The John Williams Thread

That's right.

To kick it off:

I enjoy "Gillian's Vision" from THE FURY. Didn't see it on the Tube.

Puts Meco's dated disco beats to shame, thanks to Murphy's arranging legerdemain, the soundscape of a symphony orchestra, and less abrasive electronics. Shame it isn't as well known.

My favorite works from Williams include CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, THE FURY, DRACULA, E.T., IMAGES, and RAIDERS. And his scores for the original STAR WARS films were the most consistent aspect of that series.

SCHINDLER'S LIST works well, too, but it relies too heavily on traditional Jewish themes. "Schindler's Workforce" and "Auschwitz" are two powerful tracks, however.

I'd say he's still one of the best working composers today, and certainly blows the younger generation of composers out of the water, even with his lesser scores. I enjoyed WAR HORSE, THE TERMINAL, and bits and pieces of MUNICH. Didn't find TINTIN all that great, but I'll have to give it another listen.

I'll always have a soft spot for Williams, as I did John Barry. I've been listening to their music since I was a kid. In regards to the Academy, I think they toss his work to the side, in favor of the latest fad soundtrack/score for a popular film. For example, MUNICH and (the lesser) MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA lost to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, FFS. Since SCHINDLER'S LIST, he's composed some damn good music. Shame he hasn't been celebrated for any of it. It's pretty sad, but it seems they've got a history of doing that with many artists.

If you ever get to see him in concert, I highly recommend it--and does Harms.

I like this. It's simple and works extremely well with the images it's placed with.

I'm revisiting the score to JURASSIC PARK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VucLijgRB0&t=5m19s

Its composition begun in 1974 (after the death of first wife - actress Barbara Ruick - to a cerebral haemorrhage, just before he achieved fame with JAWS the following year) and completed in 1976, Williams's Violin Concerto is one of his most personal works.

I'm heading off to bed, but I watched the first half of THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS (I'm loving the film), and I really like Williams' score. Can't seem to find the actual music online, just City of Prague stuff.

cherry picks from Poseidon Adventure...



the main theme sounding at around .55 (as the tree is lifted) always sounds vaguely epic as if they've climbed a mountain kind of thing. 'Here we make our stand'. Something sounding bold, heroic even. But...there's got to be a morning after...right?



as it all goes wrong, the ballroom flooding, the screams, the shouts. Haunting, yes, chilling even. Imagine the stricken Hackman closing the door on the scene. Hell upside down.

Wish I could get it on CD or some way to my laptop. I've the main and ending themes as well as some thing Nic Raine did that incorporates the two.

Back when he was Johnny Williams, he did the theme for KRAFT SUSPENSE THEATER, something I had the vaguest of memories for, from being a young-un. Just heard it again the other night, first time in about 48 years, and it sounded terrific (there are a couple different versions on youtube, just checked.)

Totally Williams-like from that era.

I uploaded this for Sharky. Of course, I forgot to set the aspect ratio properly, so it's cropped from what it was and that cuts down on the video quality. Luckily it's just him talking anyway.

It's too damn short and over-edited, but it shows Williams at his most lively. Like he'd just downed a whole load of coffee. Some great insight here.

Bought this for $2.00 on eBay:



Gerhardt did some great re-recordings. The brass isn't as rich as in the original recordings, but it's still enjoyable to listen to.

How about Star Wars and Indiana Jones?

How about them? :)

JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, SUGARLAND EXPRESS, 1941, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and ET.

WTF? @ Maureen McGovern.

I believe that's what Ira Gershwin's orgasm sounded like.

http://www.nea.gov/av/avCMS/Williams-podcast-transcript.html

Just now learned that Williams played the piano for this theme:

One of my very favourite Williams scores (even if it has one of his shorter themes).

Love Dracula. Shame it's so hard to get. I'm hoping some company re-releases it soon.

When I saw Williams in concert at Tanglewood back in '09, I met a fellow fan and we waited after the performance to get Williams's autograph. He ended up getting his Dracula album signed.

Recent John Williams interview from NBC:
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/48347279/#48347279

http://www.classicfm.com/composers/williams/news/john-williams-talks-classic-fm-exclusive-interview/

Enjoying EARTHQUAKE a lot.