Jaws – 2 x CD Complete Score – Limited Edition – John Williams

One of cinema’s most famous soundtracks finally gets the deluxe 2-CD treatment it deserves! John Williams won a well-deserved Academy Award for his 1975 scoring masterpiece Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, featuring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw… and the most terrifying shark in movie history. Peter Benchley’s No. 1 best-selling book became a sensational hit under Spielberg, who himself claimed the John Williams music was responsible for at least half of the picture’s success. And what music! Basses, cellos and arguably the two most famous “theme” notes in history. Williams offers a score that is equal parts powerfully ferocious terror, rousing nautical adventure. Almost the entire soundtrack as it appears in the film was presented for the first time in its actual soundtrack form for the movie’s 25th anniversary in 2000 for the Decca label. The three-channel scoring masters were then newly-mixed into 5.1 sound for the film, with numerous sonic compromises made to create two-track stereo album masters, including significant reduction of the stereo imaging as well as liberal added reverb and noise reduction. For this new 2-CD release on Intrada, we have returned to the original session tapes, courtesy Universal Pictures, and created brand new mixes with state-of-the-art technology, affording genuine stereo imaging with clarity of detail and dynamic range never-before available – all under the supervision of John Williams. Included are all of the actual soundtrack sequences plus several brief but previously unreleased cues and several alternate selections, all being heard for the first time ever! Enjoy an alternate version of the “Main Title” made early in the scoring sessions but never used, two versions of the previously unreleased “Shark Tows Orca”, two versions of the lengthy and incredible “Man Against Beast” cue, an extended version of “The Empty Raft”, an alternate version of “Quint Meets His End”, and more! CD 2 features a remastered presentation of the famed 1975 re-recorded 35-minute MCA album. Finally, six selections from the Amity Town Band parade and beach sequences, arranged by Stu Phillips and Hal Mooney and recorded by Williams early in the sessions, bring this important set to a close. Mike Matessino restores and masters the audio, Scott Bettencourt authors the informative liner notes, Joe Sikoryak provides the colorful “flipper” cover artwork and booklet design. A soundtrack library essential! John Williams conducts. Intrada INT series 2-CD set.