Top Stuff from 2007 #4 - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - Complete Recordings

#4 - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING - COMPLETE RECORDINGS

Now how could you not agree that this one of the top soundtrack releases of 2007? You might even be mildly offended that this doesn't rank higher than #4. (Trust me, my fine Middle-Earth-friend, you'll likely be ok, when we get to numero uno). Now, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING COMPLETE RECORDINGS only slides to #4 because the first release of the "complete recording" series, THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, was the release that redefined our collective expectations on special release CD sets. With this release, we knew what to expect...and we got it. Other franchises have tried to step up to the plate, with the STAR WARS 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS EDITION and the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN COLLECTORS set, but neither have come even close to the LORD OF THE RINGS COMPLETE RECORDINGS series. This last installment of the trilogy continued the tradition of high quality packaging, insightful notes, and of course, so much of the music missing off of the original soundtrack release - and then the DVD-AUDIO disc for you audiophiles. This was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year and Warner/Reprise delivered.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Complete Recordings by Howard Shore Review

Before the rest of this Sunday is committed to a full menu of fabulous football games, I wanted to post regarding the review of the LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - COMPLETE RECORDINGS (one of the longest titles for a soundtrack ever.) If you decide to check it out after the "super bowl" today...I'll completely understand.

Here's a bit...

Hard to believe that it's been four years since Peter Jackson's climactic, part 3 of his LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy hit movie screens. With subsequent release of the extended edition DVDs and then the Complete Recording releases of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and then THE TWO TOWERS, there has been plenty to keep fans of the film and its score well occupied.

Although there are plans for more LORD OF THE RINGS/ HOWARD SHORE musical-goodness to come in the not-too-distant-future, THE RETURN OF THE KING: COMPLETE RECORDINGS, does wrap up the epic set of music from the trilogy. The third film, being the longest, also featured the most music. Factor in that the extended edition of the film added almost an hour of additional footage - much of it requiring additional score, and there has been a mumakil's worth of score that has gone unreleased until now - including some of the music from the film's top moments. Now, just as the two previous Complete Recording releases did, RETURN OF THE KING delivers just about every second of music one could hope for from the film and does so in impressive fashion.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

RETURN OF THE KING: COMPLETE RECORDINGS DELAYED

If you haven't already heard...I shall bear the tidings of great un-joy to you today. While the recent fires of Southern California have had far more tragic effects upon the lives of thousands of people, another sad consequence is that the fires have delayed the release of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING - THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS.

As it stands now, it is scheduled for release on 11/20/07, so hold steady fine hobbitses for you shall hold your precious soon!

In the meantime, say a prayer, make a donation, or lend a hand to those in that part of the country who have lost so much.