Customer Reviews

Blade Runner: Orchestral Adaptation Of Music Composed For The Motion Picture By Vangelis

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Do you know how some times you feel like reaching in and slapping people on the Internet? Well, that is how I feel when I read all the criticism of this CD. You "purists" out there than lambasted this album need to go get a grip on yourselves, it is a damn good soundtrack! For those of us that were around in 1982, it was the only soundtrack available for this great movie and I bought it on cassette (remember those?!?) after seeing Blade Runner. The music mesmerized me, I don't know how but it equaled the impact that the movie had on me. Back then we didn't know that Vangelis was having a hissy fit and wouldn't release his version of these songs for another dozen years. No, we were grateful for the wonderful music that was a part of this magnificent film.

OK, I'll admit I was overjoyed when the Vangelis version came out...I actually picked mine copy up in Sarajevo, Bosnia! Yes, it too is a wonderful piece of work, and one I have listened to over and over again. I do like the voice overs from the movie, much like I liked the original (non-director's cut) of the film. I also liked that the Vangelis version had more songs on it. But does that mean I no longer like the New American Orchestra version. Hell no! If you truly loved the music from this great film, then buy both! You will not be disappointed in either. We are actually very fortunate to have both on CD, here are two different but excellent soundtracks for one of the best science fiction movies ever made. They are relatively cheap and I assure you that you will get your money's worth out of both.

I've had this soundtrack for years, since apparently the "official" Vangelis version was not available until long after the release of the movie. I suppose I've become rather accustomed to the first release, since when I finally got to hear the Vangelis album, I found I preferred the adaptation. Maybe this is a sign that I'm some kinda drooling lowbrow Neanderthal whose tastes are, musically speaking, on the same plane as those of collectors of "Hello Kitty" memorabilia. If so...oh, well.

To my way of thinking, the adaptation succeeds at creating a warm, sometimes lush sound environment, one that evokes a posh and elegant-- yet somehow sinister and melancholy--world from a bygone time. The vocal piece is nice, and I thought the piano and saxophone work on other themes was quite excellent.

If you're a fan of Vangelis, this won't be your cup of tea. If you're looking for something that is more noir than cyberpunk, you might like this.

I dont know about anyone else but I have listened to both versions of the Blade Runner soundtrack.... and love them both. My favorite is this one though. "Memories of green" on this CD evokes an emotional response that Vangelis' CD never could. If you are a Blade Runner fan and love classical music, then this will surely please you.

It is set in stone that no matter how good or awful a cover version of a film score is, it will NEVER be as good as the original. The City of Prague Orchestra have produced by far the best cover versions of film scores that I have heard, but at the end of the IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME. This adaptation of Vangelis' score for Blade Runner certainly doesn't sound as bad as the renditions The Power Pack Orchestra, but now that Vangelis' original score has been released, there is no excuse for buying this CD when you can have the real thing. The CD itself isn't that bad. It sounds as good as an Orchestra could ever do copying the electronic melodies of the Greek synth master. The New American Orchestra at least deserve some credit for not producing the "tin" effect that is so common among cover versions, but at the end of the day it is just not as good. It's not as spontaneous, not as beautiful and not as inspiring. Vangelis' music does not lend itself well for other (particularly traditional orchestras) to copy and now the original soundtrack is available I strongly urge to spend your money on that.

I remember my high school art teacher back in '88 loaning this adaptation to me; Although, it was the orchestrated adaptation, it has remained an integral part of my soundtrack collection ( I bought my own copy and returned my teacher's). At first, I was greatly disappointed that it was nowhere near the sound of Vangelis. The opening and end titles had such a tacky orchestrated disco feel. However, the rest of the album had such a warm, non-electronic feel to it (despite the fact that the movie itself was anything but warm feeling) ! The lush feel of the orchestration makes it difficult to close your eyes and picture scenes from the movie. At best, this version evokes visions of a romanticized detective film from the past and not the future ( say, the 30's or 40's with Humphrey Bogart)! Yet, it stands on its own as fine example of what an alternate version of an original soundtrack should be like. I also own the Vangelis version; the adaptation pales in comparison. It is fascinating to listen to both versions for comparison. One evokes a warm, cozy, relaxed feeling while the other gives off a futuristic, cold, and moody atmosphere. I like them both (with more favor towards the original by Vangelis). I highly recommend the adaptation version if you are not into synthesized, new-age or space-age music but like a touch of classical or orchestrated background music for relaxing. The adaptation by its own merit deserves 3 stars.

Armando-Chandler, AZ

I don't know what some of these people are talking about, I thought this was a great addaption of the real music. The Flugelhorn player Chuck Findley was great in Blade Runner Blues, And how can you put down Tom Scott on Love Theme, the man is awsome. I thought that this was an great version of the songs, and I recomend it to anyone with a taste for jazz or good music.

The end title song isn't as powerful as the real soundtrack but nearly every other tune is awesomely the best that sci-fi has to offer. This lovely futuristic music does not ever get boring. The album is an A-list keeper. The "Love Theme" has got to be the most beautiful song of love there is.

Vangelis' original recordings for the 1982 sci-fi thriller became mired in legal squabblings and were ultimately not released until years later. In the meantime a secondary source of the film's music was produced, using a conventional orchestration rather than the heavily synthesized sound that is Vangelis' trademark. The result is a warm, rich, highly accessible album that is by turns brilliant and imaginative.

While purists may scoff at an adaptation of an original film soundtrack, there is no doubt that this album accurately reproduces the original soundtrack's epic sweep, from the heavily-orchestrated, dense soundscapes delineating Los Angeles of the future, to the sparse, spare, jazz-based themes of the principal characters Deckard and Rachel. Further, while many of the cuts created by Vangelis for the film are simply incidental material used to background the visual action, the adaptations are extrapolated musically to produce coherent compositions that are musically whole.

The soloists featured in 'Blade Runner Blues', 'Rick And Rachel', and 'Memories Of Green' know their jobs and perform them well. The songs are sentimental and pop-oriented, but hardly insipid, and provide a more intimate interpretation of music that was never fully realized in the film.

The film itself is mired in controversy over its theatrical edit, which has been superceded in recent years by the so-called Director's Cut. This soundtrack adaptation is probably more accurately representative of the film as it was originally presented in theatres, than the re-release with its heavy dose of film-noir pessimism and ambiguity.

I enjoy both versions of the film, and I enjoy both versions of the soundtrack. Afficionados of the film and its music should have both copies in their collections.

Good, quiet music which allows one to work or contemplate on life. I always play this when I need to get creative or I wish to be in a deep thinking mood. Unlike some other recordings of BladeRunner which I have heard it does not have the disruptive movie dialogue mixed in and the music stands alone. It is beautifully played and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear the movie music in a pure form.

This is the orchestral version (released in 1982) of the soundtrack, music written by Vangelis, from the movie 'Blade Runner'. Although the Vangelis soundtrack (released in 1994) faithfully recreates the original mood as well as having additional songs and different arrangements...

...the arrangements from this orchestral adaption are just as good and in some cases even exceed the official Vangelis soundtrack!

Specifically, the vocal parts from "One More Kiss, Dear" and it's "AM distant quality radio effect" works very well, in my opinion. Another favorite is "End Title" which has a Tangerine Dream type of arpeggiator/sequencer effect and isn't included on the Vangelis soundtrack. Finally, Memories of Green is just a wonderful arrangement. Whether or not you like the movie, the music is something very special. Very Nice job to Vangelis and to the New American Orchestra! Both versions recommended.

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