While all of the Thanksgiving and Black Friday excitement was going on last week, La-La Land announced five exciting new limited-edition soundtrack reissues which are going to be available today at 12 pm PST on the label's website.

First up, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the soundtrack to Richard Fleischer's 1967 musical Doctor Dolittle.  The film, based upon the character created by the Hugh Lofting in 1920, starred Rex Harrison as Doctor Dolittle, Samantha Eggar as Emma Fairfax and Anthony Newley as Matthew Mugg.  The score and songs were written by Leslie Bricusse, who had previously worked on the stage musicals Pickwick, Stop the World - I Want To Get Off and The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd (the latter two starring Newley).  While Dr. Dolittle itself was a flop at the box office, the soundtrack did go gold and Bricusse received a Best Song Academy Award for "Talk To the Animals."

The original album first appeared on CD in 1997 to mark the film's 30th anniversary.  This new 2-CD edition presents the score as a full Act 1 and Act 2 presentation.  Also included are alternates and rare demos featuring Rex Harrison.  The album has been produced, restored, mixed and mastered by Mike Matessino using original studio vault elements in consultation with Bricusse.  Matessino  has also provided the liner notes with quotes from the composer and the package has been designed by Jim Titus.  This edition is limited to 3,000 copies.  If you happen to be in London this Wednesday, November 29, Matessino and Bricusse will be appearing together at a special event celebrating this release and the companion Blu-ray release from Twilight Time!

Next, celebrating its 40th anniversary is the soundtrack to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the classic UFO film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Teri Garr.  The score was provided by John Williams and marked the third Spielberg/Williams collaboration after The Sugarland Express and Jaws.  Williams' five-tone "Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind" would become one of his most famous pieces of music and the soundtrack album would become a success, going gold and peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard charts.  Williams would actually lose the Oscar for Best Score to himself for another science-fiction film that year, Star Wars. (Close Encounters would eventually net Williams two Grammys).

Close Encounters first appeared on CD in 1990 in its original 41-minute album presentation.  That was expanded to 77 minutes for a 1998 reissue.  La-La Land's new 2-CD edition takes a slightly different approach.  Williams had initially planned to release the score album as a 75-minute 2-LP set back in 1977.  This version is what is replicated on Disc One of the set.  Disc 2 offers another look at the score with discrete cues, alternates, selections from the 1977 album and unreleased cues.  In consultation with Williams and Spielberg, Mike Matessino has produced, mixed and mastered the set.  He also provides the liner notes with art design by Jim Titus.  This edition is limited to 5,000 copies.

Two years later, in 1979, Francis Ford Coppola's harrowing Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now was released, starring Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen.  The film's soundtrack is La-La Land's next reissue, but it is not the score from Francie and Carmine Coppola with which you are familiar.  Apocalypse Now had a famously troubled production (chronicled in several documentaries, including 1991's Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse) and among the issues was a rejected score written by David Shire.  Stage and screen veteran Shire had previously scored numerous films including The Taking of Pelham One Two Thee, All the President's Men and Norma Rae.  His score for Apocalypse Now was an early example of electronic music.  This new edition has been produced by Tim Greiving, co-produced, assembled and reconstructed by Daniel Wyman and Peter Bergren and remastered by Bergren with a DDP master by Doug Schwartz.  Grieving provides liner notes with new comments from Shire and the package is designed by Jim Titus.  The edition is limited to 2,000 copies.

Jumping ahead nearly two decades brings us to La-La Land's largest set in this batch of releases: a 4-CD reissue of the soundtrack to James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic.  The historical epic about the doomed ship starred Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet and featured real and fictional characters.  The film would become the highest grossing film of all-time, only to be surpassed 12 years later by Cameron's own Avatar.  The score, written by James Horner, had nearly as much success.  Featuring the Celine Dion hit "My Heart Will Go On," the soundtrack album topped the charts in nearly two-dozen countries, sold over 30 million copies and became the best-selling primarily orchestral soundtrack album ever.

With that much success, Titanic has of course been revisited on CD several times.  The first was nearly immediately in 1998, when Back To Titanic, a second soundtrack featuring additional and newly recorded music was released.  In 2012, those first two albums were combined with an additional two discs featuring songs performed by a band in the film together with period appropriate pieces.  For this new edition, La-La Land is providing an expanded, comprehensive version of Horner's score on Discs 1 and 2.  Disc 3 contains alternate versions of cues together with versions from the original album.  Disc 4 is an expanded version of the third disc of the previous expanded edition - the "Gentlemen, It Has Been a Privilege Playing With You Tonight" disc - featuring source music performed by I Salonisti and now including pieces by Gaelic Storm and some conducted by William Ross.  Please note that Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is not included in this package.  Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk have produced this release, with approval from Horner's estate and Lightstorm Entertainment.  Matessino has remastered the music from studio vault elements and Jeff Bond has provided new liner notes for the 36-page booklet with Dan Goldwasser providing the package design.  This edition is limited to 5,000 copies.

At the same time that Titanic was in the theaters in 1997, so was the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, starring Pierce Brosnan in his second outing as the famous British film secret agent.  It featured a score by David Arnold, his first for the Bond franchise.  The score to that film is not La-La Land's final release in this batch.  That honor belongs to 2002's Die Another Day, which would mark Brosnan's last outing as Bond and Arnold's third Bond score.  Directed by Lee Tamahori, the film also starred Halle Berry.  Arnold's score combines themes from his previous Bond efforts together with some classic Bond motifs.  Arnold would score the next two films in the series, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, bridging the gap between the old and new when the Bond films were rebooted to place Daniel Craig in the role.

La-La Land's new 2-CD edition is the first Bond score to be extensively expanded and features over an hour of never-before-released music.  Please note that this package does not contain the title song performed by Madonna.  Produced by Arnold himself with Neil S. Bulk, the reissue has been remastered by Doug Schwartz from new transfers of analog stereo tapes.  Tim Greiving has written new liner notes with comments from Arnold and Dan Goldwasser has provided the art design.  It is limited to 5,000 copies.

We've got the full track listings for you below and if you would like to try any of these exciting new soundtrack releases, head over to La-La Land's website where they may be ordered now until supplies run out.

John Williams, Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 40th Anniversary Remastered Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1433, 2017 - original film released 1977)

* previously unreleased ** contains previously unreleased music + contains "When You Wish Upon a Star"

Disc 1: Expanded Soundtrack Presentation

1. Main Title and The Vision **
2. Navy Planes
3. Lost Squadron
4. Trucking
5. Into the Tunnel and Chasing UFOs
6. Crescendo Summit
7. False Alarm and The Helicopter
8. Barry's Kidnapping
9. Forming the Mountain
10. TV Reveals / Across Country
11. The Mountain
12. The Cover-up and Base Camp
13. The Escape
14. Climbing the Mountain
15. Outstreched Hands
16. The Light Show
17. Barnstorming
18. The Mothership
19. The Dialogue
20. The Returnees
21. The Appearance of the Visitors +
22. Contact
23. End Titles +

Disc 2: Alternates and Additional Music

1. Main Title **
2. Roy's First Encounter
3. Encounter at Crescendo Summit
4. Chasing UFOs
5. Watching the Skies *
6. Vision Takes Shape *
7. Another Vision *
8. False Alarm
9. The Abduction of Barry
10. The Cover-up
11. TV Reveals
12. Roy and Jillian on the Road
13. I Can't Believe It's Real
14. Across the Fields
15. Stars and Trucks
16. Who Are You People?
17. The Escape (Alternate)
18. Climbing Devil's Tower
19. Dark Side of the Moon *
20. The Approach *
21. Night Siege
22. The Conversation
23. Inside *+
24. Contact (Alternate) *
25. Eleventh Commandment *
26. TV Western *
27. Lava Flow *
28. The Five Tones *
29. Advance Scout Greeting *
30. The Dialogue (Early Version) *
31. Resolution and End Title

Portions released on Close Encounters of The Third Kind: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Arista AL 9500, 1977) and Close Encounters of The Third Kind: The Collector's Edition Soundtrack (Arista 07822 19004-2, 1998)

David Shire, Apocalypse Now: The Unused Score (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1439, 2017 - original film released 1979)

1. Into the Jungle
2. Delta
3. Village Assault
4. Hell-icopter
5. Long Travel Dossier
6. Dossier Reading 1
7. Orange Light
8. Tiger Tiger
9. The French Plantation
10. River Encounter
11. The Lure of Kurtz
12. Ho Fat Bridge
13. Dossier Reading 2
14. Kurtz Calling
15. Ride of the Valkyries (Piano and Synth Demo)
16. Ride of the Valkyries (Studio Version)
17. Delta Gongs Test
18. Delta Ostinato Test
19. The French Plantation (no viola)
20. Kurtz's Compound

Titanic: Music From The Motion Picture - 20th Anniversary Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1446, 2017 - original film released 1997)

Disc 1: Score Presentation

1. Logo / Main Title
2. 2 1/2 Miles Down
3. To the Keldysh / Rose Revealed
4. Distant Memories
5. My Drawing / Relics & Treasures
6. Southampton
7. Leaving Port
8. "Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch"
9. First Sighting / Rose's Suicide Attempt
10. Jack Saves Rose
11. The Promenade / Butterfly Comb
12. Rose
13. The Portrait
14. Lovejoy Chases Jack and Rose
15. Lovemaking
16. Hard to Starboard (Extended Version)
17. Rose Frees Jack

Disc 2: Score Presentation (Continued)

1. A Building Panic (Film Version)
2. Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave
3. Trapped On "D" Deck
4. Murdoch's Suicide
5. The Sinking
6. Death of Titanic
7. A Promise Kept
8. A Life So Changed
9. A Woman's Heart is a Deep Ocean of Secrets
10. An Ocean of Memories
11. Post

Disc 3: Additional Music and Alternates

1. Never an Absolution
2. Trailer
3. The Portrait (Album Version)
4. Logo (Alternate Extended Version)
5. 2 1/2 Miles Down (Alternate)
6. Southampton (Alternate)
7. Leaving Port (with Alternate Ending)
8. Leaving Port (Alternate)
9. Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch (Alternate)
10. Rose (Alternate)
11. Piano Theme - The Portrait
12. Lovejoy Chases Jack (Alternate)
13. Hard to Starboard (Alternate)
14. A Building Panic (Album Suite)
15. Death of Titanic (Alternate)
16. A Promise Kept (Alternate)
17. Hymn to the Sea

Disc 4: Source Music

1. Valse Septembre - I Salonisti
2. Marguerite Waltz - I Salonisti
3. Wedding Dance - I Salonisti
4. Poet and Peasant - I Salonisti
5. Blue Danube - I Salonisti
6. Song Without Words - I Salonisti
7. Estudiantina - I Salonisti
8. Oh, You Beautiful Doll - William Ross
9. Blarney Pilgrims - Gaelic Storm
10. John Ryan's Folks - Gaelic Storm
11. Kesh Jig - Gaelic Storm
12. Drowsy Maggie Dance - Gaelic Storm
13. Come Josephine In My Flying Machine
14. The Merry Meadow - William Ross
15. Meditation De Thais - William Ross
16. Vision of Salome - I Salonisti
17. Titsy Bitsy Girl - I Salonisti
18. Alexander's Ragtime Band - I Salonisti
19. Sphinx - I Salonisti
20. Barcarole - I Salonisti
21. Orpheus - I Salonisti
22. Song of Autumn - I Salonisti
23. Nearer My God to Thee (Extended Version) - I Salonisti

Portions previously released on Titanic: Music From The Motion Picture (Sony Classical/Sony Soundtrax SK 63213, 1997), Back to Titanic: Music From The Motion PIcture (Sony Classical/Sony Soundtrax SK 60691, 1998) and Titanic: Music From The Motion Picture - Anniversary Edition (Sony Classical/Masterworks 88691 92386-2, 2012)

David Arnold, Die Another Day: Music From The MGM Motion Picture - Expanded Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1447, 2017 - original film released 2002)

* previously unreleased ** contains previously unreleased material † contains "James Bond Theme" by Monty Norman

Disc 1: Score Presentation

1. On the Beach (Extended Version) **†
2. Bond Meets Moon/Hovercrafts *
3. How Do You Intend to Kill Me Now, Mr. Bond? *
4. Hovercraft Chase †
5. Bond to Jail *
6. Some Kind of Hero?
7. Kiss of Life *†
8. Peaceful Fountains of Desire *
9. What's In it For You?/Cuba *
10. Cuban Car *†
11. Jinx Jordan
12. Jinx & James
13. Wheelchair Access *†
14. Jinx, James and Genes *
15. Gustav Graves' Grand Entrance *†
16. Blades *†
17. Bond Gets the Key/Virtual Reality *†
18. The Vanish/Bond Goes to Iceland *†
19. The Explanation *
20. Icarus
21. Ice Spy *†
22. A Touch of Frost
23. Laser Fight
24. It Belongs to His Boss/Double Agent *
25. Whiteout †
26. Bond Kidnaps Skidoo *†
27. Iced Inc. †
28. Ice Palace Car Chase *†

Disc 2: Score Presentation Continued (1-5) and Additional Music (6-20)

1. Switchblades *†
2. Antonov
3. Antonov Gets It *†
4. Moneypenny Gets It *
5. Going Down Together
6. On the Beach †
7. Hovercraft Chase (Film Version) **†
8. Some Kind of Hero? (Film Version) **
9. Peaceful Fountains of Desire (Alternate Ending) *
10. What's In it For You? (Orchestra Only) *
11. Welcome to Cuba
12. Jinx Jordan (Orchestra Only) **
13. Jinx & James (Film Version) **
14. Wheelchair Access (Original Version) *†
15. Party Trick (Source) *
16. A Touch of Frost (Film Version) **
17. Laser Fight (Film Version) **
18. Whiteout (Full Mix) **†
19. Antonov (Film Version) **
20. James Bond Will Return *†

Portions previously released on Warner Bros. Records 48348, 2002

Doctor Dolittle: 50th Anniversary Expanded Soundtrack (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1450, 2017 - original film released 1967)

Disc 1: Act I (1-19) and Act II (20-26)

1. Overture (Film Version)
2. Prologue
3. Main Title/Puddleby-on-the-Marsh
4. My Friend the Doctor
5. Dolittle's Study/Frying Sausages
6. The Vegetarian
7. Retrospect/Hat and Mouse
8. Talk to the Animals
9. Talk to the Animals - Part 2 (Montage)
10. Time to Retire/Fox and Hounds
11. At the Crossroads (Extended Version)
12. The Pushmi-Pullyu/Blossom's Circus
13. I've Never Seen Anything Like It (Extended Version)
14. Beautiful Things (Extended Version)
15. Sophie the Seal's Journey
16. When I Look in Your Eyes (Film Version)
17. Dolittle's Arrest/A Concerned Emma
18. Like Animals (Film Version)
19. Intermission
20. Entr'acte/On the Bridge
21. After Today (Extended Version)
22. Dolittle's Escape
23. The Stowaway
24. Fabulous Places
25. Emma at Work/Dart Game
26. The Porpoise/Sea Star Island

Disc 2: Act II Continued (1-12), Additional Music (13-21), Demos and Pre-Recordings (22-27)

1. Where Are the Words (Extended Version)
2. I Think I Like You (Extended Version)
3. Restless Natives
4. Frosty Village
5. The Giant Whale
6. Doctor Dolittle (Extended Version)
7. The Great Pink Sea Snail
8. Two Weeks From Tuesday/A Tearful Goodbye
9. A Fond Farewell
10. Something in Your Smile
11. My Friend the Doctor - Finale (Extended Version)
12. End Cast/Exit Music
13. Overture (Alternate)
14. Main Title/Puddleby-on-the-Marsh (Alternate)
15. I've Never Seen Anything Like It (Album Track)
16. Beautiful Things (Film Version)
17. When I Look in Your Eyes (Album Track)
18. The Stowaway (Film Version)
19. Dart Game (Alternate)
20. Sea Star Island (Alternate)
21. Doctor Dolittle (Album Track)
22. At the Crossroads (Alternate With Dialogue Intro)
23. The Vegetarian (Demo)
24. Talk to the Animals (Rehearsal)
25. Like Animals (Rehearsal)
26. The Vegetarian (Rehearsal)
27. I Don't Want to Be a King! (Unused Song Demo)