Roundup: Stellar Soundtracks and Broadway Cast Recordings

With the holiday season in full swing, now is the time to begin thinking about the slew of wonderful releases featuring new and historic film soundtracks and memorable Broadway cast recordings worthy of giving as gifts or adding to your own music library.

SOUNDTRACKS

Title: Raiders of the Lost Ark (Concord Records)
Composer: John Williams
Tell me more: Released on 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI (Record Technology Incorporated), the two-LP album version of John Williams' Raiders of the Lost Ark sounds better than ever. Released back on June 2, 2017, this new vinyl version of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is housed in a two-pocket gatefold jacket featuring original stills and artwork from the 1981 action film starring actor Harrison Ford. For fans of the talented Williams and of "Raiders of the Ark" in particular, this wonderful title includes audio cues not previously available on the original soundtrack LP. This version of the album follows the track list of the 2008 expanded edition, previously only available on CD. Information: ConcordMusicGroup.com.

Title: Battle of the Sexes (Sony Classical)
Composer: Nicholas Britell; songs by Sara Bareilles, Elton John, George Harrison, more
Tell me more: From the opening track (Alfred Newman's iconic music that greets the opening of any 20th Century Fox film) to composer Nicholas Britell's title themes for the main characters ("Billie Jean King" and "Bobby Riggs") and a mix of , the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Battle of the Sexes really immerses the listener in the feel of the characters and story of the fabled 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King (played by Emma Stone) and ex-men's champion Bobby Riggs (portrayed by actor Steve Carell). Even if you haven't yet seen the Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris-directed "The Battle of the Sexes," the score is a wonderful listen. And the mix of affecting songs also works, particularly the classic George Harrison cut "What Is Life" and new gem written and performed for the film "If I Dare" by songstress Sara Bareilles. You can click below to see the music video for Bareilles' "If I Dare" Information: SonyMasterworks.com.

Title: Tulip Fever (Sony Classical)
Composer: Danny Elfman
Tell me more: Those who love the whimsical side of composer Danny Elfman's personality (think of his unforgettable scores for Pee-wee's Big Adventure and The Nightmare Before Christmas), as well as his more nuanced and romantic personality (as evidenced by his work on the Oscar-nominated Big Fish and Good Will Hunting) will find both on center stage on his potent work on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Tulip Fever. The lovely "Maria's Theme," "Lost" and "It's Done" display a nuanced touch perfect for the romantic heart of "Tulip Fever" (the film is based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Moggach), while the distant "The Unveiling" and sweeping "A Storm is Coming" explore other musical corners to bring additional depth to the score. Information: SonyMusicMasterworks.com/.

Title: The West Wing (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: W.G. Snuffy Walden 
Tell me more: If you are thinking of holding off on a decision to purchase the limited edition audio CD release of composer W.G. Snuffy Walden's The West Wing, don't. The 6th installment of Varèse Sarabande Records' "We Hear You" series, the Original Television Soundtrack for the groundbreaking TV series The West Wing is a 2-CD set and will be limited to 2,000 units. Walden won the Emmy for the timeless Outstanding Original Main Title - Theme Music (the Aaron Sorkin-created series was nominated for 18 Emmy Award at the end of its debut season in 2000, and won nine including Best Drama Series). Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: War for the Planet of the Apes (Sony Classical)
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Tell me more: Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino has scored a number of memorable soundtracks, so it's no surprise he once again had plenty of symphonic magic to add courtesy of the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of the 2017 summer blockbuster War for the Planet of the Apes. Whether mining tense moments ("Assault of the Earth," "Don't Luca Now"), showcasing the dramatic ("The Bad Ape Bagatelle") or enhancing more tender moments in a film ("Exodus Wounds," "Koba Dependent"), Giacchino's lavish work shines across the powerful score. Information: SonyMusicMasterworks.com/.



MUSICAL CAST RECORDINGS

Title: Original London Cast Recording of Dreamgirls (Masterworks Broadway)
Composer: Henry Krieger
Tell me more: If you are one of the countless fans who have seen or plan to see the musical production of Dreamgirls playing at the Savoy Theatre in London through June 2, 2018, get the "Original London Cast Recording of Dreamgirls." Recorded live at the Savoy Theatre in February 2017, the 2-CD release features the cast and 14-member band performing the entire show and includes rousing versions of memorable songs such as "One Night Only," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Listen." Information: Dreamgirlswestend.com.

Title: Hello, Dolly! 2017 Broadway Cast Recording (Masterworks Broadway)
Composer: Jerry Herman
Tell me more: The new Broadway Cast Recording of Hello, Dolly! features three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-actress Bette Midler in the title role of Dolly Gallagher Levi. Having premiered earlier this year on Broadway, the excellent cast recording features 16 tracks featuring not only Midler but Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce (as Horace Vandergelder), two-time Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel (Cornelius Hackl), Kate Baldwin (Irene Molloy), Melanie Moore (Ermengarde), Jennifer Simard (Ernestina) and Will Burton (Ambrose Kemper). Information: MasterworksBroadway.com.

Title: SpongeBob SquarePants — The New Musical (Masterworks Broadway)
Composers: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, They Might Be Giants, more
Tell me more: With a mix of original songs written specifically for the Broadway musical, as well as several classic tracks (including the dazzling David Bowie/Brian Eno collaboration "No Control"), SpongeBob SquarePants — The New Musical is sheer fun. The range of material matches the zany spirit of the "SpongeBob SquarePants" world. Contributing songs that complete the hero's tale where SpongeBob SquarePants seeks to save Bikini Bottom includes the decidedly Americana-tinged "BFF" (written by Plain White T's), electronica-dance "(Just a) Simple Sponge" (penned by Panic! At the Disco), theatrical "Daddy Knows Best" (penned by Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros), the beautiful "Tomorrow Is" (by The Flaming Lips) and spirited "Poor Pirates" (by Sara Bareilles). SpongeBob SquarePants — The New Musical began its run at the Palace Theater on Broadway on Nov. 6, 2017. Information: MasterworksBroadway.com.



Robert Kinsler

Soundtracks, rock and power pop releases prove to be required listening

Great soundtracks make the films for which they were created infinitely better, and are more than able to stand alone as rich musical works worthy of repeated listens. Such is the case with Nicholas Britell's Free State of Jones, and the Thomas Wander and Harald Kloser score for Independence Day: Resurgence. Other notable new releases include the latest album from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart as well as the debut from Swedish power pop troupe Arvidson and Butterflies. 

Artist: Nicholas Britell
Title: Free State of Jones (Sony Classical)
You might like if you enjoy: Lucinda Williams, Nicholas Britell's soundtrack for the film "The Big Short," Americana music
Tell me more: The success of artists such as The Civil Wars, Dawes and the Avett Brothers have a kindred spirit in composer Nicholas Britell's extraordinary soundtrack for the film Free State of Jones. The music here ties in perfectly with the film's 19th century Civil War storyline, and the sparse soundscape layered with fiddle, fragmented keyboards, guitar, mandolin, cello and other acoustic instruments has a stirring and evocative arc even when listened to apart from the film. The weight of Newt Knight's armed rebellion against the Confederacy is captured on a majestic soundtrack, with singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams' own "I'm Crying" providing a wonderful finale on the 18-track soundtrack. Information: SonyClassical.com.

Artists: Thomas Wander and Harald Kloser
Title: Independence Day: Resurgence (Sony Classical)
You might like if you enjoy: "The Day After Tomorrow," "10,000 BC" and "The Legend Of Tarzan" soundtracks
Tell me more: The orchestra is used with both force and nuance by Austrian composers Thomas Wander and Harald Kloser in their soundtrack for the science fiction film Independence Day: Resurgence. "Fear" stretches from a sweeping romantic opening to a dark close: "Welcome to the Moon" captures that otherworldly sentiment with a rousing symphonic expanse; the muscular "What Goes Up," tense "The Sphere" and ravishing "Worth Fighting For" also enchant. Information: SonyClassical.com.

Artist: Heart
Title: Beautiful Broken (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Heart, Led Zeppelin
Tell me more: Classic rock audiences who embraced early Heart releases such as their 1976 debut  Dreamboat Annie and 1977's Little Queen might want to get a listen of the group's superb new album Beautiful Broken. Heart's sixteenth album Beautiful Broken has the feel of a late 1970s' recording blended with the power and maturity of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame veteran still moving forward 40 years into their stellar career. Not only do sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson still both possess incredible voices undiminished by time, but their spirit of sonic adventure shines through in the newly-penned material (this writer's fave is the symphonic Led Zep-flavored "Heaven"), artful reworkings of older songs (notably the hard-rocking title track featuring guest vocals from Metallica's James Hetfield, and the string section adorned "Sweet Darlin'") and a wonderful version of R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo's "Two." The Seattle-spawned rockers are currently on tour with Cheap Trick and Joan Jett; the three artists will perform at The Forum in Los Angeles on Aug. 23. Information: heart-music.com.

Artist: Arvidson and Butterflies
Title: Arvidson and Butterflies (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: Justin Currie, Crowded House, Paul Weller
Tell me more: Sweden-based Arvidson and Butterflies features singer-guitarist Roger Arvidson and a number of fine musicians from that nation's Gothenburg music scene who have their pulse solidly on power pop. The songs on Arvidson and Butterflies explode with melody, while artful arrangements and authentic performances tie the dozen songs together in a cohesive and stylistic mixture. The wistful "Will Follow," cascading "Changing All The Time" and longing "Want What I Can't Have" are among the many rousing tracks on the magnificent disc. Information: koolkatmusik.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Pete Yorn, Tears for Fears, 'Free State of Jones' soundtrack

Here are a few timely media releases I wanted to share going into the weekend...

'My Father,' a new song from Pete Yorn, out today

Purchase "My Father" here: http://smarturl.it/MyFatheriTunes Listen to "My Father" here:  https://soundcloud.com/pyorn Yorn Supports New Album, ArrangingTime, With Performances At Life Is Beautiful, Austin City Limits And Oaktopia Festivals

Pete Yorn is commemorating Father's Day with the release of a brand new song, "My Father," available now on iTunes and Spotify. Yorn, who is celebrating his first Father's Day as a new dad, shared his inspiration for the song in this post to his social media:                                 "This song was recorded with my old pal R. Walt Vincent. It is an ode to strength in the face of uncertainty. It stares our inevitable mortality in the eye and says: 'lets dance!' My father, your father, The Father...it may be all of them. My father, the archetype. From me to you on Father's Day, I give you...'My Father.' And to my actual father....Dad, I am grateful for all the time you spent with me when I was growing up. You could have easily spent more time doing other things you wanted to do, but you were there for me. Thank you. PY" Yorn will perform at several festivals this fall, including Life is Beautiful, Austin City Limits and Oaktopia. See below for itinerary. ArrangingTime (Capitol Records) - Yorn's first solo studio album in more than five years - debuted in the Top 5 of Billboard's Alternative Albums and Folk Albums charts and in the Top 10 of the Top Rock Albums chart. Yorn celebrated its release with a series of North American and European headline dates and performances on numerous televisions shows, including a return visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where he performed the album's lead single, "Lost Weekend." View his performance HERE. Entertainment Weekly noted,"propulsive cuts like 'Summer Was a Day' and 'Lost Weekend' sound refreshingly back-to-basics, like rediscovering a long-forgotten Jackson Browne record."MAGNET Magazine noted, "the unforgettable choruses and custom Yorn finger-strum pattern are abundant. 'Roses' could be a hidden b-side onDay I Forgot, a gorgeous ballad with its ambient stack of strings, guitar and piano, complete with a spooky baritone croon capping off the chorus and evening out the harmonies: instant classic." In an 8/10 review, Uncut hailed ArrangingTime as "a creative reboot" while AllMusic.com found its "enveloping warmth...alluring." ArrangingTime marked his first collaboration with producer R. Walt Vincent since the two albums that launched Yorn's career - 2001's RIAA Gold-certified debut, musicforthemorningafter, and 2003's Day I Forgot. ArrangingTime follows Yorn'sacclaimed 2010 self-titled album, recorded with The Pixies' Frank Black, and a pair of adventurous collaborations - 2009's Break Up with Scarlett Johansson and The Olms (2013), a '60s-styled retro-pop duo with J.D. King. Tears for Fears announce fall 2016 concert dates Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are working on new studio album currently set for release in 2017 Tears for Fears' Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are pleased to announce that they have rescheduled as many tour dates in the fall as possible, that were previously postponed earlier this year. Tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored for the new dates or refunds will be available at point of purchase. The UK band formed in 1981 and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide to date. They have released four albums as a group. Their platinum-selling 1983 debut The Hurting reached #1 on the UK Albums Chart, while their second album, 1985's Songs from the Big Chair reached #1 on the US Billboard Top 200 and spawned two massive hits, "Shout" and "Everybody Wants To Rule The World." The latter won the BRIT Award for Best British single in 1986. Orzabal and Smith released The Seeds of Love in 1989, and after a break, reunited to release Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004. Tears for Fears are currently working hard both in the US and the UK on their new record, which will be released in 2017 on Warner Bros. Records. For more information on Tears for Fears, visit: http://tearsforfears.com/ Please see below new fall tour dates: September 17 Maryhill Winery Goldendale, WA September 18 Chateau St. Michelle Woodinville, WA September 20 Red Butte Garden Salt Lake City, UT September 22 Idaho Botanical Garden Boise, ID September 23 Silver Legacy Resort and Casino Reno, NV September 26 Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids, MI September 27 Murat Theatre Indianapolis, IN September 29 Hard Rock Live Northfield, OH September 30 The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor Windsor, ON October 1 Casino Rama Entertainment Ctr.  Orillia, ON October 3 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO October 5 Pikes Peak Center Colorado Springs, CO October 7 Comerica Theatre Phoenix, AZ October 8 Pechanga Resort & Casino - Pechanga Theatre Temecula, CA October 9 Humphrey's San Diego, CA

Sony Classical presents 'Free State of Jones' Soundtrack

Available Digitally And On CD June 24

With Original Music By Nicholas Britell

 

And The Song “I'm Crying” (featuring Lucinda Williams)

Sony Classical will release the FREE STATE OF JONES - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally and on CD June 24, 2016. The album features the film’s original score by Nicholas Britell (THE BIG SHORT, A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS).

 

Directed by four-time Oscar® nominee Gary Ross (The Hunger Games, Seabiscuit, Pleasantville), and starring Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey, Free State of Jones is an epic action-drama set during the Civil War, and tells the story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight, and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy.

 

Banding together with other small farmers and local slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones. Knight continued his struggle into Reconstruction, distinguishing him as a compelling, if controversial, figure of defiance long beyond the War.

 

Director Gary Ross, editor Juliette Welfling, and Britell worked very closely together to determine the musical approach to each scene. Britell used a string ensemble with added mandolin, trumpet, guitars, banjo, piano, and percussion. “We created a sound palette drawn primarily from instruments of the era; our attempt was to craft a musical landscape which felt almost like an ethereal civil war band. With all the sounds, we produced and recorded them in such a way to form a unique character for the overall musical atmosphere of the film,” explained Britell

 

Nicholas Britell is an award-winning composer, pianist, and producer. In 2015, Britell composed the score for

Adam McKay’s Oscar-nominated film THE BIG SHORT, based on Michael Lewis’ book about the housing and credit bubbles of the 2000’s and the subsequent 2008 financial crisis. His music is featured prominently in director

Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning film 12 YEARS A SLAVE, for which he composed and arranged the on-camera music including the violin performances, spiritual songs, work songs, and dances. Britell also composed the score for Natalie Portman’s directorial debut feature film A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS which was selected for a special screening at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

 

Britell’s work and projects have been highlighted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York

Times, New York Magazine, and Vogue, which called him among “the most talented young artists at work.” He was awarded the Henry Mancini Fellowship from the ASCAP Foundation in December 2012 and also won the ASCAP/Doddle Award for Collaborative Achievement. Britell is a Founding Member of L.A. Dance Project and is a Board member of the New York-based ensemble Decoda, the first-ever affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall. As a pianist, for the past five years, he has been performing as part of the critically-acclaimed “Portals” project with violin virtuoso Tim Fain. He produced the short film WHIPLASH, directed by Damien Chazelle, and subsequently co-produced the Oscar-winning feature film WHIPLASH.

 

Track Listing

1. Battle of Corinth

2. Taking Daniel Home

3. They Took Everything

4. Piney Woods Swamp

5. Finding Home

6. July 1863 / Loyalty Oath

7. Perfect Charity

8. Resistance

9. The Letter

10. Let There be Light

11. Hanging the Deserters

12. Killing the Colonel

13. The Free State of Jones

14. Reconstruction

15. Voter Suppression

16. John Madison Knight

17. Postlude

18. I'm Crying (feat. Lucinda Williams)

 

Sony Classical will release the FREE STATE OF JONES - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally and on CD June 24, 2016.

 

About STX Entertainment

STX Entertainment is a diversified, global media company built for the 21st century. STX’s integrated platform develops, produces, markets and distributes talent-driven content across film, television and digital media distribution channels. Led by accomplished businessman Robert Simonds, STX was co-founded by Bill McGlashan, managing partner at leading global private investment firm TPG. For more information, please visit https://www.stxentertainment.com/.

 

About Sony Music Masterworks

Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, OKeh, Portrait, Masterworks Broadway and Flying Buddha imprints. For email updates and information please visit http://www.masterworksmusic.com/