The really good news in this latest wave of movie soundtracks is the re-issue of Maurice Jarre's fabulous "Doctor Zhivago" score, "The Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition," which contains a number of tracks not previously released. To some this may seem like overkill, as there is no shortage of variations on "Lara's Theme." But I found the album quite exhilarating, and it certainly conjures up the movie's images as few soundtrack albums are able to do.
The "Jefferson in Paris" soundtrack proves to be much better than the film it represents. Where the movie is a resounding, bombastic disappointment, the album is loaded with sweet, lovely music, ranging from Richard Robbins' gorgeous themes to classical pieces representing the period - including "Mormora," written by Thomas Jefferson's paramour, Maria Cosway (played in the film by Greta Scacchi).Similarly, George Fenton's arrangements of Handel's music for the soundtrack of "The Madness of King George" are quite wonderful, ranging from classics to less familiar pieces.
"Legends of the Fall" is one of those albums that grow on you, with some delightful variations on the main theme. James Horner, who has really matured as a composer, creates a number of evocative pieces here, and as a recording it's quite satisfying.
Although some of it is a bit too Philip Glass-like, Michael Nyman's score for the French film "6 Days, 6 Nights" is quite listenable and even hypnotic in places.
"The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" is most enjoyable, evoking both the locale and the period (the early 1900s). This one holds up quite well to repeat listening, though it certainly sounds a bit epic for the little British comedy it represents.
"Doe Eyes," the gentle, sweet piano theme for "The Bridges of Madison County," was composed by Clint Eastwood! It's quite nice, and the album also has several wonderful jazz tunes sung by the likes of Dinah Washington and Johnny Hartman, as well as Barbara Lewis' '60s hit, "Baby, I'm Yours."
Another soundtrack collection of songs, this one for "Boys On the Side," has some nice selections - including Sheryl Crow's "Keep On Growing," the Indigo Girls' "Power of Two," Annie Lennox's "Why" and the Cranberries' "Dreams." Even Whoopi Goldberg's affecting for-the-movie version of "You Got It" is here, but the album seems a bit padded with Bonnie Raitt doing that song twice - as the first and last cuts.
The Michael Garson Orchestra's annual collection - "Screen Themes '94: The Best Film Scores of 1994" - is an eclectic and hit-and-miss affair, with expected interpretations of themes from "The Lion King," "Legends of the Fall" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." But there's also an oddly effective saxophone version of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (which was featured in "Pulp Fiction") and so-so choices from "Nobody's Fool," "Love Affair" and "True Lies." Garson really comes alive with his own piano solos, and "Forrest Gump," "Interview With the Vampire" and "Little Women" are highlights.
Michael Kamen's score for "Die Hard With a Vengeance" works in the context of the film but doesn't stand alone very well on this album, sounding tense but not very listenable. Songs include the Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer In the City," "Got It Covered" by Fu-Schnickens and Extra Prolific's "In Front of the Kids."
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.