Excellent, is about the only English adjective that can be used to describe this release of John Williams' classic score. The sound quality is considerably better than the anthology. The music is also sequenced into the correct order to follow the film precisely and so it is much easier to get a sense of what is going on as the music plays. The lucky coincidence that the two Cantina pieces fit into such a good place make them a good round out to the first disc. The previously unreleased material isn't anything that great, certainly it wouldn't have been missed as much as the unreleased Empire or Return of the Jedi music, but for completism, RCA Victor must get the full ten out of ten. The cues are also thoughtfully run together where applicable and there are few tracks that run for either too long or are too short. For me, some of the tracks on Empire seem too long, but this is never the case here. Not that it would matter anyway, the music is such a great experience, that as long as it was all there, I don't think I'd care that much anyway. The music, is, of course excellent and will take you through desolate sandy wastes, through thrilling action moments, through moments of quiet and of course moments of triumph.

The alternate Binary Sunset cue is certainly noteworthy as it makes an interesting alternative to the original version using the Force theme, this hints at the force theme, but is less soaring, but more reflective and subdued. The alternate versions of the Main Title are interesting, although you'll probably get a little fed up after the umpteenth time you've listened to them, but picking out all the differences from the other versions you've heard is quite fun. All in all, an excellent release of a landmark score that truly shaped the way modern film music has evolved.

Rating ~

Disc 1

  1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare (Alfred Newman, 1954) (0:23)
  2. Main Title - Rebel Blockade Runner (2:14)
  3. Imperial Attack (6:43)
  4. The Dune Sea of Tatooine - Jawa Sandcrawler (5:01)
  5. The Moisture Farm ** (2:25)
  6. The Hologram - Binary Sunset (4:10)
  7. Landspeeder Search - Attack of the Sand people ** (3:20)
  8. Tales of a Jedi Knight ** - Learn about the Force * (4:29)
  9. Burning Homestead (2:50)
  10. Mos Eisley Spaceport (2:16)
  11. Cantina Band (2:47)
  12. Cantina Band #2 (3:56)
  13. Archival Bonus Track: Binary Sunset (Alternate) * (2:19)
    13a. (5:00) All 5 original takes of Main Title
    Including Take 16, which is the first recording ever of the Main Title

Disc 2

  1. Princess Leia's Theme (4:27)
  2. The Millennium Falcon - Imperial Cruiser Pursuit ** (3:51)
  3. Destruction of Alderaan (1:32)
  4. The Death Star - The Stormtroopers * (3:35)
  5. Wookiee Prisoner - Detention Block Ambush (4:01)
  6. Shoot-out in the Cell Bay - Dianoga (3:48)
  7. The Trash Compactor (3:07)
  8. The Tractor Beam - Chasm Crossfire (5:18)
  9. Ben Kenobi's Death - Tie Fighter Attack (3:51)
  10. The Battle of Yavin (9:07)
    Launch from the fourth moon - X-wings draw fire - Use the force
  11. The Throne Room - End Title (5:38)

* Previously Unreleased
**Contains Previously Unreleased Music.