To commemorate the 35th anniversary of Ghostbusters’s 1984 theatrical debut, Sony Music release a special reissue of Elmer Bernstein's original score. The collection features music from the iconic blockbuster, newly mixed and remastered from the score’s original multi-tracks, as well as new artwork, commentary from Elmer Bernstein’s son, Peter, and four previously unreleased tracks...

In the mid-80s my local WHSmiths was the only store that stocked all the latest soundtrack albums, plus plenty of rare older releases. Back then I was spending all my spare money on soundtrack release and while I picked up the Ghostbusters 12" picture disc, for some reason I never managed to get hold of Elmer Bernstein's original score release.

Sony has reissued the music, remastered, with previously unreleased tracks. This release includes 37 tracks (1 hr, 21 sec) and represents more of a collection of music cues than it does a traditional score. The weird thing is, almost every piece of music I remember from the movie (I haven't seen it that many times and I think the last time was ten years ago in 2009 when I reviewed the Blu-ray release. Bernstein certainly knew how to compose themes that stuck with you.

I probably enjoyed this album more than I should have. It's not really one I'd put on and listen to that often... and I doubt it's one I'd have bought if I hadn't been sent it for review... but rather strangely I have a fondness for it that I can't explain.

If, like me you were a teenager when you first saw this movie there's plenty of nostalgic value to be had out of this score.

7

Darren Rea