Year-end Sounds Abound

As 2018 draws to a close, I wanted to highlight a diverse group of wonderful releases sure to please discerning listeners.

Title: Aquaman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (WaterTower Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Zimmer, Rupert Gregson-Williams
Tell me more: With a thoughtful blend of instrumental music courtesy of composers Rupert Gregson-Williams and Joseph Bishara as well as two contemporary songs, Aquaman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is one of the year's best soundtracks. Whether it was because of the artistic power of the story and inspiration of the film's stunning locations, or primary composer Gregson-Williams' connection with the compelling superhero origin tale, the new soundtrack is an intoxicating mix of symphonic-draped romanticism and dynamic electronica that delights across its length. The sweeping "Arthur," propulsive "Kingdom of Atlantis," gorgeous "The Legend of Atlan" and romantic "Reunited" are among the dazzling tracks on the soundtrack penned by Gregson-Williams. Listening to the songs on the disc, Skylar Grey's poignant "Everything I Need" is particularly stirring; the relevant "Ocean To Ocean" from Pitbull and Rhea effectively addresses Arthur Curry's character arc with apt lyrics and weaves a dose of Toto's 1982 classic "Africa" into the sonic moodscape. Information: AquamanMovie.com.

Artist: Tom Brumley and the Buckaroos
Title: Steelin' the Show (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Buck Owens and His Buckaroos, Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
Tell me more: Pedal steel player Tom Brumley was best known for his role in Buck Owens' '60s band the Buckaroos but his talents come to the fore across the 17-track "Steelin' the Show." Gathering tracks featured from nine classic Owens albums, the firepower featured on the collection will amaze those who have never heard Brumley's steel work (the acclaimed musician passed away at the age of 73 in February 2009). The speedy "Tom Cattin'," graceful "The Neosho Waltz," buoyant "Steel Guitar Rag" and Scottish-flavored "March Of The McGregor" showcase Brumley's virtuoso-meets-artful approach to playing his instrument. In addition to all the instrumental gems, the memorable country-western ballad "Together Again" (featuring Buck Owens and His Buckaroos) is featured on the essential set. The audio CD comes with a wonderful, fully-illustrated 16-page booklet that includes liner notes penned by author-Grammy nominee Scott B. Bomar. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Michael Simmons, Andy Reed, Cait Brennan, more
Title: White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams (Curry Cuts)
You might like if you enjoy: Paul Williams, Cait Brennan, power pop music
Tell me more: Paul Williams is one of modern music's all-time great songwriters and that is displayed in spades via the terrific 23-track White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams. Many leaders of the contemporary power pop genre are featured on this title that captures the diversity of Williams' song craft genius. The dreamy "Fill Your Heart" from songstress Andrea Perry, melodic rocker "Special to Me" (a choice song in the 1974 rock flick "Phantom of the Paradise") performed by The New Empire, the baroque pop ballad "Let Me Be The One" interpreted by Michael Simmons and lush "An Old Fashioned Love Song" from Cait Brennan are among the stellar cuts on this affecting tribute. Singer Andy Reed hits "Rainbow Connection" out of the park via a tender and wistful cover of the 1979 classic. Information: amazon.com.

Artist: Popdudes
Title: Maximum Rock Stupidity (Not Lame Media / Crab Apple Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick, Paul McCartney and Wings
Tell me more: An audio collection that comes as a bonus companion to Southern California-based author John M. Borack's new 414-page Shake Some Action 2.0: An Updated Guide to the 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums 1970-2017, the Popdudes' Maximum Rock Stupidity is a great collection featuring mostly-faithful covers of some of the most melodic tunes penned this side of the Beatles' "Abbey Road." The Popdudes (featuring Sparkle*Jets U.K. front man Michael Simmons and the aforementioned Borack) unleash rip roarin' takes on material ranging from a ferocious tear through a mini-medley of Cheap Trick's "Hello There" and "Top of the World" and sweet reading of Paul McCartney and Wings' "With A Little Luck" to a shimmering cover of ABBA's "Waterloo" and equally-rousing turn with the Turtles' 1968 hit "Elenore." One of this writer's favorites on the disc is a introspective version of Men At Work's "Overkill." Other classic songs covered include the Electric Light Orchestra classic "Xanadu," John Fogerty-penned "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and Walter Egan's enduring 1978 Billboard Hot 100 entry "Magnet and Steel." Information: http://www.goodmusicguy.com/shake-some-action-2-0-book-200-greatest-power-pop-albums/




Robert Kinsler

'Aquaman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' available now

I'm very much looking forward to seeing "Aquaman" when it is released next week, and will plan to get the soundtrack and review that in a column too...

AQUAMAN: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

NOW AVAILABLE

FEATURES NEW SONGS FROM SKYLAR GREY

AND PITBULL FEAT. RHEA

 

FEATURES ORIGINAL SCORE BY EMMY-NOMINATED COMPOSER RUPERT GREGSON-WILLIAMS

 

(December 14, 2018 - BURBANK, CA) – WaterTower Music is excited to announce today’s release of the soundtrack to Aquaman, the action-packed adventure film from director James Wan that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas. The soundtrack is now available, and the film is in theaters on December 21. Aquaman features an original score by multi-award-winning composer Rupert Gregson-Williams (Wonder Woman, Hotel Rwanda, Hacksaw Ridge), includes a track by composer Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring, Annabelle) and debuts the new songs “Ocean To Ocean” by Pitbull Feat. Rhea, and the end title song “Everything I Need” by Skylar Grey.

 

To bring the film’s themes to life musically, Aquaman director James Wan turned to composer Rupert Gregson-Williams, who says, “Writing the themes for the different characters was awesome. Arthur Curry has such a strong character—he’s a real rock star—so I felt he deserved a big melody. He gets to rock out for certain intense moments too. Orm is Atlantean, and the score I wrote for Atlantis is in big contrast to the score for the surface world, epic and glorious. Black Manta inspired a more industrial, electronic feel. And, of course, there’s romance—two in fact. Atlantis and the entire world James created is truly amazing, giving me such a rich opportunity.” 

 

“James Wan has given me such a rare opportunity and I am so unbelievably grateful,” explains Skylar Grey. “James, score composer Rupert Gregson-Williams, as well as every person behind the scenes on this project has been a dream to work with...a team of extremely respectful and professional people who I’m now honored to call friends. ‘Everything I Need,’ written by myself and my fiancé, Elliott Taylor, was inspired by the forbidden love story that is threaded throughout the movie, and we are very passionate about this song.”

 

“The ocean, the sea and any body of water, to me, is true freedom,” said Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull), who was inspired by the film’s settings and themes, and especially by Aquaman’s struggle between his two worlds—the surface and the sea. “The ocean has always been the border from where my parents came from Cuba and the United States, which gives us freedom.  That’s why I respect water.  Bottom line: water gives us freedom.” 

 

The Aquaman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is now available for streaming and for purchase digitally and on CD.  The track list is as follows:

 

The track list is as follows: “Everything I Need (Film Version)” - Skylar Grey  Arthur  Kingdom Of Atlantis  It Wasn't Meant To Be  Atlantean Soldiers  What Does That Even Mean?  The Legend Of Atlan  Swimming Lessons  The Black Manta  What Could Be Greater Than A King?

Permission To Come Aboard  Suited And Booted  Between Land And Sea  He Commands The Sea  Map In A Bottle  The Ring Of Fire  Reunited  “Everything I Need” - Skylar Grey  “Ocean To Ocean” - Pitbull feat. Rhea  “Trench Engaged (from Kingdom of The Trench)” - Joseph Bishara

 

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-surface dweller, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.

 

The film also stars Amber Heard; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe; Patrick Wilson; Dolph Lundgren; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman.  Also featured are Ludi Lin and Temuera Morrison. Wan directed from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall, based on characters created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger for DC.  The film was produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers.

 

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Peter Safran Production, a James Wan Film, Aquaman.  The film is being released in 3D and 2D and IMAX, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.  Aquaman is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language. www.aquamanmovie.com

 

About WaterTower Music:

WaterTower Music, the in house music label for Warner Bros., has been releasing recorded music since 2001 and has released over 200 titles, including the film soundtracks and scores to Crazy Rich Asians, Wonder Woman, Interstellar, Game Of Thrones, Westworld, The Hobbit Trilogy, The LEGO® Movie, The Dark Knight Rises, Project X, Rock of Ages, Hairspray, Sex and the City, Elf, The Notebook, and Love and Basketball, among others.  
 

About Rupert Gregson-Williams:

RUPERT GREGSON-WILLIAMS (Composer) was born in England and educated at St. John’s College Choir School, Cambridge. The multi-award-winning composer works from his studios in both London and Los Angeles.
 

A truly versatile composer, Gregson-Williams has written the scores for a wide range of feature films, including the Oscar-winning “Hotel Rwanda,” for which he was awarded the European Film Award for Best Composer; the animated films “Over the Hedge” and Jerry Seinfeld’s “Bee Movie,” receiving an Annie Award nomination for his score for the latter; and the independent film “Love + Hate,” for which he was awarded the Reims International Composer Award.

 

Most recently, Gregson-Williams scored the blockbuster and critically acclaimed “Wonder Woman,” directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, which opened in 2017; the award-winning war drama “Hacksaw Ridge,” starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Mel Gibson, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and opened nationwide in 2016; and the international hit “The Legend of Tarzan,” starring Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie and directed by David Yates.

 

For television, Gregson-Williams wrote the music for TNT’s “The Alienist,” starring Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans and Daniel Bruhl, which premiered in January 2018. He also wrote the score for the original Netflix series “The Crown,” created by Peter Morgan, which premiered on  Netflix in November 2016, with the second season having debuted in December 2017. He received an Emmy nomination in 2017 for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) for his work on the first season of “The Crown.” He has also composed the music for various other TV projects, including the Emmy Award-winning HBO series “Veep,” AMC’s “The Prisoner,” and Sky Vision’s “Agatha Raisin.” He received an Emmy nomination for the 2002 telefilm “Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story,” for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Dramatic Underscore).