Either an awkward or awesome fit for its movie, depending upon whom one asks, 1984’s Ladyhawke veered away from the usual (indeed, almost stereotypical) Korngold-inspired heraldry expected of swords-and-sorcery films and, courtesy of composer Andrew Powell and his producer/collaborator Alan Parsons (of Alan Parsons Project fame), dared to score a period piece with synthesizers and rock music.
The result is practically a lost Project album in style and execution, and not a bad one at that. La-La Land Records expands the Ladyhawke score (last issued in the 1990s by GNP Crescendo) to two discs, including every note of the score, plus goodies such as demos, unused cues, and bite-sized edits of the movie’s music intended for radio advertising. If you already like the score, this release will delight you: there’s more where it came from, including fascinating alternate cues. If you didn’t like the score to begin with, steer clear: nothing here is likely to change your mind about it unless you’re prepared to go in with an open mind and open ears.
The packaging is a huge improvement on the almost-generic presentation of the 1990s release, with liner notes including interviews with Powell, Parsons, and director Richard Donner. This 2-CD set balances out the synth-heavy Crescendo single CD release by revealing that Powell prepared as much “traditional” material as he did anachronistic material; it’s still a fun listen.
Disc One
- Main Title (03:02)
- Phillipe’s Escape From Dungeon (01:51)
- Phillipe’s Escape Through Sewer (01:43)
- The Search For Philippe (03:27)
- Navarre At Sunset (00:22)
- Tavern Fight (Philippe)
(02:10)
- Tavern Fight (Navarre)
(02:43)
- Navarre’s Saddlebag (00:37)
- Navarre Dreams Of Isabeau (00:56)
- Pitou’s Woods (04:07)
- Marquet’s Return To Aquila Part 1 (01:01)
- Philippe Describes Isabeau (01:14)
- Marquet’s Return To Aqula Part 2 (01:17)
- Bishop’s Garden (00:45)
- Navarre Has Returned (00:27)
- Monk’s Chant In Bishop’s Garden (01:58)
- Isabeau Chases A Rabbit (00:25)
- Navarre’s Sunset / Philippe’s Capture (00:36)
- Navarre Is Ambushed / Hawk Injured (04:55)
- Philippe And Imperius Enter Abbey (01:18)
- Philippe Discovers Isabeau’s Secret (01:28)
- Imperius Removes Arrow From Isabeau (01:37)
- The Bishop Interviews Cezar (01:33)
- “You Must Save This Hawk” (01:07)
- Chase Up The Turret / Isabeau’s Fall Part 2 (02:49)
- Isabeau’s Transformation (00:39)
- Isabeau Flies Free (01:14)
- Navarre And Imperius (00:42)
- Navarre And Philippe Leave The Abbey (01:45)
- Wedding Party (01:45)
- Navarre’s Transformation (00:44)
- Wedding Dance (02:38)
- Cezar’s Woods (05:32)
- “She Was Sad At First” (02:09)
- Navarre Rides To Aquila (01:40)
- Philippe And Imperius (00:28)
- Wolf Trapped In Ice Pool (02:38)
- Navarre And Isabeau’s Dual Transformation (03:24)
Disc Two
- Navarre Sees Phillipe’s Wounds (00:44)
- Return to Aquila (02:44)
- Phillipe’s Return Through Sewer (01:03)
- Bishop’s Procession Chant 1 (01:32)
- Bishop’s Procession Chant 2 (01:48)
- The Service Begins (Part 1) (00:50)
- Navarre’s Instruction to Kill Isabeau (00:50)
- The Service Begins (Part 2) (00:40)
- Navarre Enters the Cathedral (01:36)
- Navarre and Marquet Cathedral Fight (04:27)
- Marquet’s Death (02:02)
- Isabeau Appears (00:50)
- Bishop’s Death (02:30)
- The Final Reunion / End Titles (06:07)
- Chase Up the Turret / Isabeau’s Fall Part 1 (00:53)
- Chase / Fall / Transformation (02:10)
- Phillipe Discovers Isabeau’s Secret (01:44)
- Imperius Removes Arrow From Isabeau (01:33)
- Navarre and Phillipe Leave the Abbey (01:45)
- Navarre’s Transformation (00:46)
- Wolf Trapped in Ice Pool (02:36)
- Phillipe’s Jewel (00:51)
- Ent Titles (05:00)
- Spot 01 Radio Bed A – 30′ (00:35)
- Spot 02 Radio Bed A – 30′ (00:35)
- Spot 03 Radio Bed B – 30′ (01:05)
- Spot 04 Radio Bed C – 30′ (00:56)
- Spot 05 Radio Bed A – 60′ (01:03)
- Spot 06 Radio Bed B – 60′ (01:09)
- Spot 07 Radio Bed C – 75′ (01:16)
- Spot 08 Radio Bed A – 90′ (01:31)
- Spot 10 Radio Bed B – 90′ (01:38)
- Spot 09 Radio Bed A – Full (03:32)
- Ladyhawke Theme (Single) (03:37)
Released by: La-La Land Records
Release date: February 10, 2015
Disc One total running time: 1:08:23
Disc One total running time: 1:01:38