CD REVIEW - TAMARA DREWE


Tamara Drewe
Music by Alexandre Desplat
Silva Screen Records Cat No: 738572134426
19 Tracks 48:16 mins

Stephen Frears' new romcom Tamara Drewe, which is based on the Posy Simmonds graphic novel and started life as a Guardian cartoon strip, that was in turn inspired by Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd, and stars Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper (phew!), is receiving plaudits from just about every critic in town.
The score for the film has been composed by Alexandre Desplat, who may have started his career in his native France, but is now truly an international composer.
He describes his score thusly: "I let the audience appreciate the moments of emotion...Leave space for the acting moments and the strong emotional moments to be by themselves, without pushing the music." The result is a score that is largely light and often energetic, starting with the propulsive "Opening Title," which introduces the oft-used main theme; with much use throughout of xylophone, glockenspiel, chimes or the like, as well as woodwinds, plucked strings and other percussion elements. Other tracks are a little more reserved, or laid-back, like "I Need a Dump;" the dreamy "Tamara;" the fairytale-like opening of "Mushrooms; the romantic "A Good Time;" and "Packing and Closing," with its sad violin solo. And of course, this being a comedy, there is a whimsicality to many of the cues and, just occasionally, as in "Alarm at Winnards" and the opening of "Dog and Cows," a degree of urgency.
Three songs, two by Swipe, the other presumably an on-screen performance by Dominic Cooper (who plays a musician) close the album but, ignoring these, Desplat's score is a delightful little effort that trips along melodically and makes for a light and pleasurable listening experience.
The Tamara Drewe album will be available on CD and as a digital download from 20th September. Get along to www.silvascreenmusic.com for samples and to order your copy.