(The following donated review by Sean O'Neill was moved by Filmtracks to this comment section in February, 2008. It was originally review #3 on the Titanic page and addresses the "Back to Titanic" album)

Back to Titanic: (James Horner) I've read some stuff that people are saying about the new album and they're mostly negative. I would take a better look at it. I knew stuff like the music the band played on the Titanic would be on the album, with the Irish music from Third Class (although I can't say I really care for that). They say stuff like "Too much dialogue" or "Action music... ah yukkie". Dialogue is only featured on four tracks ("An Irish Party in Third Class," "Nearer My God To Thee," "Come Josephine, In My Flying Machine," and "My Heart Will Go On").

Seriously, I don't think that ruins the album. I don't get caught up on buying Silva and Varese compilations that feature Titanic music on the album. I think when James Horner did the "Titanic Suite" and "Epilogue - The Deep and Timeless Sea" he was wise in using a big orchestra like the London Symphony Orchestra, especially since it's a concert suite to the film. The music sounds so much better when performed by an orcheatra (rather then the original album which has alot of synth added) and a real choir, with somewhat of a more human aspect to the music.

"The Portrait" is nice piece of music performed on the piano and by Horner himself; I think it had a little more effect when on the big screen. The action music that came with the first soundtrack was like Courage Under Fire, with better orchestrations and was mainly uneventful (although suitable for the on-screen action). Back To Titanic has a great piece of action music put in by Horner, "A Building Panic." At about 3:55 the music gets kickin' with the choir then joining in (the choir part was on the trailer when you see the Titanic sailing on the sunset). I certainly wouldn't say the track is "unnecessary".

There's an hour of Horner's music on the album, so there's no reason in saying there's not enough Horner music on the soundtrack. I've listened to both recently and I think I like this album more than the other. And with the emotional power that Horner pulls with the LSO in the "Epilogue," it is incredible. *****