Vangelis - Blade Runner Trilogy 25th Anniversary (36 tracks) +Album Reviews

I Dreamt Music...

Dave Cordes | Denver, CO | 12/18/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When it was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2007 that a new "extended" 3-disc soundtrack of Vangelis' Blade Runner score would be released by the end of the year to coincide with the release of Ridley Scott's "Final Cut" Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition), fans rejoiced with the assumption that the complete film score was finally getting an "official" release after numerous releases and bootlegs of varying lengths and sub-standard quality. Unfortunately if you are looking for the complete film score, this is not the CD you're looking for.

Disc 1 is a re-mastering of the 1994 Vangelis album (although it sounds identical to my original CD) which featured music from the film edited together with numerous dialog samples from the film as well as newly composed music by Vangelis that did not appear anywhere in the film. As an album, it was interesting thematically in its own right with some beautifully composed themes like "Rachel's Song" and "Damask Rose" but it was still not the original film soundtrack and was considered to be a disappointment.

Disc 2 features officially unreleased cues, some of which are not even heard anywhere in the film. Some are outtakes from the workprint but most of the memorable cues from the film are completely omitted such as the opening "Prologue" with the somber haunting Asian motif that establishes the dark tone and atmosphere of the film as well as the Egyptian Taffey Lewis club ambiance and the cues from when Deckard enters the Bradbury are not included.

Disc 3 is a collection of letters and "spoken word" commentaries from various authors, actors and film makers who share their memories and experiences of the celebrated cult classic along with newly composed music by Vangelis, again "inspired by" the film but not the original, unabridged movie soundtrack.

What SHOULD have been a 3-disc officially released motion picture soundtrack that would have nullified the numerous bootlegs that have proliferated the market is not to be had. Let's examine the different versions available and what's missing from this release:

1982 New American Orchestra Blade Runner: Orchestral Adaptation Of Music Composed For The Motion Picture By Vangelis - an orchestral arrangement and jazz rendition of Vangelis' electronic compositions from the film. Generally regarded as an inferior album and not the original motion picture soundtrack containing barely over a half an hour of material with a scant running time of 33:16 containing the following tracks:

1. Love Theme (4:12)

2. Main Title (5:01)

3. One More Kiss, Dear (4:00)

4. Memories Of Green (4:50)

5. End Title (4:17)

6. Blade Runner Blues (4:38)

7. Farewell (3:10)

8. End Title Reprise (3:08)

1994 Atlantic Vangelis Blade Runner - the first "official" Vangelis release containing nearly an hour of music with a running time of 57:53, most of which contained newly composed themes and dialog samples from the film mixed into selections of the film's soundtrack cues comprised of the following 12 tracks:

1. Main Titles (3:42)

2. Blush Response (5:47)

3. Wait for Me (5:27)

4. Rachel's Song (4:46)

5. Love Theme (4:56)

6. One More Kiss, Dear (3:58)

7. Blade Runner Blues (8:53)

8. Memories of Green (5:05)

9. Tales of the Future (4:46)

10. Damask Rose (2:32)

11. Blade Runner (End Titles) (4:40)

12. Tears in Rain (3:00)

The 1993 Off-World Edition bootleg featuring nearly all of the film's original soundtrack including the John William's composed Ladd Company logo from the film and source music for the "Bicycle Riders"(aka "Harps of the Ancient Temples") by Gail Laughton and "If I didn't Care" by Jack Lawrence, but with less than acceptable CD quality sound but features over 72:42 worth of original un-edited music from the film:

1. Ladd Company Logo (0:24) John Williams

2. Main Titles and Prologue (4:03)

3. Los Angeles, November 2019 (1:46)

4. Deckard Meets Rachel (1:29)

5. Bicycle Riders (2:05) Gail Laughton

6. Memories of Green (5:39)

7. Blade Runner Blues (10:19)

8. Deckard's Dream (1:12)

9. On the Trail of Nexus 6 (5:30)

10. If I Didn't Care (3:03) Jack Lawrence

11. Love Theme (4:57)

12. The Prodigal Son Brings Death (3:35)

13. Dangerous Days (1:02)

14. Wounded Animals (10:58)

15. Tears in Rain (2:41)

16. End Titles (7:24)

17. One More Kiss Dear (4:00) Skellern & Vangelis

18. Trailer and Alternate Main Titles (1:39) Robert Randles

The 1995 Gongo Edition - an import distributed in Romania was a slightly better quality version of the Off-World edition without the trailer music. This release omits the 1939 recording of "If I Didn't Care" which originally appeared in an early workprint of Blade Runner, but was replaced by the Don Percival song "One More Kiss, Dear" in the final version. Also includes "Blimpverts" the Japanese female blimp vocals.

The 2003 2-Disc Esper Edition - features ambient film soundtrack including music and effects engineered from the ambient Dolby surround sound channels with occasional rear-channel effects mixed in but retains all of the previously unreleased and unavailable score for almost the full 2 running hours of the film.

Esper Edition Disc-1

1. Prologue And Main Titles (3:54)

2. Leon's Voight Kampff Test (1:09)

3. Sushi Bar - Damask Rose (2:46)

4. Spinner Ascent (1:21)

5. Blush Response (5:43)

6. Wait For Me (5:12)

7. Deckard Meets Rachel (1:36)

8. Rachael's Song (4:20)

9. Tales Of The Future (4:53)

10. Bicycle Riders (2:10)

11. Chew's Eye Lab (1:15)

12. Memories Of Green (5:35)

13. Blade Runner Blues (10:01)

14. Pris Meets J.F. Sebastian (1:47)

15. One More Kiss, Dear (4:04)

Esper Edition Disc-2

1. Deckard's Dream (1:10)

2. Thinking Of Rachel (1:18)

3. Esper Analysis (2:34)

4. Animoid Row (2:34)

5. Taffey Lewis Night Club (2:02)

6. Salome's Dance (1:23)

7. Zhora's Retirement (1:42)

8. I Am The Business (2:29)

9. Love Theme (4:58)

10. I Dreamt Music (4:32)

11. Morning At The Bradbury (3:46)

12. The Prodigal Son Brings Death (4:07)

13. Deckard Enters The Bradbury (3:37)

14. Dangerous Days (:57)

15. Wounded Animals (10:53)

16. Tears In Rain (2:51)

17. Rachel Sleeps (2:08)

18. End Titles (4:06)

Los Angeles, November 2019 Edition - also released in 2003 was mostly ambient sound and atmosphere again extrapolated from the Dolby rear-channel mix and padded with additional music taken from the Westwood Blade Runner (PC) videogame.

In conclusion, what could have been the "definitive" official soundtrack is sadly not to be. The complete original soundtrack has become almost as legendary and elusive amongst fans as the various versions and cuts of the film itself. Perhaps for the 30th, 40th or even 50th anniversary release might be the soundtrack's "Final Cut" but this 3-disc release is anything but."

Suffering from the usual syndrome...

Zaroff | 12/18/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"...of Vangelis NOT releasing more often than not what is actually the soundtrack of the movie it's supposed to be.

Let's see here: we find, on CD 1, the exact same record we had in 1994 - but that was expected and announced, so why not. On CD 2, labelled "unreleased and bonus material from BR", there is, actually, very little music heard in the film itself, except from two cues that are well-know, namely "D & R duel", and "Tyrell's Death". That ends here. "Tyrell's Owl", for instance, is anything but the actual music as heard in the film at that moment. As for CD 3, it's nothing more than a hackneyed collection of muzak, with fashionable world music overtones and indistinct speech put in the mix, and absolutely doesn't justify the purchase of the set alone. I doubt I'll listen to it twice.

All in all, I'm super tired of Vangelis NOT releasing, and never will now as it appears, the TRUE, ORIGINAL motion picture soundtrack of Blade Runner. Whatever artistic endeavour there was behind this project, it still is NOT, far from it, the ultimate ressource for BR music, I'm sorry to say. It's different music for the most part, perhaps to some pleasant or good music, but not the BR soundtrack by a long margin.

One word of advice: Keep your Deck Arts bootlegs preciously... They are the most comprehensive collection of BR music that were ever made.

This record set isn't.

"

A Vangelis Fan's Perspective on Disk 3

Jonathan Raimer | California, USA | 12/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like some out there, I'm a fan of Vangelis and Blade Runner. Simply put, the Vangelis fan inside me won out with this release.

Let's face it. It's been a while since there was a new Vangelis CD out.

Disk 3 of the Blade Runner Trilogy set, for me, was worth the money alone. To have Disk 2 is great as well. And to listen to the entire compilation together is just a wonderful experience for me. In fact, the reason why I decided to write something is because I believe Disk 3 deserves more description then it has been getting.

First off, this disk has pretty much new material. The material, though, is very original. At the same time it seems to carry on with the Blade Runner concept very well.

There are some surprising pieces here.

"BR Downtown," followed by "Demetri's Bar," is shockingly fresh. It is very hard to categorize the first especially. Almost like an ambient reggae-techno. You have to hear it for yourself.

"Perfume Exotico" is a very seductive alteration of "Rachel's Song". I was not prepared to hear Vangelis put something like this together, but it works.

Included are some very good pieces as well.

The piece "Piano In An Empty Room," which is solely piano, is full of romantic vibrancies. Anyone who has empathy for his music will come back to this piece many times over.

"Sweet Solitude" reminds me of the days when Vangelis was in his prime in the early 80's. Starts out with a simple keyboard tune, carries on with some percussion, and then becomes complete with a wonderful sax (reminiscent of "Love Theme").

Keep in mind, there are some rather hard-pounding sounds here. "No Expectation Boulevard" is the prime example. But that is to be expected, considering the overall theme being presented.

I think my personal favorite here is "Up and Running." It is just bizarre. It not only carries an unorthodox re-mixing of "One More Kiss, Dear," it has sounds similar of "Nerve Centre" (from his 1990 release "The City") along with the familiar strings from "Main Titles". It then ends with an uplifting piano piece. What an amalgamation!

And that's how I would define Disk 3. An amalgamation of sounds associated with culture, urban lifestyle, subconscious narrative (which aren't distracting and occur mainly during the transitions), and reflective meditation.

It is fairly safe to say Vangelis fans will overall enjoy this release, regardless of your fondness for the Blade Runner franchise. I'm glad I purchased it."

Inspiring!

David Longhorn | 12/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who dared to dream of this....

Two new disks of Blade Runner related music, in one go! Sold together with the 1994 release, to have it all in one buy.

Disk 1 is the album as we knew it. Blade Runner's most famous themes in perfect sound quality, together with some unused recordings, made into one big "story". There's a reason this is one of the best loved movie scores ever.

Disk 2 provides some of the movie's themes and moods that didn't make it into the first album, as well as some wonderful pieces that weren't finally used in the movie. Of the three disks, this is the dark one; the desolate place Blade Runner's overcrowded world has turned into. This entire album is comprised of music made in 1982 for the movie, although some of it was not used in the movie, and other tracks were used but are presented here in longer, more developed versions. All the lush and major themes were on disk one, leaving this the brooding, dark, melancholic atmosphere, with a few delightfully bright breaks. An intriguing album for anyone who has complained the first release wasn't dark enough, omitting the intense and rainy music scapes. You can't listen to this CD without finding yourself in the world we saw and lived in while watching Blade Runner.

With disk 3, Vangelis expands the world of Blade Runner, with new music he created to celebrate the movie's 25th Anniversary. Vangelis seems to explore different parts of this world, and does manage to find, among all the rain and darkness, a few brighter spots as well. Undeniably Blade Runner, yet also completely new and modern. A thoroughly inspiring album of music, that needs attention to be listened to and this time will ask you to imagine your own scenes. As inspiring as it is on first listen, like all the better albums, for full appreciation it needs some getting used to, but grows with every listen. An intriguing addition to the release and a great album in its own right.

What a pity that the purists are always making themselves the loudest. Sure, this is not the full 100% exactly what a few of the purist completist fans of the movie were dreaming about. Sure, a few desirable cues are indeed still missing. But this comes with so much more, which altogether easily makes up for the omissions. But the purists are so busy complaining about what's not on there, they don't find the time to explore what actually *is* on there.

To think, while one person may complain the bootlegs' extended End Titles version is not included, another is unhappy because many of the tracks on this release extend beyond what we heard of them in the movie. You can't please everyone, it simply defies logic. One is bound to be disappointed when listening to this CD only to compare it with preconceived expectations, rather than to enjoy the music.

Did anyone ever notice how boring these bootlegs (that the purists keep referring to) actually were, to listen to? These two new official CDs instead present the music as *music*, as much as *atmosphere*, a work of art that can live on its own. Not a set of cues used in the background of a movie, but instead an actual album of music derived from its inspiring source.

Well, I guess anything linked to Blade Runner cannot be released without its share of some controversy. So, do be sure to check out this marvellous release, and remember not to be discouraged by its critics, just like all of us never let the movie critics take our "Blade Runner" away. Instead, close your curtains, turn off the lights, put on the headphones and listen to almost 3 hours of Vangelis' "Blade Runner" genius!

"

BR & Van Pap

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 01/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, something to really sink my teeth or ears into as well as mind! I've only previously owned the 1982 faux soundtrack.It is the BR orchestrated and jazzed up version which could stand on it's own merit as a pretty good album for background evening-dinner music. Yet,it falls way short in length and in capturing the futuristic electronic sounds that Vangelis originally created.If it captured any semblance to the film, it did it in a very,very different way that us fans were luke warm about but accepted because it was the only release at the time.Seven years later,some of us Blade Runner Original Soundtrack seekers were even mercilessly teased with three tracks that officially appeared for the first time on Vangelis' 1989 Themes compilation(actually, the song Memories Of Green came from his 1980 album "See You Later")!Then,I purchased the 1994 version when it was first released (twelve years after the film's initial release).I was blown away with it.Loved it---still do.Sure, I realized that there were some "vital" musical passages or score cues missing and what so many,such as myself, wanted from the movie and bootlegs to be included ,on that release, were not.However, I was satisfied with what Vangelis did release and even welcomed and highly enjoyed the tracks not in the film such as Wait For Me, Rachel's Song, Blush Response and Damask Rose. Over the years, I've listened to a multitude of sci-fi film soundtracks that have tried to imitate Blade Runner, such as The Fifth Element(and I am a fan of French music composer Eric Serra). Numerous other soundtracks as well have tried to duplicate that Vangelis magic.Yet, I always come back to the soundtrack of Blade Runner. Vangelis is unique and a one of a kind musical artist;There is no other like him!

I can say that Disc 2 I have listened to with the lights low,and with my eyes closed most of the time in a quiet room;The mental imagery,the nostalgic feeling, the overall mood that Vangelis created with this second disc is pure genius.In sum, it is amazing material.One word, and it may be a bit overused and a bit cliched, but is the one that fits is melancholy.Tracks like One Alone, Desolation Path, Empty Streets,and the "re-mixing" or insertion of wind effects for Fading Away really seal this disc's somber and rich ambient mood,yet,also maintains a very desolate and introspective feel(the music makes one think and conjure mental visuals--either of the film itself or whatever comes to the mind of the listener---it's cerebral music).The other tracks on disc 2 have a sort of menacing tension(At Mr. Chew's,Deckard and Roy's Duel,Leon's Room).Either way,the second disc makes one think!Some have complained about the bleeps and bloops and "gimmicky" sound effects added;They are anything but gimmicky and do serve purpose in enhancing the music without coming across as stereotypical sci-fi tacky sound effects shlock.

Disc 3 "BR25" was just an excuse for Vangelis Papathanassiou(say that five times real fast) to release a wonderful new album without selling or offering two different packages at the same time to buyers.Disc 3 is the "hopeful" and "slightly uplifting" part of the Blade Runner realm that somewhat contrasts with the dark and brooding,moody,stark and somber feel of the rest of the film's soundtrack(there's a bit of useage of the sax).Anyone who has ever heard or owns Vangelis' 1990 release The City or 1988's Direct will see where he is coming from by infusing spoken word and a sort of jazzy swaggering feel to some tracks on BR25. This disc really has a noirish nature or vibe with a slight/faint/hint of pop-techno lilt or twist(but not enough to shove this disc into mediocrity or sell out status)! Some may find the spoken words to be distracting.For me, they only add or enhance.Overall,with Disc 3, whether one is tranpsorted into the future of BR or any future or anywhere else, one thing is for sure;You will be transported to an imaginative and visual destination. I agree with another reviewer who said that Disc 3 takes the listener to what may be another part of the Blade Runner Los Angeles area that we did not get to see on film;Another part of the 'hood---away from Deckard,Rachel,Roy,Pris and Dr. Tyrell.It's the "meanwhile -in -another- location- of- Los Angeles 2019" extension to the BR world;It could even be another city entirely such as San Francisco(as in the actual novel by Phillip K. Dick),who knows.It could even be events that happened after the film ends and another Blade Runner detective has his own adventures.I digress.

NO tantrums thrown here towards Vangelis for not releasing what so many, myself included, thought was going to be the absolute and definitive holy grail of the Blade Runner soundtrack(the one that would have finally put all those bootlegs to shame---however, I really don't want to hear the John Williams film company logo/movie trademark tune at the very beginning that some of the bootlegs have---jeesh).As I write this, another thought came across my mind---a sort of semi-comical one, though to the die hard fans, it is anything but;What if Vangelis said to himself,"Alright, so there are bootlegs that have been circulating all these years---I'll really show them. Now I'm NEVER gonna release the entire score! That'll teach 'em!"Basically, makes me wonder if Vangelis thought or said, "Eh,s---w 'em!..."-------I'm counting the blessings (other unreleased material,bonus tracks,new album) and not the omissions with this 25th Anniversary Edition of Blade Runner.

I can only reiterate what other reviewers have mentioned or noted;If you are a Vangelis fan or music collector of his works,ESPECIALLY his soundtrack releases, then you know how he releases,edits, and even re-mixes his material(I have a couple of his soundtracks where the same song has been altered or remixed for the album release from the film version). He's never been one to succumb to the masses or what the public wants.Is that a selfish artist or artistic genius? You decide. This sheer musical artistry comes from a man that neither reads nor writes music!There are a number of soundtracks over the years that he has not released "officially" ;The Bounty, Missing, and Bitter Moon come to mind.

By the way,do I wish that Vangelis had given us "Deckard Meets Rachel", the stark and minimalist haunting drum and keyboard intro at the begininng of the opening credits cues or the uber extended versions of Blade Runner Blues,End Titles,Wounded Animals,Dangerous Days? You bet. Am I steamed or feel cheated. No way. I have heard on YouTube the missing cues(Deckard Meets Rachel,Opening Credits, etc.) and original extended versions ( Blade Runner Blues , End Titles,Wounded Animals/Dangerous Days) that are not on the official release and do understand how remarkable those tracks are.However, now owning this 25th Anniversary Blade Runner Edition,I am glad I did not pass this up based on certain score cues missing or two minutes missing from this track or five from that track!

Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary is absolutely worthy of the five golden stars (I only wonder how long the digipack cd case will hold up since this release will receive a lot of listening sessions from me)..."

Search - Vangelis :: Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary [3 CD]

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