Escaflowne [Import]

Hajime Mizoguchi, Yoko Kanno, Maaya Sakamoto | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Jvc Victor
• ASIN: B000050720
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,583 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Raing

2. First Vision

3. Colors

4. Into Gaea

5. Dragon Slayer

6. Horse Ride

7. Gaia

8. Regret

9. Bird Song

10. Sora

11. Arusedesu

12. Hurt

13. Take My Hands

14. Organ Pub

15. What'cha Gonna Do???

16. Sora Folktale

17. Torusira

18. Dance Of Curse Ii

19. Black Escaflowne

20. Tree Of Hearts

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece, January 18, 2001

By 

Clarence (Los Altos, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escaflowne (Audio CD)

Wow. That's all I have to say about Yoko Kanno's work on "ESCAFLOWNE - A Girl In Gaea." Ms. Kanno simply amazes me every time I listen to her work, from eclectic Cowboy Bebop to her wonderful collaborations with seiyuu Ma'aya Sakamoto.

Speaking of which, the title song "Yubiwa" is definitely one to remember. Even if you can only understand English, the only version of the title track you should listen to is the Japanese version. Sorry Ms. Snyder, but Ma'aya Sakamoto's voice is truly unmatched. To fans of Ms. Sakamoto's work for past anime title tracks such as "Yakusoku Wa Iranai" and "Kiseki No Umi" (one of my favorites), a noticable maturity is shown through her voice, more so than in the past. One thing that stung me about "Yubiwa" was the rhythm of the drum in the background--it definitely distracts from Ms. Sakamoto's wonderful voice.

Apart from Yubiwa (whose music arrangement was only mediocre), Yoko Kanno, along with her usual Escaflowne partner Hajime Mizoguchi, did a superb job with the soundtrack. Speaking as someone who's watched the movie a couple of times, I could distinctly remember where each track was used in the movie. That's what was incredibly distinctive about these compositions; they created mood and setting, not only acompanying it.

A few tracks definitely stood out in my mind as being above the rest. "First Vision" was one of those, blending calm music reminiscent of the mountains with fast-paced combat music. "Colors" was more subdued, with a definite calmness to the track. "Sora" (and its offspring, "Into GAEA" and "Sora's Folktale") was slow, very chant-like--you could almost describe that it had a religious feel to it. "Tree of Hearts," although short, definitely conveyed the emotion of the accompanying scene in the movie, gradually turning from sad to a more happy tone. "Black Escaflowne" was definitely more combat-like, eclipsing the strong, yet undistinct "Dance of Curse II." Finally, "Final Vision" is powerful and appropriate ending piece--you can almost imagine flying using that music.

Although the movie was a mixed bag for some (not me), the soundtrack is strong across the board. For fans of Kanno this is a must-buy; for those who aren't, you will be after listening to this wonderful soundtrack.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DEFINITE must-buy! Pure magic!, October 9, 2001

By 

mallow (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escaflowne (Audio CD)

If you are even the slightest fan of Escaflwone - no, I take that back. If you are even the slightest fan of MUSIC then you are to buy this CD. It is absolutely AMAZING!!! I have the four main CDs from the series and I thought they were good - but then I heard the music from the movie. WOW! It has pretty much everything. Mysterious melodies, fun songs, pop, heart-racing beats... it goes on and on. Your emotions fly when you listen to this CD. The first song (the song from the ending credits of the movie) is the perfect song for Hitomi and Van's relationship. And Enter the Dragon Slayers (Ryuu Geki-Tai Toojou) is one of my personal favorites. It just says "Hello. I'm Dilandau. Welcome to my lair of evil-doings."
Also, I notice that they incorperate (whoops, bad spelling) familiar tunes into the new songs from the movie but with cool twists. The song "Black Escaflowne" carries distinct undertones of the song "Epistle" from the series and anybody who has seen the series will recognise the familiar tune at the end of "We're Flying". The all-famous "Dance of Curse" is reused here, but it is faster, shorter, and they have changed the ending, because the original ending is used in "Black Escaflowne".

I also really enjoy "First Vision" (and its counter-part "Bird Song" which carries the tribal-sounding whistle onto its own track) because of the different feelings you get in one song. The beginning is for the beginning of the movie, where you see a HUGE ship flying past some startled sheep. The desolate feeling you get is sooo perfect. Then it changes into this... grand sounding part in which you see a flying "Van" skydive towards the ship, but the notes are so beautiful and light and airy... and then it stops - and turns into a fast-paced "dance-around-a-fire" ritual sounding song in which Van slaughters the entire crew of the ship by.

The piano at the beginning of "Tree of Hearts" makes me cry.

"Sora" I blast out my speakers with. (The middle part of the song is just AMAZING if you play it loud enough for people to call the cops on you.)

The English version of Ring/Yubiwa "You're Not Alone" is a great bonus. And "Call Your Name" is a sweet and simple track that is a tribute to Hitomi.

I cannot not get up and dance to "Organ Pub" - how can anyone NOT??

In short - Buy the CD! You won't regret it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST ANIME Soundtrack EVER!!!!, October 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Escaflowne (Audio CD)

I've listened to this cd and they have some of the most dramatic songs I've ever heard for anime. It coincides extremely well with the scenes played in the Escaflowne Movie.(If you haven't seen it I'm sorry.)This is a must have item for those who like anime period! You cannot be dissapointed by it.