Monday 25 February 2013

Potential Titanic Complete Score Tracklist

Some pretty album art by me, using assets from the film.

The official Titanic soundtrack album and its successor, Back to Titanic, are horrific attempts at summarizing the music from the motion picture; in essence, they simply contain a bunch of alternate takes and cues mixed together with some horrible synths added. Of course, it could be disputed that the music in the film is actually composed of alternate takes and cues mixed together at the behest of James Cameron, but that's irrelevant.

The music in the albums (both the original and Back to Titanic) doesn't match up to the music in the film. It is inferior sounding and omits the best cues in the film. For example, the albums do not include the opening credits/Jack's death, the actual Southampton and Leaving Port cues, the various wonderful piano pieces that play during the film, and most of the party in third class, while the full sinking sequence is extended and mixed up.

Inaccurate soundtrack albums plague the film and music industry, but at least for many other films, recording sessions or complete scores have been leaked to the public and earnestly devoured or as in the special case of the Lord of the Rings, the complete recordings have actually been officially released. Titanic's music is locked tight, with, if they can be believed, only a few lucky individuals having access. I'm not condoning music piracy, but if the music isn't available for purchase, "stealing" (not that the big music companies are hurt by it) is the only way to properly hear it, especially if the company refuses to release the music that by all rights by purchasing the film itself, the consumer should have full access to.

I've compiled two tracklists containing all of the (far superior) actual music from the film, in the correct order. The first is what an official or unofficial bootleg release might look like. The second is how I would organize the tracks myself. I have a habit of renaming unsatisfactorily named tracks, compiling short ones into suites, and editing them if they're broken. My version is far easier to manage, considering the former and that duplicates are removed, making the album more compact with fewer but longer tracks.

Possible official release/unofficial bootleg tracklist: (Please pardon my notes.)
  1. Opening Credits (not on album)
  2. Ghost Ship (not on album except for a tiny bit of Hymn to the Sea)
  3. Into the Wreck (not on album)
  4. Distant Memories (most of it is on the album)
  5. The Butterfly (not on album)
  6. Back to Titanic (alternate version called Southampton on album)
  7. A Lucky Hand (not on album)
  8. Leaving Port (none of this is actually on the album but there is a track with the same title)
  9. Ode to Titanic (alternate version than on album, which is Take Her to Sea, Mr Murdoch)
  10. First Glance (not on album)
  11. You Jump, I Jump (some of it is on the album in the form of A Promise Kept)
  12. Music Box (not on album)
  13. Engagement Gift (a tiny bit of it is on the album)
  14. Jack's Drawings (not on album)
  15. A Real Party (some of it is on the album in An Irish Party In Third Class, though it is incomplete and contains voiceovers for some unfathomable reason)
  16. Flying (an alternate version is on the album called Rose and it has pesky synth choir)
  17. The Portrait (a softer version is on the album)
  18. Lovejoy (not on album, full version of A Lucky Hand)
  19. To The Stars (not on album)
  20. Hard to Starboard (extended version on album)
  21. Trapped Below Decks (some of it is on the album in A Building Panic)
  22. Falling Apart (some of it is on album, most of it is not)
  23. Ismay's Departure (as per above)
  24. Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave (on album, but softer in the film)
  25. Cal Spurned (on album, second half of Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave)
  26. Third Class Corridors (not on album, some of it is in Hard to Starboard)
  27. Nearer, My God, To Thee (slightly different version on album has annoying voiceovers and sound effects at the end)
  28. Shattered Dreams (mixed up into The Sinking and A Building Panic with some not included)
  29. Death of Titanic (extended version on album)
  30. Never Let Go (Jack's death and immediate aftermath not on album, first half is in A Promise Kept)
  31. The Carpathia (Never An Absolution and A Life So Changed on album, short version)
  32. The Heart of the Ocean (one of my favourite cues, definitely not on album)
  33. Never An Absolution (long version of The Carpathia, on album)
  34. A Promise Kept (first half is film version of Rose, second half is film version of Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave with a longer fadeout)
  35. My Heart Will Go On (yuck, too many versions of this abomination out there)
  36. The Ship of Dreams (film version of second half of Take Her to Sea, Mr Murdoch, definitely not on album)
Here's my organized version of the tracklist:
  1. Back to Titanic (Opening Credits)
  2. Ghost Ship (inc. Into The Wreck)
  3. Distant Memories (inc. The Butterfly)
  4. Southampton (Back to Titanic)
  5. Jack Dawson's Luck (Lovejoy is the full version of A Lucky Hand.)
  6. Leaving Port
  7. Maiden Voyage (Ode to Titanic)
  8. You Jump, I Jump (A suite consisting of First Glance, You Jump, I Jump, Music Box, Engagement Gift, and Jack's Drawings with no pesky crossfading between tracks.)
  9. A Real Party
  10. Last Sunset (Flying)
  11. The Portrait
  12. To the Stars
  13. Hard to Starboard
  14. Trapped Below Decks (I'm not satisfied with this title but I can't think of a better one.)
  15. Falling Apart (inc. Ismay's Departure, alternatively titled Women and Children First/Only)
  16. Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave (inc. Cal Spurned)
  17. Third Class Corridors
  18. Nearer, My God, To Thee
  19. Shattered Dreams
  20. Death of Titanic
  21. Never Let Go
  22. The Heart of the Ocean
  23. Never An Absolution (full version of The Carpathia)
  24. A Promise Kept
The tracks that play during the end credits are not included as I would delete the atrocious "My Heart Will Go On" from my computer straightaway and the second track is just the second half of the film version of Maiden Voyage, which of course would be present here (though it's not in its official form "Take Her To Sea, Mr Murdoch").

Both potential complete albums would contain about 1 hour and 40 minutes of music in total, unless further alternate and unused cues and takes were included.

I sincerely hope Sony comes to their senses and releases the Titanic recording sessions or a proper complete score sometime in the near future, otherwise someone will eventually leak it. This beautiful work of James Horner (and others) doesn't deserve to be locked up in one of their vaults while the vastly inferior album floats around, masquerading as the music from Titanic in the public's hearts. Either way, whether I have to pay for it (which I would much rather) or download it (I'd still buy it if it became available), as soon as the chance comes up, I'm taking it.

Monday 18 February 2013

Back to Titanic: My Favourite Scenes

"It's goodbye for a little while. Only for a little while. There'll be another boat for the daddies; this boat's for the mommies and the children. You hold mommy's hand and be good a little girl."

Opening Credits
Ghost Ship/Into the Wreck
Back to Titanic
Leaving Port
Ode to Titanic
Flying
"Iceberg, Right Ahead!"
A Mathematical Certainty
"Get On the Boat, Rose!"
Nearer My God To Thee
Shattered Dreams
At the Stern/Prayer For the Dying/Death of Titanic
Extended Carpathia Sequence
The Carpathia
A Promise Kept
Titanic has been my favourite movie since I first watched it at a very young age. Despite its flaws, I still love it and watch it all the time. The above scenes are the ones I view over and over again when I don't have time to watch the entire 3 hour long film. I'm not going to type out a full review here as that would be a complete waste of everyone's time, nor will I even explain my choices, but I'd like to say a few key things.

This film first got me interested in history and the genre of music that I honestly have severe trouble labelling. I don't know whether to call it "classical" (which doesn't quite fit), "orchestral", "soundtracks", "film scores", "film music", or something else. Either way, most of these scenes contain beautiful music by James Horner, most of which isn't actually on the official soundtrack. That's something that bothers the hell out of me, but I won't go on an undignified rant right now.

My favourite scene is either the end of the "Shattered Dreams" sequence in which the Grand Staircase is flooded and seen for the last time (pictured above), or the very end of the film, "A Promise Kept" (also pictured above), just before that horrific song by Celine Dion. I really do wish Cameron hadn't cut out most of the Carpathia sequence, though Titanic's editing wasn't nearly as brutal and detrimental to the film as was that of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and its sequel, At World's End.

Sunday 17 February 2013

The Girl Who Waited

Whenever I discover a new source of music, I have a habit of compiling my favourite tracks into absurdly overlong suites and publishing them on YouTube. Doctor Who was no different. About a year ago, during the prime of my Amy Pond obsession, using the Doctor Who series 5 soundtrack by Murray Gold, I arranged this beautiful 30 minute suite.


It is composed of the following tracks:
  1. Little Amy
  2. Can I Come With You
  3. Little Amy - The Apple
  4. Amy in the TARDIS
  5. Amy's Theme
  6. A Lonely Decision
  7. The Life and Death of Amy Pond
  8. Amy's Starless Life
  9. You and Me, Amy
  10. Impossible Choice
  11. I Am The Doctor
The finale is a custom mix of Amy's Theme, The Life and Death of Amy Pond, and Amy's Theme from the Doctor Who 2010 Proms.

What's So Wonderful About Peru?

These rather unscrupulous-looking fellows all have something in common.

Mestigoit

Radagast

Stephano

The Men in Grey

Morgana





























































Okay, Morgana isn't exactly looking very unscrupulous now (in fact, she's quite utterly gorgeous), but wait until you see her in her forest witch getup. Anyway...

These people are all similar in that they live in Peru and that none of them are native to the country - they're all illegal immigrants. I know next to nothing about Peru other than that it's located in South America, the official language is Spanish (it was a Spanish colony), and that it's apparently (according to Stephano), a "wonderful place."

I'll take his word for it.

For one reason or another, Peru's vast and tangled forests have attracted each of these questionable characters. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose Stephano's exact location (I know you'd love to pay him a visit), as he is hiding from the psychotic mass murderer Violet Baudelaire:

Violet Baudelaire, under the pseudonym "Anna".















Beware! Violet is wanted for the murders of numerous people, including her mother, father, brother, sister, the Incredibly Deadly Viper, and numerous guardians. If you see her, contact the authorities right away. DO NOT APPROACH FOR ANY REASON. She is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Mestigoit is both shaman and demon hunter by profession.

Mestigoit in Canada, banishing a demon.























Mestigoit can be found in his swamp hut. He is a paranoid and volatile little guy who appreciates a peace offering when visited. He most sensibly does NOT appreciate anime, especially InuYasha.

All you need to know about the Men in Grey is that they're a former secret British government ministry now in exile in Peru, hiding the existence of supernatural creatures from the world (it's not working). Shun their lair and comply with whatever instructions they may give you. Be polite and take great care; their leader is very unstable.

Radagast originally relocated to Peru after being threatened by a certain Saruman. Due to his extreme isolation, he is yet unaware of Saruman's brutal murder in the Shire. Finding and informing Radagast of this fact it would be a very kind thing to do. You'll have trouble locating him (he's a bit of a recluse).

Morgana is an interesting case. So interesting that I'm writing an entire article devoted to her. Until then, I'll leave you this piece of advice for your own good - if you ever have the insane urge to visit Peru (please don't!).

If she throws an evil smirk your way, you might as well drown yourself.

Consider yourself warned.

Saturday 16 February 2013

Tursday Tailface

I promised beautiful woman and here they are! Well, here's one woman anyway... for now. Being a typical young male, I am of the opinion that women are just fucking awesome, so I'll probably post more appreciative pictures eventually.
(Sexism? Chauvinism? Misogynism? I think not. It's my biological function. Essentially, it's my reason to exist.)

This is Nancy Reid from Being Human, portrayed by the wonderful Welsh actress Erin Richards. I like to call her Tailface. I'll tell you why in a moment, but first, she is the subject of my first dreadful attempt at making a GIF:
 
"I'm going to kill you, eat your babies, and burn your house down."


Based on this video:

 No, she didn't actually say that. Sadly. She just obsesses over arresting a certain Irish vampire who, being Irish, cannot properly pronounce "Thursday". Rather, he says "Tursday". I wonder if he said that to Daisy when organizing the Box Tunnel Massacre? Gods, I loathe mention of that stupid 30 second scene. I do love Annie (the pretty lady with squiggly hair creepishly making faces in the background; she's the second beautiful woman. I told you, plural!) though, she's possibly one of my favourite characters in the series.

Right, onto why Tailface is called Tailface. I love ponytails. They're awesome. Especially blonde ponytails. Oh my goodness, they're just majestic. I was screaming about ponytails to my best friend (who I've watched every single episode of Being Human with so far) and he accidentally called her "Tailface" when he was meaning to call her "Ponytailface". Thus, Tailface was born. Don't worry, I have a habit of nicknaming TV series characters. You should hear what awful names I have reserved for a certain Merlin. Now those, unlike this symbol of affection for Nancy, are just plain disrespectful.

I really do prefer redheads. They're more magical than unicorns.
Annie's just Rentaghosting in...

Maybe Tailface will make a return in series 5?

Nope? Bad idea? Fine Annie, we'll let you have all the glory.

 Talking to yourself in the mirror? Don't worry, Nancy. I do it all the time. Absolutely nothing to concern yourself about. Now why don't you just run along and find Mr Tursday?

POSTING PICTURES ONTO MY BLOG IS DEFINITELY MY BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION.

Friday 15 February 2013

No Disclaimer Necessary

This is my first blog post and it will probably be my last. Perhaps you're wondering why, or perhaps you're already bored out of your tree (though what you're doing in a tree, I regretfully do not know). If you're not in a tree, I'll tell you why I shan't be blogging anymore: I'm doomed. I'm going to die. Why? Because that's what people do! As well as dying quite frequently, we humans (of the English variant) also have a tendency to start sentences with the word "because" despite that (apparently) being grammatically incorrect... I should probably look that up. Misuse (and overuse) of commas is also quite prevalent, but that's not why you're here. At least, I hope it's not. Though being possessed of considerable intelligence, even I don't know why you're here. It is quite improbable that you're here to read my blog, so I'll surmise that you simply don't have enough cats in your life. Being me, I do know my I'm here. I do know that I am here because I'm typing about death.

Now, here's the thing you need to know about bloggers and people in general: we don't tend to recover from doom. I, though not a blogger, not yet, am prone on the floor, awaiting my own. Despite it looming over me in shadowed form, this unspecified doom is as unfrightening as it is anonymous. One might stare fearfully at the British wartime propaganda poster on the wall, depicting a most dreadful creature with the nightmarish tendency of exterminating anyone dissimilar to itself. No, I'm not talking about Nazis, though I do have much to say about them, none of it good. However, Nazis are not the subject here. The subject here is death.

As someone once (or twice, or thrice, or...?) said, "Death is all around us." Indeed, if you imagine Death to be an eerie cloaked figure or a dark groping mist, then perhaps, in your delusional mind, it is. If you're rational and sane like me, then you'll understand that these numerous (possibly four) people are not being literal. Not at all! Myths and fairy tales are enjoyable but should not be confused with real life, even if being open to the facts scares you or makes you uncomfortable. Personally, the idea of a creepy skeleton lady with a gigantic scythe scares me more than just dying, but as the Prussians misleadingly said each time they viciously attempted to Germanize the Poles in Poznan and Royal Prussia, "To each his own."

Where is here? Why, here is the internet, of course! The internet is a magical place. A magical place packed full of cats and... cats, and... other things. I really love cats. Cats are small, furry, and of late, rather grumpy creatures that hail from Africa (don't we all?). Cats die quite frequently, unfortunately. One minute they're there, the next, they're gone. This is accentuated by their relatively short lifespans compared to ours. We enjoy their company (they don't enjoy ours), we feed them, water them (not like a plant, but you'd know all about those), clean up their waste (they do a fine job of it on their own, burying it under the sand), and generally care for their every need. They're like gods. Except unlike gods, cats actually exist, which might possibly bring me to my first point.

Though I may have insinuated otherwise, I love Prussia. Whilst brainstorming for ideas about what to write for my first ever blog post, I was originally going write- type, sorry, I'm typing. On a keyboard. Not writing. I absolutely loathe that small error, as inconsequential as it may seem. As I was sayin- typing, I was originally going to type about Prussia's history and its effect on modern day Kaliningrad. For the sake of your inferior brains, alas, I decided it would be for the best if I just rambled on until you climbed into your trees and never returned.

Seriously, leave. Go. Shoo! GTFO!! I'm sorry for this post and I'm sorry for wasting your precious time when you could be texting or petting your cat (you do have a cat, don't you?) or going for a nice nighttime walk. I apologize for my ill attempts at humour and I'm sorry for trying to writype a coherent article. I'll leave you to your business and I hope you'll leave me to mine. What that is, I don't yet know, though I will be departing soon to watch series 4 of Being Human with my best friend. YES, I HAVE FRIENDS.

I'll add the titular disclaimer at the end just to make you angry: Fear not, this is merely an introductory post to test my skills as I have neither written nor typed anything in months. It will mostly consist of mindless, vaguely interesting, pompous, and pointless babble, courtesy of me. The next post shall contain substance! Mirth! Life!! ...Not that anyone will be around to read it. I've got a terrible track record. If you're still interested, it may concern beautiful women. I'm also really sorry in advance for trying to make up my own lame portmanteaus. And for lying. 'Til death do us part, dear reader(s) unknown.