Titanic: Collector’s Anniversary Edition is released to coincide with the newly re-mastered re-release of James Cameron's 1997 Titanic film, which opens in cinemas on 04 April 2012. The theatrical re-release marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic setting sail (10 April). This 4-disc CD collection includes James Horner's original soundtrack; the Back to Titanic album which features more music from the film; an unreleased disc of period music recorded for the movie by I Salonisti; and a disc of popular music from the period...

Unless you are a huge fan of James Cameron's 1997 Titanic movie, in which case you'll probably own James Horner's score and the Back to Titanic release, there's very little point picking up this collection. The only additional material you'll be getting is a collection of tracks by the quintet I Salonisti (which includes music that all bands from the White Star Line would have been required to perform) and a CD of popular music of the period.

Skipping over the fact that 'Nearer My God to Thee' was almost certainly not the last song played by the Titanic's band (as is popularly believed), I Salonisti do an impressive job of recreating music that would certainly have been played onboard the Titanic. 'Song of Autumn' is another song that is claimed to be the last piece of music the band played, and that is also included here, as well as 'Nearer My God to Thee'. In fact, there are three versions of 'Nearer My God to Thee' included in this box set.

The fourth disc includes songs that would have been around in the early 20th century. It's an odd mix of musical styles, but for those interested in the period it's worth a listen.

While this isn't an album I'd listen to very often (in fact I'd probably only dig out discs 1, 2 and 3 once in a blue moon, and probably not bother with disc 4), it's still an interesting collection for those who enjoy the movie.

Track listing:

Disc 1: Titanic - Music from the Motion Picture
01 - Never an Absolution
02 - Distant Memories
03 - Southampton
04 - Rose
05 - Leaving Port
06 - "Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch"
07 - "Hard to Starboard"
08 - Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave
09 - The Sinking
10 - Death of Titanic
11 - A Promise Kept
12 - A Life So Changed
13 - An Ocean of Memories
14 - My Heart Will Go On (performed by Celine Dion)
15 - Hymn to the Sea

Disc 2: Back to Titanic
01 - Titanic Suite
02 - An Irish Party In Third Class (performed by Gaelic Storm)
03 - Alexander's Ragtime Band (performed by I Salonisti)
04 - The Portrait
05 - Jack Dawson's Luck
06 - A Building Panic
07 - Nearer My God to Thee (performed by I Salonisti)
08 - Come Josephine, In My Flying Machine (performed by Máire Brennan)
09 - Lament
10 - A Shore Never Reached
11 - My Heart Will Go On - with dialogue from the film (performed by Celine Dion)
12 - Epilogue: The Deep And Timeless Sea

Disc 3: I Salonisti: Gentlemen, It Has Been a Privilege Playing with You Tonight
01 - Valse Septembre
02 - Marguerite Waltz
03 - Wedding Dance
04 - Poet and Peasant
05 - Blue Danube
06 - Song Without Words
07 - Estudiantina
08 - Vision of Salome
09 - Titsy Bitsy Girl
10 - Alexander's Ragtime Band
11 - Sphinx
12 - Barcarole
13 - Orpheus
14 - Song of Autumn
15 - Nearer My God to Thee

Disc 4: Popular Music from the Titanic Era
01 - It's a Long Way to Tipperary (John McCormack)
02 - Let Me Call You Sweetheart (Halfway House Dance Orchestra)
03 - Vilia (Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra)
04 - My Gal Sal (Chick Bullock & His Levee Loungers)
05 - Oh! You Beautiful Doll (Chuck Foster & His Orchestra)
06 - Martha (Adrian Rollinoi Trio)
07 - In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree (Duke Ellington & His Orchestra)
08 - Waiting at the Church (Beatrice Kay)
09 - Frasquita Serenade (John Kirby & His Orchestra)
10 - Shine On, Harvest Moon (Hal Kemp)
11 - From the Land of the Sky Blue Water (Mildred Bailey & Her Orchestra)
12 - Loch Lomond (Maxine Sullivan & Her Orchestra)
13 - A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight (Miff Mole’s Molers)

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Darren Rea