Over the course of nearly four decades, Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi crafted some of the most beloved film scores of all time. Best known as the signature sound behind Hayao Miyazaki's beloved Studio Ghibli animated movies, he also formed an extensive collaborative bond with actor/director Takeshi Kitano. The greatest hits from those partnerships are collected on this fantastic primer to his career, Dream Songs: The Essential Joe Hisaishi. Split between selections backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and his own solo piano interpretations, the 28 tracks on the compilation are full of nostalgia, wonder, and childlike innocence. From the whimsy of Kiki's Delivery Service to the grand sweep of Princess Mononoke, Hisaishi's memorable melodies became an indelible part of Miyazaki's world, as vital to the oeuvre's aesthetic as John Williams is to timeless fantasy and sci-fi franchises. Many of the Miyazaki/Ghibli heavy-hitters are represented here, starting with "Fantasia" from 1984's Nausicaa all the way to 2013's joyous "Procession of Celestial Beings" from The Tale of Princess Kaguya. In between, his Ghibli golden era transports listeners to the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, Howl's Moving Castle, and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. With every twinkle of the piano keys, those worlds sparkle to life in magical fashion. Presented side by side in this comprehensive greatest-hits package, they're a testament to Hisaishi's indisputable place in the Ghibli universe. In addition to those favorites, Dream Songs also collects tracks from Hisaishi's many Kitano collaborations, including the lush, violin-backed "Silent Love" from 1992's A Scene at the Sea, the dramatic title theme from 1997's Hana-Bi, and "Summer" from 1999's Kikujiro. Additional notable songs include the main theme from 2008's Oscar-winning Departures, the swelling "Asian Dream Song," and his 2004 solo original, "Oriental Wind." For longtime devotees, Dream Songs is an ideal way to hear the best of the best from Hisaishi's catalog; for new fans, it's a wondrous first step into a realm that comforts, transports, and sparks the imagination like no other.
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo