Customer Reviews

Rocky II: Music From The Motion Picture

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Three years after the huge success of movie "Rocky", and the musical soundtrack that made it so distinctive, Composer Bill Conti again masterminds a magnificent score for Rocky II. And folks, this is another masterpiece. If you enjoyed the original score (and who doesn't), you will love this album as well.

As a sequel to the original, this soundtrack contains many of the same arrangements that marked the first film score. The tracks have been remixed, but are just as good, if not better than the originals. For example, Rocky II's "Gonna Fly Now" has a late 70's disco beat and features a chorus of children (who in the picture run with Rocky during his training run in the street and up the steps to the Philadelphia City Hall). The remix works well, has more energy than the original,

and is highly satisfying and inspiring.

There are two vocal songs on this album. Bill Conti's wife, Shelby, co-wrote the vocal ballad "All of My Life." The song is preformed by DeEtta Little and Nelson Pigford, who also performed on the original Rocky in "You Take My Heart Away". "All of My Life" was not included in the picture, but is a solid romantic song that depicts Rocky and Adrian's deep love for one another.

The other vocal track, "Two Kinds of Love" is performed by Frank Stallone, (Sly's talented brother) who also wrote the song. He sings it with his street group around a trash can fire, as Rocky carries Adrian home on their wedding night.

Last, but certainly not least, Conti inspires the listener with a stirring and dramatic theme used in the title fight with Apollo Creed, "Conquest", and is perhaps the best dramatic track on the album. Finally, Conti presents the emotional and haunting, "Vigil", which plays as Rocky awaits for Adrian to awaken from her coma. It is filled with sorrow, extremely tender, and delicate in its composition.

While the album "only" has eight tracks, they are all wonderful and showcase the brilliance that is Bill Conti. It is a must-have, and deserves it own place alongside the original Rocky.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

Pure emotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With the exception of the alternate "Gonna Fly Now", you can relive all the sights, sounds, and drama of the movie right on this disc!!!!! A MUST HAVE FOR ALL ROCKY FANS!!!

1979: Rocky was back in "Rocky II"! Audiences could be entertained once again by their favorite hero. So could music lovers, with this stunning soundtrack.

Only 8 tracks?!! That may be your first reaction, but don't you worry, almost every musical piece of the film is included on this soundtrack!

--->(WARNING! The explanations of the Tracks can contain SPOILERS of the Movie!!)<---

1. Redemption - Yeah, Rocky is back! This song really captures that feeling. Being the main theme of Rocky II, Redemption is a completely new music track with hints in it that it is true music from a Rocky film. Rocky has just gone the distance and is transported to the hospital. The ambulances are riding through the dark city which is heard in the music, with another theme screaming: "Rocky is back!" through it. Length: (2:33)

2. Gonna Fly Now - Back is Rocky, so is the heartpumping Rocky theme! This time, a bit different from the original. More funky and even more seventies than the one the Rocky I soundtrack. Now, instead of adult voices, childeren are now singing the lyrics of the song, which gives a great power-up feeling. Length: (2:33)

3. Conquest - Rocky's back in the ring with Apollo for a rematch and gives absolutely everything he has got! The music shows this powerfully. A fantastic tence fight needs fantastic tence music must have Bill Conti thought, and he delivers that sort of music in a perfect way! When Rocky feels his strength leaving him, the music shows that feeling. When he's back fighting, the music lets you hear that! The music is just screaming: Go for it Rock!" Length: (4:36)

4. Vigil - Rocky's one and only true love Adrain has slipped into a coma. His world is upside down, his emotions are high up. His heart hurts and the music shows you that feeling. He doesn't wanna go on anymore. He is broken, defeated, without the love of his woman who he can't live without. The music guides your once again through Rocky's clouded soul with true emotion. Length: (6:29)

5. All My Life - A true seventies song which isn't in the movie. Sung by the same two people who sung "You take my Heart away" on the soundtrack of Rocky I (DeEtta Little and Nelson Pigford) A fun song about once again a strong and important character in the Rocky films: Love. Length: (3:58)

6. Overtune - The longest track on the soundtrack starts with the music of the very beginning of the film. The title of the film floats over the screen from right to left and then flips over to the ending of round 14 of the boxingmatch in part I. The fantastic music of that moment is heard once again. After that the music goes over in another great, kind of, contest of trumpets which is not heard in the movie but has familiar sounds in it. Then it continues as a true seventies tune that also isn't heard in the movie. You can hear tunes of "Gonna Fy Now" and "Going the Distance" in it. A truely fasenating tune.

Then the music goes to the moment where the match has ended and Rocky has won! The music sweeps up and goes all the way to the fantastic moment where Rocky screams in the microphone: "Yo Adrian, I did it!" A true goosbump moment. Then the music fades out and the Main theme "Redemption" is heard once again (which was besides the beginning, also at the end credits in the movie). Length: (8:37)

7. Two kinds of Love - Again sung by Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone's brother. The song begins with true fifties humming and soundmaking. Then the man starts to sing with his Streetcornor band. A great song which is in the film at the scene after Rocky and Adrian are married and are walking over the street back home. Length: (2:36)

8. All of my Life - Instrumentical version of the song it says on the cd, but this is a different version of the Rocky love theme if you ask me. Great soft music which is heard in the film when Rocky and Adrian are telling each other that they will never leave each other, right after their wedding, in the appartment. Lenght: (2:27)

So again a fantastic Soundtrack by Bill Conti.

Rocky was back in 1979, and so was Bill Conti! Enjoy!

This CD is awesome, just like the whole Rocky series (except Rocky V, the only good songs on there is Go For It! (Heart and Fire) and The Measure of A Man). You've got Redemption, Conquest, Overture (which is a combo of Fanfare for Rocky from Rocky I, The Final Bell from Rocky I, Going The Distance from Rocky I, and a slight remix of Redemption), and a kids version of Gonna Fly Now, plus more. My favorites are "Redemption" and "Overture". Believe me, if you get this CD, you will not regret spending that money at all. All of the Rocky soundtracks are terrific!

If you are looking for the Rocky sound that captures the essence of Philadelphia, this is the best CD. Even better than the compilation discs unless you want Eye of the Tiger or the tracks from the later films. I've got all the Rocky discs and I'm always coming back to the Rocky II cd. You won't regret this purchase.

All of the CD is worth listening to. The first few songs sound like exact duplicates from the film. The last few songs are real good too. The song "All of my Life" was not in the movie but it's a great song and is just as good as the song "You Take My Heart Away" from the original "Rocky" movie. I love the "Gonna Fly Now" song on this CD because it has a different mood to it and the kids are singing the lyrics.

28 years ago?? I was around 10 years old when Rocky II came out! Whew..has it been that long? Regardess, I still remember clearly being at the theater - and being hyped up to see Rocky II. It was, if I am not mistaken, a feature review in my "Dy-no-Myte" magazine we used to get at school. (East Coasters may remember that mag).

I was fortunate to see the first "Rocky" on my best friends Top Loader VCR just prior...(that and Star Wars were my first 2 experiences with the now infamous bootleg copy!). But I was 10 - did I care?

Not only do I remember being as emotional as a 10 year old could be that Adrianne not only survived the childbirth, Rock had a kid, and of course being pumped during the workout and the fact he caught the chicken! (that "Kentucky Fried Idiot").

But what I also remember was getting the music from those key scenes stuck in my head as well...the music became just as important to me that year.

Of course the training music everyone knows, but I remembered the music during the final fight, the piano solo as Rock sits and waits out Addriane's coma, the 2 acapella songs the quartet is singing around the fire. It all stuck...and I remember getting the soundtrack to that (and Star Wars!) on that birthday that year and it was all on there.

As the hype machine started rolling months ago on Rocky Balboa was everywhere...something triggered me to find the soundtrack on cd. Went to a handful of stores and no luck..until I hit Amazon.

And I have to say it all holds up (except one track - which wasn't actaully in the movie). All the music triggers all the memories and it is amazing how after all this time it still sounds great.

The one track "All of My Life" with vocals - is a very dated, heavy synth sounding song, I assume attempt at a Top 40 single at the time. It sounds like a they wanted Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr to sing a duet - and they were both busy...so they found 2 session singers and recorded a demo....and never finished it. VERY - 80's sounding.

But the rest of the instrumentals hold up and still trigger some emotions from my past.

To me, still the best Rocky of the series, and still the best Soundtrack of the series as well.

If you are remotely sentimental about this movie - it will put a smile on your face.

The first Rocky film and its score were surprise successes in 1976, and it seemed natural that a sequel to both would emerge in due time. Fortunately, the sequel, Rocky II, and its' soundtrack, were just as successful as the first.

The formula for the sequel soundtrack is much the same as the original: the famous opening fanfare is present, as is "Gonna Fly Now" (though the mix used on the CD is different from the one used in the film). DeEtta Little and Nelson Pigford appear, as does Frank Stallone. What sets this soundtrack apart are "Redemption", the film's driving theme, and "Conquest", the suspenseful fight theme that would fittingly become a staple of future Rocky scores. The Overture also features a lengthy section unused in the final cut of the film, which bridges the opening music to the end credits reprise of "Redemption", and is likely of note to fans of composer Bill Conti. Last, but certainly not least, is "Vigil", the moving track that plays while Adrian is in her coma.

All in all, the Rocky II Soundtrack is a fine supplement to the original, infamous soundtrack to the original film. While I would have hoped to have had the film's mix of "Gonna Fly Now" as a CD bonus (as the disc is just over 34 minutes in length), this is a minor nitpick on such an enjoyable album.

I have all the soundtracks for Rocky 1-4 (as a Rocky fan I don't reckon that a fifth movie was made and I don't even know if they released a soundtrack?) and they're all great. Some people might think it's a little bit too pompous and pretentious...but I think it's just inspirational and stimulating!

If you're doing sport, out running or lifting weights, it might be a good idea to put on Rocky! The music makes you fly, and even if you're not climbing the Rocky Steps in Philly, you know that you could do that if you had them in front of you. This music inspires...

This music is great. I have worn out two cassettes and a record so that says how much I like it.