Close Encounters of the Third Kind

A lot of soundtrack releases based upon motion pictures often get it wrong. There are always considerations of what music from the film to keep in or out. This is not such a problem with movies that have a dozen or more "pop hits" in them, or classic musicals and broadway type stuff. But in a soundtrack like Close Encounters, there is only the music in the film (all versions) from which to draw material. It is a pleasure to announce that almost ALL of John William's BEST work ever, in my humble opinion, is ON THIS ONE CD. But wait, there's more!

Unlike previous treatments of the music in Close Encounters (from vinyl to 8 track to cassette to CD), not only is there a ton more music here than previously released, but it is arranged in an amazing manner. Though there are many individual tracks, almost all of it proceeds in a symphonic whole. And while it generally follows events in the movie, there are detours along the way that are a pleasant surprise. It is great on repeat or random mode.

John Williams is a composer of many fine movie scores, but is especially associated with Star Wars. Rightfully so, as his work for those films is great. But back in 1977, he not only did the soundtrack to Star Wars, but Close Encounters as well. While even casual music fans know many themes from Star Wars, the five note sequence in CE3K is about all that's memorable for most folks. But dive into the wonder and magic and power of the music on this CD, and hear what you might've missed from the film.

While this work stands alone as a symphony with the best of composers of all time, including the classics, fans of the movie itself, and especially those who've seen it several times, will love this. There are many little touches here that will bring back memories of the film that were both subtle and sublime. As one who has listened to this soundtrack since 1977 in all its forms, I applaud the producers of this treatment. There had always been musical moments from the films missing, but not here. Everything is here, and it's all great.

John Williams uses almost every style imaginable here, every orchestral instrument being used to create alternative moods of doom and the scary and unknown, to rousing, joyous chorus voices mixed with dozens of instruments. Part Star Wars, part 2001, the music here is an awesome ride all the way.

There are a few liberties taken here, and parts of this were not in the film but seem arranged for this CD especially, but everything works beautifully. While John Williams will probably always be better remembered for Star Wars, Jaws, ET and other soundtracks, in my view, the glorious roller coaster ride of his music for Close Encounters will always remain my favorite. And there are really no need for anymore music from the movie CD's at this point. They got it right with this one, and it just doesn't get any better than this.

Even if you don't care that much for the film(s) this music comes from, if you've never heard this work of art in its entirety, you're missing something. And for fans of John William's other work who've never heard a lot of this also (apart from the visual experience of watching the movie), you're in for a pleasant surprise.

An amazing musical trip. Get it!

The Music-People who have a sountrack collection undertand how important the music is in any film. It can help move the story along in a figurative sense, it can also help to evoke an emotional response from the viewer that (hopfully) is the same one the director was counting on, or in very rare cases, the music is connected to the film's storyline. The Close Encounters score manages to accomodate all three of these critera. It is at times pulse pounding, while at others, very sentimental, operatic, yet whimsical While, "Lightshow" demonstrates how a basic 5 note composition, advances the plot in a literal sense, and captivate one's imagination at the same time.

The Collector's Edition CD-This represents the complete score for the film. It comes with informative liner notes/score analysis by film documentarian Laurent Bouzereau, who also interviews John Williams about the score, for this edition. The CD has many unreleased cues and a few alternate unused cues as well. The score is sequenced in its original film order. The 26 track CD has a playing time of 77 minutes and 19 seconds. The music for the film has never sounded better then it does on this version. I highly recommend this CD to any fan of the movie or soundtrack collector