CD REVIEW - DUTCH


Dutch
Music by Alan Silvestri
La-La Land Records LLLCD 1117 (US)
19 Tracks 42:58 mins

This album is dedicated to the late comedy writer John Hughes but, to be fair, the film (released in 1991) wasn't his greatest hour - and what ever happened to Ed O'Neill, the film's star?
In fact, from listening to the first few tracks, a mix of source and circus slapstick, I was wondering why anyone would even want to release the music on CD. Then I got to track 8, "Doyle Abandoned," and finally I could see why. This sensitive, melancholy track, largely features piano, but when the Americana-flavoured strings join they really tug at the heartstrings. This is followed immediately by "Doyle Steals," which brings to mind the kind of action writing Silvestri employed for the Back To The Future trilogy. The theme from "Doyle Abandoned" continues to make its presence felt in "Knockout Punch;" "For the Record;" and especially in the closing track "Home/Foyer/I'm Staying," where horns and brass provide a great uplifting moment, before piano takes us out.
There are few other highlights, save for the source-like jazz theme that opened the album receiving a sensitive violin and piano treatment in "Be Pathetic," which is very endearing, and which becomes a gorgeous choral lullaby in "The Shelter."
There are three bonus alternate tracks at the end of the album, the best of which is that for "Foyer," where strings replace the brass.
An uneven score from Silvestri then, but it does have that wonderful theme, first introduced in "Doyle Abandoned," and the gorgeous "The Shelter," which are worth the price of the CD alone.
The disc is accompanied by the usual high quality booklet, with Al Kaplan's detailed notes on the film and its music, including a cue-by-cue guide; full musician credits, and plenty of colour stills.
Go to www.lalalandrecords.com/Dutch.html for samples and to order your copy of this limited edition of just 1200 units.