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As great as the soundtrack is for "A New Hope," Williams tops himself with even more iconic and memorable tracks. Highlights include (but are not limited to) "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" (making its first appearance here), "Han Solo and the Princess," "Yoda's Theme," "Battle in the Snow" and "The Asteroid Field." There's an original album from 1980 (remastered in 2018) as well as the special edition version, more chronological and with extra tracks, released in 1997/2004.
I go back and forth between whether this or "Empire" is better. Williams laid the groundwork for the rest of the saga in "Empire," but he plays with established themes in surprising ways here. "Anakin's Theme" is a light melody that slowly reveals itself to be a reworking of Darth Vader's Theme. The celebratory "Augie's Great Municipal Band" has the underpinnings of the Emperor's theme. Whatever you think about the rest of the movie, Williams completely brought his A-game to the score. Other highlights: "Duel of the Fates" (of course), "The Swim to Ootah Gunga," "The Flag Parade," and "The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul." An extended version of the soundtrack, chronological and without clean breaks between tracks, was released in 2000.
Ground zero for everything else. Without this amazing score, we wouldn't have the rest. Only a little odd that Williams focused so much time on Tusken Raiders and Jawas while not giving proper themes to Han (for 40 years!) or the droids (who get a theme in "Empire" that's never heard again). Still, this is the one of the soundtrack albums ever. Highlights include (but are not limited to) "Princess Leia's Theme," "Cantina Band," "Ben's Death and TIE Fighter Attack," "Land of the Sandpeople," "The Little People Work," "Imperial Attack," "The Last Battle," and "Throne Room/Finale." This album has a 1977 version (remastered in 2018) and a 1997/2004 special edition version, more chronological and with additional tracks.
Lots of great new tracks here as well. This is one time I would recommend the 1983 album (remastered in 2018) over the 1997 special edition version, as this has "Lapti Nek," which is superior to "Jedi Rocks," as well as the original "Ewok Celebration" (although I do like the later "Victory Celebration"). The 1997 version might be worth picking up as a second priority to get some otherwise missing tracks as "Jabba's Baroque Recital." Other highlights include "Return of the Jedi" (called "Sail Barge Assault" on some other releases), "Luke and Leia," "Parade of the Ewoks," "Han Solo Returns (at the Court of Jabba the Hutt)," "The Emperor," and "The Forest Battle."
Highlights include the opening "Star Wars and Revenge of the Sith," "Battle of the Heroes," "Palpatine's Teachings," "Padme's Ruminations," "Grevious Speaks to Lord Sidious," and "A New Hope and End Credits." Note that the album version of the latter track contains a rendition of "Throne Room" from "A New Hope" not heard in the film version!
A handsome re-recording of many of the best tracks by the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
Conductor Charles Gerhardt (working closely with John Williams) brings a fresh take to the tracks from this album.
More delightful work from Gerhardt.
Highlights include "Rey's Theme," "Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle," "March of the Resistance," and "The Jedi Steps."
A bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison, but since Williams only made one new track for the Disney parks, this is where I would place it.
Highlights include "Across the Stars," "Zam the Assassin and the Chase through Coruscant" (the album version includes electric guitars!), "Jango's Esacpe," and "Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale."
Peter Bernstein writes some of the first Star Wars music not made by John Williams. Sometimes the sound leans a little more towards Star Trek than Star Wars, but it's still very listenable.
Most other composers talking Star Wars music just try to sound like John Williams, with greater or lesser suceess. Ludwig Goransson seems to have said to himself: "Star Wars is a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and westerns. If I was writing music for *that* without any prior knowledge, what would I come up with?" This is the result. Highlights include the main closing theme.
Highlights include "Canto Bight" (whatever else you think of the scene, the music is excellent), "The Battle of Crait," "Ach-To Island," and "The Last Jedi."
Composer: Michael Giacchino. Highlights include "Jyn Erso and Hope Suite," "He's Here for Us," and "Trust Works Both Ways."
Composer: John Powell. Highlights include "Meet Han" (written by John Williams), "Reminiscence Theory," "Lando's Closet," and "Into the Maw."
Highlights include "A Friend."
The popularity of the first album coincided with the height of the popularity of disco music, resulting in this bizarre but charming remake. If you've learned to the orchestral version a hundred times, this is a fun variation.
Williams was unfortunately hampered by the studio for this recording (see the YouTube link below for an excellent analysis), but it isn't completely without value. Highlights include "The Force is With You" and "The Rise of Skywalker." https://youtu.be/L_8-dWSLDWI?si=yliUKB4kq4xslMTL
A re-recording by Williams himself with the then brand-new Skywalker Symphony Orchestra. A few tracks don't quite click, however, with "Catina Band" feeling particularly off. Williams must not have been too happy with the results himself; despite George Lucas making the orchestra just for him, Williams never worked with this orchestra again.
In the days before home video, learning to a narrated record with dialogue and sound effects was one of the best ways to experience the movie at home.
An aggressively silly and often boring album not completely without its charms. It's surprising that this doesn't have the same bad reputation as "The Star Wars Holiday Special" despite being nearly as cheesy. From Meco, the artist who brought you "Star Wars Disco."
Other than giving us the only official release of "Jabba Flow" from "The Force Awakens," these dance/house music songs based on the movie don't do much for me.
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