Is there a difference between the version of Home Alone 2 with Macaulay on the cover, vs the version with the cartoon Statue of Liberty on the cover?
Same music? Is one harder to find, more valuable than the other?
The cartoon version has the score by Williams. The other has songs which includes the new Williams songs if I remember correctly and a Bette Midler version of Somewhere in my Memory. I only know because I accidently bought the latter instead of the score version when the movie came out. And of course Varese had the complete score which I don't recall offhand what that looks like.
Is there a difference between the version of Home Alone 2 with Macaulay on the cover, vs the version with the cartoon Statue of Liberty on the cover?
Same music? Is one harder to find, more valuable than the other?
The cartoon version has the score by Williams. The other has songs which includes the new Williams songs if I remember correctly and a Bette Midler version of Somewhere in my Memory. I only know because I accidently bought the latter instead of the score version when the movie came out. And of course Varese had the complete score which I don't recall offhand what that looks like.
The one with the cartoon Statue of Liberty is indeed the original score by John Williams. The other includes songs from the movie and a few from the Arista catalogue like "Silver Bells" by Atlantic Starr and "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Lisa Fisher. There's indeed a Bette Midler version of "Somwhere in My Memory" and a Spanish version called "Sombros De Otros Tiempos" sung by Ana Belen. "Christmas Star" and "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" by Williams are also included.
Is there a difference between the version of Home Alone 2 with Macaulay on the cover, vs the version with the cartoon Statue of Liberty on the cover?
Same music? Is one harder to find, more valuable than the other?
The cartoon version has the score by Williams. The other has songs which includes the new Williams songs if I remember correctly and a Bette Midler version of Somewhere in my Memory. I only know because I accidently bought the latter instead of the score version when the movie came out. And of course Varese had the complete score which I don't recall offhand what that looks like.
The one with the cartoon Statue of Liberty is indeed the original score by John Williams. The other includes songs from the movie and a few from the Arista catalogue like "Silver Bells" by Atlantic Starr and "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Lisa Fisher. There's indeed a Bette Midler version of "Somwhere in My Memory" and a Spanish version called "Sombros De Otros Tiempos" sung by Ana Belen. "Christmas Star" and "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" by Williams are also included.
Wow, there's a Spanish version of Somewhere in my Memory. That was before I spoke Spanish and I must have skipped it completely. So glad you brought that up. I'm listening to it on youtube. !Que interesante!
Actually, something is strange in that there are different tracklists out there for Home Alone 2, the song version. I had a version that didn't have the Spanish version which explains why I never had heard it. And I had some other songs that aren't on the other one listed. Oh well, I doubt many here are looking for the song version of the album.
It might be because I think the first one is the better movie, but I prefer the music of Home Alone. I think 'Somewhere in My Memory' and 'Star of Bethlehem' are better songs than 'Christmas Star' and 'Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas'. The themes that are in both movies seem to be performed better in the first one. They're sweeter, or warmer.
Actually, something is strange in that there are different tracklists out there for Home Alone 2, the song version. I had a version that didn't have the Spanish version which explains why I never had heard it. And I had some other songs that aren't on the other one listed. Oh well, I doubt many here are looking for the song version of the album.
- Adam
Actually I am I had HA2 song album on cassette for years and had always meant to pickup the CD. At the time I was only 16 and my local CD shop claimed that there was no score release for HA2, was crushed to say the least. It was a number of years before I managed to find a copy after I realised that it existed.
Then when Varese released their 2CD version I was in heaven
Home Alone 2 (the Varese Club edition). It reprises all the themes from the original. I haven't stopped listening to it since I put up the Christmas tree. Williams is a genius!
I'm also in favour of Home Alone. I feel the first score is more grounded and personal.
Then again, I feel the exact same way towards the two films.
The first had its outlandish OTT humour and set pieces but at the same time it stayed well within the line of what was generally heartwarming and what was cartoony.
Home Alone 2 is merely a far more bombastic remake of the original, OTT to the point of overkill, ridiculous amounts of cartoony violence and I feel this reflects on the score also. It leans a great deal more towards the "mickey mouse" "everything but the kitchen sink" approach than the original did, which I am not really much the fan of these days.
Actually, something is strange in that there are different tracklists out there for Home Alone 2, the song version. I had a version that didn't have the Spanish version which explains why I never had heard it. And I had some other songs that aren't on the other one listed. Oh well, I doubt many here are looking for the song version of the album.
- Adam
One thing I'll say for the HOME ALONE 2 song album (in either tracklist version) is that it's the only way I've found to get a recording of Alan Menken's "My Christmas Tree" for children's chorus (it was the song performed onscreen early in the movie at the Christmas pageant).
It's kinda neat to hear an Alan Menken song along with John Williams' songs in the same movie. I don't think that has ever happened before.
Home Alone 2 La La Land Edition! so much more themes than the first movie! glad that i dont have that expensive Varese Deluxe Edition that missed some tracks that the Varese album dont have I like all the themes of this score
Both are terrific, but I have to say I prefer the intimacy and tighter pacing of the original.
I go back and forth on this (the kids say "vacillate") but Wedge very accurately and eloquently sums up my thoughts on the matter.
THAT SAID, "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas" might be my favorite theme from either film and that's a huge point for HA2. It's on heavy rotation here at the S homestead for the season and it's been in my head for the past two weeks.
I had HA2 song album on cassette for years and had always meant to pickup the CD. At the time I was only 16 and my local CD shop claimed that there was no score release for HA2, was crushed to say the least. It was a number of years before I managed to find a copy after I realised that it existed.
