Category: Digital Songs & Albums

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 5:26 Min.

Sporting vintage sound effects, this disco medley exuberantly blends John Williams’ Asteroid Field theme and The Empire Strikes Back finale (including Meco’s take on the romantic “Han Solo and The Princess”).  Available for decades, its more recent sources include 1997’s The Best of Meco CD.

REVIEW:

Serving as his second Empire Strikes Back medley, Meco offers an upbeat rendering of the Millennium Falcon’s pursuit by the Imperial Fleet through a dangerous asteroid field.  Included for good measure is a brief sample of a grumbling Chewbacca’s commentary.  Williams’ menacing Imperial Theme and a chorus of laser blast sound effects segue into a funky romantic interlude that conveys the new Princess Leia-Han Solo romance before launching into the film’s finale.  Once more, Meco’s orchestral effort with some synthesizer input is flawless, as is the seamless incorporation of vintage sound effects (including reliable bits from Artoo-Detoo and Chewbacca). 

What’s more impressive is how Meco effectively segues from an ominously upbeat pursuit motif into an 80’s disco style-love theme before the launch of the track’s final leg.  Like his best Star Wars work, let’s deem this track as inspired entertainment.  Beyond its novelty value, this medley exudes a delightful aura of unpredictability for those hearing it for the first time.  As the conclusion of his two-part Empire homage, Meco’s genius is turned up an extra notch.  It’s a vintage musical treat for any Star Wars fan.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 10 Stars

Note: In addition to Meco’s original Star Wars disco medley, his “Empire Strikes Back” disco medley is also available on the same Best of Meco album.

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 4:05 Min.

Sporting vintage sound effects, this disco homage re-imagines a medley of John Williams’ ominous “Imperial March” and the main title theme from 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back.  Among this track’s sources is 1997’s The Best of Meco.

REVIEW:

Meco delivers another mini-masterpiece.  Beyond an awesome disco beat, Meco inserts an assortment of cool sound effects: i.e.   Artoo-Detoo’s beeping, Vader’s raspy breathing, Luke and Vader’s lightsaber duel, an interstellar dogfight (or presumably the Millennium Falcon being pursued by TIE Fighters), and a Chewbacca cameo.  Considering the flawless orchestral performance and spot-on synthesizer cues, Meco’s exuberance has never sounded better.  What remains remarkable about this galactic homage is its welcome aura of unpredictability for those hearing it for the first time.  For this track, Meco’s interpretation of John Williams’ stellar themes can’t be overstated.  As campy as the track is, this medley is a sheer delight! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    10 Stars

Note: Meco’s “Asteroid Field / Empire Strikes Back (finale)” medley is also available on the same Best of Meco album.

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE