Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis? If so, prepare to immerse yourself in the otherworldly universe of New York's spectral inhabitants with Renovatio Records' latest release: Elmer Bernstein's score for the 1984 blockbuster film Ghostbusters. Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, Ghostbusters follows the misadventures of a group of eccentric parapsychologists who embark on a ghost-catching enterprise in the heart of New York City. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver, with Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, and William Atherton in supporting roles, the film quickly captivated audiences with its unique blend of humor, action, and supernatural intrigue.
While Ghostbusters soared to cultural phenomenon status, spawning a multi-billion dollar multimedia franchise, including sequels, reboots, animated series, and more, Elmer Bernstein's score often found itself overshadowed by the film's chart-topping songs, notably Ray Parker Jr.'s iconic title song. However, a closer examination reveals a score that deserves recognition for its own charm and creativity. Bernstein seamlessly blends elements of comedy and horror to complement the film's narrative, effectively underscoring the quirky antics of the Ghostbusters as they navigate the paranormal landscape of 1980s New York City.
At the heart of the score lies its main theme, introduced in the cue "Ghostbusters Main Theme." A whimsical and infectious melody, primarily carried by jazzy playful piano arrangements, effectively sets the comedic and fantastical tone of the film. Throughout the score, Bernstein masterfully adapts this theme, ensuring thematic coherence while infusing each rendition with its own unique flair. From the rock-inflected energy in the latter half of "The Library Ghost" to the disco-inspired instrumentation of "We Got One!," Bernstein's versatility shines through, enhancing the film's comedic and action-packed sequences.
Yet, it is in the darker, more foreboding moments of the film that Bernstein's score truly excels. Employing a full orchestra, Bernstein crafts haunting compositions that underscore the malevolent presence of entities like Zuul and Gozer. A menacing brass fanfare, often back by organ accompaniments towards the end of the score, evoke a sense of grandeur, mystery and foreboding, as heard in cues like "Dana's Apartment" and the superb "Gozer The Gozerian." For the ghosts themselves, Bernstein resorts to a haunting leitmotif for wavering high strings and ondes martenot, which plays under most of the ghostly encounters, such as in the cue “Opening”, the middle portions of “The Library Ghost”, and during “Zuul”, which also showcases impressive orchestration techniques. Bernstein also incorporates a love theme for the characters played by Murray and Weaver. This heartfelt theme is presented in full during “Peter & Dana”, reaching an effective climax in “Finish”.
When it comes to its commercial release, Bernstein's score for Ghostbusters has faced significant challenges throughout the years. Various album versions have been plagued by inconsistencies and omissions, leaving fans longing for a definitive representation of the score. In 1984, Arista released an LP with nearly all the songs in the film and only two of Bernstein’s cues. Several bootlegs followed with inferior sound quality, until 2006, when Varèse Sarabande released an extensive limited edition of the score. However, this album was missing a handful of cues. The score received another album release in 2019 by Sony Classical that incorporated new cues but had a questionable track order. With Renovatio Records' latest release, however, fans can finally experience Bernstein's work in all its glory. Presented in chronological order with a cohesive narrative arc and including all of the highlights of the score, this album honors Bernstein's legacy and ensures that his contribution to the Ghostbusters phenomenon receives the recognition it deserves.
Track List:
Cover Artwork:
Credits:
Track
Title |
Cue Title |
|
1. Opening |
The Library (Edited) |
|
2. Ghostbusters Main Theme |
Ghostbusters Theme |
|
3. The Library Ghost |
Hello (Edited) Get Her! (Edited)
|
|
4. Meet Dana |
Plan (Edited) Taken (Edited)
|
|
5. Dana’s Apartment |
Fridge (Edited) Sign (Edited) Dana’s Apartment (Edited) Same Problem (Edited)
|
|
6. We Got One! |
We Got One (Edited) We Got One Alternate
(Edited)
|
|
7. Sedgewick Hotel |
Halls (Edited) Ballroom (Edited) Trap (Edited)
|
|
8. Peter & Dana |
Meeting 1 I Respect You
|
|
9. Spook Central |
Cross Rip Attack
|
|
10. Who Brought the Dog? |
Dogs (Edited) Ghosts!
|
|
11. Zuul |
Zuul Part 1 Zuul Part 2 Alternate
|
|
12. Judgment Day |
Judgment Day |
|
13. Gozer the Gozerian |
Meeting 2 Stairwell Gozer (Edited)
|
|
14. Final Battle |
We’re Going to Save the
World (Edited) Mr. Stay Puft (Edited) Final Battle
|
|
15. Finish |
Finish |
|
16. Ghostbusters (Ray
Parker Jr.) |
Ghostbusters |
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