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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best available, but still has major flaws, November 25, 2003
The flaws on this disc are explained very clearly in the enclosed booklet. Out of 50 tracks, a mere five were on a reel that was nearly destroyed when they found it. The tragedy is that they include all the appearances of the main "North By Northwest" fandango theme in "Overture," "The Wild Ride," "On The Rocks" and "Finale." The other damaged track is a minor one, "Goodbye." As a collector, it's true, this is the CD to buy, it's the original, complete score, including outtakes and source music, that is, the music being played by sources like radios within the world of the movie. And the majority of it sounds great. That said, if you're buying it, then chances are you're mainly interested in the fandango theme, one of the most unforgettable in cinema. A few people have said they don't notice the audio flaws. If that's the case, then I'm happy for them, but they probably don't know the music that well, because if you're at all familiar with it, you'll notice whole instruments faded almost to nothing. These tracks sound like they're on a radio halfway between stations. Don't despair, however, because there is a solution. The DVD of the film includes an isolated score of the film. I don't know what source they used for the DVD, which was made in 2000, but it was clearly unavailable to the makers of this CD in 1995. The tracks which are flawed on the CD sound pristine on the DVD, as if recorded yesterday. If you want to hear the fandango theme in all its sonic glory, pick up the DVD, it's actually cheaper than the album anyway. I guess they haven't reissued the album with these tracks corrected because there's just too little demand for such an obscure catalog title, which is a pity, but if the fandango theme is one of your seminal memories of film music, as it is for me, the DVD is the way to go, with this album just good if you want to be able to listen to the music on the go, or if you want the four minor source cues.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THANKS, RHINO!, June 8, 2001
Well, someone has finally plugged one of the worst holes in the selection of available soundtracks- "North by Northwest". We've had quite a few renditions of Bernard Herrmann's overture for the film, and the Laurie Johnson-conducted re-creation for Varese Sarabande (a decent version, if a shade too politely played). But not until now have we had what NXNW buffs have lusted after- the whole soundtrack, taken right off the 1959 MGM master tapes. And it's incredible! You get all 48 cues for the movie, and two more that were recorded, but cut from the film. You even get four tracks of source cues- music not by Herrmann that was meant as background. "Rosalie", "In The Still of the Night", and "It's a Most Unusual Day" are adept re-creations of the Palm Court orchestra at the Plaza Hotel, and "Fashion Show" is the Muzak heard during Cary Grant's dinner with Eva Marie Saint on the 20th Century Limited. As a bonus, "Fashion Show" is revealed in the liner notes as being by Andre Previn and having been originally written for 1957's "Designing Woman".This CD version has some sonic limitations; the master tapes were in such bad shape they could be played only one last time. Fortunately, some cleaning up and restoration was possible, and the result sounds as good as anyone has a right to expect from such badly deteriorated source material- in fact, quite a bit better. What few glitches remain should serve as a warning to movie mavens everywhere; if we don't demand- long, loud and often- that studios take care of our movie heritage, it is GONNA disappear. If you want to hear "North by Northwest's" score in as close to first-day condition as possible, this is the CD to have. You can even hear pages of the score being turned and chairs being moved! Everyone involved with this release gets my personal thanks- all of you did a superb job, and I thank you for giving me one of my favourite scores, in its entirety, in the best possible condition. Now, if Rhino would only do a CD release of 1958's "Bell, Book and Candle" soundtrack! You own the rights, as I understand it- what's holding you back? Be a good Rhino, huh?
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply a classic, February 5, 1999
By A Customer
This CD is virtually perfect in every respect. First, you get a massive booklet, which maps out the film in detail and relates it to the 50 tracks on the CD. Then you get a soundtrack which has never before been released - why goodness knows. But best of all, someone has really thought about this music. Dividing the music into the scenes of the film is something which modern soundtracks should learn from. However, the true masterstroke is the quality of the recordings - both the original conception, which perfectly captures the tension, romance and comedy of the film; and in the remastering. It's claimed in the liner notes that some of the tracks have suffered bad damage, but the average listener will not notice any deterioration. The most anyone will detect is probably a slight variation in tone.This CD is a classic release, and sets a standard which many will yearn to follow. One day, in the ordinary cycle of life, we will have a great film composer who will compose works to rival the best of John Barry, Henry Mancini and John Williams. When asked for their inspiration, he or she will probably reply, "I heard the original version of 'North by Northwest', and I knew then that I wanted to write music like that." Nothing more needs to be said.
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