Sound and Vision: 60 Years of Motion Picture Soundtracks [Paperback]

Jon Burlingame (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000

An unparalleled reference source in its field, this book offers a consumer guide to movie soundtracks, plus a rich history of composed film scores, movie musicals, and song-compilation scores created for motion pictures over five decades.

In addition to the engrossing historical text are biographical sketches of the many composers who have written film music, followed by a discussion of the best work of each and its availability on long-playing records or compact discs.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A serviceable reference work to the most notable motion picture soundtrack composers, this guide is divided into three parts: a history of movie soundtracks, an overview of major composers, and a list of important scores currently available, including reissues. Journalist Burlingame (Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, and the Washington Post) has written an informative history, particularly for the novice fan. The composer entries, comprising the bulk of the book, are alphabetically listed and include pertinent biographical information and capsulated synopses of their soundtrack credits. Thanks to the thorough composer/songwriter and film indexes and the substantial bibliography, this is a functional introduction to soundtrack history and its key players. However, libraries needing one comprehensive reference on the topic are directed to MusicHound Soundtracks: The Essential Album Guide to Film, Television, and Stage Music (LJ 4/15/00).DDavid M. Turkalo, Suffolk Univ. Law Sch. Lib., Boston
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Jon Burlingame, whose writings include previous books and many articles for Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Washington Post, and other publications, teaches film music history at the University of Southern California, and participates in international conferences on the subject. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823084272
• ISBN-13: 978-0823084272
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensable, seminal, very highly recommended reference, February 21, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sound and Vision: 60 Years of Motion Picture Soundtracks (Paperback)

In Sound And Vision: 60 Years Of Motion Picture Soundtracks, Jon Burlingame has created an indispensable, seminal, very highly recommended reference guide featuring a detailed history of Hollywood film music on record and compact disc. Also included are up-to-date biographical sketches of soundtrack composers from the inception of the movies down to the present day. Annotated listings of the best-selling, award-winning, or otherwise memorable soundtracks of the past and present (original film scores as well as movie musicals and song-compilation scores) further enhance this marvelous compendium. Of special note is the "user friendly" and comprehensive index so that the reader can quickly reference whether a particular piece of movie music is commercially available.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, November 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sound and Vision: 60 Years of Motion Picture Soundtracks (Paperback)

Comprehensive and fastidiously researched, "Sound and Vision" towers over the competition. Written by Jon Burlingame, perhaps the most widely read and internationally respected writer in the field today, this book should be in the library of every film music buff. Unlike other books which contain reviews cobbled together from various non-professionals, this book was entirely written with a single knowledgeable voice. The comprehensive index of commerically available titles alone is worth the price of the book. When combined with rare photographs and a well written and perceptive history of music in films, this book becomes indispensible to both the casual and veteran fan of music in film.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for any film music devotee, November 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sound and Vision: 60 Years of Motion Picture Soundtracks (Paperback)

Finally bought a copy of Jon Burlingame's excellent reference work SOUND AND VISION, 60 years of Motion Picture soundtracks. This is a must have. I have been collecting film music since the early sixties and to have all this information between two covers is marvelous. The detail, the wealth of information and more importantly, the accuracy is astonishing. (I missed some real gems in my buying history!) This book is certainly authoritative, and at 244 pages crammed full of detail, it is a bargain. Highly recommended.... John