Sunday, March 28, 2010

Krull The Movie Suite

Krull Suite
Music by James Horner

Once the horns begin to announce their intent one takes notice of this music suite just as the sweeping strings pull us along. Soon the main theme kicks in and from now on we rarely lose sight of this catchy phrase as we rush headlong into the quest. At first you think that this is new and different, but suddenly you are presented with a bit of familiar; hasn't Mr. Horner used this to great extent before?  Okay, there are portions of this that are eerily similar to James Horner's masterpeice, Star Trek II Wrath of Kahn. Playing the devil's advocate here, I defend our illustrious composer by simply saying, what we hear is just his signature. Period.  Now let's move on.  Ok?  With a timing of 35:25 we have a rather long, but very enjoyable movie suite from 1983.  I hope you enjoy this classic!  -MJ

APE FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bmr2n7vvm3my9ki/KrllSte.zip

MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nz1tqzri5l8nzpi/KrullSuite.mp3

Saturday, March 27, 2010

First Knight Movie Suite

First Knight Suite
Music by Jerry Goldsmith

From the first rising notes of the lone trumpet as it builds into a regal fanfare, it is obvious that this music suite is fit for a King.  Once the rest of the orchestra kicks in, we are taken on a short ride through moments of love gained and lost, friendship sealed and broken as well as a few battle sequences.  With the trumpets taking the lead throughout, we get a longing for a better time and place such as the age of King Arthur.  At the finale the choir brings the final grasp at something unseen, leaving us with the notes of hope.  Many did not see this movie, so they probably missed this excellent music by Mr. Goldsmith.  If you have ever heard his work and like it, you'll like this too! The timing comes in at just 18:40. Hope you enjoy.  -MJ

APE FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4f2pp1vsam8rs7/FrstKnghtSte.zip

MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c55mbw85ntccdgi/FirstKnightSuite.mp3

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Gladiator Movie Suite I

Gladiator Movie Suite I
Music by Hans Zimmer

This inspirational composition comes to us by way of one of the most prolific motion picture score composers ever. The way the music carries this action packed movie on its shoulders is amazing. In fact, the extended soundtrack had so much good music, we still ended up with two individual movie suites. The first movie suite starts out slowly, but the intensity of the music begins to build into a powerful orchestral tour-de-force that only slows momentarily to collect itself. With a timing of 22:35 your are in for a real treat. I know you'll enjoy this.  -MJ

APE FILES:

MP3 FILES:

Gladiator Movie Suite II

Gladiator Movie Suite II
Music by Hans Zimmer

Even though this is the second half of the Gladiator movie suites, it could easily stand on its own merits. You may argue the point, but I believe this is Hans Zimmer's best work to date.  It is just that good. With a timing of 24:59, the music starts out majestically before driving insanely to the final notes that are touching, yet heart wrenching at the same time. It's hard to decide which suite is better.  At least you will enjoy this, I promise.  -MJ

APE FILES:

MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dis96seqe5uitmh/GladiatorMovieSuiteII.mp3

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Kingdom Of Heaven Movie Suite

Kingdom Of Heaven Suite I & II
Music by Harry Gregson-Williams

If you've seen this movie, you can understand that it seems to have numerous endings, so when one takes that into consideration, it certainly helps explain the fact that there is a vast amount of music contained in the score to be listened to and manipulated to come up with a much shorter movie suite.  Unfortunately, this score is a wonderful listening experience and coming up with just 15 or 20 minutes was difficult.  What we ended up with are actually two movie suites with a timing of 28 minutes and 30 minutes respectively.  Certainly these could be merged into one very long movie suite, but they stand up pretty well on their own, so I present them to you to enjoy and do with what you will.  -MJ

APE FILES:
Part I
https://www.dropbox.com/s/otvw3s8egi1s0qq/KngdmHvnStePrtI.zip

Part II
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9mkg228mjp7zohh/KngdmHvnStePrtII.zip

MP3 FILES:
Part I
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgq5erl8momionj/KingdomofHeavenSuitePartI.mp3

Part II
https://www.dropbox.com/s/md0rq1ynddxkbg3/KingdomofHeavenSuitePartII.mp3

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Robin Hood Prince of Thieves Movie Suite

Robin Hood Prince of Thieves Suite
Music by Michael Kamen

We go back to 1991 for the second movie suite in row with the music offered by Mr. Kamen.  Scoring for an action packed love story, he seemed determined to offer his listeners a memorable main theme that they could remember easily.  This theme became the basis which he resonated successfully throughout the movie in one form or another.  Other sub-themes round out the the score and we have an enjoyable movie suite with a timing of just 23:23.  Enjoy!  -MJ

APE FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zdvfv48fg2hsbp0/RbnHdPrnceofThvsSte.zip


MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9wo1lel0ocd63ik/RobinHoodPrinceofThievesSuite.mp3

Friday, March 5, 2010

Highlander Movie Suite

Highlander Suite
Music by Michael Kamen

Often times, a movie takes on a life of its own by sometimes becoming a "cult" classic that surpasses the actual material as it was delivered.  The motion picture score for the first of the Highlander movies was a monumental task that brought Michael Kamen into the fold with the legendary rock band Queen to support a movie that since it's release has become the epitome of "cult" movies.  It's true that there are some amazing jewels in the songs performed by Queen, but if you ask, many believe that the real gem is the score.  Sweeping in majesty it is filled with lyrical themes that beg to be safely collected into a movie suite that is simply awesome (sorry for the use of such an awesome adjective) to hear. With a timing of just over 25 minutes, you may notice that there is some hiss to the sound.  Unfortunately, the original analog tapes have not survived in a form that transferred well into the digital world.  Every version was checked and tested for quality and what you hear is the best that can be found.  Until Mr. Kamen decides to re-record this, this will have to do.  I hope you enjoy!  -MJ

APE FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k78bu6u9kmuvmtj/Hghlndr1M0Ste.zip

MP3 FILES:

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Troy Movie Suite

Troy Suite
Music by James Horner

If there was a way to explain it, it would be explained, but fortunately when we hear something that is new and fresh, yet comfortably familiar, we just know that we like it.  That's what we have with this music by the prolific composer Mr. James Horner.  This doesn't sound like Horner.  The sythesizers, horns, voices and orchestra all melt together in one sound that's hard to distinguish where one starts and the other stops. With a relentless building from the first note to the last this short movie suite with a timing of just 15:54 should give you a nice respite from your day to day activities. I hope you enjoy.  -MJ

APE FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vqvny052w70rtiu/TryM0Ste.zip

MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6d3jwm7qsl76ke7/TroySuite.mp3