CD REVIEWS - Loch Ness and Nanny McPhee
Loch Ness
Music by Trevor Jones
Perseverance Records PRD 007
27 Tracks 59:30 mins.
Grateful thanks go to Robin Esterhammer for somehow managing the amazing coup of releasing this much requested score by Trevor Jones for the charming 1996 fantasy starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson.
The score is a delight throughout and features a lilting, majestic main theme, plus some wonderful pseudo-Scottish themes, be they adventurous or charming and romantic. Standout cues include the laid-back version fo the main theme for Dempsey Arrives in Scotland; the bold, brassy and adventurous The Expedition Prepares; the further adventure of Demspey Dispels the Myth, with its subtle use of saxophone; the romantic piano and guitar of Nice Eyes and You'll be Leaving in the A.M. respectively; the tender yet sad Laura and Dempsey Argue; the excited regency -styled scherzo London; the glorious final statement of the main theme in Where's Waldo?; and even the feelgood end credits song Rhythm of my Heart, performed here by unknown male vocalist, standing in for Rod Stewart, rights to whose vocal presumably could not be obtained.
Completing this must-have package is a colourful 16-page booklet, featuring Paul Tonks' guide to the film and its score and a biography of the composer. Bravo, Mr. Esterhammer!
Nanny McPhee
Music by Patrick Doyle
Varese Sarabande VSD-6690
21 Tracks 53:33 mins.
It's a pleasure to have two such fine CDs to review in today's posting. I have yet to hear Patrick Doyle's music for the latest Harry Potter cinematic adventure, but in the meantime this will do quite nicely, thank you.
I am not at all familiar with the childrens' books this little gem is based on but, from what I can gather, Emma Thompson plays a pretty frightening-looking nanny, with magical powers, who takes on the task of taming a household of tiny tearaways.
Right from the very first cue, They've Eaten the Baby!, with its harpsichord-lead comic promenade, chaotic capers and low-key waltz theme, Doyle had me hooked. No More Nannies features magical music with celeste, strings and awe-filled choir; followed by Secret Toast and Jam, a warm, yet bittersweet melody for woodwinds and strings. I could go on, as there is something to enjoy in every track, ending with the sublime Snow in August which reprises all the main thematic material quite gloriously.
A wonderful score then, but is it a warm-up for even greater things to come. We shall see!
Loch Ness
Music by Trevor Jones
Perseverance Records PRD 007
27 Tracks 59:30 mins.
Grateful thanks go to Robin Esterhammer for somehow managing the amazing coup of releasing this much requested score by Trevor Jones for the charming 1996 fantasy starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson.
The score is a delight throughout and features a lilting, majestic main theme, plus some wonderful pseudo-Scottish themes, be they adventurous or charming and romantic. Standout cues include the laid-back version fo the main theme for Dempsey Arrives in Scotland; the bold, brassy and adventurous The Expedition Prepares; the further adventure of Demspey Dispels the Myth, with its subtle use of saxophone; the romantic piano and guitar of Nice Eyes and You'll be Leaving in the A.M. respectively; the tender yet sad Laura and Dempsey Argue; the excited regency -styled scherzo London; the glorious final statement of the main theme in Where's Waldo?; and even the feelgood end credits song Rhythm of my Heart, performed here by unknown male vocalist, standing in for Rod Stewart, rights to whose vocal presumably could not be obtained.
Completing this must-have package is a colourful 16-page booklet, featuring Paul Tonks' guide to the film and its score and a biography of the composer. Bravo, Mr. Esterhammer!
Nanny McPhee
Music by Patrick Doyle
Varese Sarabande VSD-6690
21 Tracks 53:33 mins.
It's a pleasure to have two such fine CDs to review in today's posting. I have yet to hear Patrick Doyle's music for the latest Harry Potter cinematic adventure, but in the meantime this will do quite nicely, thank you.
I am not at all familiar with the childrens' books this little gem is based on but, from what I can gather, Emma Thompson plays a pretty frightening-looking nanny, with magical powers, who takes on the task of taming a household of tiny tearaways.
Right from the very first cue, They've Eaten the Baby!, with its harpsichord-lead comic promenade, chaotic capers and low-key waltz theme, Doyle had me hooked. No More Nannies features magical music with celeste, strings and awe-filled choir; followed by Secret Toast and Jam, a warm, yet bittersweet melody for woodwinds and strings. I could go on, as there is something to enjoy in every track, ending with the sublime Snow in August which reprises all the main thematic material quite gloriously.
A wonderful score then, but is it a warm-up for even greater things to come. We shall see!
posted by jeffhall | 10:26 PM
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