Description

Us pressed music cassette. White cassette with black text with one foreign audio trailer not available on the vinyl version. Limited 400 copies

Dare you say his name five times

This is the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Clive Barker’s 1992 Candyman composed and performed by Philip Glass. Clive Barker, who wrote the story for Candyman, is a multi talented artist, painter, director and producer. The extent of his work is nearly endless. Spawning Nightbreed, Hellraiser, Lord Of Illusions and the Books Of Blood just to name a few. Philip Glass also needs no introduction. Considered one of the most influential composers of the last century, his works are featured in a multitude of movies like Koyaanisqatsi, Hamburger Hill, The Truman Show, etc. Mr. Glass was nominated for and won several Golden Globes, Bafta and Academy Awards. Music by classical composer Philip Glass has been used in so many movies (and ripped off in so many more) that it’s surprising Candyman and the franchise it spawned has been his only serious brush with contemporary horror – surprising, that is, because his trademark hypnotic repetitions and remorseless momentum feel especially well-suited to a genre that thrives on chases, wrong turns and traps. Glass, it’s reported, was disappointed by the film: What he’d presumed would be an artful version of Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” had ended up, in his view, a low-budget slasher. Still, there’s no question his score – an unusually creepy mix of huffy organ, choral chanting, wistful piano and chilly glockenspiel – is potent and appropriate … and, with characteristic pragmatism, Glass concedes even now in interviews that having scored Candyman continues to yield fiscal benefits. Those who appreciate the arpeggios and wordless choruses of Glass will also find much to enjoy in this album, even if you haven’t seen the films. The opening “Music Box” theme comes as close to a traditional melody as Glass has ever composed. Other tracks consist of a more typical Glass sound, with wordless choruses over electronics and phrases repeated to almost hypnotic effect. Additional layers of organ and piano give the entire score a very gothic feel. Glass obviously aimed for something more than just a typical horror score, and the lovely piano passages in “Helen’s Theme” serve to illustrate his approach. This release sounds great to my ears. Great music. Possibly not as complex or intricate as some of Glass’ other compositions and operas, but it’s really hard to argue with a Philip Glass horror soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Music Box
2. Cabrini Green
3. Helens Theme
4. Face to Razor
5. Floating Candyman
6. Return To Cabrini
7. It Was Always You, Helen
8. Audio Trailer