I don't really have anything to report at this moment, but I did want to make a quick mission statement.
I have a great fondness for the film Blade Runner. The images of the film have haunted me since a very young age (as well as influenced me) and like the Replicants of the film, I will carry these memories until I am no longer able to. Like many fans of the film I have enjoyed it over the years in it's varied versions. The release of the recent film collection was a welcome one and I couldn't be happier with the results. My fondness also extends to the film's music, both are great in their own right.
In regard to Vangelis, my appreciation for his work started a little earlier. I began developing a taste for electronic music of the period around the age of six, influenced by those such as like Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Wendy Carlos, Jean Micheal Jarre and others. There was never a shortage of talented artists, but one thing that seemed to separate Vangelis from most, at least for me, was his interest in always looking forward and changing his sound from one project to the next. It seemed he always succeeded in creating variety and depth. Vangelis has a great body of work to be sure, but the music of Blade Runner is transcendent, reaching a place in its genre, sci-fi and film history, that makes it more than just a part of the Vangelis catalog. It can be argued that its fame would be even greater if not for it being mired by release problems over the years. But history being what it is, "all of this is academic" as Dr. Tyrell said to Roy Batty. Unlike Roy, however, Blade Runner's music was not released as well as it could have been.
Once a definitive DVD set of Blade Runner was finally ready for release, the Vangelis camp was given a great opportunity. A chance to reclaim profit lost over the years, not only from the lack of an official release (not counting the 1993 short compilation), but from the many bootlegs. A chance to let the work speak for itself, to release it in a complete form, or nearly so, as it was recorded those years ago. A new offering to hungry fans.
In comparing the official 3 disc soundtrack to the new DVD set, the material is sadly lacking. Not for what it does have but for what it doesn't have. It contains a rerelease of the 1993 short compilation, a second disc of edited experts of pieces, and a third disc of new music. The first disc, the rerelease, presents the first official missed opportunity. The second disc is wonderful despite being composed essentially of clips of longer pieces. And the third is Vangelis using new music to comment on his old music, thus making this disc very interesting as a kind of epilog. Despite some wonderful and interesting content, the latter gives off a strange feeling that can't be shaken. The impression that the music itself is being downplayed, released almost as an afterthought, almost a whisper. And the reason for this doesn't seem fully clear.
My own feelings on the whole matter are very strong. While I am grateful for having what has been released (and leaked) over the years, I am saddened by the fact that the Blade Runner Soundtrack has never truly enjoyed the life of a fully inclusive release.
Which brings us to this collection. It is my greatest wish to see Vangelis enjoy a truly definitive release. However, until such a time exists, I have taken it upon myself, with the greatest respect for its creator and the humility to an adoring fan, to arrange an unauthorized collection that would come as close as possible.
What I ask from you is very little. Only that you wait patiently while I am able to complete this project to the best of my ability. I ask for your understanding in what I am trying to accomplish, and for you to carry over that understanding into the comprehension of the end result. I would also ask any of you that are in a position to help with this project, that you please feel free to do so. To date I have made small requests for elements like company logos and Syd Mead artwork, to be used for the creation of the booklet and covers, but I would like to appeal to any of you who have access to additional music that can be added to this collection. This project is not for me, or a small few, but for all Blade Runner fans. Any additional music would be a wonderful contribution and a gift to share with the world. Once the project is finished all I ask that you simply enjoy it for what it is, celebrating Blade Runner and Vangelis. You should also see fit to own the official Blade Runner DVD set and film music if you do not already. The Vangelis catalog is also well worth exploring and you would be the better for it.
Thanks for your support and patience.
