Happy Birthday, David! Thanks for all your great scores, especially Return to Oz, The Conversation, Pelham, and Farewell, My Lovely! Here's hoping you get more work (I had high hopes after you did Zodiac) and also more releases of your past work.
Yes, Happy Birthday Mr. Shire! Thank you for THE HINDENBURG, FAREWELL MY LOVELY, THE CONVERSATION, BED AND BREAKFAST, and of course RETURN TO OZ. And a big thanks for acknowledging this unworthy fan's attempt some 20 years ago to spread the word (as though it were a secret) about the greatness of OZ; it may have been highly inadequate, but your music has never been...
For someone who has written so few theatrical movies to have composed my favorite noir FAREWELL MY LOVELY (CHINATOWN and BODY HEAT are 2 & 3)
and my second favorite comedy score MAX DUGAN RETURNS (right behind IT'S A MAD MAD WORLD) he has to be super special. Thanks, Happy Birthday and I hope that animated musical comes to fruition!
Played LAST STAND AT SABER RIVER, one of the best "recent" (I know, it's 1997) western scores. Of special interest are the liner notes penned by Lukas Kendall, which describe the score as "enjoyable, memorable, rich and sincere. A David Shire score." Could not have said it better!
For someone who has written so few theatrical movies to have composed my favorite noir FAREWELL MY LOVELY (CHINATOWN and BODY HEAT are 2 & 3)
and my second favorite comedy score MAX DUGAN RETURNS (right behind IT'S A MAD MAD WORLD) he has to be super special. Thanks, Happy Birthday and I hope that animated musical comes to fruition!
I saw FAREWELL MY LOVELY when it came out. The second the main title music started I fell in love with the score. A great film too. I like film noir and their blues scores.
Even if you had only written this one score, you'd deserve a special place in my heart! Thank you, Mr. David Shire!
Agreed! It's difficult not to well up when listening to such a heartfelt piece. A composer who writes great music to be sure, but also with near unequalled class.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID, RETURN TO OZ is one of the greats, FAST BREAK-LOVE THEME is a classic ballad, THE HIDENBURG-is so soothing[THE MAIN THEME that is] and a lot more fine music you have given the world.BE WELL.
I saw the movie SHORT CIRCUIT when I was a kid and the music stuck with me. I was elated when Varese released the CD some years ago. While it's no longer my favorite Shire (THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE is tops, in this regard), it is still a delight.
He has always been my favorite, and we share July as our birthday month. He is so musically clever. Someone mentioned Max Dugan - his clarinet writing for the main titles is amazing, and I've always considered it as his homage to Gershwin.
I remember watching Leonard Bernstein explaining American concert music to a German audience, and he said that one of the interesting things about American music is that, at its best, it will surprise you. I am always surprised when I listen to David Shire's music, whether it's The Conversation (INT), Pelham123 (FSM), Norma Rae (VCL), Big Bus (FSM), Return to Oz (BCD), Hindenburg (INT), etc.
And don't forget the recordings of his musicals w Richard Maltby either. Starting Here, Starting Now is great, as is Closer Than Ever. Shire at the Movies on KR is also required listening in that regard.
