Forget the somewhat cheesy cover and go straight to the music! This is a perfect representation of all the best bits that John Williams has to offer. The performances by the Boston Pops are first rate and the selections cover virtually all of the blockbusting scores that Williams had done up to that point. The two fanfares and themes are well worth the price alone. The Olympic Fanfare is available on several recordings including the Summon the Heroes album, but this version retains Williams' original opening. The Liberty Fanfare is probably less familiar, but equally as good, although the slight impression that Williams celebratory themes are somewhat similar might occur while listening to them, but despite that he certainly delivers the goods. The NBC News theme is not one I've actually heard on NBC whenever I've visited the USA and it's certainly the most unusual news theme I've heard. It actually sounds like it ought to be from a film about a news stations or something, As all the other film music is performed exceptionally well, there is nothing that stands out for any reason. The only slight qualm I have is the very bombastic arrangement of the ending from Jaws where, instead of fading out, the orchestra builds to all playing the two note theme very melodramatically as an ending. This is a shame as I thought it spoiled the point of the Jaws theme, which to me musically represented a shark attack or something to that effect. Otherwise, the arrangements are pretty much as they were on the original albums or are arranged in the usual splendid way that Williams does for his concert pieces. Overall a CD that Williams fans might not require and perhaps if it didn't include the Liberty Fanfare and NBC News theme, I'd be inclined to agree, but it's still a nice album to have just so you remember what a fantastic composer John Williams is.
Rating ~ 