The World of Buysoundtrax Releases!
Over the past few months, the folks at Buysoundtrax and Dragon’s Domain Records have been rolling out a host of interesting releases. There really is a little something for everyone, so get your wallets ready and head over to their website—it may be difficult deciding where to start!
Dragon’s Domain continues its model of issuing limited physical releases—typically around 500 copies—with the occasional bonus of signed editions early in the run. One of the better recent releases is The Bruce Broughton Collection, Vol. 3, featuring music from two films: Bobbie’s Girl (2002) and Warm Springs (2005). Both scores are written for smaller orchestral forces, perfectly suited to the intimate nature of their stories, and both feature the kind of gorgeous melodic writing that has long made Broughton a favorite among soundtrack collectors.
Fans of Arthur B. Rubinstein will also want to seek out the first volume of his work, which explores two television scores from 1977 and 1981 in premiere releases.
The label has been especially generous to admirers of Lee Holdridge, issuing a variety of noteworthy titles, including a collection of documentary music written for Olympic-themed films, an early score from 1973 paired with 1999’s Sealed With a Kiss, and a welcome reissue of Splash, complete with bonus tracks.
Of course, Dragon’s Domain also continues with its steady stream of B-picture sci-fi scores, crime drama releases, and ongoing composer series devoted to the likes of Don Davis, Gerald Fried and Albert Glasser—the latter now up to Vol. 8! All of these albums have been carefully remastered and are also available as digital downloads, with generous audio clips on the website to entice curious listeners. Collectively, they provide excellent opportunities to explore lesser-known film music across a broad range of genres and styles.REVIEWS
Meanwhile, archival releases from the old Label X and Southern Cross catalogs continue to be rolled out, alongside remastered reissues from the Citadel Records and Unicorn-Kanchana labels. Highlights include Bernard Herrmann’s Torn Curtain and North by Northwest, a Dimitri Tiomkin compilation conducted by Laurie Johnson, and a superb two-disc set devoted to Lalo Schifrin—including Voyage of the Damned— essential listening for any serious collector. There are also more unusual treasures, such as a reissue of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and Maurice Jarre’s Pope Joan(1972).
As all of this makes clear, Buysoundtrax and Dragon’s Domain have built up a treasure trove for film score fans. If you already own some of the reissued catalog titles, it is worth noting that many feature noticeably improved sound, making them attractive upgrades over older editions. Just as rewarding is the chance to explore the labels’ genre releases—restorations of scores from films many have long forgotten, but whose music remains well worth rediscovering.
This overview is hardly exhaustive, but it should be enough to whet the appetite. A visit to Buysoundtrax is likely to expand both your collection and your appreciation for classic film music, overlooked gems, and the work of composers who deserve a wider audience. —Steven A. Kennedy
Comments regarding this review can be sent to: stev4uth@hotmail.com.
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