Close Encounters of the Third Kind
John Williams

  • Original Score Composed, Conducted by: John Williams
  • Label: Arista Records
  • Online Ordering Options: (Collector's Edition): Amazon.com

Review

The maestro behind Amistad, Empire of the Sun, Far and Away, Hook, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List and Seven Years in Tibet is also behind this classic score. Other than the notes played at the end and the "Wish Upon A Star" tune, the rest of the score is far game. There are a number of moods to choose from, though the tone of the whole album is soft and understated. The short length of most of the tracks make it good for events or descriptions. I tend to think of it is a science fiction score, even though the movie is set in the "present day". A classic score well worth a look.

Track Listing and Notes

  1. Opening: Let There Be Light (0:46) - opening
  2. Navy Planes (2:06) - danger
  3. Lost Squadron (2:23) - attack ~ eerie
  4. Roy's First Encounter (2:41) - eerie ~ tension
  5. Encounter at Crescento Summit (1:21) - tension
  6. Chasing UFOs (1:18) - danger
  7. False Alarm (1:42) - tension
  8. Barry's Kidnapping (6:19) confrontation ~ danger
  9. The Cover-Up (2:25) - undercurrent
  10. Stars and Trucks (0:44) - march
  11. Forming the Mountain (1:49) - discovery
  12. TV Reveals (1:49) - hunt
  13. Roy and Gillian on the Road (1:10) - journey
  14. The Mountain (3:31) - arrival
  15. "Who Are You People?" (1:35) - march
  16. The Escape (2:18) - tension
  17. The Escape (Alternate Cue) (2:40) - danger
  18. Trucking (2:01) - chase
  19. Climbing the Mountain (2:32) - danger
  20. Outstretched Hands (2:47) - tension
  21. Lightshow (3:43) - discovery
  22. Barnstorming (4:25) - resolution
  23. The Mothership (4:33) - mystery
  24. Wild Signals (4:12)
  25. The Returnees (3:45) - magic
  26. The Visitors/"Bye"/End Title: The Special Edition (12:32)

Total Running Time: 77:19

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind © 1988 Arista Records.