Just in time for the half century anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 unforgettable summer blockbuster, this reissue of the Jaws soundtrack returns with enhanced sound quality. The LP version even has shark-infested water pressed between two translucent vinyl discs.
The instantly recognizable “Main Title (Theme From Jaws)” opens, and its low register brass and strings is still as menacing as ever, and will likely get you looking over your shoulder in pools even.
“Chrissie’s Death” follows, and offers a lighter atmosphere followed by an ominous mood, and “Promenade (Tourists On The Menu)” layers the strings and brass with beauty and color. The setting turns upbeat with the orchestral richness of “Out To Sea,” before the intense dynamics of the turbulent “Sea Attack Number One.”
The back half of the affair leads with the meticulous strings and animated percussion that makes “One Barrel Chase” the album’s best. “Preparing The Cage” is a close second, though, thanks to the busy and intricate textures that allow for the winds to shine.
Further along, “The Underwater Siege” employs swirling harp that adds to the dense bouts and building climate that’s haunting, and “End Title” finishes out with a sense of warmth, joy even, that provides a fleeting sense of serenity.
John Williams composed and conducted the soundtrack, as well as the very successful ones for Stars Wars and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. The Jaws soundtrack netted him several awards and is often regarded as one of the greatest scores in history. I was surprised to find out that Spielberg even played clarinet on the album.
I was never actually able to finish the Jaws movie due to fear, and the many sequels didn’t appeal to me for the same reason. The soundtrack, however, is quite enjoyable in a suspenseful-meets-meditative sort of way.
