The latest series of compilation discs coming from Silva continues an impressive string of releases from the label.  Though quite short, even by the label’s standards, this collection of music from various Batman-themed music for TV, film, and animated outings is a tremendous overview of great music.

Some of the music on this release has appeared before and features Nic Raine conducting the City of Prague orchestra through music by Danny Elfman for Batman and Batman Returns.  The music from Batman appears to be a version of an earlier suite on a Silva compilation re-tracked for individual cues.  The possibility of it being a recent recording of the music is slightly likely, but if these are older recordings they appear to include some corrected intonation and rhythmic issues which cropped before. 

James Fitzpatrick appears on to conduct the newer and second portion of the disc in some quite enticing selections.  The “Batterdamerung & Mouth to Mouth Nocturne” make up a brief selection from Batman Forever.  It is quite well-played as is the following “Main Titles & Fanfare” from Batman and Robin (which is music that also appeared in Batman Forever with some alteration).  These two Goldenthal selections make you wish the composer was more active, and even that his music might find its way onto a fuller overview on the present label.

Of additional interest will be the music from Shirley Walker’s wonderful score to Batman—Mask of the Phantasm presented here as a all too brief collection of three cues.  If you have not heard Christopher Drake’s score for the more recent Batman—Gotham Knight you will be in for a treat as the composer’s samples and synths are translated into their full orchestral and choral components proving just what a great score he created for the direct-to-DVD animated film.

Finally, the disc concludes with two tracks devoted to the “original” Adam West TV show whose theme provides a fitting conclusion to the disc, but not before a performance of Nelson Riddle’s “Main Titles” for Batman—The Movie.  These are both performed by the London Music Works which here appears to be a live ensemble under the direction of arranger Evan Jolly.  The performance of the TV theme is a definite improvement over Silva’s previous orchestral release on an old Cult Favorites compilation.

Easily recommended for fans of the Batman films.

Where the heck did February go!?  I just realized today with some down time and no snow to shovel that I had yet to do my top 5 of the month. 

I did a bit of catch up last month in some respects and picked up 2 2008 scores that almost slipped under the radar.  I think I discussed these here earlier as best of 2008 but if you missed it here are a few observations.

First, Elfman's Standard Operating Procedure score really continues to hold an interesting memory of its music more than his other scores this past year.  Next to Wanted, this is the sort of Elfman score that will warrant more exploration over time and features enough of the composer's signature style with this new mix of postminimalist technique that really make you excited to see what he will do next.  Milk is in a similar vein, but somehow does not quite hold my attention as much.

I was completely suckered in to Paul Englishby's score for the minor Ms. Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  Yes it's a period comedy score with contemporary big band/swing moments but it is so expertly scored that you can just enjoy the album on its own.  You won't be running off singing its themes but you will enjoy the superb character music he created for this mostly satisfying, if odd, film.

Tribute Film Classic's latest release, Steiner's The Charge of the Light Brigade, is just another sheer enjoyment with great music making and fabulous sound.  Reviewed here earlier in the month this needs to go to the top of the pile for fans of Golden Age music.  Out of all the finger crossing I've thought about doing, this is one business venture I hope can stay afloat!

Next is a slightly new score by a talent I've been continually impressed with, Joby Talbot.  After a little bargain hunting I picked up his score for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which is really one of the better surprises of 2005.  "So Long And Thanks For All the Fish" was worth the price of this release, if you could just track it down.  It's one of those scores I had been wanting to get for some time and which got relegated to randomly finding it at my local independent store.  Talbot's music for Son of Rambow is equally interesting and worth tracking down as well and we will probably hear more from him.  I think next to Murray Gold he's one of Britain's finest new crop of composers.

As I have often quipped to my primary FSM contact, the worst thing about being a contributing writer to a magazine that gets you CDs to review is that you sometimes get hooked on new composers, or older composers that you may never have paid the time of day to before.  Such is the case with Film Score Monthly's wonderful three-disc Mandel Trio which demonstrates the depth and orchestral finesse of this composer whose music we all know from jazz standard performances.  The real reasons for picking up this set are manifold, but having both the album and score tracks for The Sandpiper are one of them.  But as is the case with all FSM discs, what you sometimes buy a disc(s) for ends up to be just one of many other superb blessings.  That's actually how I ended up buying this set after hearing some of Mandel's music in the label's MGM Soundtrack Treasury.  If you haven't decided whether to grab this yet, do reconsider.

So there you go, 5 essentially new discs worth discovering, or relistening too.  And now that the longer month of March is here, perhaps I can be a bit more active blogging away on more occasions!  Happy listening.