Soundtracks

The recent success of "The Force Awakens" reminded "Star Wars" fans of two things: How much they liked the look and feel of the original trilogy, and how much they enjoyed the musical scores of John Williams, who is probably responsible for more ear worms than any other composer in history. In fact, soundtracks on vinyl offer something for movie buffs and record collectors alike. For those who favor musicals, there are the soundtracks to Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpieces such as "Oklahoma!," "South Pacific," "The King and I," and "The Sound of Music." Stephen Sondheim lovers can choose from early works such as "West Side Story" or more recent hits like "Into the Woods," while theater-goers who still wince at the memory of composer/playwright Jonathan Larson's too-short life can take comfort in the soundtrack from "Rent." Soundtracks that are built around the music of pop and rock stars are generally the most collectible, as interest in Elvis Presley EPs ("Love Me Tender," Jailhouse Rock," "Viva Las Vegas") and LPs ("King Creole," "G.I. Blues") and soundtracks by everyone from The Beatles ("A Hard Day's Night," "Help!") to Isaac Hayes ("Shaft") and Curtis Mayfield ("Super Fly") clearly demonstrate. In their time, certain soundtracks must have seemed like the best place to find a movie's hit song, but in the case of the 1968 Mike Nichols film, "The Graduate," the full version of "Mrs. Robinson" can only be found on the Simon & Garfunkel album from the same year called "Bookends." Conversely, the 1977 soundtrack for "Saturday Night Fever" is probably the only music by the Bee Gees that most people who bought that album would ever own.