I'm pretty sure I mentioned this one a while back in this thread, but have you heard Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez? It's a piece in three movements that definitely reminds me of Wizard and Glass.
I went ahead and gave the 2005 BBC performance a listen for each part you paired up to a scene in the novel.
Do you have this almost magical talent for honing in on suitable themes, or did you happen to stumble upon it through sheer luck ? What I heard was old-timey yet stirring !
--- --- ---
Henry Purcell (1685) - "Trumpet Tune and Air" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuHtLxxuJsY]. A song for the royal court of Gilead during a modestly festive occasion.
Fallout (PC Game, 1997) - "Desert Wind" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaRiY7WkMhw]. "Mohaine Music", through and through, as it keenly represents what I envision the dreaded stretch of mundane hell to sound like in my head.
Abandoner (PC Game, 2004) - "Speak Well of The Dead" [
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=24614363939420065668]. "Roland steps into Golgotha". This track is not entirely somber, but it does fit the somewhat trippy atmosphere King was cooking up the late 1970s/early 1980s.
Home - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Album, 2009) - "The Dead Seas" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MePBlO0dAM4]. For the Western Sea itself? Nope! This piece would play when Roland is pushing himself to continue marching up the beach after getting his fingers and toe cut off...when the almost demonic infection starts to set in.
Silent Hill 4 (PS2 Game, 2004) - "Nightmarish Waltz" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cOYIpwll_M. If there is a flashback montage of Eddie and Henry's slow descent into addiction, this tune would do a marvelous job of assisting the atmosphere as Eddie provides a voice over.
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Night Owl" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g4tcUBNq8A]. Technically, Eddie returns to New York during the
day, but I can't help hearing this once he steps out of the airport and makes his way through the urban landscape to Co-Op City. Imagine various cuts to aerial shots - both very high and somewhat low - as the taxi speeds along.
"What IS this place?"
"Welcome to the Big Apple, Roland."
Spectral Voices - Coalescence (Album, 1997) - "Primeval Forest" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHhuKPjbE0]. I see Roland standing slowly to greet the sunrise as it slowly bathes the valley in the forest past the Western Sea. If you will recall, there were hints of a very primitive civilization here. This track reminds me of them and what they could have been.
Afrika - Original Soundtrack (Album, 2008) - "Hunting" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9DKUdWtXI]. Shardik attacks!
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Bohemian Street Jam" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B3CDiIZDh8]. When I hear this (especially the first half), I picture Jake walking the streets of NYC while, yes, he takes in the sights of street performers and other middle class folks plying their trades, but we, the readers/viewers, take them in even more strongly as it is emphasized just how incredibly alive this city is.
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Shape Shifter" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLxGZE82MBY]. Jake Chambers finds the rose. Enough said.
Vagrant Story (PSX Game, 2000) - "Golem". [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-s4vRyzEfc]. Heart-pounding and utterly terrifying, this is perfect for the section where the Doorkeeper/Plaster Man comes to life and chases after Jake.
The Road - Original Film Score (Album, 2009) - "Memory". [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrHQqkoA-Ko]. With a faraway look in his eyes, Roland starts down the long path to the time of his adolescence.
Game Music Concert 5 (Album, 1995) - "Flying Bed" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pqRw31YyM]. This playfully humble tune make me think of Sheemie going about his daily routine around the town.
Altan - Another Sky (Album, 2000) - "The Waves of Gola" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNfPRUkXJ7Y. A rather lethargic piece that works for background music as Roland and his original ka-tet ride by the fishermen of Hambry. Despite having clear Hispanic/Mexican influences, I feel as if Celtic themes could also work in Mejis, as, all things considered, the population seemed to be fairly mixed.
Silver (PC Game, 1999) - "Glass Palace" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek88bUH6hhw]. Equal parts "mysterious" and "ominous", this piece would play as the ka-tet nears Emerald City.
David Arkenstone - Caravan of Light (Album, 2000) - "Jewels of the Night" [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSfHPnNiV0E]. Theme of the Manni. A mystic song for a mystical people that walk the worlds.
--- ---
Come to think of it, a "book soundtrack" compilation thread could be a great idea. Once there are enough entries, maybe I will collate the best tracks and organize them by geographical/dimensional location within the novels.
---
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .
reply
share
sugrnspyce4
8 years ago
Ha - actually, I randomly heard Concierto de Aranjuez some years back on a classical station I listen to sometimes. I was in the middle of another reading of the series at the time, so my brain was focused on all things Dark Tower. All I remember thinking was how fitting it would be for Wizard and Glass.
Also, lots of new suggestions - nice! 👍
Henry Purcell (1685) - "Trumpet Tune and Air": This sounds very regal and processional. I'm imagining this being played as Gilead's gunslingers enter a grand celebration or formal gathering.
Fallout (PC Game, 1997) - "Desert Wind": I definitely agree - "Mohaine Music" indeed. The low droning makes me think of Roland in the desert, dehydrated and struggling to keep moving in the blazing heat. (Side note: I like that you've included video game music in your suggestions, by the way. So many people overlook video game music, and there's some really good stuff out there.)
Abandoner (PC Game, 2004) - "Speak Well of The Dead": Minimalistic and semi-ambient. I imagine this would go well with Roland's mood at that time, considering what he had to do to get to there (determined, but probably a bit regretful and melancholy). I like it.
Home - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Album, 2009) - "The Dead Seas": I agree - I can see Roland pushing himself to keep going after he's attacked by the lobstrosities. I can also see this being played during a montage of Eddie - still recovering from his addiction - reluctantly taking care of Roland while he recovers from the lobstrosities' bites.
Silent Hill 4 (PS2 Game, 2004) - "Nightmarish Waltz": More from Akira Yamaoka. :) I agree - this definitely sounds like a slow decent into drug addiction. Or madness. Or both.
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Night Owl": I can imagine Roland seeing New York through Eddie's eyes and being awed, anxious, and fascinated all at the same time - lol. And, of course, Eddie smirking, amused at his reactions.
Spectral Voices - Coalescence (Album, 1997) - "Primeval Forest": I can imagine a sunrise on the Western Sea with this one too. I can also imagine this playing while Roland, with Oy, carries Jake to his final resting place in the forest.
Afrika - Original Soundtrack (Album, 2008) - "Hunting": Yes. Definitely works for the Shardik attack.
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Bohemian Street Jam": New York-side music for sure. The more upbeat tone of it does make me think of Jake, particularly when he's on "French leave."
SimCity 4 (PC Game, 2003) - "Shape Shifter": Agree 100% with this one. Interestingly enough, this sounds very similar to the rose's singing when it appears while using the Sombra app. :)
Vagrant Story (PSX Game, 2000) - "Golem": A "boss battle" theme if there ever was one - lol. I'd say it's pretty fitting for the Jake's encounter with the Plaster Man. I could also imagine this for the chase through the Dixie Pig and the "mind trap."
The Road - Original Film Score (Album, 2009) - "Memory": My first thought when hearing this one was Susannah sitting at Eddie's bedside as he passes into the clearing at the end of the path. But I can easily hear this one playing as Roland tells the tragic end of his Mejis tale.
Game Music Concert 5 (Album, 1995) - "Flying Bed": I agree - I can see Sheemie doing his chores and cheerily greeting everyone he knows while this plays.
Altan - Another Sky (Album, 2000) - "The Waves of Gola": I considered the population of Mejis as being mixed too, so this works. Probably could be played during a montage of young Roland's ka-tet, going from farm to farm to count while pleasantly interacting with the townspeople.
Silver (PC Game, 1999) - "Glass Palace": I see what you mean here by "mysterious" and "ominous." I think this could also work for when Roland and Eddie arrive at the bright door back to Mid-World on Turtleback Lane. Oddly enough, this one kind of reminds me of some of the music from Poltergeist (1982).
David Arkenstone - Caravan of Light (Album, 2000) - "Jewels of the Night": You're right, this one does have a "Manni" vibe to it. It's serene, yet a bit mystical.
Come to think of it, a "book soundtrack" compilation thread could be a great idea. Once there are enough entries, maybe I will collate the best tracks and organize them by geographical/dimensional location within the novels.
You might be onto something there. I wouldn't mind a book soundtrack thread. :)
reply
share