TV Series Soundtrack...not so rare anymore

[Hawkbit]

For the longest time, the TV Series soundtrack has been out of print, very hard to find, and very expensive if you want to get a copy of it.



It was released in 2000 by Polydor, one of the Sony labels.  It also was nominated for an award for best score in a drama back in 2003.  Didn't win, but it was kind of cool that it even got a nod.    


Anyway, the musical score of the soundtrack, can be had for a cheaper price, now that it was re-released by Mike Batt's Dramatico label with Caravans.  



http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Caravans/Watership+Down+Suite+-+CD/18681101.p?id=2123967&skuId=18681101&st=Journey%20to%20Watership%20Down

Most of the vocal tracks are absent from this release, but the background score music is all there.  Depending on your priorities, what you seek and what you want, $30 isn't that bad, when you compare that to the asking price of the original album (over $100 in some cases).

[Clover]

I'd want a copy of it (I like that fight song that plays when something is happening) but even $30 is a lot for me. Makes me wonder if it is on youtube...I could download it.

Aren't there several soundtracks of the TV series?

[Hawkbit]

Nope...only the two I have posted above.  There was a German release of the soundtrack as well, but its even harder to find.

Most soundtrack releases these days don't sell many copies, so they don't make very many, and they go out of print very quickly.  That Caravans/Watership Down double cd won't be around much longer before it goes into the secondary market and the price goes higher.

[Clover]

Only two? *Heads over to youtube.* I'm going to see if that fight song is on youtube. Do you remember what the name of it is? I'm talking about the one that played when the weasel attacked Pipkin.

[Hawkbit]

My guess is "Chase Adventure from Watership Down"

[Clover]

Yep, that was it.

[Malte279]

There was a German release of the soundtrack as well, but its even harder to find.

Was there? Do you know if it was identical with the CD I sent you or if it it had any attempt at translating the lyrics?

[Hawkbit]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watership-Orchestral-Version-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000055XBX



I assume it was the same lineup as the original Polydor disc given the release date of 2001 on the page.  Hate the cover on it though...at least the older release appeared more refined.  You'd turn away a lot of soundtrack listeners with a cover like this (assuming it isn't fan made or something).

[Clover]

Why is everything WSD other than the books and movies only on Amazon? My mom won't create an account because she's afraid that the card won't work like it didn't with family video, why can't the tv series videos and cds be on walmart?

[Myrkin]

If I would risk a guess, I would say there is not enough demand on US market for mass-selling tv series.

[Hawkbit]

Walmart caters to the lowest common denominator, and also realize, WD media is rare.  

The TV series dvds never got a huge release, the soundtracks even fewer.  No company will make more copies when they cannot be guaranteed of making a profit.  Simple economics.  Yes it would be nice for them to re-release some stuff....Mike Batt took a huge chance with his own label that he would sell the Caravans/WD double disc.

Now what about downloads...get the rights to the music or film, and sell downloads...cheaper for the supplier right?  Depends...I don't know who has the rights to the original soundtrack by Angela Morley...I think its Sony.  The TV series is up to Mike Batt what gets done with it, and even then he may not have total control over the rights of the songs on the original disc.

[Hawkbit]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Watership-Down-Soundtrack-Music-and-Songs-CD-Import-/200596487182?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item2eb47b7c0e

For anyone looking: buy it now at $39.00 (I've seen it go for more)