Black Rain - 2 CD Limited Edition Set - La La Land Records Review

So after about 23 years, it was La La Land Records who finally released Hans Zimmer's superb score for Ridley Scott's Black Rain.

This is one of Zimmer's finest scores, and one of his earliest efforts, and still considered one of his best.  The sound quality on this release is pristine, and has been very well mastered. Considering the only other sources for the score have been lower quality bootlegs, its fantastic to finally hear all the individual instruments so clearly.

Shirley Walker's orchestrations combined with Zimmer's synth work is pulsating, and laid the groundwork for most of his mid 90s efforts.

While Harold Faltermeyer seemingly left Hollywood at the start of the 90s, it seems Zimmer took over the role as the main guy for synth heavy scores.

This release contains the full complete score unaltered, and also includes additional versions of cues, including the movie version of the title song by Gregg Allman. All in all, this is a great buy and well worth it.

You may remember that this score contains a theme which was eventually reused for Zimmer's Batman Begins. The original version here is still superior, retaining the same strong percussion and urgent theme desired by the movies tokyo visuals and cinematography.

Definitely a great addition to any soundtrack score collection.  La La Land always deliver great quality releases, and seemed to have listened to many fan requests for these classic scores.
 

TRACK LISTING:
DISC 1

1. Sato Pt. 1/One-Way Glass (6:34)
   
2. Osaka/Phony Cops** (1:46)
   
3. You Gonna Be Nice?*/Sato Pt. 2** (5:21)
   
4. Sato Watching/Circling Motorbikes (1:59)
   
5. Sugai's Photo/Sato Pt. 3 (3:58)
   
6. Sato Pt. 4 (2:05)
   
7. Charlie Loses His Head** (8:22)
   
8. Sequins (2:42)
   
9. Masa's Reprimand / Sugai Pt. 1 (5:33)
   
10. The Steel Mill (2:45)
    
11. Steel Mill Chase/Airplane/Escape***(6:18)
    
12. Sugai Pt. 2 (8:50)
    
13. Arrival of Oyabuns/Sato's Arrival/Meeting (7:55)
    
14. Bikes**/Fight**/Nick and Masa** (9:29)
    TOTAL DISC TIME: 74:09
    
    DISC 2
    ORIGINAL EMI ALBUM

1. Livin' on the Edge of the Night -Iggy Pop (3:38)
   
2. The Way You Do the Things You Do -UB 40 (3:15)
   
3. Back to Life (Jam on the Groove Mix) -Soul II Soul (5:07)
   
4. Laserman -Ryuichi Sakamoto(4:48)
   
5. Singing in the Shower -Les Rita Mitsouko and Sparks (4:22)
   
6. I'll Be Holding On -Gregg Allman (5:38)
   BLACK RAIN SUITE
   
7. Sato (4:45)
   
8. Charlie Loses His Head***(7:03)
   
9. Sugai (6:55)
   
10. Nick and Masa***(2:52)
    
    BONUS TRACKS
11. Airplane Muzak (source) -Shirley Walker (2:05)
    
12. Charlie Loses His Head Pt. 1 (alternate percussion) (2:32)
    
13. Charlie Loses His Head Pt. 2
          (alternate with koto and oboe) (2:47)
    
14. Masa's Reprimand***(alternate) (1:49)
    
15. Bikes / Fight (alternate) (3:18)
    
16. Bikes (percussion only) (1:35)
    
17. Charlie Loses His Head (monks wild) (2:12)
    
18. I'll Be Holding On (main title version) -Gregg Allman (2:36)
    TOTAL DISC TIME: 67:48
    TOTAL ALBUM TIME: 141:57
    * not used in film
    ** contains material unused in film
    ***contains instrumental melody of "I'll Be Holding On"

You can get your copy direct from La La Land here:

http://www.lalalandrecords.com/BlackRain.html

Retro Score Review - Teen Wolf (1985) - Miles Goodman

For the first retro review, it is Teen Wolf from 1985. This movie was originally filmed before Back To The Future, and was released shortly after that to capitalise on the success of Michael J Fox as the lead actor.

The plot is ridiculous, a high school basketball player turns into a wolf and nobody bats an eyelid, but that is the charm of the 80s. Its funny, ridiculous, hillarious and has great moments throughout.

Miles Goodman composed the music for the movie and all of the songs. They have a distinctive sound throughout, with guitars, synths and gated drums.

The soundtrack however only consists of 9 tracks, with lots of score being absent. It was released on CD and Vinyl in 1985 on the Metronome label in Japan, and in Germany. Since then, there has been no re release or expanded version, which is surprising given the movie has a cult following.

Some of the key tracks missing are as follows:

Miles Goodman's instrumental rendition of "Staying Alive" composed in the synth fashion of the rest of the soundtrack.

Interlude score pieces, such as Beer Keg scenes.



The Wolf Dance opening score at the high school dance. This funky jam is a percussive heavy track making use of the Linndrum and some groovy bass.

The alternate "Big Bad Wolf" song. On the CD and Vinyl releases, this song sounds different due to the drums and vocals being used. In the movie version, different vocals and drums are used and it sounds sufficiently different.

Given that the songs only take up around half an hour, it would be easy to include everything on an expanded release. It may be likely that Intrada, La La Land or Perseverance Records may do a release.

1. Flesh On Fire James House



This is a fantastic song, great galloping guitar, synths and a vintage 80s melody. Linndrum percussion throughout this track. One of the best of the decade.

2. Big Bad Wolf The Wolf Sisters



This is a funky track, with vocoder and again percussion heavy with the Linndrum.
The movie version is slightly different with an unreleased intro and alternate drums and vocals.

3. Win In The End Mark Safan



The iconic theme from the end basketball game. Not much is known about Mark Safan, but the track is a perfect end to a satisfying 80s movie.

4. Shootin' For The Moon Amy Holland

A great theme, making use of the DX7 and Miles Goodman's talents for orchestral themes.

5. Silhouette David Palmer

This is the track played during the house party, and is visuallised perfectly on screen through Scott Howard slashing his way into his female friend Boof!

6. Way To Go Mark Vieha

Another classic played during the halfway point of the movie showcasing how Scott Howard as the Wolf is helping win all their games. The music matches the hilarity of the onscreen action.

7. Good News David Morgan

A great song, buried in the background before the wolf dance.

8. Transformation Miles Goodman (instrumental)



Probably the most recognised song in the movie, this is the key instrumental music for Scott Howard's first transformation at home. Absolute perfection.

9. Boof Miles Goodman (instrumental)

A great interlude, and uses the melody from Shooting from the moon to great effect.

Lost Classics: Willy Finlayson - On The Air Tonight

Here is a classic song by a Scottish artist named Willy Finlayson, released in 1984.  A cover of a Pete Barden track,  it's a haunting synth ballad, and seems to have been totally forgotten by most people.  Featuring great synths and a haunting sound, this is a real gem.  It was also featured in Nightmare on Elm Street 2 way back in the 80s.

Romina Danielson - Passion (1988) - Definition of 80s

One of the rare cuts from the late 80s.  Great synths, and with a coked out video, this is the way to do it in style.

According to one of the people who filmed this, the story goes like this!


"I was the Director of Photography on this 80's music video mullet-headed awesomeness. The guy in the video is Jerry Buss' son-- ala the owner of the Lakers. Shooting the shower scene I kept saying she had to cover up her boobies but she kept forgetting and exposing herself. This was a godsend for me. I had just moved back to LA from NY, had no car, no home and $37 in my pocket. This job just fell in my lap and paid $3000 a day. Bam! I was back in business, just like that."

"I only met her on the set and only saw her during the 2-day shoot. I suspect she found some gold somewhere and is digging a cozy life. It was so wacky how that puny video encapsulated every aspect of the 80's-- bad hair, gaudy clothing, cheezy music, coke snorting, off-screen break dancing for some reason, tacky cars and noses stuck high in the air."

Half the extras kept retreating to a room to snort coke; chez 80's. Romina was the reason Joan Collins divorced her husband at the time, famously fainting on the witness stand during the highly publicized trial. She hated everyone on the set and loudly said so. She pointed at me and said in her thick accent, "This wonderful man is the only one I like!" Good times...


Good times indeed!