it (or payed attention) in the episode, so I'm glad this was included.
The last point you are making is definitely a very good point, I have to admit that I would have never picked "The Host" either and yes, it's one of my favorites as well, same goes for McCarthy's "Haven", because I find the episode itself quite bad but the score is simply superb.
Obviously every fan has different opinions and I'm not arguing that or suggesting that they can make everyone happy, but I'm sure that if you got 1000 fans for example to make a list of cues they would like to include, there would be quite many cues that would be requested by a very large number of fans, and should therefore be included. I honestly doubt that many would have requested 3 versions of the music box/waltz from "The Survivors" or 'wallpaper'-cues like "Starship" mine or "I Borg", maybe a few, but not many. But for example I have heard so many people over the years (including in this thread), how much they love the music from "Power Play", "Frame of Mind", "Peak Performance" and "The Arsenal of Freedom", so there definitely are some pieces that stand out for a large number of fans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah its nice to discover things. I did the same thing while watching early TNG episodes and then looking on the Ron Jones set to see if it's there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
