Today sees the release of the hotly-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters (well, technically, yesterday at 7 PM).  As the film seems poised to break several box office records, a deluge of Star Wars products has hit the shelves.  Among these offerings released today is the soundtrack CD featuring John William's seventh score for the iconic franchise.  To tie in with all of the Star Wars happenings, Sony Masterworks recently announced that the label will be releasing two box sets on January 8, 2016:  Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection and Star Wars: The Ultimate Vinyl Collection.

Perhaps surprisingly for one of the most successful film franchises in cinema history, the soundtracks to the Star Wars films have a bit of a spotty history of releases with no truly definitive versions yet.  Each of the original trilogy received a soundtrack LP at the time of its release, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back getting 2 LPs and Return of the Jedi only getting one.  The three scores were first released in the mid-1980s on CD by Polydor (although the Empire score was abridged).  In 1993, 20th Century Fox released the Star Wars Trilogy - Original Soundtrack Anthology 4-CD set which featured expanded editions of the three scores.  Then, in 1997, to coincide with the Special Edition versions of the films, RCA Victor released 2-CD sets of each of the three films.  These were later re-released in different packaging by Sony Classical when they acquired the license.  The new release was also remastered.  In 2007, Sony Classical put all six discs into a box set with a bonus seventh compilation disc featuring music from the entire saga.  However, these editions were still missing some cues.

The history of the prequel trilogy is little less complicated.  Each film received a single CD soundtrack release to coincide with each film released by Sony Classical.  Only The Phantom Menace got a 2-CD expanded edition in 2000, although this edition still did feature the complete score.  Attack of the Clones had one bonus track exclusive to Target in its initial release and The Phantom Menace single CD was re-released in 2012 with a bonus track from the 2-CD edition.  To date, none of the six films have had their complete, unaltered scores released on LP or CD.  (Mike ran it all down for you in a Friday Feature column back in 2010!   Check it out!)

The two box sets Sony Classical are releasing in January are different from each other.  The CD version contains 10 discs and 1 DVD.  The six discs comprising the original trilogy are the same as the 1997 (and 2004) releases.  The prequel trilogy is also simply the same single CDs that have been in print.  Oddly, the two-disc version of The Phantom Menace is not included.  Instead, the 10th (labeled in the set as the 4th disc) is a 16-track compilation disc featuring cues from the six movies.  The DVD includes new interviews with Harrison Ford and John Williams together with the one hour special Star Wars: A Musical Journey which was originally bundled with copies of Revenge of the Sith.  The CDs are housed in mini album jackets.  No liner notes or remastering information is mentioned.

The LP version seems to have a different goal in mind.  It presents vinyl versions of each soundtrack as they initially appeared on vinyl, spread across 11 LPs.  This marks the first time that Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith have appeared on vinyl.  Here is how Sony describes the set: "Star Wars: The Ultimate Vinyl Collection includes each of the six film soundtracks from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace to Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in deluxe gatefold sleeves faithfully replicating the original artwork. Audio was transferred from the original LP masters using the highest resolution (up to 192kHz/24bit) and pressed with heavy 180-gram vinyl. The six soundtrack set (on 11 LPs) is presented in a black, soft-touch laminated slipcase with an embossed, hot silver foil Star Wars logo and includes a digital download card for one complete box set (all six soundtracks)."

Please note that the score to The Force Awakens is not included in either set as Sony Classical does not have the rights to that CD and it is instead being released by Walt Disney Records.

If you're in a Star Wars mood and have not picked up any of this music before, these sets may be a good idea for you.  If you already have the CDs, there really isn't too much on the CD box set but the vinyl set does look to be more deluxe and feature new remastering.  We've got tracklistings and pre-order links for both sets together with an ordering link and tracklist for The Force Awakens.

Original Soundtrack, Star Wars: The Ultimate Soundtrack Collection (Sony Classical, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Star Wars Main Title and the Arrival at Naboo
2. Duel of The Fates
3. Anakin's Theme
4. Jar Jar's Introduction and the Swim to Otoh Gunga
5. The Sith Spacecraft and the Droid Battle
6. The Trip to the Naboo Temple and the Audience with Boss Nass
7. The Arrival at Tatooine and the Flag Parade
8. He Is the Chosen One
9. Anakin Defeats Sebulba
10. Passage Through the Planet Core
11. Watto's Deal and Kids at Play
12. Panaka and the Queen's Protectors
13. Queen Amidala and the Naboo Palace
14. The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
15. Qui-Gon's Noble End
16. The High Council Meeting and Qui - Gon's Funeral
17. Augie's Great Municipal Band and End Credits

Disc 2

1. Star Wars Main Title and Ambush on Coruscant
2. Across the Stars (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode II)
3. Zam the Assassin and the Chase Through Coruscant
4. Yoda and the Younglings
5. Departing Coruscant
6. Anakin and Padmé
7. Jango's Escape
8. The Meadow Picnic
9. Bounty Hunter's Pursuit
10. Return to Tatooine
11. The Tusken Camp and the Homestead
12. Love Pledge and the Arena
13. Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale

Disc 3

1. Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith - Medley
2. Anakin's Dream
3. Battle of the Heroes
4. Anakin's Betrayal
5. General Grievous
6. Palpatine's Teachings
7. Grievous and the Droids
8. Padme's Ruminations
9. Anakin vs. Obi - Wan
10. Anakin's Dark Deeds
11. Enter Lord Vader
12. The Immolation Scene
13. Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious
14. The Birth of the Twins and Padme's Destiny - Medley
15. A New Hope and End Credits - Medley

Disc 4

1. Main Title (From "Star Wars")
2. Duel of the Fates (From "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace")
3. Anakin's Theme (From "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace")
4. Across the Stars (Love Theme) [From "Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones"]
5. Battle of the Heroes (From "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith")
6. The Imperial March (From "Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back")
7. The Dune Sea of Tatooine, Jawa Sandcrawler (From "Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope")
8. Binary Sunset, Cantina Band (From "Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope") - Medley
9. Princess Leia's Theme (From "Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope")
10. Ben Kenobi's Death / Tie Fighter Attack - Medley
11. Yoda's Theme (From "Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back")
12. The Asteroid Field (From "Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back")
13. Luke and Leia (From "Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi")
14. The Forest Battle (From "Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi")
15. Light of the Force (From "Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi")
16. The Throne Room/End Title - Medley

Disc 5

1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare
2. Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner (Medley)
3. Imperial Attack
4. The Dune Sea of Tatooine/Jawa Sandcrawler (Medley)
5. The Moisture Farm
6. The Hologram/Binary Sunset (Medley)
7. Landspeeder Search/Attack of the Sand People (Medley)
8. Tales of a Jedi Knight/Learn About the Force (Medley)
9. Burning Homestead
10. Mos Eisley Spaceport
11. Cantina Band
12. Cantina Band #2
13. Binary Sunset (Alternate) (Medley)

Disc 6

1. Princess Leia's Theme
2. The Millennium Falcon/Imperial Cruiser Pursuit (Medley)
3. Destruction of Alderaan
4. The Death Star/The Stormtroopers (Medley)
5. Wookie Prisoner/Detention Block Ambush (Medley)
6. Shootout in the Cell Bay/Dianoga (Medley)
7. The Trash Compactor
8. The Tractor Beam/Chasm Crossfire (Medley)
9. Ben Kenobi's Death / Tie Fighter Attack (Medley)
10. The Battle of Yavin
11. The Throne Room/End Title (Medley)

Disc 7

1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare
2. Main Title/The Ice Planet Hoth (Medley)
3. The Wampa's Lair/Vision of Obi - Wan/Snowspeeders Take Flight (Medley)
4. The Imperial Probe/Aboard the Executor (Medley)
5. The Battle of Hoth (Medley)
6. The Asteroid Field
7. Arrival on Dagobah
8. Luke's Nocturnal Visitor
9. Han Solo and the Princess
10. Jedi Master Revealed/Mynock Cave (Medley)
11. The Training of a Jedi Knight/The Magic Tree (Medley)

Disc 8

1. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
2. Yoda's Theme
3. Attacking a Star Destroyer
4. Yoda and the Force
5. Imperial Starfleet Deployed/City in the Clouds (Medley)
6. Lando's Palace
7. Betrayal at Bespin
8. Deal with Dark Lord
9. Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap /Departure of Boba Fett (Medley)
10. The Clash of Lightsabers
11. Rescue from Cloud City/Hyperspace (Medley)
12. The Rebel Fleet/End Title (Medley)

Disc 9

1. 20th Century Fox Fanfare
2. Main Title/Approaching The Death Star/Tatooine Rendezvous (Medley)
3. The Droids Are Captured
4. Bounty for a Wookiee
5. Han Solo Returns
6. Luke Confronts Jabba/Den Of The Rancor/Sarlacc Sentence (Medley)
7. The Pit of Carkoon/Sail Barge Assault (Medley)
8. The Emperor Arrives/The Death of Yoda/Obi - Wan's Revelation (Medley)
9. Alliance Assembly
10. Shuttle Tydirium Approaches Endor
11. Speeder Bike Chase/Land of the Ewoks (Medley)
12. The Levitation/Threepio's Bedtime Story (Medley)
13. Jabba's Baroque Recital
14. Jedi Rocks
15. Sail Barge Assault (Alternate Version)

Disc 10

1. Parade of the Ewoks
2. Luke and Leia
3. Brother and Sister/Father and Son/The Fleet Enters Hyperspace/Heroic Ewok (Medley)
4. Emperor's Throne Room
5. The Battle Of Endor I (Medley)
6. The Lightsaber/The Ewok Battle (Medley)
7. The Battle Of Endor II (Medley)
8. The Battle Of Endor III (Medley)
9. Leia's News/Light of the Force (Medley)
10. Victory Celebration/End Title (Medley)
11. Ewok Feast/Part of the Tribe (Medley)
12. The Forest Battle (Concert Suite)

Disc 11 (DVD)

1. Interviews with Harrison Ford and John Williams
2. Star Wars: A Musical Journey

John Williams, Star Wars: The Ultimate Vinyl Collection (Sony Classical, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

LP 1

1. Star Wars Main Title and the Arrival at Naboo
2. Duel of The Fates
3. Anakin's Theme
4. Jar Jar's Introduction and the Swim to Otoh Gunga
5. The Sith Spacecraft and the Droid Battle
6. The Trip to the Naboo Temple and the Audience with Boss Nass
7. The Arrival at Tatooine and the Flag Parade
8. He Is the Chosen One
9. Anakin Defeats Sebulba
10. Passage Through the Planet Core

LP 2

1. Watto's Deal and Kids at Play
2. Panaka and the Queen's Protectors
3. Queen Amidala and the Naboo Palace
4. The Droid Invasion and the Appearance of Darth Maul
5. Qui-Gon's Noble End
6. The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon's Funeral
7. Augie's Great Municipal Band and End Credits

LP 3

1. Star Wars Main Title and Ambush on Coruscant
2. Across the Stars (Love Theme from Star Wars Episode II)
3. Zam the Assassin and the Chase Through Coruscant
4. Yoda and the Younglings
5. Departing Coruscant
6. Anakin and Padmé
7. Jango's Escape
8. The Meadow Picnic

LP 4

1. Bounty Hunter's Pursuit
2. Return to Tatooine
3. The Tusken Camp and the Homestead
4. Love Pledge and the Arena
5. Confrontation with Count Dooku and Finale

LP 5

1. Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith - Medley
2. Anakin's Dream
3. Battle of the Heroes
4. Anakin's Betrayal
5. General Grievous
6. Palpatine's Teachings
7. Grievous and the Droids

LP 6

1. Padme's Ruminations
2. Anakin vs. Obi-Wan
3. Anakin's Dark Deeds
4. Enter Lord Vader
5. The Immolation Scene
6. Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious
7. The Birth of the Twins and Padme's Destiny - Medley
8. A New Hope and End Credits - Medley

LP 7

1. Main Title
2. Imperial Attack
3. Princess Leia's Theme
4. The Desert and the Robot Auction
5. Ben's Death and TIE Fighter Attack
6. The Little People Work
7. Rescue of the Princess
8. Inner City
9. Cantina Band

LP 8

1. The Land of the Sandpeople
2. Mouse Robot and Blasting Off
3. The Return Home
4. The Walls Converge
5. The Princess Appears
6. The Last Battle
7. The Throne Room and End Title

LP 9

1. Star Wars (Main Theme)
2. Yoda's Theme
3. The Training of a Jedi Knight
4. The Heroics of Luke and Han
5. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
6. Departure of Boba Fett
7. Han Solo and the Princess
8. Hyperspace
9. The Battle in the Snow

LP 10

1. The Asteroid Field
2. The City in the Clouds
3. Rebels at Bay
4. Yoda and the Force
5. The Duel
6. The Magic Tree
7. Lando's Palace
8. Finale

LP 11

1. Main Title (The Story Continues)
2. Into the Trap
3. Luke and Leia
4. Parade of the Ewoks
5. Han Solo Returns (At the Court of Jabba the Hutt)
6. Lapti Nek (Jabba's Palace Band)
7. The Forest Battle
8. Rebel Briefing
9. The Emperor
10. The Return of the Jedi
11. Ewok Celebration and Finale

John Williams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens Original Soundtrack (Walt Disney Records, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

1. Main Title and the Attack on the Jakku Village
2. The Scavenger
3. I Can Fly Anything
4. Rey Meets BB-8
5. Follow Me
6. Rey's Theme
7. The Falcon
8. That Girl with the Staff
9. The Rathtars!
10. Finn's Confession
11. Maz's Counsel
12. The Starkiller
13. Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle
14. The Abduction
15. Han and Leia
16. March of the Resistance
17. Snoke
18. On the Inside
19. Torn Apart
20. The Ways of the Force
21. Scherzo for X-Wings
22. Farewell and the Trip
23. The Jedi Steps and Finale