SOUNDTRACK

The Swimmer
Music Composed by Marvin Hamlisch
Arranged by Leo Shuken and Jack Hayes
Conducted by Jack Hayes

• Theme From The Swimmer ("Send for Me in Summer")/Big Splash 3:23
• Easy Four/Bubbles 3:28
• The Dive/Don't Come Back/Slow Walk/The Horse 4:06
• Lucinda River/Two People 4:13
• Together/Hurdles 3:42
• Julie, Julie/The Little Flute/The Goodbye 1:26
• Carnival 2:30
• Lovely Hair 2:34
• Down the Steps/You Loved It/On the Road 3:07
• My Kids Love Me/Traveling Home/Closer to Home/Home/Marcia Funebre 6:07
• Theme From The Swimmer (Reprise) ("Send for Me in Summer") 1:16

Total Time: 35:57

Released by Film Score Monthly
Catalog FSM0905

REVIEW

As a long time fan of this brilliant but highly obscure film it was a major surprise when Columbia released the DVD in 2003, and although I had seen the LP version of the soundtrack on ebay numerous times, a CD release of this memorable score by a young Marvin Hamlisch was something I never thought possible - but here it is, thanks to Film Score Monthly!

Reissue producers Lukas Kendall and Jeff Bond have done an exceptional job on this rare soundtrack. Not only has The Swimmer finally come to CD, but FSM has gone back to the original 2" three-track masters and delivered a superb new stereo mix and remaster, plus included a number of cues previously unreleased or edited on the original vinyl edition.

The sound quality is amazing, with no distortion or noise, and the separation and imaging depth is excellent. There is plenty of dynamic range, and instruments come through clean and clear, full bodied and lush with no harshness or brittleness. Given the mono soundtrack heard in the film, this presentation offers a new appreciation of Hamlish's debut score and the orchestrations provided by veterans Leo Shuken and Jack Hayes (Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharch among others). From the haunting main theme to the playful Easy Four or Carnival everything here sounds wonderful.

The care and attention to detail found in the audio of this release also extends to its packaging. Adorned with many publicity stills, the full color 20 page booklet features a fascinating in depth look at how the film and its score came into being. Each selection on the CD also has a writeup, relating each segment to its place in the film. As a bonus, the original LP liner notes are also included. The front cover replicates the film's original soundtrack logo, and a replication of the promo art is featured on the back of the booklet.

This release is simply superb. It exceeds all my expectations, and I can recommend it without reservation. The CD may be purchased directly from the Film Score Monthly website. Get yours now, as quantities are limited!

Rating: 5/5
© 2006 Jeff Ulmer