Happy New Year

The Twin Peaks Archive was an amazing gift in 2011. Looking forward to 2012, we still have a lot to look forward to. Here's a list of tracks that may see release in the coming year:

Merry Christmas!

Here's the cover for the very short "Twin Peaks Christmas Greeting" that was featured in a holiday ad during the original broadcast run of the second season. (The ad can be seen on the bonus disc of the Gold Box set.)

What an amazing year this has been for fans of Twin Peaks and its music! The Archive releases have been like a present that keeps on giving. My heartfelt thanks to Dean, Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch and all involved in these releases at dl.com!

Looking forward to seeing more musical gifts in the New Year. Happy Holidays everyone!

New Archive release: Dark Mood Woods (Studio Version)

   

This week comes an unexpected and most welcome surprise from the TP Archive. The alternate "Clean/Clear" version of "Dark Mood Woods", AKA "The Studio Version".

The original version of "Dark Mood Woods" was first released in truncated form on the second season soundtrack, where only a portion of the track was heard and mixed with "The Red Room" (along with a few elements of "Windom Earle's Motif" & "Unease Motif"). The full version was released from the Archive back in May.

Weaving through much of the series' final episode, "Dark Mood Woods" is an essential Twin Peaks track(s). An integral component of Lynch's finale, that gives the episode a feel and mood completely its own. The somber mood created by "Dark Mood Woods" is unique to the episode, and it plays a large part in what makes that last episode so special.

After the original version was released, giving a closer listen to the final episode revealed that there were in fact two versions of the track heard. Or at the time, I had thought that perhaps they had just manipulated or mixed the track differently in certain places, giving it a different sound. So I was unsure if there would be another version or not. So, much to my surprise and delight, we finally get the other version in its full, almost 10 minute glory. And its an amazing track.

Here's the breakdown of the usage of the two versions:

Dark Mood Woods
Episode 29: Earle arrives at Glastonbury Grove with Annie, they enter the Lodge
Episode 29: Cooper and Truman arrive at Glastonbury Grove, Cooper enters the Lodge
Episode 29: Andy looks for Sheriff Truman in woods outside Glastonbury Grove
Episode 29: Heidi arrives late at the RR, Bobby and Shelly repeat dialogue from pilot, Jacoby & Mrs. Palmer arrive with a message for Major Briggs
Episode 29: Cooper & Annie appear outside Glastonbury Grove
Episode 29: Cooper wakes up at the Great Northern, wants to brush his teeth
FWWM: Morning after Partyland

Dark Mood Woods (Studio Version)
Episode 29: At the Sheriff Station, Pete says the Log Lady stole his truck, the Log Lady brings oil, Ronette is brought in
Episode 29: Morning, Andy asks Truman if he wants coffee and a “plate special”
Episode 29: Shot of Lodge corridor “I’m waiting for you” (mixed with Original Version)
Episode 29: Coop smashes head, asks “How’s Annie?” (mixed with Original Version)

Obviously, Lynch was a fan of the track as well, since he used the original (briefly) in FWWM, and as the soundtrack to the Log Lady intros that he created for the series' showings on Bravo.

As a side note, the original version of "Dark Mood Woods" actually made its first appearance in the two and a half minute recap at the start of episode 24. This special recap was created for the series' return after a lengthy hiatus during its original run on ABC, and featured Cooper dictating to Diane about the various goings-on in the storyline. (Unfortunately, this recap was not included on the Gold Box DVD set.)

Both versions are among my favorite Twin Peaks tracks, and I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present from the Archives!

PS  This release also included two bonus tracks. A post and art for these will be up soon.

New Archive release: FWWM bundle

   

   

   

   

   

Teresa's Autopsy (2:37)
Phillip Jeffries (2:10)
Back To Fat Trout (Unease Motif/The Woods) (2:52)
Laura Visits Harold (3:18)
Behind The Mask (2:28)
Wash Your Hands (3:03)
It's Your Father (3:47)
Jacques' Cabin/The Train Car (4:09)
Circumference Of A Circle (11:11)
Fire Walk With Me (Saxophone) (6:47)

Fire Walk With Me fans got the ultimate Christmas gift this week as the TP Archive released a bundle of the remaining dark soundscapes from FWWM. These tracks are actually mixes of different elements, much as was the case many times in the series. These passages were actually created during the final stages of the film much as sound design/sound effects would be created.

Hearing them more clearly here, fans will recognize some elements used from the series but mixed with new elements. The track "24 Hours" is clearly heard in "Teresa's Autopsy", and "Unease Motif", one of the most often used pieces of music in the series, is used in many of these tracks as well ("Laura Visits Harold", "Back To Fat Trout").

The eleven minute+ track "Circumference Of A Circle" was used as the base of the mix of "Jacques' Cabin/The Train Car" and has also been released here in its entirety. Fans looking for the music from the post-murder scene where Leland puts Laura's body in the water and then enters Glastonbury Grove (a segment that sounds much like a distorted synth version of "Laura Palmer's Theme") can find that portion in this track. From around 7:10 to 7:53.

For me, the big surprise and highlight of this release is the saxophone version of the FWWM Theme. The original trumpet version is still one of my favorite tracks of all time, and getting an entirely new, alternate version is amazing. The film actually uses just the first 14 seconds of the track during the opening credits and then switches to the more familiar original version. Who knew there was a entire different version instead of just the original with the alternate beginning!?

This bundle very well might be the last FWWM music released. But you never know, there may be a surprise alternate version of something waiting in the archives. As for what's actually heard in the film, it seems close to all has been released. The exception being the track heard when Leland cries in his bedroom, and the alternate(?) version of "Laura's Dark Boogie" heard during Leland's flashbacks of the Blue Diamond Motel. And finally the piano version of "Laura Palmer's Theme" when Leland tells Laura "Goodnight Princess"- this is actually a track from the series though.

Anyway, amazing job from the Archive. Enjoy my new covers.