The MARK’S VINTAGE VINYL page features something from Mark’s collection of recordings from over the years. Most of it is on vinyl – hence the name – though there will be a few entries from his CDs (remember those?).
Star Wars, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Composed and Conducted by John Williams
- Soundtrack album to the 1977 film Star Wars, released in June 1977. The soundtrack was composed and conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
- The release of the film Star Wars in 1977 was a major event – the special effects were like nothing ever seen before, and after leaving the theater you knew that you had just watched one of the most amazing films ever. A big part of the experience was the music. Watching on the big screen, with the huge symphonic soundtrack blaring from the stereo speakers at the theater left me breathless. It was one of those films where you had to go back and see again.
- George Lucas, the writer and director of the film, hired Williams to work on the music for the film because his friend Steven Spielberg recommended it. Williams had worked with Spielberg on the music for the film Jaws, winning an Academy Award for his work. Williams originally was hired as a consultant and to compose the source music for the film – Lucas planned to use existing orchestral music for much of the film. Williams convinced him that an original score would be better.
- Recording began on March 5, 1977 and it was completed in eight days. The total score for the film was 88 minutes long, When the soundtrack was released as an double album, 75 minutes of the music were selected to be included.
- To say that the album was a success is an understatement. It became the best selling symphonic album of all time, certified platinum within two months of its release. Its famous Main Title was released as a single – it peaked at #10 on the Hot 100 chart (a disco version of it was released by Meco and it reached #1 on the Hot 100 in October 1977). It won an Academy Award for Best Original Score – his third of five Oscars that Williams has won (he has been nominated for 53 Oscars, just behind Walt Disney for the all-time record). It won three Grammy awards – Best Score Soundtrack, Best Instrumental Composition and Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Williams has won 25 Grammy awards with 73 nominations). In 2005, the American Film Institute named the Star Wars soundtrack as the most memorable film score of all time.
- Picking up this album at my favorite used record store was a no-brainer. Here is Williams conducting the Main Theme in 1984. This is as iconic as it gets! Enjoy this masterpiece!