SOUNDTRACKS
Soundtracks are a lot more than movie music...

...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.