Discover Japan!

In recent years I find myself more and more listening to newer Japanese film music and Japanese composers. I found the music being distinct and direct, highly creative, playful and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. Always very enjoyable music. If you haven’t listened to composers like Naoki Sato, Kenji Kawai or Joe Hisaishi – now is the time!

I sometimes see comments about Naoki Sato sounding like the Remote Control/Media Ventures-sound. But this composer has so many nuances and styles in his musical repertoire, so much more to offer. Let’s look at some samples! Compare the orchestral and solo piano versions of “Sadame”. Or the soaring finale from Silver Season. The music ranges from powerful orchestral music, modern influences and choral passages to melancholy and beauty. For me, Naoki Sato seldom disappoints.

Here are some Naoki Sato samples (and I didn’t even include one of his best and most famous scores, Space Battleship Yamato):

• ”Goal” from Silver Season (soaring and triumphant)
• ”Sadame” from X (orchestral version) (powerful and beautiful anime music)
• ”Sadame” from X (solo piano version) (hauntingly beautiful)
• Rurouni Kenshin (amazing piece, a mix of styles, raw and cool yet both powerful and beautiful)
• Suite from Gaku (orchestral scope)
• Suite from Ryomaden (with vocals by Lisa Gerrard)
• The Last Princess (fantastic score!)
• Ballad (beautiful with Japanese influences)
• Lorelei (modern action)

Another piece of interesting music is “Seven Swords Victory” by Kenji Kawai. The music is constructed around a simplistic rhythmic pattern and melody, but highly addictive and enjoyable.

And, as the last sample for today, the main theme song from “Totoro” by Joe Hisaishi. I must give you a warning though, if you listen to the entire song, you won’t get it out of your head. Ever.

Thanks for listening, I hope you discovered some Japanese film music gems.

Another Williams

John Williams is of course the most famous of film music composing Williamses, but there are others. Alan Williams is a name to check out. Sure, he borrows and copies a lot from other composers but his music are always well crafted and highly enjoyable. Many scores are from nature and wildlife documentaries, IMAX films and animated features. I can especially recommend these scores:

• Kilimanjaro
• Amazon
• Island of the Sharks (has a great shark theme, starting at 2:35 in this suite)
• Tiny Heroes
• In Search of Lewis & Clark

Alan has a great website and Youtube-channel, check them out!

Thanks for listening, I hope you discovered some film music gems.

Two Williams from the 80’s

John Williams is, and will always be, my number one composer. He was the reason I discovered film music in the first place. I remember growing up listening to Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., The Towering Inferno, Indiana Jones… Trying to record Williams music in the early 80’s from the TV with an old tape recorder…

If I would make a list of favorite music by John Williams, the list would be too long for anyone to read without falling to sleep. So, I rather present two lesser-known Williams-cues from the 80’s that I enjoy very much. If you are a film music enthusiast you’ve probably heard of these two before (and I know you have a smile on your face), if not, you have some gems to discover!

“In Orbit” from Space Camp

Space Camp must be the 80’s peak. Everything about the film oozes the 80’s, Williams score no exception. The film is now laughable in many parts but Williams’ score is so well crafted, filled with beautiful themes and orchestral passages as well as some 80’s pop-electronic influences in parts. Classic Williams!

“Crimebuster” from Heartbeeps

Another 80’s gem. While Space Camp is mostly classic orchestral Williams this is something completely different. Filled with pop-electronic rhythms it is pure fun music. While listening casually, you can’t believe this is penned by the same man who scored Star Wars, Jaws and Schindler’s List. But listening more carefully you can discover this is a typical well-crafted Williams melody and then there is some high quality details to be found. As a collector, this music has very much nostalgia. For a long time this was the “Holy grail” for Williams-collectors, extremely difficult to get your hands on. When listening to it for the first time, it was like opening a treasure chest. And what about the film? One of the absolutely most horrible films I have ever seen. About two robots falling in love. It’s impossible to explain how bad it is.

Thanks for listening.

First post – What’s it all about?

Well, first post, so I better try to explain what this is supposed to be about.

This is about film music, focusing on my personal favorites. As a film music collector for over 30 years, I have listened to a couple of scores. My goal with this blog is not to review music in the common sense, but rather to give you my opinion and feelings about selected film music, old and new. I write about my own personal favorites, what I listen to when it comes to film music. My goal is to help you discover some real gems!

My native language is not English so I apologize for any linguistic errors. And hopefully I can stay away from promoting my own music, but that I cannot promise.

We’ll see how everything develops.

Thanks for listening.