John Williams's second collaboration with then-wunderkind director Steven Spielberg not only gave Hollywood one of its most indelible musical motifs--the rampaging shark's rhythmic, swelling two-note figure that's long sin... more »ce become a sonic archetype for terror--it won the composer his first scoring Oscar (he'd previously won for adapting Fiddler on the Roof) and arguably made him a film music superstar. Williams's oft-brooding score is one of the key elements of the film's gut-wrenching success, a shrewdly manipulative orchestral underpinning that evokes the idyll of a beach resort one bar, the horrors of being eaten alive the next. There are more motifs than melodies here, but as with Bernard Herrmann they evoke almost subliminal emotional responses, creating a masterfully menacing, brass-heavy concerto of surprising depth. Music for fly-fishing it isn't! --Jerry McCulley« less
John Williams's second collaboration with then-wunderkind director Steven Spielberg not only gave Hollywood one of its most indelible musical motifs--the rampaging shark's rhythmic, swelling two-note figure that's long since become a sonic archetype for terror--it won the composer his first scoring Oscar (he'd previously won for adapting Fiddler on the Roof) and arguably made him a film music superstar. Williams's oft-brooding score is one of the key elements of the film's gut-wrenching success, a shrewdly manipulative orchestral underpinning that evokes the idyll of a beach resort one bar, the horrors of being eaten alive the next. There are more motifs than melodies here, but as with Bernard Herrmann they evoke almost subliminal emotional responses, creating a masterfully menacing, brass-heavy concerto of surprising depth. Music for fly-fishing it isn't! --Jerry McCulley
"I've been reading a lot of people's displeasure at this version of the seminal soundtrack, and I just wanted to leap to its defense. Those who don't recognize this as the "real" soundtrack have a point; especially if you have heard the new 25th Anniversary version, which does contain the music actually used in the movie.
But those people probably weren't around for the original release of the movie, and this version of the soundtrack in conjunction with it. I was, and I can tell you as someone who (like everyone else at the time) ran out and bought this...I don't feel like this re-recording blunted or distorted the effect of the music one bit. The memories of the film that it helped me recall each time I listened to it were just as bone-chilling and terrifying when they were supposed to be.
In fact, because the earlier version was more an evocation of the film's essence, rather than the music that actually enhanced the visuals, a lot more nuances and a lot of the primal essence was brought out here than with the "true" soundtrack.
I'm not one to fall victim to the obvious calculation of marketing tactics, but in this case I would strongly recommend that the die-hard movie soundtrack lover purchase BOTH versions. Think of this one as the "concert" version, and the new one as the "true" soundtrack. Either way, hey, how can you go wrong? It's JAWS, and it's John Williams, for cripes' sake! Either way, just enjoy...and appreciate the fact that you can listen to this music while having a snack...instead of BEING one...
"
Watch It! Here Comes The Shark!
Luis M. Ramos | Caracas, Venezuela | 05/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The leitmotive for "Jaws" keeps you scared. Every time you hear it, you know that the shark is coming. John Williams' music keeps the listener in constant suspense. The main title is chilling. The chase cues ("Sea Attack Number One" and "One Barrel Chase") are propulsive and exciting. You can feel the real fright as you hear "Night Search" and "The Indianapolis Story". All in all, this is one of Williams' most exciting scores. Dare go into the water, anyone?"
Jaws...A great soundtrack the fits the movie perfectly!
Joseph Payne | 05/20/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jaws...A fantastic score! As with many soundtracks, this score isn't the best when it comes to just plain listening to a soundtrack, but as Steven Spielburg has said, their probably hasn't been a movie as good as Jaws that the music goes along so well with! Jaws was orginally written in 1975, and is deffinately one of the main soundtracks that made John Williams popular. It is often rare to find music on Jaws that is not tense...This soundtrack is all about tense music! The music gives you a clear picture of just what is going on during the movie, and you can always picture "the shark" coming towards you with the deep strings in the background going up and down the scales. The main title from Jaws starts with that same deep sound of strings in the background, and adventually, brass join in to give you a picture of "that same old shark." Even though Jaws is a tense score, tracks such as "Out to sea" or very inspirational, and believe it or not, it even reminds me of the soundtrack to E.T. in many ways. Another track that isn't quite so tense is 7, "One Barrel Chase", which has much the same style as "Out to Sea." (Although it does start with Jaws' theme) The music of this soundtrack brings out the movie so incredibly well that listening to Jaws is basically watching the movie in a different way. If you like tense, sea-sounding music, this soundtrack is for you."
John is a great composer in all of his films
Joseph Payne | 10/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love all John Williams music, and he does a fantastic job composing and making the movie even more interesting and exciting."
A good soundtrack full of classic suspense
retrowens | Alabama, USA | 12/16/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Jaws" has always been one of my favorite movies of all time since the first time I saw it, and it always will be. To be honest, I haven't ever been that much of a fan of instrumental music; I usually prefer music to have vocals included. But I do like some instrumentals, especially the older ones from the 50's and 60's.When I got the opportunity to listen to the original Jaws Soundtrack, I didn't hesitate because I remembered the heart-throbbing music from the movie. After listening to the full album, I wasn't disappointed at all. It sort of made me feel like I just watched the movie.Most of the tracks on the Jaws Soundtrack last around two and a half minutes, with some being longer and some being a bit shorter. The majority of the tracks are very suspenseful, with fast beats and that all-familiar music that signifies Jaws is on his way. In many of the tunes, there is a good mixture of both suspenseful and easy listening.Pretty much, if you like the movie "Jaws" and especially if you like the music you hear from the movie, then you will definitely like this soundtrack!"