The original Varese Sarabande CD from 1991 features around 30 minutes of score material. Is there much more score in the film? Could an expansion be possible? Would have loved to read more about the production of the score in some good liner notes.
I interviewed Levay some years ago and he had this to say about the score: (There are also some pictures from the 20th Century Fox Scoring Stage)
Q: How did you get involved in Hot Shots by Jim Abrahams? Whose idea was it to ape the Faltermeyer-music from Top Gun in the main title?
Levay: My agent sent a tape of my score from Navy Seals to director Jim Abrahams. Jim called me and asked me to meet him at his office in Santa Monica. When I got there I said hello to him, and this is what he said to me: "Listen Mr. Levay, I usually don't hire a composer just by meeting him. But this time I have to make an exception, and the reason for it is very simple: I have listened to your score from Navy Seals, and by thinking of my movie at the same time I couldn't stop laughing my butt off. The serious score and the spoof on Top Gun was just the perfect match." I had a truly wonderful time with this movie, and Jim Abrahams!
I would ADORE a new release of this. Fingers crossed there's some expansion possible, but I don't know if there's really much more in the film. I played the cassette to death.
I've always felt like it would benefit from a remix though. Really bring the brass out in that Main Title.
Maybe even a double set with Basil's amazing score for Part Deux. I can dream
Speaking of cassettes, I have had this score on a copied tape (from a friend's CD) ever since the early 90s. I still haven't bought the CD! That's why an expansion would be extra fun for me.
I was always disappointed that Levay didn't return for Part Deux. The large orchestral score by BP wasn't exactly my thing...
I know I felt disappointed that he didn't come back, but I suppose it made total sense given the shift to action and Rambo parody.
Basil's score wasn't a hit with me immediately, probably just because I loved the first so much (and I was only 11) but it's one I love listening to now.
I don't know the first score but would go for an expansion of the Poledouris immediately! One of the few I think Varese has in perpetuity that they haven't expanded as a Deluxe Edition yet (For Love of the Game is the other big one I think of.)
