...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
Just time for a quick recommendation but it fits right in with this week's Summer 2007 classic cinema round-up.
My anticipation of the release of the Wait Until Dark soundtrack cannot be overstated. This has been at the top of my Soundtrack Wish List for decades and here it is at last! As usual, Film Score Monthly has given it a platinum treatment. I HIGHLY recommended you order one of these WITHOUT FAIL. The music is one of the most unique, yet influential scores, of the late great Henry Mancini (it also features a simple, beautiful Mancini-type theme for Audrey Hepburn's character).
I had the pleasure of interviewing Lukas Kendall, the soundtrack's producer and creator of Film Score Monthly, the website and record label expert in all things soundtrack related, for my usual quarterly round-up for the Chicago Tribune. You can read that HERE. Later, I'll be posting a more extensive review of both the score and an expanded version of my fascinating talk with Kendall.
In the meantime, once again, click HERE to order your copy and rejoice - 40 years after Wait Until Dark hit the screens Henry Mancini's incredible score is here in this superb edition!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
Film Score Monthly's soundtrack cover for Wait Until Dark. The score's composer, the legendary Henry Mancini (in 1964) and Lukas Kendall, founder of FSM and the soundtrack's producer.