Harold Faltermeyer + Various: White Magic

The sun is shining, kids are acting up around my area, and the weather is fairly calm; and yet, here I am randomly browsing the most typical of e-Bay, Amazon, GEMM, and some other sites devoted to selling CD's and such, when I am instantly welcomed by this one-of-a-kind treasure, and I DO mean one-of-a-kind...

This is the MEGA rare soundtrack, originally issued in Germany in 1994 as far as I know, to Willy Bogner's 1994 sports/documentary film, "White Magic." Just so you know, I have heard about the existence of this particular rarity - courtesy of a search for music by Harold Faltermeyer in which I conducted on a few sites - and I am somewhat surprised, and for that matter not surprised, as to what is featured on here.

For starters, you get some wonderful in-film music from such artists as Johnny Logan, Sally Olfdield, Foreigner, and even Harold Faltermeyer. Plus, you get music from many more artists. Though some of these songs are taken from other albums, I can assure you that they are either underrated, or too overrated to be remembered.

First, here are the songs in which were previously released, and/or taken from other albums:

-I'm on My Way - Gotthard
-Move - H-Blockx
-Eye to Eye - Roger Chapman*
-The Race - Yello
-Joy of Life - Kenny G
-Waves - Snap

*"Eye to Eye," though a rarity, was previously released and featured in Willy Bogner's "Fire, Ice & Dynamite (1990)."

In addition to some previously released music, this CD also features ten tracks worth of in-film music.

Here are the in-film songs:

-White Magic - Johnny Logan
-Crash & Burn - Foreigner*
-Morning Has Broken - Sally Oldfield
-Crystal Dreams - Alexis
-One Night With You - Sidekick
-White Magic (instrumental)**
-Ago Di Sciora**
-Big Mountain**
-Love Theme from White Magic**
-Fuchsbaupolka - Markus Wasmeier Trio

*Foreigner's "Crash and Burn," a true rarity, was technically released before this CD came out, but for some mysterious reason it was excluded from their 1994 album, "Mr. Moonlight;" however, it was featured on that same album one year later, but only as a bonus track on the rare Japanese pressing.

**Instrumental music arranged, produced and performed by Harold Faltermeyer.

I gotta say, this film's title track, performed by Irish singer Johnny Logan, is awesome, and perhaps the trademark of this CD. Yet as "great" as I think the title song is, along with some of the other tunes on here, I must respond to Faltermeyer's instrumentals in a different direction: For instance, his instrumental cues for this album features unusual orchestral elements here and there, while his tried and true electronic elements - his signature talent - are put on a slight hold. On the flip-side, however, Faltermeyer does stick a perfect landing with his exclusive imprint when it comes to producing most of the in-film music, with the exception of the last song, "Fuchsbaupolka," which is a soothing variety of acoustic guitars.

Well, I guess at some point, Mr. Faltermeyer would eventually implement orchestral elements to a soundtrack. This would be the equivalent of late composer Jerry Goldsmith, one who was well-known for symphonic masterpieces, trying his hands on synthesized/electronic elements.

Oh, and for the record, both "White Magic" and "Morning has Broken" received a CD-single release in Germany in 1994.

Nonetheless, this is a rarity, and I have yet to actually see this offered on another blog, and I am not just referring to the title song, and perhaps another song as well. In closing, this CD does rock, as it is consistent of rock, jazz, electronic, and even symphonic tunes that will eventually enhance your listening pleasures. However, for the sake of disclosure, I would SERIOUSLY recommend hearing some of this music, first, before even trying to go hunting for a copy of this pretty nice rarity. If anyone is considering trying to find a copy of this CD, good luck!


















The password is:
SB-1989

Enjoy!


UPDATE: Thanks to a hell of a great friend of mine, I bring to you guys/gals the rare "movie version" of this film's title song. This pure treasure was taken from of an ultra-rare three track CD single, featuring the radio edit, film edit, and the instrumental version. This is a killer extended version of the title song.

Johnny Logan - White Magic (Movie Version)