War of the Worlds (Remixed) [Import]

Jeff Wayne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B00002R0W1
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,312 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Jeff Wayne's entire 1978 rock soundtrack to the remake of Orson Welle's infamous 1930 tale of global invasion from Mars, completely remixed by top names of the late '90s. Includes mixes by Todd Terry, N Trance, Apollo Four Forty, Max Mondo & Papa Ootzie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's A Whole New "War", June 10, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War of the Worlds (Remixed) (Audio CD)

I was thrilled that Amazon was able to secure this title for me. The 2-CD edition of "The Remix Album" was originally released in England, but is no longer manufactured (a single-disc set is still available, however). Nevertheless, Amazon was able to track down a copy and send it to me (it took a little longer than the "2-3 days" availability listed onsite, but that's a minor matter).

I was also thrilled with the results. To begin with, this is not simply a "remix" of the original "War of the Worlds" concept album; rather, it's a reworking of the main musical themes. If you managed to get your hands on a 1998 import copy of the remastered edition of "Worlds" (also no longer available), then you've had a chance to hear what this album sounds like. On that release, Sony included four dance remixes at the end of Disc 2, and if -- like me -- you enjoyed those tracks (which are repeated on this release), you'll love this set.

Now, I normally approach a remix project like this with trepidation. Far too frequently, remixed dance versions of songs are a testament to the ego of the mixer. They tend to blather on for far too long and bear little (if any) resemblance to the original piece. That's not true here. Each of these remixes serves the source material faithfully. What's more, nearly every remix is a clever and worthy update. Who would've thought that ANYONE could take "The Red Weed" and turn it into a jacked-up R&B love song in the vein of Janet Jackson (don't get me wrong -- they didn't add vocals; it's just the style I'm talking about). And I got a kick out of "ULLAdubULLA," which is a "new" track from the point of view of the Martians ("The problem, of course, is the humans!").

CD1 offers 16 tracks that range in length from approximately 3:00 to 5:00 minutes. That's good, considering it reins in the mixes so they don't spin ad nauseum. There are 10 extended mixes offered on CD2, though I admit that I don't listen to it as often as I do CD1.

Since the 1998 remastered edition was never released in the U.S., I wouldn't expect that this remix project will see the light of day here either. If you're a fan of "War of the Worlds" and you enjoy engaging dance mixes, then by all means get Amazon to track down a copy of this for you before it's too late!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CONTACT. ANNIHILATION. REBIRTH, August 5, 2000

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War of the Worlds (Remixed) (Audio CD)

I cannot add much more than what the earlier reviewer said. This dance-friendly compilation of various interpretations of selections from Jeff Wayne's 1976 masterpiece is awesome in their arrangements. Especially noteworthy is the entire second disc featuring longer versions of the key cuts on disc one. Apollo Four Forty's "Dead London (instrumental)", "Forever Autumn (Dark Autumn Dub)" by Frederickse and Schurrer, "Forever Autumn: N-Trance Remix" and "The Eve of War," remix by Hani that ends the disc take the music to a totally new level.

Columbia should consider releasing a set of both the original and the remix compositions. Audiophiles can then experience the "beginning of the rout of civilization."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars only for die-hard fans of original, August 20, 2000

By 

Alex Ferenstein "alexferenstein" (Tokyo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War of the Worlds (Remixed) (Audio CD)

I did like the 70's original and really wanted an update but this remix is a disappointment. What was needed was a rework not a remix. When I sampled CD1 in the shop I heard a new track at the beginning of the CD which was an alien describing the need to invade Earth, so I thought WOW - an extra perspective will be provided. Alas, you only have a few minutes to listen to the CDs in the shop and this proved too short. Unfortunately, this CD doesn't provide any new perspective and it leaves only the barest of the original narration. It's as though there's an assumption that the listen has an initmate knowledge of the original. I like Appolo 440 and Hybrid as well as any mature Dance listener but this remixing project was faulty at concept stage when it was decided to remove the narration.

I don't recommend this CD unless you know the original intimately.

(CD1 is a remix (of the original), and CD2 is a remix of tracks on CD1 - is this phantom value adding? Additionally, two tracks on CD1 have been remixed twice - what the producer's couldn't decide which was one they wanted or did they need to fill the disk?)