Customer Reviews

Escape From New York

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a huge fan of the music of John Carpenter I was very excited when I saw this disc, having already purchased the original version years ago. Having said that I must tell you that this new remastered version may seem great to some but for others, you may find yourself somewhat irritated. I decided to listen to the original album and following each track, listen to the remastered version to see what the differences were. The sound quality is much better, yes, on the newer version but it seems to me that some sounds have changed and have been remixed. Take the Main Title for example. After the drumbeat intro and the first backing sounds we should hear the synth playing the Main Title Theme. In the newer version, it has been changed to a piano, quite possibly an electric one. Other sounds seem to be added to this track that were not there before which begs the question: Is this a Remastered CD or a Remix CD? Also, anyone hoping for the complete version of the Main Title will be very disappointed to learn that it is not included(the extended end credits version would run longer). I made a copy off of my lazerdisc, connecting the opening and end credits together to have this version, since it is only available by another composer(Daniel Caine) who pays homage to Mr. Carpenter (see: Halloween The Best Of John Carpenter). Another major note is that the track, President At The Train has been shortened from 2:55 to 2:28, deleting the last 27 seconds off of the track, which for me is the best part (the shrieking noise as a body jumps in front of Plissken and what follow are lost). The best part is the inclusion of 6 previously unreleased tracks, although The Bank Robbery, which was used for the original opening sequence that was later deleted, was available on Promotional Copies of Big Trouble In Little China. For this reason as well as the sound quality, this disc is worth getting. But in my opinion, not all the tracks came out very well. Arrival At The Library(1:06), which has been switched, speaker wise (the sounds from the left on the original version are now switched to the right on the newer version) and 69th Street Bridge(2:43) both sound a little muddled as if they couldn't decide what the main instrument would be throughout the piece. I don't know why Track 28, Snake Shake, says below it, End Credits, since it was not used in the End Credits of the film but it is a nice bonus just the same. The dialogue added is a nice touch but does interfere at times with the beginnings or endings of the tracks before or after them. Please understand my rating is not aimed at the music(I love Mr. Carpenter's work and own every score he has done from Dark Star to the present), it is for the technical aspect, which, to me, seems flawed, that my rating is centered towards. When I go see a movie and I hear the music for the film and like it I want to go and buy the soundtrack (or score) with the idea that it will sound exactly the same. When it doesn't sound the same it is a huge disappointment. As I said, for most people, it may make little difference. But to purists, like myself, it matters a great deal.

Silva Screen Records brings forth their latest release in cult-sci-fi score for you the listener and fan of John Carpenter's - "Escape From New York" [New Expanded Edtion], original film soundtrack music composed and performed by John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth...Carpenter has composed most of the music for his films and this one is no exception. The majority of the score is electronic, which serves very well for the film content.

The film was brilliant starring Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Season Hubley, Harry Dean Stanton as "Brain" and Adrienne Barbeau as "Maggie"...the score follows the lead with originality and vision. Those of you who enjoyed the film, will certainly want to have this in your vast collection of film music.

Total Time: 57:31 on 28 Tracks ~ Silva Screen Records ~ SIL-CD 3016 (10/04/2005)

Silva Screen Records brings forth their latest release in cult-sci score for you the listener and fan of John Carpenter - "Escape From New York". Carpenter has composed most of the music for his films and this one is no exception. The majority of the score is electronic, which serves very well for the film content.

The film was brilliant and the score follows the lead with originality and vision. Those of you who enjoyed the film, will certainly want to have this in your vast collection of film music.

Total Time: 57:33 on 28 Tracks/ Silva Screen Records - SSD 1110 (2000)

This expanded soundtrack is a real treat for fans of the 1981 cult film from writer/director/composer John Carpenter. In many ways, this is his first full-on score. Before Escape, much of Carpenter's soundtrack work was theme-heavy and repetitive, rearranging the themes at different lengths and tempos (Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, etc.) Escape is a fuller, richer score with a memorable theme but a wider scope of sounds. The music reflects the bleak, cynical tone of the film. The piercing snyths capture the menace of the Manhattan island prison, and the action scenes are given power by sequencers and drum machines that have actually dated pretty well, considering.

Long-time Carpenter collaborator Alan Howarth went back and put together the actual cues from the film; he also put the music in sequence and included snippets of dialogue (always fun on a soundtrack disc). The result is a disc that you can listen to beginning to end, repeatedly. There is a lot less repetition than even the expanded Halloween and The Fog discs.

Considerably longer than the original CD release, there's a chunk of previously unreleased material (very typical of old Varese releases to reappear with more music). Many of the sounds predate electronic music that appeared on the popular front years later. Some of the tracks sound like they've been sampled (or at least considered) by Photek, for instance. Some of the tracks are dancey and fun. The Bank Robbery music (from a deleted scene that set up Snake's capture) is a highlight.

However, if you have the original Varese Sarabande release, I would hold on to both versions, as there are differences. First off, this disc sounds newer, clearer, shinier, as if some of the instrumentation has been remixed or different takes were used. A previous reviewer noted many of the differences in detail. They don't take away from the disc, but Carpenter addicts may want to hunt down the original release to hear the differences.

Highly recommended for Carpenter fans and fans of the film.

This new release features some new tracks, previously unreleased on CD with additional dialogue samples from the film, great collection! RECOMMENDED FOR OWNERS OF THE ORIGINAL VERSION!

The tracks sound different to the original release and I wouldn't trade them against each other, but own both of them!

This release is dedicated to the memory of Lee Van Cleef.

I'm not really a huge fan of soundtracks, but i have to say that "Escape From New York" is one of a kind. Some soundtracks that have just have "scores" on it, don't usually hold up their end of the bargin. It was first released in in July of 1981 (sametime the film was released) and really captures the film with it's gothic/electronic synth sound. "The Main Title" is one of the most memorable songs off this soundtrack with that 808 drum machine beat and heavy bass line that follows the errie synth number. Later on about a year ago (1999) the soundtrack went out of print and now it's back with more songs and it's "digitally remasted" for the first time, which is so cool. Have fun with this soundtrack, and beware of your journey into the prison of New York City.

Escape From New York is one of my all-time favorite films, and I remember seeing it when I was nine and having the opening theme running through my head for days. The rest of the score is exactly the same: Great mucical passages that fit the film perfectly.

The remastered score sounds great, and includes a lot of music which had never been made available before, including a track from a scene which was cut from the final version of the film, and "Snake Shake", the movie's unused end-credit music. There are also some dialogue tracks, which include some of the film's most memorable lines. (Too bad they didn't include my favorite- When The Duke's crony busts into the arena yelling "Listen up! The President's GONE......BRAIN TOOK HIM!!!" Oh well...) You also get that classic show-tune "Everyone's coming to New York". A great score all around.

There is no question that John Carpenter has been listening to Tangerine Dream at that time particularly the Schmoelling era of hard driven sequencers. Even the instruments used in this soundtrack are the Arp, Prophet synthesizers a common arsenal of TD. The music here is pulsating, aggressive, thematic, eerie, funky, dark but entertaining not a boring track. This is similar with Queen's Flash GOrdon OST. Not a single track is throwaway they all rock that fits perfectly at every scene or footage. Without this music the film wouldn't be successful they both go together like bread and butter.

Truth be told, ESCAPE FROM NY was one of the breakthough flicks of not only the '80s but sci-fi cinema.

for various reasons; it turned an disney actor into a mainstream action star, the sets and fx was impressive considering the fact that this movie was made for less than 8 million, and more impressive was the soundtrack by carpenter and howarth.

now with this edition courtesy of silva records we get to listen to all the tracks including the deleted bank robbery scene which is my favorite next to "above the wall" and the main title.

there's even the melodic "across the roof" and the awesome police action theme (when the choppers landed near the airforce one in search of the president only to find the vicious ROMERO.

I am in awe of this soundtrack, not only is it cool to listen to on a long train ride to work, but it also is perfect for storing in the x-box console for soundtrack options.

silva has done this CD justice just as MGM has given ESFNY the special edition treatment. a must for carpenter fans.

In the world of soundtracks, there's lots of good, but IMHO this is THE best ever done. State of the art electronics create a brooding malevolence all through the work that's hard to shake. The sequencing was hugely influential (compare Brad Fidel's 'Terminator' chase sequences). Also included is a great version of Debussy's 'Engulfed Cathedral,' and one goofy 'show tune.' Even if you've never seen the film (shame!) you should not miss out on this piece of music. And it hadn't dated one bit! I haven't heard the remaster, so Caveat Emptor on that one.