Body Heat (1998 Re-recording of 1981 Film) [Soundtrack]

London Symphony Orchestra, John Barry, Joel McNeely | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 28, 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B000009NS2
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,088 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Main Title

2. Ned

3. Matty's Place

4. I'm Weak

5. I'm Burning Up

6. Chapeau Gratis

7. Heather

8. Kill for Pussy

9. I'm Frightened

10. Surprise and Explosion

11. Heather and Roz

12. Gus and Oscar

13. Glasses

14. Better Get Him

15. Matty Was Mary Ann

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue film score for "Body Heat" now available., August 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Body Heat (1998 Re-recording of 1981 Film) (Audio CD)

Seventeen years after the theatrical release of Lawrence Kasdan's 1981 film noir classic "Body Heat", the film score has finally been released. It is well worth the wait. Joel McNeely and the London Symphony Orchestra have faithfully recreated one of the truly great film scores composed by John Barry. From the hauntingly erotic main title to the shocking conclusion, this score weaves a tangled web of lust, lies and greed. Its contribution to the film is so significant, that it's almost like having another character in the film.

This cd is true to the original score. Film music buffs fearing an adapted or deriviative version of the score will not be disappointed. Joel McNeely and the LSO have performed an extraordinary service to Barry's score for "Body Heat". Special thanks should go to the person(s) at Varese Sarabande responsible for adding this long overdue release to their "Film Classics" series. They have done a great sevice ! to both movie buffs and soundtrack aficionados.

Ironically, after several attempts to locate this score down through the years, I stumbled upon it while looking for the score to "The Spanish Prisoner". Unfortunately, it appears to be commercially unavailable. Maybe the good people at Varese Sarabande will release this excellent score in the near future. In the meantime, just sit back, relax, turn down the lights and enjoy "Body Heat".

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Body Heat" Movie Soundtrack, March 3, 2000

By 

John Wayman Mueller (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Body Heat (1998 Re-recording of 1981 Film) (Audio CD)

Having lived in St. Petersburg, Florida for many years, I can attest that this soundtrack captures the mood, heat, and humidity of Florida beautifully. I've run my movie tape so many times just to hear the music, that the tape is almost worn out. When I hear the piano and saxophone on this soundtrack, I can just feel the stifling heat, especially at night, and I love it. Buy it! You won't be sorry!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faithfully done: a master re-creation, August 11, 2000

By 

Jack Yan (Wellington, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Body Heat (1998 Re-recording of 1981 Film) (Audio CD)

The greatest concern I had whether Joel McNeely would be faithful to John Barry's famous score for Body Heat. I had been disappointed with others' attempts, even Nic Raine's orchestrations for Raise the Titanic and Franklin and Eleanor in The Music of John Barry. While those were expertly done, I could tell that the tempo was not the composer's. Raine probably wasn't all to blame: I'm sure there were time considerations. But that experience made me weary of others attempting to step into Barry's shoes.

Fortunately, this might as well be Barry's original score. Joel McNeely uses the London Symphony Orchestra fully; the atmosphere of Kasdan's film is brought to life: Ned and Matty returned. Although I haven't seen Body Heat for years, McNeely's conducting is as I remembered Barry's. Unlike Barry's own slightly softer version of the theme in Moviola performed by the RPO, McNeely has re-created the original, more seductive theme from the main title; the alto sax, expertly performed by Andy Mackintosh, swaying. Even the packaging is seductive, its cover painting taking the viewer back to the Florida heat.

Robert Townson and all at Varèse Sarabande deserve great credit for this marvellous classic remake, a must for John Barry fans.