Vangelis - Blade Runner Esper Edition (Bootleg)

"This is it. Don't look any further. Had I known this release was on its way‚ I would have found it difficult to give many of the other Blade Runner bootlegs the maximum rating in the past. This "Esper Productions" double cd private release is‚ to date‚ the most comprehensive and accurate Blade Runner version to see the light of day. Where every other BR bootleg falters‚ this version is resilient. I believe it's as close as we've ever come to the

Ultimate Blade Runner Soundtrack

so far. With so many Blade Runner boots out there‚ many reading this review might be asking‚ "so what's the big deal?" I'll give it a shot:

Basically‚ this release parts on a similar premise of the 2000 OWM release (i.e. a double disc release trying to take music from every BR source) but takes this idea much farther with never-before-heard music and excellent production quality. For the first time‚ this release has virtually ALL of the music from the film (Directors Cut and 1982 theatrical release). Highlights of new goodies on these discs:

. Most noteworthy‚ this release debuts "Thinking of Rachael" - the shorter and different take of the Love Theme‚ (heard only in the 1982 theatrical release where Deckard dozes off on his piano). A first on any release.

. For the first time‚ the incidental music heard when Deckard wakes Rachael‚ just before their escape at the end of the film is present on the track titled "Rachael Sleeps."

. At long last‚ (as in the film itself) the eerie electronic rumblings leading into the "Love Theme" is expanded and presented in its complete form‚ titled "I am the Business." (The recent Deck Music and Deck Art releases decide to "chop up" this sequence into several parts for no apparent reason).

. Incidental music from the Esper photo examination film sequence is present on the track titled "Esper Analysis."

. The "Prologue and Main Titles" track contains the original "LA‚ November 2019" sound effect cue leading into the Main Titles‚ as heard in the film itself. (The Deck Music and Deck Art releases layered a spinner effect over it)

. The track titled "Deckard Enters the Bradbury" also has expanded music‚ not heard on any BR release.

. For the first time‚ the complete "Tears in Rain" dialog is presented here (i.e. "time to die" omitted from other versions)

. Lastly‚ this release contains interesting new mixes and transitions‚ (i.e. the fusion featured on the track titled "Sushi Bar- Damask Rose")

As gathered from reading many BR reviews in the past‚ some fans might find the brief dialog sequences distracting‚ preferring the musical purity principle of the "Gongo" or "BR 2001" releases. Nonetheless‚ it's clear that this Esper Productions release is extremely true to the film's atmospheric offerings while presenting all of the major themes in a very coherent and original manner. For this‚ and it's many new additions I find this "Esper Edition" BR release as close to perfection as it gets. Truly‚ a must have."




Tracklist:

Disc One

Prologue And Main Titles 3:54
Leon's Voight Kampff Test 1:09
Sushi Bar - Damask Rose 2:46
Spinner Ascent 1:21
Blush Response 5:43
Wait For Me 5:12
Deckard Meets Rachael 1:36
Rachael's Song 4:20
Tales Of The Future 4:53
Bicycle Riders 2:10
Chew's Eye Lab 1:15
Memories Of Green 5:35
Blade Runner Blues 10:01
Pris Meets J.F. Sebastian 1:47
One More Kiss‚ Dear 4:04

Disc Two

Deckard Dream 1:10
Thinking Of Rachael 1:18
Esper Analysis 2:34
Animoid Row 2:34
Taffey Lewis Night Club 2:02
Salome's Dance 1:23
Zhora's Retirement 1:42
I am The Business 2:29
Love Theme 4:58
I Dreamt Music 4:32
Morning At The Bradbury 3:46
The Prodigal Son Brings Death 4:07
Deckard Enters The Bradbury 3:37
Dangerous Days 0:57
Wounded Animals 10:53
Tears In Rain 2:51
Rachael Sleeps 2:08
End Titles 4:06

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Original Music Composed and Performed by Vangelis
"Harps Of The Ancient Temples" written and performed by Gail Laughton
Vocals on tracks 3‚9 (disc 1) and track 5 (disc II) by Demis Roussos
Vocals on "Rachael's Song" by Mary Hopkin
Saxophone on tracks 2 and 9 (disc II) by Dick Morrisey
Lyrics and vocals on "One More Kiss‚ Dear" by Don Percival