Post #447472 by Son-of-Kelbo on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 10:05 AM

"Master Of The World" was the first Les Baxter score I ever owned, got it on vinyl when I was around 14 or 15, and it's still one of my favorite soundtracks. Here's an edit/re-sequence I did of it years ago which plays best for me:

01-Master Of The World (03) - The Albatross - Les Baxter
02-Master Of The World (05) - Over the Rocks - Les Baxter
03-Master Of The World (08) - Philadelphia - Les Baxter
04-Master Of The World (02) - Topage - Les Baxter
05-Master Of The World (09) - Drifting Clouds - Les Baxter
06-Master Of The World (10) - The Conquerors - Les Baxter
07-Master Of The World (12) - Finale - Les Baxter

The re-sequence numbers are on the left, and the original track numbers precede each track's title (these numbers correspond to the vinyl LP release -- I'm not sure about the CD, and at the auction prices noted here I'm not likely to see it anytime soon).

Much as I enjoy and admire Mr. Baxter's work, and believe me I do, I personally find the original score's "Overture" (01) rather prematurely harsh, while "The Albatross" (03), while immediately striking a bold french horn MOTW motif, is a more pleasing introduction into the following cues. "The Balloon Waltz" and "The Flight Concerto" from the original soundtrack are also, to me, a tad too gooey, and pull down the otherwise heroic tone of the score, and so I chose not to include them; likewise "Mediterranean", which ties the piece down to a particular region. Far better, and much more enjoyable, is Baxter's very clever and delightful "Topage" (02), which I held back in the sequence so its whimsical character would pivot the re-sequence and center its international flavor.

Anyway, no disrespect at all is meant toward Mr. Baxter. For me this re-sequence has made "Master Of The World" more accessible for regular listening, rather than something that I would only pull off the shelf between long intervals, or pick the odd track out of for some custom soundtrack anthology. This way it's a suite, dedicated to the spirit of the film, and I think agreeably showcases Baxter's timelessly heroic and romantic composition.

Mucho mahalos to OB, JC, & KK, for this heads-up about a great (if already sold-out :( ) Les Baxter CD release!