Amongst the many things I'd love to see released is the London LP rerecording of SPLASH, a much fuller and broader recording (Royal Philharmonic) than the lighter Hollywood studio film session.
Hell it never actually got an official CD release, just a promo which probably went OOP 18 years ago. Had no idea the LP was a different recording, considering me officially in the camp of wanting a full Score+Album+Bonus release of this one.
Mr Holdridge came to my attention first and foremost as the composer and conductor of John Denver’s orchestral arrangements (among those for many others, e.g. Neil Diamond). Many of them are astonishing compositions in their own right. The live album AN EVENING WITH JOHN DENVER is played with a large orchestra prominently onstage with JD’s own virtuoso band, and Mr Holdridge gets a long tribute from John during the introductions. Highlights? “Matthew,” “Rocky Mountain (Suite),” and of course “Annie’s Song.” You can really hear how this composer/arranger would move on to his own soundtrack career, kinda like Michael Kamen did post-Pink Floyd.
I only have one Holdridge album, but it's a gem: Transylvania 6-5000. Fun horror-comedy score. The undercard, Korgoth of Barbaria, is pretty nice, too.
Pastime and Secret Of NIMH 2 are two highly enjoyable orchestral scores that can usually be found dirt cheap on the secondary market. Also, 16 Days Of Glory is very impressive.
I second Kev McGann in recommending the love theme from Splash, which is an all-time favorite. I'm only sorry it didn't lead to better movies for Holdridge.
As others have pointed out, Into Thin Air is also very good. You can listen to it and Marianelli's Everest back-to-back to appreciate two different composers' take on the same true-life story.
That was a nice carrot you dangled there, Neil. Good to know there's some new Holdridge in the pipeline, besides Old Gringo and (hopefully) Lee Holdridge Collection volume 2 from BSX.
That was a nice carrot you dangled there, Neil. Good to know there's some new Holdridge in the pipeline, besides Old Gringo and (hopefully) Lee Holdridge Collection volume 2 from BSX.
Holdridge Vol #2 is currently in the lab being worked, we'll have it out this summer with any luck.
