I bought the CD at a Film Fair in Manchester, from the Movie Boulevard stall, I would guess sometime early 1989. I don't think the film had opened in the UK at the time, but I was used to hearing new scores from the likes of Williams, Goldsmith, Horner, Poledouris etc, before having seen their respective films. They were good enough to gamble on. I think Robert Wood (as was his wont) was winding me up as I was paying for it, saying something like 'why are you buying that rubbish, there's loads of John Barry CD's here' to which Richard Jolley (the normal one) said 'ignore him, he's been playing that CD all week in the shop'. I think my very first exposure to the music was from CinemAttractions/US Top 10, when one of those little making of promos they showed kept playing the End Titles music underneath. It was an instant hit with me. And it's another Broughton pass/loss (like HOME ALONE), wherein Williams stepped in and created an instant classic score.
John Neufeld first worked on The Witches of Eastwick, although uncredited. Mr Williams needed help as Herbert Spencer's health was declining.
You're correct. Neufeld orchestrated a few cues on Eastwick and that was his first "audition" for JW in that role.
Neufeld played clarinet for many years as a studio musician in LA and was in the section of several Williams scores during the 1970s and '80s. Also, his father was Erno Neufeld, a top studio violinist who performed too on many film scores, including several by Williams, and was considered a true world class violinist by many of his peers.
There are quite a few John Williams scores from this period I absolutely love and that are among my favorite scores, but that get often overlooked in favor for his big franchise hits.
THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST is one of my favorite John Williams scores, as is PRESUMED INNOCENT.
Interesting tid-bits in this thread about the CD availability back then. I remember it because it was the first time that I consciously waited until I could get the CD, and it took ages to appear, whereas (in the UK) the LP was available sooner. It must have been one of my earliest CD purchases, as the realisation that LPs were on the way out began to take hold.
Loved the music, still do, and enjoyed the film very much.
Remember how this CD was sold (in America anyway), in those long slim carboard sleeves that were 3/4 empty, just to 'hold' the CD in a position for viewing in their racks. A long time ago. What were those cardboard cases called?
Remember how this CD was sold (in America anyway), in those long slim carboard sleeves that were 3/4 empty, just to 'hold' the CD in a position for viewing in their racks. A long time ago. What were those cardboard cases called?
Man, ever notice how often Williams's music sounds like it was recorded somewhere out in the country in an open field on a beautifully refreshing mid-afternoon in autumn?
Hey you have me wanting to hear this score again. Wasn't crazy about it at first. And I did something I do not ordinarily do with Mr. Williams music. I haven't heard it since I bought it when it first came out.
I usually listen more than once and it proves a growing love of his music.
One of my favorite scores is John Williams' "The Accidental Tourist" (1988). It is my favorite from that year and one of my top five favorite Williams scores.
The movie, itself, is a deliberately paced story about one man's life crisis after his son dies and his marriage dissipates. He has one thing left to connect him to his previous life -- a dog. That dog leads him to another, much different, woman than the one he lost. And, she has a son who desperately needs a strong-willed male figure to help him. Additionally, there is the dysfunctional family the man comes from -- two brothers and a sister who live together, unattached to anyone else.
John Williams breathes a sort of magic into all of this that makes me smile, and tear up, and my soul soars because of it. The final scene of the film is one of the most joyous I have experienced.
I don't know of many people who react to this film in a similar way, but the score is absolutely a thing of great and delicate beauty.
It is truly about that wonderful happy ending…with Johnny Towner’s Excellent Music to Match what Lawrence Kasdan’s Vision. Amazing work. The music is truly subdued and delicate.
When you closely listen to the melody played by the piano concerning the main theme its almost like a dialogue, like words conveyed through music, like a person mourning with a sad but also a deep romantic impetus. Sometimes you hear this also in some of Mozarts piano sonatas.
Sure, as Williams says, composing music is hard work but also needs talent ... .
When you closely listen to the melody played by the piano concerning the main theme its almost like a dialogue, like words conveyed through music, like a person mourning with a sad but also a deep romantic impetus. Sometimes you hear this also in some of Mozarts piano sonatas.
Sure, as Williams says, composing music is hard work but also needs talent ... .
said 'ignore him, he's been playing that CD all week in the shop'.
