The track "Desolation Path" has been re-edited using new material and has been expended from 6:34 to 6:41
This collection will not be released until it is completed, and only in a complete form.
The track "If I Didn't Care" is completed.
The track "Animoid Row" is completed.
After extensive remastering and production work on additional sound elements(clean up, etc), the track "Unicorn" is now complete. It has been expanded from 2:32 to 3:58.
Additionally, unless more new material surfaces before the release of this project, finishing work on "Unicorn" marks the completion of Disc 1.
I would like to thanks the people of Originaltrilogy.com, for creating an environment for such projects. Thanks to adywan, for his inspirational work on his Star Wars Revisited projects. Thanks to others like FanFiltration and ADigitalMan, for their many projects and their support of this one. Thanks to Uncanny Antman and Cassius76 and others who have contributed to this project. Forgive me if I’m forgetting anyone. Thanks to all the Blade Runner/Vangelis fans of this patience and support. And lastly, a special thanks to Ridley Scott and Vangelis, for their amazing work without which such a project would not be inspired or possible.
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.
I was thinking 56kbps would be best.
digitalfreaknyc said:I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this.
Just please please PLEASE release it in lossless and not an mp3.
Spalding: I want, a hot dog, I want, a hamburger, I want...
Judge Smails: You'll get nothing and like it!!
-from Caddyshack
;)
Uncanny Antman said:Focus, shouldn't it actually be "Leon's Room" rather than Leo?
I know the back of the CD says Leo, but if I had a nickel for every CD with spelling mistakes...
What do you think?
Yes it's a typo. It's written that way on the official track list shown on the back cover as well as on iTunes (and anywhere else). Funny enough, despite copying and looking over the track names repeatedly I don' think I've noticed it before. Thanks for pointing it out. :)
Each track is now listed indicating a basic idea of progress.
Also, the track Dr. Tyrell's Owl has been remastered and expanded from 3:48 to 3:51.
I went back and reworked the sound design and remastering for the tracks Longing (Leon's Room) and Blush Response (instrumental).
Longing (Leon's Room) has been slightly expanded from 4:19 to 4:21. These two tracks are now completed.
Thanks goes out to Cassius76 for sending me some of the Syd Mead scans I needed.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I wish you all the best in this dark time.
Cassius76 said:I have the making of blade runner book (the hardcover cinefex one) , and 2 verisons of future noir. Do you have those, so I can rule out sending you scans. I would love to contribute to this as it's the one reason I check back on the site so regulary for! :-)
I don't have either to be honest. I would be very happy to get your scans. :) PM sent
I also need a Ladd Company Logo and a Warner Bros Pictures Logo, both transparent.
satanika said:Any particular images you're looking for?
I did find this - http://agaudi.files.wordpress.com/2006/12/blade-runner.jpg
Other than that I only have the cards included in the collector's edition.
I have that one, but thank you. I'm looking for mostly images that Syd Mead did of locations but anything he did for Blade Runner.
ImperialFighter said:An accompanying 'booklet' too? Wow! You are spoiling us. :)
My preferred version of this collection is digital. However, a proper collection deserves a proper presentation. So I am including front/back cover art and a booklet.
But at the moment I do need some help regarding source material. If anyone could send me high rez scans of Syd Mead artwork for Blade Runner it would help the collection greatly. This is not for me, this is for the collection. I am trying to get this project completed within the next two months and in between life and work, time is flying by.
I have a small favor to ask. Can someone send me high rez scans of Syd Mead art from Blade Runner? I need it for the booklet.
I'm taking a brake in between tracks to work on the artwork. I will post something soon.
Adywan, quick off topic question (anyone can answer). Which quad core prosessor are you now using for this work? And do you prefer AMD or Intel?
I prefer AMD myself.
I beg your pardon for not posting sooner after downloading and watching the DVD. It think it's great. Best version of the film so far. And I applaud the work. Well done and Cheers!
Update:
With the exception of one track. I believe that the first disc is completed, including remastering.
I've been putting in a lot of work into the track "The Prodical Son " which will be about 3 minutes longer. After it's completed the rest of the work should move a lot faster.
My aim is to have the project completed before the new year. 09 is going to big a big year for me, so I don't know how much time I will have to work on these kind of projects. But this one WILL be completed, and soon.
Wow, I am very impressed. I have to say I think an edit like this is perfect for someone like me. I'm a fan of the films, but only a passing fan of the series. Now I can get an accessible introduction.
smc999 said:I'm getting these files with the following message from the torrent.
padding_file_12_if you see this file, please update to BitComet 0.85 or above
I'm using Azureus (newest version called Vuze) so I have no idea if this will be a problem when it comes to burning a disc? Anyone know if this will cause a problem?
Same here, I'm also using Vuse and seeing the same thing. Hopefully it's not a problem.