Readers sounded off about our 100 Best Soundtracks package (#620, Oct. 12), giving it a platinum rating: ''Kudos on your rundown of the 100 best soundtracks,'' writes Mark D. McKennon of Brooklyn. ''Audiences regularly need a refresher on that key component of cinema.'' But others were puzzled about the list's organization. Lawrence Stern of West Hollywood, Calif., notes, ''You arbitrarily grouped soundtracks featuring original material with scores and compilations of already-released tunes.'' Still, most of the 400-plus letters made cases for albums that didn't make the cut. Asks John McCauley of Tustin, Calif.: ''What about...my favorite guilty pleasure, Xanadu?'' Long live psychedelic roller disco!
Evening the Score
Your 100 Best Soundtracks issue leaves me having to buy even more CDs. I'd love it if your future lists could go from 100 to No. 1, to create more suspense as you get closer to the best. As is evident in the best film scores, sometimes the payoff comes after the buildup. JEREMIE ADKINS j813h5273a@hotmail.com New York City
I will keep your 100 Best Soundtracks on my bookshelf alongside your other best-of issues as an essential resource. DAVID DIMATTEO daviddimatteo@yahoo.com Somerville, Mass.
Thank you for showing the many talents of the legendary Judy Garland in your best-soundtracks issue. You praise her performance in The Wizard of Oz and her heart-tugging classic ''The Man That Got Away'' from A Star Is Born. Add to that seeing Meet Me in St. Louis at No. 48, and cap that off with Judy on the cover.... What more could a fan ask for? ANTHONY COVINO Covino2000@aol.com Waterbury, Conn.
You should have split the 100 Best Soundtracks in half: one section for original scores and another for soundtracks featuring various artists. That way, everybody would have been happy; plus you could have included soundtracks that you, let's say, forgot. MARCEL DUPELLE mdupelle@ohri.ca Ottawa
A Hard Day's Night as No. 1 is on the money. But where was The Big Chill? DIANE THORNTON diane@thorntonhouse.com Moss Beach, Calif.
...Star Wars and Jaws but no Superman? Come on! BILL WARE bwware@earthlink.net Cincinnati
...None of the Rocky movies made the cut? BRIAN BYBEE BBybee8377@aol.com Austin
Raiders Of The Lost Ark didn't make the list? VANESSA NASH Fontana, Calif.
...The soundtrack for Hair? Come on, ''Aquarius''? DANIEL McMILLEN dmac1411@hotmail.com Ogden, Utah
I thought I had spent the afternoon in Jeff Spicoli's van after I couldn't find Fast Times at Ridgemont High. GEORGE PAXMAN Glendale, Calif.
...Fame, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, and Footloose? ROB PRUDEN RMPruden@aol.com Glendale, Calif.
...Music from the 1949 classic The Third Man? MIKE NIKOLA Mikedoowop261@cs.com Jacks Creek, Tenn.
...Chariots Of Fire? I can't hear it without seeing men in white jogging down a beach. CHERYL BEAN CherCherylj@aol.com Bellaire, Tex.
The Blues Brothers? John Belushi is rolling in his grave! KYLE VALANNE Miramichi, New Brunswick
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