I'm loathe to use the term "cool" but when it comes to Schifrin's score for BULLITT and FSM's release of same, I can say without doubt that film music will never be as cool as Lalo's recording and original tracks were, are, and always will be. I love the Wes Montgomery-ish guitar of the main title and how it sets the mood for McQueen's character. It's the very sound of 1968 and not the forced "cool" of the Counterculture but the refined, confident sense of self that Frank Bullitt exudes. I love when a theme like this rises above merely being the character's theme and instead is the sonic equivalent of McQueen walking on screen.
I never had this score in any form and only knew of it as it existed alongside the images but the re-record has got to be the best of its kind and I can understand those who say they still prefer that over the newly-released film tracks.
I'm loathe to use the term "cool" but when it comes to Schifrin's score for BULLITT and FSM's release of same, I can say without doubt that film music will never be as cool as Lalo's recording and original tracks were are and always will be. I love the Wes Montgomery-ish guitar of the main title and how it sets the mood for McQueen's character. It's the very sound of 1968 and not the forced "cool" of the Counterculture but the refined, confident sense of self that Frank Bullitt exudes. I love when a theme like this rises above merely being the character's theme and instead is the sonic equivalent of McQueen walking on screen.
I never had this score in any form and only knew of it as it existed alongside the images but the re-record has got to be the best of its kind and I can understand those who say they still prefer that over the newly-released film tracks.
What a great release. It's a thrill to have this!
It is a great score and a terrific release. I love having both the original tracks and the re-recording and really appreciate them in different ways. I had grown accustomed to the sound of the re-recordings (both the "original" album and the Aleph re-do) but had always liked the slower, more laid-back pace of the actual score version of the main title -- certainly it fits the onscreen images more precisely than the re-records. So we now have the best of both worlds with the tremendous FSM release. For me it's an absolute must-have score, and this release fills the gap in spectacular fashion.
It is a great score and a terrific release. I love having both the original tracks and the re-recording and really appreciate them in different ways. I had grown accustomed to the sound of the re-recordings (both the "original" album and the Aleph re-do) but had always liked the slower, more laid-back pace of the actual score version of the main title -- certainly it fits the onscreen images more precisely than the re-records. So we now have the best of both worlds with the tremendous FSM release. For me it's an absolute must-have score, and this release fills the gap in spectacular fashion.
I've waited about thirty years for this to happen. That's when I saw the film for the first time. I always loved the LP version, but the original tracks are simply "the real thing" - one of my all-time favourite scores, and a true "holy grail" up to the moment of FSMs release. I could listen to this music every day (and after the new album was released, I did just that. More than once a day, that is). Still thrilled by the mere existence of this CD...
For someone having no familiarity with the original album tracks, the new FSM release is fascinating in terms of how close the film & re-recording cuts are.
While the main title gets some of its jagged edges rounded-off in the album track, some of the other changes -especially in the source cuts- are pretty subtle. One wonders why the time/money were spent to re-record them at all when the film tracks weren't necessarily all that "cuey" to begin with.
I'm loathe to use the term "cool" but when it comes to Schifrin's score for BULLITT and FSM's release of same, I can say without doubt that film music will never be as cool as Lalo's recording and original tracks were are and always will be. I love the Wes Montgomery-ish guitar of the main title and how it sets the mood for McQueen's character. It's the very sound of 1968 and not the forced "cool" of the Counterculture but the refined, confident sense of self that Frank Bullitt exudes. I love when a theme like this rises above merely being the character's theme and instead is the sonic equivalent of McQueen walking on screen.
I never had this score in any form and only knew of it as it existed alongside the images but the re-record has got to be the best of its kind and I can understand those who say they still prefer that over the newly-released film tracks.
What a great release. It's a thrill to have this!
I agree with all of the above.
Finally got this one last week, and I love listening to the original tracks. I've been playing it quite a bit lately.
Great art design as well.
I'm surprised that this one is still available. It's a true classic of the genre.
I must've been soaring high in fanboy ecstasy when I wrote my initial post. I stand by my every word (and put commas where they belonged, to boot). It's a helluva a score and FSM's presentation of it is first class.
No question, this is one of FSM's snazziest releases. I listen to it all the time. I think it's interesting that the album has a jazzier feel while the film tracks often have a harder-edged rock sound to them. I wouldn't want one over the other.
Five months later, I've pretty much eliminated the re-records from regular playback. Going through the original album + film tracks is a lengthy listen, and the extra takes are more of a curiosity than necessity for someone who never 'got used to them' to begin with. Again, I'd be interested to know why it was deemed necessary, or even made financial sense for WB to re-record album tracks -especially the source cues- for commercial release. Some of them are so close to the film tracks as to be indistinguishable by those (record-buying public) for whom they were designed!
Typically great FSM release, and one of my favourite record purchases, soundtrack or otherwise, this year.
Five months later, I've pretty much eliminated the re-records from regular playback. Going through the original album + film tracks is a lengthy listen, and the extra takes are more of a curiosity than necessity for someone who never 'got used to them' to begin with. Again, I'd be interested to know why it was deemed necessary, or even made financial sense for WB to re-record album tracks -especially the source cues- for commercial release. Some of them are so close to the film tracks as to be indistinguishable by those (record-buying public) for whom they were designed!
Typically great FSM release, and one of my favourite record purchases, soundtrack or otherwise, this year.
Yes it's a great FSM Release and I love it. But don't miss the Warner Extended version with music RECREATED & INSPIRED by the motion picture, performed by The WDR Big Band & guests and obviously conducted by big Lalo.
I like the WDR Big Band take on Bullitt; it's definitely different than the soundtrack. I really like the "more intense" Switching Gears, which is moved up as track 2, instead of chronologically when the Mustang / Charger car chase is in-process. The eighth-note Fender bass line is Lalo's take on an idling Mustang. Love it.
Anyway, aside from my blather, I did have a unique question. Who is it that plays those great Wes Montgomery type guitar lines on the main title? I know there are 4 guitarists listed in the musicians list, but I couldn't recognize a particular style or instrument that I could attribute to the listed guitarists. Any ideas friends?
I like the WDR Big Band take on Bullitt; it's definitely different than the soundtrack. I really like the "more intense" Switching Gears, which is moved up as track 2, instead of chronologically when the Mustang / Charger car chase is in-process. The eighth-note Fender bass line is Lalo's take on an idling Mustang. Love it.
Anyway, aside from my blather, I did have a unique question. Who is it that plays those great Wes Montgomery type guitar lines on the main title? I know there are 4 guitarists listed in the musicians list, but I couldn't recognize a particular style or instrument that I could attribute to the listed guitarists. Any ideas friends?
Hi there! I just purchased FSM's Bullitt a few days ago. I was unable to upload it to my iTunes. I was informed from Screen Archives that the CD is possibly locked by the label so it can't be ripped. Is this true? I thought it was just a defective CD. Any help on this is appreciated!
