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The Last Starfighter & The Boy Who Could Fly

Added on Wednesday, January 07, 2015   Posted by Tim Horemans

The Last Starfighter & The Boy Who Could Fly

New Intrada releases!

Intrada has released their first two soundtracks of 2015. Craig Safan's complete score to The Last Starfighter and Bruce Broughton's complete score to The Boy Who Could Fly.

Long-awaited release of complete score by Craig Safan for landmark 1984 sci-fi tale with Lance Guest, Dan O'Herlihy, Robert Preston, Catherine Mary Stewart, directed by Nick Castle. World of Rylos, battles with evil Xur, his armies of Ko-Dan, heroic efforts of 'the last starfighter' to conquer the enemy - all were fodder for pioneer computer-generated imagery back in 1984. Surprise hit movie finds young Alex Rogan proving himself adept at video games in small town trailer park. Soon, mysterious visitor appears, whisks Alex to planet Rylos to fight conquering menace. Romance, an android 'beta unit', vicious 'hit beasts' and more add dimension to rewarding tale. Craig Safan launches in brilliant major key fashion with dynamic fortissimo rhythmic motif for trombones, then adds trumpet fanfares, finally allows heroic main theme to take command. Both ideas play important roles throughout score. Propulsive action cues dominate with emphasis on aggressive low brass rhythms, sweeping lines for upper strings, zig zag material for woodwinds, synths. Brass parts throughout are commanding! Unusually crisp, punchy recording courtesy engineer Lyle Burbridge, acoustics of MGM Studios Scoring Stage 1 (known currently as Sony Pictures Scoring) and sizzling performance by 100 top L.A. session players. Highlights abound but spotlights go to showstopping 'Centauri Into Space', rousing 'Death Blossom, Ultimate Weapon', powerful 'Centauri Dies', exciting 'Target Practice'. Special mention is due 'Record Breaker': Here, Safan ingeniously melds low-brow synth sound of video game seamlessly into powerful orchestral variants of his propulsive opening material as piece progresses. Clever! March 1984 sessions were recorded onto 2' 24-track tape, then mixed down to both 1/2' three-channel, 1/4' two-channel stereo tape and preserved in pristine condition. Entire score presented in picture sequence, courtesy both Warner Bros. & Universal. Craig Safan conducts. Intrada MAF series CD release is a must for all sci-fi, fantasy and eighties orchestral action score enthusiasts!

Track list

01. Main Title (2:31)
02. Alex Dreams (1:44)
03. Record Breaker (2:28)
04. Centauri Into Space (5:59)
05. Rylos (2:01)
06. Beta Transforms (0:44)
07. Gunstars (0:39)
08. Victory Or Death (0:54)
09. Zur (2:30)
10. Krill (4:25)
11. Slap (0:30)
12. Hit Beast (0:54)
13. Centauri Dies (6:53)
14. Target Practice (2:20)
15. Alex’s First Test (2:53)
16. Alex Decides (2:50)
17. Beta’s Sacrifice (3:47)
18. Good Luck Starfighter (0:44)
19. Death Blossom, Ultimate Weapon (4:46)
20. Big Victory March (2:15)
21. Alex Returns (3:28)
22. Into The Starscape (7:21)

The second release is The Boy Who Could Fly and is scored by Bruce Broughton for Nick Castle fantasy about tragedy and loss, friendship and romance, magic and flight, starring Jay Underwood, Lucy Deakins, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Gwynne. Emotional elements of youth struggling with death, inward feelings, reaching out, lines between fantasy and reality all gave Broughton considerable dramatic material to work with. He chose to anchor with gentle, quiet character of Eric, the boy who could fly. Transparent scoring, haunting lydian harmonic vernacular of theme are gorgeous! Once idea is established, Broughton trains his musical forces on bigger ideas, fantastic flight sequences. Majestic, soaring music trades with dramatic undercurrents of story, even intense segments with darker edges. Entire, lengthy work is rich display of orchestral imagination, emotional thematic writing. Several long cues add to positive vibes. Many sequences stand out: warm Americana strains of 'Family', exciting riffs for young Louis attempting navigation of neighborhood amidst bullies, intense horn writing during 'Eric Agitated'. Yet, towering above all are magnificent flying cues, culminating in sweeping, wondrous orchestral splendor of 'Milly And Eric Flee/He Really Flies'. Here, Broughton takes his gentle main theme, melds it with all elements of fantasy in glorious manner. Stunning music! Intrada original soundtrack CD (not to be confused with Varese Sarabande release of re-recorded highlights) presents entire score in crisp, vibrant stereo from newly-remastered session mixes made by Armin Steiner, courtesy Warner Bros. Both Stephen Bishop's popular 'Walkin' On Air' End Credits song plus Broughton's unused ending music appear! Extras include alternate version of 'First Hint', Broughton's treatment of Lyn Murray's 'Fireworks' from To Catch A Thief for TV sequence, 'Back Of The Bus' number written by Broughton with lyrics by director Castle (performed by filmmakers Castle, John Carpenter, Tommy Wallace) plus Broughton's 'Car Radio' source music. Bruce Broughton conducts. Intrada Special Collection CD available while quantities and interest remain!

Track list

01. Main Title (4:45)
02. Louis Meets Hitler (1:00)
03. Louis’ Retreat (1:14)
04. Late! (First Hint - Revised) (1:04)
05. Eric On The Sill (0:28)
06. On Milly’s Sill (1:24)
07. Eric On The Roof (2:25)
08. Milly’s Science Project (3:34)
09. First Triumph (1:40)
10. Family (3:09)
11. The Rose/Flying (9:35)
12. Eric’s Gone (4:00)
13. Eric Agitated (4:17)
14. Louis Gives Up (3:24)
15. The Ring (3:22)
16. Milly And Eric Flee/He Really Flies (9:01)
17. New Starts (4:15)
18. Milly Reflects/End Credits (Instrumental) (5:03)
19. “Walkin’ On Air” (End Credits) (3:28)
(Stephen Bishop)
Total Time: 67:39

The Extras
20. First Hint (1:04)
21. Fireworks (From To Catch A Thief) (1:40)
22. “Back Of The Bus” (0:59)
(Nick Castle/Bruce Broughton, Perf. by The Coupe De Villes)
23. Car Radio (2:16)
Total Extras Time: 6:04



 



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