For Nicholas Roeg’s fantasy film of 1989 (with Angelica Huston hamming it up as a witch intent on turning children into rodents) Stanley Myers provided a short but delightful score. Sadly, Myers would die just 4 years later and the score would remain unreleased. Then about 2 years ago a CD showed up at auction (listed as a "promo") and I managed to obtain a copy.
There are 11 tracks totaling only 14 minutes! Yet there is also music on the disc not included in the film. The wonderful main title, for example, is twice as long as what is heard in the film. Thus we know this was not recorded off the DVD. Since no album was ever issued, we also know it’s not an LP-to-CD transfer. There appears to be overall tape hiss. Anyone who has additional information is encouraged to add comments.
Audio Quality: very good stereo sound. No dialog or sfx.
Tau Analyzer and EAC both indicated this recording is lossless.
Ripped to FLAC with XLD.
Artwork, like shown below, is included in the link.
Link is in spoiler…
Password = crybaby
LINK = https://1fichier.com/?72u5mqtb7z
NOTE: This CD contains unreleased music. As of the upload date it had not been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Anyone with sufficient cause can request I remove it from this site by contacting me by PM or by entering a reply. Thank you.
working now , just slow
thanks for this rare score though!!
On a side-note, I’ve been downloading a 150mb file from them all day. It just got to 100 mb and aborted, and will now have to restart from the begining.
Your Witches file is now 6th in a queue of 6 Rapidshare files awaiting download.
I love you right now.
As the one who posted this score, I’m sorry about the problems with RS. MediaFire is apparently having the same issues. As I wrote in another Thread, I still think RS is a good choice, primarily because they are in Switzerland and not likely to be easily affected by the USA’s over-the-top SOPA/PIPA or by ACTA (which Switzerland refused to sign, as is). Not being a member of the EU also means they don’t have to abide by unfair rules coming from Europe. If a lot of people decide to use RS, it would obviously be beneficial for people to join, instead of being a free-user. As a paid subscriber I do not have any of the download problems I’m reading about. Hopefully things will get smoother as RS (and MF) get accustomed to their increase in traffic. Or else they’ll just use that as another incentive to get people to subscribe. All of my upcoming posts will have RS links. Sorry if that doesn’t work well for some of you!
THE WITCHES:
I’ve always loved the Main Title and was surprised to hear an extended version on the CD. I rented the DVD just to be sure I hadn’t missed it before, but the first half of the Main Title (1st track) was not used in the film. What I did not do, however, is watch the movie to see if there was music in the film not included on this CD. Maybe one of you who has the film could give us an update.
Since the score was never released, there are no official track names. But track 1 is definitely the "Main Titles" and track 11 is the "End Credits." "The Witches" is quite an enjoyable fantasy film and you should rent the DVD and see it. When you hear something in the movie that’s on the CD you can give it a name based on what’s on-screen. And then let all of us know too!
This movie has reminded me of another movie from when I was a kid. I’m in my 20’s, so the movie isn’t that old. If I remember right, its a H�nsel & Gretel – like movie. I vaguely remember the end when they stick the witch in the oven and her house blows up. It’s probably from the 80’s/90’s if that helps. Anyone know what I’m talking about??
EDIT: It was asked we comment if the CD is ‘missing’ music from the film. Sadly, it is. And it’s missing a ton.
The short sting as The Grand High Witch (as a woman) steps out of her cab.
The music as Luke explores the hotel.
There is a lot of music in the scene in which Luke finds himself at the ‘Witch Meeting.’ It’s a long scene. And, the CD only has a 38 second cue, in which Luke is turned into a mouse. (This is the tail end of the meeting scene.) It’s missing the music used during the meeting (especially the cue in which Bruno turns into a mouse), and the music that plays when Luke tries to escape.
It’s also missing music when Luke puts the ‘formula 86’ into the soup. There’s a very nice cue when a witch sips from the soup and turns into a mouse. The cue is not here. The CD only has a short cue which seems to be incomplete— it comes in the middle of the music, where The Grand High Witch turns into a mouse. This music again, is near the end of a long part of the film that has a lot of music.
And, also from memory, the music as Luke is transformed back into a human.
I can report on this, because The Meeting and The Witches eating the soup contained the best music, in my opinion.
However, if THIS CD exists, we can hope the other cues are out there somewhere. Even still, I am happy this surfaced and thanks so much for sharing it.
TRACK LIST:
1. Main Title
2. A Real Witch — (Grandma explains how to tell if a woman is a witch, and explains about an unlucky girl named Erica who fell victim to one.)
3. ?
4. Lukes’ Parents —- (Luke and Grandma grieve over the fact that Luke’s parents were in a car accident. )
5. The Woman in Black—- (A woman in black offers Luke a chocolate bar, and tries to lure him down from the tree house.)
6. ?
7. Luke Transforms into a Mouse. —- (Luke’s transformation from boy to mouse.)
8. Back to Grandma — (As Mice, Bruno and Luke race to get back to Grandma’s hotel room.)
9. Where’s Formula 86? — (As a mouse, Luke frantically searches the Grand High Witches hotel room for her magic formula.)
10. The Grand High Witch! — (As the dining room at the hotel is in chaos, The Grand High Witch begins to feel the effects of the potion and turns into a mouse herself.)
11. End Titles.
The last track isn’t the end credits per se (that’s just the second half of the opening credits looped twice), this is the Finale when Luke is turned back into a boy.
(Now to go wait 37 hours for RS to give it to me 😛 )
Don’t get me wrong when I say that the rest is forgettable. I love this score, it’s just unfortunate that the best tracks from the film are not included. Most of the tracks come and go so quick it doesn’t really leave much room to leave much of a lasting impression and not to mention the subpar sound quality makes it difficult to even enjoy the main and end titles. I’ve attempted to clean them up but to no luck. I will admit that the main title theme is just as addicting now as it was 22 years ago. I will also admit that while waiting for the file to download I was continuously humming the theme to myself. It’s a great and fun theme. But 80’s and 90’s scores are gaining in popularity so I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere down the line this got the official album release it deserves.
1. Main Title
2. A Real Witch — (Grandma explains how to tell if a woman is a witch, and explains about an unlucky girl named Erica who fell victim to one.)
3. ?
4. Lukes’ Parents —- (Luke and Grandma grieve over the fact that Luke’s parents were in a car accident. )
5. The Woman in Black—- (A woman in black offers Luke a chocolate bar, and tries to lure him down from the tree house.)
6. ?
7. Luke Transforms into a Mouse. —- (Luke’s transformation from boy to mouse.)
8. Back to Grandma — (As Mice, Bruno and Luke race to get back to Grandma’s hotel room.)
9. Where’s Formula 86? — (As a mouse, Luke frantically searches the Grand High Witches hotel room for her magic formula.)
10. The Grand High Witch! — (As the dining room at the hotel is in chaos, The Grand High Witch begins to feel the effects of the potion and turns into a mouse herself.)
11. End Titles.
Thans for the tracklist.
Title number 3 is played at the end of the film, when grandma sings the song "It doesn’t matter who you are…"
Title number 6 at Lukes birthday and grandma suddenly doesn’t feel well.
Greetings
Thanks, William
There are plenty of FREE software packages on the Internet to convert FLAC to MP3.
Or do you not know how to do Google, either ?.
this one is very reliable for FLAC – MP3 conversion
I beg to differ. Tape hiss and reverb aside, there is no way the sound quality of this recording is below average ("sub-par"). I suppose it depends on what you are comparing it to, but listening to it in Aiff, AAC and Mp3 through my headphones the sound is much better than most bootlegs/promos I encounter.
regarding comment that the "best tracks from the film are not included"…
I beg to differ. Every person I know who wanted this score wanted it primarily for the main title, easily the most memorable tune. And here it is, in an extended version no less.
regarding the comment that the "main titles…are unfortunately way too short" …
I beg to differ. "Way too short" are the under 30-second tracks you get with scoring sessions. 2:21 is not especially generous, but is a respectable time.
Be happy!
http://www.peeje.com/files/359300710/sec.env.d121.rar.html
Password: Orion999
The file within still has yepsa’s original password.
This is posted in response to Williamtaylor1969, who I know is still having Rapidshare issues.
At the start of this Thread I added a new download link with Peeje. Hopefully this will solve the many frustrations you’ve been having with RS. Peeje is new to me—so let me know if you have problems there as well. Thanks!
Yepsa
I know that bishtyboshty very kindly created a new link using Peeje as well (see above), but I thought it would be wise to have the item in my own account too so I can better keep track of it.
Directupload.net – Ddbehe6fp.png (http://s1.directupload.net/file/d/2822/dbehe6fp_png.htm)
Hope you like it too. 🙂
———- Post added at 12:33 PM ———- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ———-
Mr Taylor
alas your back cover is missing…
———- Post added at 12:34 PM ———- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ———-
karawanserei (Loreena’s fan?) nicely done
Thank you very much. 🙂 what do you mean with Loreena’s fan?
Will definitely have to watch it again!
PCM
well, your nick told me so
www.quinlanroad.com/explorethemusic/anancientmuse.asp?id=558
loreena mckennitt caravanserai – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=loreena+mckennitt+caravansera i&oq=loreena+mckennitt+cara&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0l4.10127.10491.0.12124.2.2.0.0.0 .0.166.266.0j2.2.0…0.0.kOIAGOg28-o)
Perhaps You didn�t noted, but the covers included are from another score, the John William movie
My error! The correct artwork (as shown in the 1st post) is now included in the download link.
Directupload.net – Ddbehe6fp.png (http://s1.directupload.net/file/d/2822/dbehe6fp_png.htm)
Hope you like it too. 🙂
YES, I do!!! 🙂
MUCH better than mine! And that photobucket site is CRAP! They already deleted my picture! W T F ?????
Thanks Karawanserei!
William
now this outstanding score has the cover it deserves. 😉 thanks for our collaboration. 🙂
Hi Yepsa, I was reffering to the covers included with the score on the download link.
My mistake,
That are scans for both scores, the John Williams Score and the Stanley Myers score
And…
Yes, other covers that match this release are provided in the post.
This score is excelent!
Cool Upload
No, Kobalski—-you are correct!!! Please see my updated reply in #63 above.
I’m not sure what you mean. Please clarify.
I hope a full release is available one of these days!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9VMxVCdBYo
THE WITCHES (unreleased score by Stanley Myers) (LOSSLESS) (FLAC)
For Nicholas Roeg�s fantasy film of 1989 (with Angelica Huston hamming it up as a witch intent on turning children into rodents) Stanley Myers provided a short but delightful score. Sadly, Myers would die just 4 years later and the score would remain unreleased. Then about 2 years ago a CD showed up at auction (listed as a "promo") and I managed to obtain a copy.
There are 11 tracks totaling only 14 minutes! Yet there is also music on the disc not included in the film. The wonderful main title, for example, is twice as long as what is heard in the film. Thus we know this was not recorded off the DVD. Since no album was ever issued, we also know it’s not an LP-to-CD transfer. There appears to be overall tape hiss. Anyone who has additional information is encouraged to add comments.
Audio Quality: very good stereo sound. No dialog or sfx.
Tau Analyzer and EAC both indicated this recording is lossless.
Ripped to FLAC with XLD.
Artwork, like shown below, is included in the link.
Link is in spoiler…
Password = crybaby
LINK = https://mega.co.nz/#!YZ9FzBzD!Rud-GmOg8ty1vgvxhz3h5QIoo9RB6019qwEKC4oFeKg
NOTE: This CD contains unreleased music. As of the upload date it had not been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Anyone with sufficient cause can request I remove it from this site by contacting me by PM or by entering a reply. Thank you.
I love this movie :)!!
Thank you
The original link is in the "spoiler" of the very first post. A "newer" version can be found in post #114.