Blade Runner [SOUNDTRACK]

Vangelis

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 1994)
• Original Release Date: June 21, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IZM
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,687 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
For years, the soundtrack to Blade Runner held legendary status among fans of Greek synthesist Vangelis. Except for a few cuts on the Themes compilation, it had never been released on vinyl or CD, although there was an orchestral version of the score. But in 1994, 22 years after Vangelis composed the dark, edgy soundtrack to director Ridley Scott's archetypal science fiction thriller, the music of Blade Runner came out in all its cybernoir glory.

Vangelis couched his electrosymphonic score in percussive rhythms and shadowed timbres. Effectively interpolating dialogue from the film, the CD moves from the threatening tension of "Blush Response" to the ethereal wordless vocal of Mary Hopkin over a water-drop synthesizer sequence on "Rachel's Song." A few tracks, notably "Love Theme" with Dick Morrisey's smarmy saxophone solo, drip with Hollywood sentimentality, but Vangelis quickly wipes that away with the hyperdrive of "Blade Runner (End Titles)." --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Devastatingly Beautiful, January 20, 2000

By A Customer

There has been a lot written regarding this soundtrack. We still wonder why on earth it took Vangelis twelve years to finally release this treasure. There is still much speculation as to the reason why this happened, but in any case, after being forced to listen to grim renditions of the soundtrack and bad-sounding bootlegs, Vangelis' "Blade Runner" is well worth the wait. Many have attacked this work for having certain exerpts of dialog from the film on some of the tracks. I, however, find that this inclusion makes the tracks more interesting. Deckard's exchange with Rachael and Tyrell is a great introduction to "Blush Response" with the eerie music in the background. "Wait For Me," apparently inspired by the film and written in 1994 when the disc was released, is a hypnotic and seductive track with select,very well-chosen lines from Rachael.

Unlike the bootleg, Vangelis makes each track flow into one another. He does so with such fluidity and grace that one has to marvel at the production. Additionally, many have attacked this disc because Vangleis decided to leave out some crucial themes from the film, such as the "Main Titles and Prolouge" (which is included on the bootleg). I agree that the disc could have been more encompassing of all the music from the movie, but if you notice on the disc itself, it does not say "music from the official motion picture soundtrack" anywhere-it's essentially a Vangelis album with Blade Runner as its theme.

Another attractive aspect of the disc is, while there are some themes missing from the film, it does include four unreleased tracks not included in the film or the bootleg. These are: "Blush Response,""Wait For Me," the spine-tingling "Rachael's Song" and the somber and enigmatic "Damask Rose." Most of the other tracks are familiar, such as the heavily atmospheric "Blade Runner Blues" and the emotional and melancholy "Memories of Green." In any case, it is worth noting that this disc makes up tremedously for anything it may lack.

Lastly, in my opinion the most memorable track on the disk is the devastatingly beautiful, "Love Theme," one of the most passionate, mesmerizing and haunting themes ever done by Vangelis-or anyone.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blade Runner (1994) - This IS the Real Thing, May 31, 2000

By	"gkbsynergy" (Currently in Australia) - See all my reviews

For years I would walk into music retailers hoping to come across this album. It was one of my holy grails. Now it is one of my favourites (definitely a favourite "thinking" CD). Some might question the inclusion of a few tracks on this CD, that on one level seem to stand out abruptly from the others. However I believe that this officially released soundtrack is like the movie in that it captures the images of a world influenced by a variety of cultures and ages. The soundtrack takes you back there, back to Los Angeles in 2019. From the soaring and dark landscape ("Main titles"), the amalgamation of so many cultures ("Tales of the Future" & "Damask Rose"), the influences from simpler (and cleaner) ages long ago ("One More Kiss Dear"), to the final moving words of Roy that make us question what it means to be human ("Tears in Rain"). This is in my top 3 Soundtrack albums. A wonderful piece of work. Don't be put off by the synthesized version released a few years earlier to stave off the hunger of fans. This recording has depth and passion. This has a richness that resonates throughout your body and mind. More importantly this is the real deal. I highly recommend it. The only question now is - will Vangelis bring himself to re-release the earlier 'limited edition private release' that posseses such gems as the "The Prodigal Son Brings Death", so lacking from this official release? Please sir, I want some more? A double CD would do nicely *nudge-nudge, wink-wink*

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Add my high regards to the bunch, February 8, 2000

By	"bjorn-toby-wilde" (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews

I add my comments to help overwhelm anyone who's unsure whether to buy this soundtrack. It's very beautiful and haunting. It will linger in your head long after it's stopped playing. I'm thrilled Vangelis included pieces that weren't used in the film. "Wait For Me" and "Rachel's Song" make me feel as though I'm watching the film for the first time, despite having seen it dozens of times. And it was brilliant for Vangelis to blend each song into the next to create a seamless whole.

However, I also feel I don't need the dialogue from the film. And I thought the booklet had too many wasted pages with stills from the film. I can get all that from my DVD or my copy of the book about the making of Blade Runner.

Aside from those two minor carps, this is a must-have for any fan of the film, as well as for any music lover with a taste for a haunting, beautiful, and unusual soundtrack. They sure don't make them like this anymore.