John Carpenter / Carpenter,Cody / Davies,Daniel - Halloween - O.S.T. (Exp) [CD]

John Carpenter's soundtracks for the most recent Halloween trilogy, made alongsidehis frequent collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, marked the legendarydirector and composer's return to film scoring after nearly two decades away. 2018'sHalloween, 2021's Halloween Kills, and 2022's Halloween Ends were all directed by Da-vid Gordon Green, who engaged Carpenter early in the pre-production process, ulti-mately enlisting him as both an executive producer and soundtrack composer for thetrilogy. Now, for the first time, expanded editions of all three scores are being madeavailable in a deluxe box set by Carpenter's longtime label, Sacred Bones Records.In listening to the recent Halloween scores, the collaborative spirit among the compos-ing trio is one of the first things that jumps out. The now-famous bowed guitar parton Halloween's "The Shape Hunts Allyson," like all the guitar parts strewn across thetrilogy, is played by Daniel Davies. John calls Daniel "the adventurer" of the group,and credits him with introducing sounds he'd never have considered. Cody, who hisfather refers to as a "musical savant," is an equally essential presence. It's his steady, me-thodical hand that helps give shape to the ideas that fly around when these three get ina room together. The scores for the new films may be centered on familiar themes, butthey're also a lot more sonically diverse and musically audacious than anything Johncould have pulled off in 1978, when he made the original Halloween.In addition to the individual expanded releases, the Halloween Expanded Trilogy will beavailable as part of a deluxe limited box set, offered in 6xLP and 3xCD formats. Theseeditions feature exclusive new packaging and artwork by Chris Bilheimer, along withexpansive liner notes by music critic Brad Sanders, which include exclusive interviewswith John Carpenter and director David Gordon Green. Also included on both boxsets are three collectible posters designed by Creepy Duck, a box set-exclusive posterdesign by Chris Bilheimer, and a deluxe lenticular cover that brings the artwork to life.The expanded version of Halloween Kills features 25 unreleased music cues, while Hal-loween Ends adds 10 new tracks and Halloween sees a completely new art and packagingtreatment by Chris Bilheimer. For John Carpenter collectors, Halloween completists,and all fans of great film music, the Halloween Expanded Trilogy should be consideredan essential, landmark release.