Has anybody bought/listened to these CD's? Are they worth the $50+ ?
I think my Audigy 2 card can decode the DTS...maybe.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I've considered buying them, but last I checked, they were only out for the first two movies, and the price IS a little steep.
I bought the complete recordings of all three original Star Wars movies for less than half that, so the price gave me pause. But I love all the stuff missing from the regular soundtracks, I wish they'd rerelease Episode One's complete recording and do II and III as well.
If I had the money to burn I'd get them in a heartbeat, as I think they would be worth it, but it seems like a bit of an indulgence when I already have the original three soundtracks. The only thing that could persuade me, was if the Two Towers complete recording included the extended scenes, so I could get Eowyn singing Theodred's lament, and if they released ROTK and included the Houses of Healing music on it. Basically, I want all the Extended Edition music absent from the original OSTs, and I don't know if these have them, or if there are even plans to release ROTK.
I'd also like the opening sequence of FOTR with Galadriel's voiceover. Let me know if you get them and what you think, it just might tip the balance for me.
edit to add: I just did a little checking. It looks like they are being released about a year apart, so if they do one for ROTK, it will probably come out this upcoming fall. From the looks of it, they include all the music form the extended editions, like Aragorn singing the Lay of Luthien, and the Two Towers cd does in fact have Eowyn's Old English lament. It's also supposed to have music that didn't even make it onto the EE DVD. Looks like a good purchase, but I'd consider buying a used copy. It's just too expensive.
[ February 19, 2007, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Lyrhawn ]
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
Definitely, "The Houses of Healing" would be wonderful. I've found a small sample of it online, and it's beautiful.
I'm going to try the first album, and if that doesn't work out, I'll let you know.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I looked, after you posted this, and you can find it on Amazon in the used section, brand new, for seven or eight dollars off the list price, including S&H. You can find Two Towers for cheaper that way too. Worth saving a few bucks considering the exorbitant price. I'm expecting ROTK to be $99 when it comes out, considering it has a lot more music than even Two Towers has.
Let me know what you think of Fellowship either way. If you'd revive this thread and post a review I'd be grateful. I'm curious as to what new music is included, what the quality is, and what the extra dvd has on it.
Posted by jlt (Member # 10088) on :
There will be a compilation with images from the movie released later this year (or so I read on Howard Shore's Wikipedia/Website). I got a copy of the Fellowship music from the library, it's good music, but it didn't have a DVD.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
The set you buy off Amazon has the complete works, plus an extra DVD with the music in Dolby Digital Surround quality. Supposed to be amazing if you have a system to play it.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
I do, but it's at my parent's house. I can play the DTS 2.0 but don't have 5.1 comp setup.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
You MUST get the Recorded Books version read by Rob Inglis. It is expensive but totally worth it. As far as I know it is the only unabridged version out there. But regardless Rob Inglis is BRILLIANT. This one man does the various voices of all the characters. Freaking awesome. My family tried the other versions and we loved this one the best.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
The only recording I'd ever buy, was if there was one made by John Huston, who is for me, the voice of Gandalf, and really the voice of LOTR.
No one else comes close.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Hey Earendil, did you ever end up buying Fellowship?
I just ordered it (and Two Towers, though I cancelled it immediately, too much to spend on CDs all at once).
I'm curious as to what you thought about it, and what you ended up paying for it. I bought mine through Amazon but from a different dealer for $37, which was 20 off the list price. It's still supposed to be new in the packaging, but I wasn't going to pay full list price for it, too expensive. I still hope they come out with the ROTK version this December. I hope to get the Two Towers one if the FOTR one is good in a couple months.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
It's like listening to the movie...all the way through. Every single musical cue from start to finish. It's very thorough. It's too bad because my speakers are still stereo, and so I don't get the 5.1 goodness. $37 is good.
I just read your post before...John Huston did Gandalf? Dannnng, he was the sick twisted bastard in Chinatown!
The only reason I want ROTK to come out, is for a full high quality recording of Arwen's Song, that is sung during the houses of healing. Liv Tyler r0x0rs.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Huston did Gandalf in the Rankin/Bass cartoons for the Hobbit and ROTK. Absolutely stunning.
How much are Dolby 5.1 speakers? I want to enjoy the magic of the movies hardcore. I'm excited to get the cds now. Did you end up purchasing the Two Towers cds?
And I totally agree about the Houses of Healing, I love that music. I got a crappy mp3 of it off the net somewhere when it first came out, but I'd be stoked to get a good quality version of it.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
I have the Fellowship on cassette, and it was awesome. Incredibly well done. If I had the expendable income, I'd likely get all three on CD.
Edit: didn't even realize this was my 3000th post.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
CASSETTE? Do they even sell those anymore?
Kudos on 3K.
Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :
A few years back I bought all three volumes (on sale as cassettes) as read by Rob Inglis. He did a superb job. This was in fact how I managed to "read" Lord of the Rings while commuting all over California's central valley at unholy hours as a school photographer.
Worst job ever, by the way. But great audiobooks! I believe it was produced by www.recordedbooks.com. I suggest springing for the cds, though.
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
Another vote for the Rob Inglis reading, it's great. He even sings (and very well) the songs and ballads in the books (using tunes from old tavern songs, etc.)
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
BBC radio drama still takes the cake for me. I remember the rainy Saturday afternoon, with mist and clouds...listening in a secluded room with a big sliding door to the outside...
"...and the ship sailed out of the long grey firth...
...and passed slowly...
...into the West......"
..*music*
*BAWLLLL*
Anyway, I didnt get the Two Towers recordings.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I just got my Fellowship recordings...
Oh. My. God!
They're amazing. First of all, the package and such is stunning. The cds look beautiful, and the booklet that comes with it is awesome. It explains the instruments used for each leifmotif (Phrases of music attached to certain characters and images), and actually gives the staffs and notes for the phraes (I might try playing them on my sax or violin if I can remember the fingerings). Anyways, the booklet is extremely informative and cool.
Then we get to the actual music. I haven't even finished listening to the first cd yet, but "The Passing of the Elves" is one of the most beautiful, haunting, greatest snippets of music I have ever heard. It's enchanting. It perfectly captures Middle Earth. The little parts with Gandalf sining "The Road Goes Ever On" and Aragorn singing the "Lay of Luthien" are also a treat. I haven't even finished listening to it yet, and I already feel like I've gotten more than my money's worth.
I can't wait to crank this up on a great soundset and blast the Dolby Digital DVD soundtrack for the Isengard theme. I wasn't sure if this was going to be worth it, but I am totally satisfied with this, as soon as I can get the money I'm getting Two Towers, and I hope beyond hope that they release ROTK this way as well.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Sorry, just one more note!
I read an interview with Howard Shore that said the Complete Recordings of ROTK are currently being made (this as of November 06) and that they will be out this year, possibly earlier than TT was. So I think we're looking at September or October. He also said it will be FOUR discs, not three, and that a book coming out in August by Doug Adams about the music may contain a disc that has "lost" music on it. This is music that was never used in any version of the movies, including cut battle scenes and an original song by Annie Lennox.
Between this and BSG S3, it's a great year for soundtracks.
Posted by Snail (Member # 9958) on :
I want these.
*takes a look at bank account*
...not anytime soon though, I'm afraid.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
They ARE expensive, but you should definetely buy them from the "used" section. I got mind brand new, but for less than Amazon charges. Two Towers will probably run me $45 with shipping, which is expensive for some cds, but the music in them is stuff I've wanted since the movies came out, and if I'm willing to pay $50 for the dvds, less than that for all the music sounds fair.
Well, almost.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Just one last post here until I get Two Towers and come back to this thread.
Here is my review of the Fellowship Complete Recordings on my review blog. I tried to make the pictures look better than previous entries, and visually I think it looks better.
Posted by Snail (Member # 9958) on :
Thanks for the review.
After reading that I want this more than ever... but there are so many other CD's I want as well, and I won't have money to use on such things until the end of May when I get the first paycheck from my summer job. Arrgh! Maybe I need to be without eating for a few weeks. Who needs food when you have music?
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
I'm also beginning to find this tempting.
The information on Shore's leitmotifs sounds very interesting.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
I just like the word "leitmotif". Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
These CDs will definitely be on my Christmas list, since it's pretty much too late to ask for them for my birthday.
The music from the Lord of the Rings trilogy has always captivated me -- i frequently pop in the dvd just to watch "Concerning Hobbits" which has, imho, one of the best underscorings of any part of any movie ever.
Posted by Snail (Member # 9958) on :
Oh yeah.
Usually I hate the standard Hollywood type action movie scores because I often find they don't really work that well when listened separately from the movie, but the Lord of the Rings score is definitely the exception that makes the rule.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
quote:Originally posted by Snail: Oh yeah.
Usually I hate the standard Hollywood type action movie scores because I often find they don't really work that well when listened separately from the movie, but the Lord of the Rings score is definitely the exception that makes the rule.
Yeah, they seem more like an opera to me.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I'd also like the opening sequence of FOTR with Galadriel's voiceover.
Is this included?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Sadly no. The opening sequence is there, and if you've seen the movie enough, you can tell which parts of the opening go with what scenes in the movie, but Galadriel's voice is missing.
One of these days I'm going to get that clip.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
You could rip it from the DVD's, there's not too many sound effects in the track...the fire is nice. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I have no idea how to do that.
Well, not no idea, I just don't have a program that will rip sound or video off a DVD, and I don't know of a program I'd trust enough to download onto my very expensive, spyware free laptop.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Hello again. I know I said I wouldn't be back in this thread until I bought TT, but the full version of ROTK has finally appeared on Amazon, and One Ring has a track listing, which you can find here. It has the track listing of ROTK, though no samples, as it's pulled from I think the Danish version of Amazon.
You can find it on American Amazon here. And as I predicted six months ago, it IS green, though a lighter, more beautiful shade than I'd have thought.
I'm surprised and delighted to find it's coming in at $60, which, while still unbelievably high, is much cheaper than I actually thought it would be, considering the price jumps in the previous releases. I wanted to repost a link to my review of the Fellowship Complete soundtrack. The link a couple posts up just takes you to my review blog, and not the specific entry.
I plan to get TT before the end of the year, and maybe ROTK sometime into 2008, and you can expect reviews of both of them for any who are interested. Six months ago I spent more on a cd than I ever have before when I bought FOTR's soundtrack, and I still listen to the music from it on a weekly basis. I'm not sorry I made the purchase, but I think you really have to love the music in these movies to pony up the dough for them.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well hello again. This past weekend there was a really good sale on the FOTR cds ($30), and the Two Towers cds ($38), and not such a good sale on the new ROTK cds ($60). So I decided to get the Two Towers discs while they were on sale, and it's a good thing I did because they jumped back up to $75. ROTK they I think sold out of for awhile because they were off the site entirely before coming back to $70, so I'll be waiting and watching for a sale that brings them into the $40 range before I bite.
Anywho, I'm really looking forward to getting these (they arrive tomorrow) and you can rest assured I'll do another review post like I did for FOTR.
I'm looking forward to ROTK though, because as much as I love the Houses of Healing music, what I really want is the music from when Arwen has a vision of Eldarion and Aragorn in the future and a woman, I think Elizabeth Fraser, is singing in the background. I love that music!
Anywho, expect a review in the coming days! I got the soundtrack to BSG S3 too, so all my soundtrack needs for the year have more or less been met!
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
Yayyy! That's all I can say at this point...Arwen's Song yayyyy!
Posted by mistaben (Member # 8721) on :
Amazon has the ROTK Complete Recordings for $69.99, but if you just want the music, iTunes has it for $24.99.
That said, I don't know if I will buy it there, because I personally would enjoy the booklet, box, and DVD-Audio (assuming someday I'll have a 5.1 channel system).
Just FYI
Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :
quote: iTunes has it for $24.99
True, but iTunes also has significantly lower quality than a CD can provide.
It's changed recently, I guess (I don't have iTunes) but: ( Link )
quote: DRM-free tracks from EMI will be offered at higher quality 256 kbps AAC encoding, resulting in audio quality indistinguishable from the original recording, for just $1.29 per song. In addition, iTunes customers will be able to easily upgrade their entire library of all previously purchased EMI content to the higher quality DRM-free versions for just 30 cents a song. iTunes will continue to offer its entire catalog, currently over five million songs, in the same versions as today—128 kbps AAC encoding with DRM—at the same price of 99 cents per song, alongside DRM-free higher quality versions when available.
128 kbps is pretty darn crappy, as even a moderately good stereo or headphone could tell you. If it's 256 kbps+, maybe it's worth it. But 128 kbps really isn't.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'd consider just getting the three or four songs I really, really want (House of Healing, Arwen's Leaving song, Lighting the Beacons).
Otherwise I'll just wait for the price to come down to something more reasonable, as I DO want the booklet and the DVD, as someday I'll have a system to play it on.
No report yet for Two Towers, I haven't had a chance to listen to it all the way through, but I'll say that the Season 3 soundtrack for BSG isn't as good as Season 2 is, though some of the new music is quite enjoyable, too much of a rehashing and not enough new material.
One thing I did like about the Two Towers booklet is that it tells you what the new music themes are and when in what track you first hear them, and tells you what the old ones are and when you hear those too. I haven't had a chance to read the whole thing yet, but they also talk about new instruments in the back of the booklet too.
Posted by mistaben (Member # 8721) on :
Thanks, The White Whale, I didn't realize the quality was lower!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)