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Shadows of the Empire Enhanced CD-Rom
from Varese Sarabande Records
The many facets of the multimedia extravaganza that is Shadows of the Empire (SOTE) have become a legend of sorts, what with the novel, comic series, the toy line, and the upcoming video game for the Nintendo 64 platform. By now everyone knows SOTE is the story of the events between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, detailing Leia and Luke's attempts to rescue a frozen Han Solo from Boba Fett, and the scheming desires of newly introduced crimelord Prince Xizor, who covets Darth Vader's position beside Emperor Palpatine. In addition to the above mentioned merchandising hoopla, an enhanced CD-ROM was produced. But this CD-ROM was not filled with a PC game or application software as one might expect; instead, this enhanced CD contained a multimedia presentation of the "behind-the-scenes" of SOTE and something never before tried for a cross-media project such as this: a musical soundtrack, scored by composer Joel McNeely.
SOTE: THE MUSIC
If you travel in the Way-Back Machine, you will discover composers who wrote music inspired by the poetic works of Shakespeare or Edmund Spenser. Such is the music of SOTE, a virtual movie soundtrack without a movie. Even with a historical precedent, I admit that I was skeptical when I heard that a musical score was produced to coincide with a novel. To me, the music of Star Wars was the exclusive domain of one John Williams, composer and conductor extraordinare. The thought that someone else was handed the reins of a musical tradition gave me a shudder. I made no attempt to buy the CD, figuring I would pick it up if I saw it "On Sale."
However, during a Star Wars collectable specials on QVC, the host played some selections from the score. I was very intrigued. While it sounded "Star Wars-y," it also carried a unique bent to it. So, when the CD came up for purchase, I grabbed my credit card and the phone and placed my order.
By the time the disc arrived, I had finished SOTE (The Novel) and now had a passing familiarity for the new characters and the storyline. I put on the disc and my initial doubts about "Star Wars music not written by John Williams for a book that was somewhat overhyped" were quickly dismissed.
As I listened, I read through the liner notes included with the disc. Written by McNeely and (Producer) Robert Townson, the notes give brief plot summaries for each track of the corresponding sections from the novel. McNeely wrote, "Unlike with film music, I have been allowed to let my imagination run free with the images, characters and events from this story. I have also had the luxury to loiter as long as I like with a character or scene. Every passage represents some person, place or event in this story." The notes also contain the words to a battle theme written in an ancient language of Coruscant (with some help from Ben Burtt, sound designer for the Star Wars films), a rather interesting glimpse of history in the Star Wars universe.
The first track, "Main Theme from Star Wars and Leia's Nightmare," contains Williams' well-known theme, and music from The Empire Strikes Back, during the scene of Han Solo's imprisonment in carbonite. McNeely takes over the score with track 2, "The Battle of Gall," when our heroes attempt to rescue Han Solo from Boba Fett. As the music plays, one can sense what would be expected from a daring mission into the heart of enemy territory. The same sweeping and frantic pace can be felt in "Beggar's Canyon Chase" as Luke escapes from an ambush on his homeworld.
By far the two most intense pieces are "Xizor's Theme" and "The Destruction of Xizor's Palace." In both, you can feel the manevolent charm of Xizor and the controlled panic everyone faced while trying to escape the collapse of his palace during the heroes' escape.
My lesson learned, John Williams is not the only one who can provide musical justice for the world of Star Wars. Joel McNeely and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus have done an outstanding job. The score alone is worth the price of the disc, but there's much more, this time to see...
SOTE: THE CD-ROM
As if the music weren't enough, this disc also includes an interactive gaze into some of the history of the SOTE project and outstanding art from the likes of such greats as Ralph McQuarrie and Drew Struzan.
The first thing that greets you is Prince Xizor's charming face, the Shadows of the Empire logo and a basic menu setup. Your five initial choices encompass: Introduction, Creative Team, Art Gallery, Music and SOTE Universe.
Introduction is just that, an overview of what Shadows of the Empire is all about. Here, scrolling text boxes describe the multimedia project, the novel and George Lucas' vision. Creative Team gives you a glimpse of the people behind the project. Art Gallery (my favorite section) is a tour of concept, book cover and comic art created by some of the best in the business. Music provides information about Joel McNeely, Ben Burtt, the orchestra and the efforts of Lucasfilm and Varese Sarabande Records to put together a soundtrack for a novel. The last section, Shadows of the Empire Universe, has subdirectories of information about the book, video game, comic series and the Kenner toys based on the characters.
While travelling around the CD gave me a good insight on what it took to bring this whole project together, the information sections gave me the feeling that I was viewing an interactive press release. The behind-the-scenes and biography exposition is all well and good, but it only serves as additonal material to all the hype many Star Wars fans were already exposed to. I became bored and went off clicking.
However, I was very entranced with the Art Gallery section. The interface allows you to choose an artist and scroll through some of their Star Wars-related works. All the while, music from the soundtrack plays in the background, adding to the atmosphere. By clicking on the Screening button, you're treated to a slideshow of works by the artist and they look great!
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a film soundtrack buff, I found the music score on this enhanced CD ranks with some of my favorites, even if the music was for a book! The opportunity to browse through some of Ralph McQuarrie's handsome art is also a plus. The interface is very friendly; the graphics are sharp and beautiful. My only quarrel is with the ponderous loads of information about this grand multimedia project - however, the nice part was that I didn't have to read it!
Overall, the SOTE Enhanced CD is very much worth its price.
(If you care to chat with Jody Reeves about SW music or her Harrison Ford film collection, you can try shaking her out of her reverie at 102363.2420@compuserve.com.)
