The Oliver Stone Connection [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The music found on Oliver Stone's various soundtracks are often as varied as the movies they were created for. (And, to some, they often sound better than their movie counterparts screen.) The double CD The Oliver Stone Connection showcases some of the more memorable scores and songs, most of which are interspersed with Stone's commentary on various music styles, movies, scoring challenges, etc. Some of the comments are truly interesting--Stone describes how, for instance, the singing found on the The Doors is a confusing studio manipulation that is sometimes Morrison, sometimes Kilmer (sometimes just a scream would be lifted from one or the other). Of course, the same diversity that keeps Stone fans wanting more is this collection's setback. Unfortunately, the memorable scores by John Williams and Ennio Morricone (for Born on the Fourth of July and U-Turn, respectively) are both pushed to the back of disc 2, and Stone's narration becomes a distraction after the first listening. There aren't many directors who've shown enough foresight to use Morricone, Peggy Lee, Leonard Cohen and Nine Inch Nails on their soundtracks. Unfortunately, there's probably a better way to present this musical breadth. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

On Music & Score - Oliver Stone
El Salvador Ta Venciendo - Yolocamba Ita
On Salvador - Oliver Stone
Queen Of Hearts - Juice Newton
On Soul Brother Spirit - Oliver Stone
Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miacles
On Jefferson Airplane - Oliver Stone
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
On Music In Vietnam - Oliver Stone
American Pie - Don McLean
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
On Sex, Movies & Music - Oliver Stone
Speaking Of Happiness - Gloria Lynne
It's A Good Day - Peggy Lee
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
On The Doors - Oliver Stone
The End - The Doors

Tracks:

Telephone & Rubber Band - Penguin Cafe Orchestra
On Natural Born Killers - Oliver Stone
Burn - Nine Inch Nails
On Leonard Cohen - Oliver Stone
The Future - Leonard Cohen
Ghost Town - The Specials
On Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Oliver Stone
Taboo - Peter Gabriel & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
On Choosing Composers - Oliver Stone
Heaven & Earth (Land Theme) - Kitaro & Orch
Wall Street (End Title Theme) - Stewart Copeland
On Composers - Oliver Stone
Love Theme/Finale (from Salvador) - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Georges Delerue
Born On The 4th Of July - John Williams
Theme From JFK - John Williams
On JFK & U-Turn - Oliver Stone
U-Turn - Ennio Morricone
On Platoon & Adagio For Strings - Oliver Stone
Adagio For Strings - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra/Georges Delerue

Amazon.com

The music found on Oliver Stone's various soundtracks are often as varied as the movies they were created for. (And, to some, they often sound better than their movie counterparts screen.) The double CD The Oliver Stone Connection showcases some of the more memorable scores and songs, most of which are interspersed with Stone's commentary on various music styles, movies, scoring challenges, etc. Some of the comments are truly interesting--Stone describes how, for instance, the singing found on the The Doors is a confusing studio manipulation that is sometimes Morrison, sometimes Kilmer (sometimes just a scream would be lifted from one or the other). Of course, the same diversity that keeps Stone fans wanting more is this collection's setback. Unfortunately, the memorable scores by John Williams and Ennio Morricone (for Born on the Fourth of July and U-Turn, respectively) are both pushed to the back of disc 2, and Stone's narration becomes a distraction after the first listening. There aren't many directors who've shown enough foresight to use Morricone, Peggy Lee, Leonard Cohen and Nine Inch Nails on their soundtracks. Unfortunately, there's probably a better way to present this musical breadth. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Diverse And Interesting........1999-12-16

"The Oliver Stone Connection" is an interesting collage of the different styles and songs one finds in Stone's films. Obviously he is one of the great directors of our time, or at least one of the most controversial. Yet behind the controversy behind such films as "JFK," "Natural Born Killers," "Talk Radio" and "Born On The Fourth Of July," there lies some great classical melodies, World Music sounds and some great rock n' roll. We get some great tunes from the likes of Leonard Cohen, composer John Williams, The Doors and even Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn. Along with the great music there are some interesting, fascinating commentary tracks where Stone talks about music, the impact of music along with movies and tells stories about the hassels of finding music by obscure artists for a movie such as "Salvador" where a song by a guerrilla group was used. We also find out about the unique techniques used in "The Doors" where Val Kilmer's vocals are mixed together with Jim Morrison's (sometimes a scream would be lifted from either vocalist). Of course, there is controversy and debate as there will always be when it comes to the subject of the art of Oliver Stone. He discusses how purists attacked his use of Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn's music in "Natural Born Killers." And there is the great music, the theme from "Heaven And Earth" is especially grand and beautiful while the music for "JFK" and "Born On The Fourth Of July" have an American, edgy feel which reflects the feelings of the movies that beneath the American dream like dark truths. Few directors are as diverse and brilliant as Stone and this is a great collection for those who admire the craft of his films and the selection of music found in them.

Music:

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