Hidalgo [Soundtrack]

hidalgo [soundtrack]

On this CD:

Hidalgo, film score
Composed by James Newton Howard
Performed by Hidalgo Orchestra
with Charlie Besharat, Brad Dutz, Pedro Eustache, Fred Seldon, Ali Jihad Racy, Jimmy Mahlis, Hovig Krikorian, Mike Fisher, Loganatha Shivam, John Bilezikjian
Conducted by Pete Anthony, Mike Nowak

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Director Joe Johnston's tale of a half-Indian Pony Express rider (Vigo Mortenson) and the horse (the titular Hidalgo) he enters in a grueling race across the punishing Saudi desert is an energetic throwback to the adventurous swashbucklers of a bygone era. James Newton Howard's rousing orchestral score echoes those sentiments perfectly, evoking musical moods that are variously American and Arabian--and, in its best moments, a skillful fusion of both. "Main Title" and "Don't Waste Our Money" hearken back to the dynamic, driving rhythms of Copland and Elmer Bernstein to conjure an American western classicism that ranges from the pastoral to the epic in its sweep. If Howard's Arabian motifs are initially somewhat of a caricature, once established they gracefully shift into evocative passages of impressive dynamic and emotional range. There's the obligatory action film thunder, of course, but those cliches mostly take a welcome backseat to the haunting, worldbeat allure of "Montage" and the triumphant, melodic warmth of "The Final Three" and "Let 'Er Buck." --Jerry McCulley

Hidalgo,James Newton Howard,Mike Nowak,Pete Anthony,Loganatha Shivam,Hidalgo Orchestra,Hovig Krikorian,Hollywood Records,Film,Film Music,Original Score,Pop,Soundtrack,Soundtracks & Film Scores

Hidalgo [Soundtrack]

The Nativity Story: Original Motion Picture Score

Average customer rating:

Worth the price of the CD
Beautiful!
Better Than Most Soundtracks Lately, but Too Solemn in Every Song
CHILLING SCORE TO ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Nativity Story: Original Motion Picture Score

Manufacturer: New Line Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Nativity Story: Sacred Songs
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ASIN: B000JMKJDW
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Tracks:

Veni, Veni Emanuel
Words Of The Prophet
Nazareth
You Shall Be His Wife
The Annunciation
To Elizabeth
The Magi
Why Is It Me?
Corde Natus Ex Parentis
Return Of Mary
I've Broken No Vow
Census
The Journey
Give Me A Sign
The Shepherd
And Thou Bethlehem
Is There A Place For Us?
A Star Shall Come Forth
I Bring You Good Tidings
The Strength I Prayed For
The Shepherd's Gift
In Rosa Vernat Lilium
Silens Nox
Rosa Aeterna Floret

Amazon.com

In the beginning, soundtracks to Biblical movies adhered to a Hollywood template with more fidelity than most people attend to the Ten Commandments. The first commandment of Biblical film scores was: "Thou shalt render orchestral grandeur unto the epic as did Elmer Bernstein on The Ten Commandments and Miklos Rozsa on Ben-Hur." Peter Gabriel's score to The Last Temptation of Christ, released as Passion, changed all that like the Second Coming. His mix of world-music elements, wailing singers, and otherworldly electronics prevailed, influencing countless film scores and emulated to almost plagiaristic perfection by John Debney's soundtrack for The Passion of the Christ. Mychael Danna departs from that path on The Nativity Story, the 2006 film interpretation of Mary's journey. His sound is more medieval and classical than Middle Eastern. Rather than blowing Turkish duduks à la Gabriel and Debney, he uses recorders and wood flutes. He likes building from simple folk themes to extravagant expanses where a lone flute segues into a sweeping string arrangement that morphs into slowly cascading voices. He taps into Gregorian chant and plainsong, and even when he uses Persian vocalist Azam Ali (from Vas and Niyaz), he has her singing an Abbess Hildegard-style hymn called "Nazareth." But this is a Hollywood Biblical epic and Danna bends to another commandment of the genre: "Thou shalt wring tears and awe-inspired wonder." You don't need to see the film to know that the heavens must be opening--as they only do in Hollywood--on "And Thou Bethlehem." Danna's The Nativity Story isn't a sea change like Gabriel, but it is a new tributary. --John Diliberto

Album Description

This score follows not only Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, but the centuries of musical reverberations thereafter. It plants its humble seeds in the Middle East where the gentle tones of Persian and Turkish ney flutes articulate melodic figures, and strident Roman horns and drums bind Herod the Great's soldiers to the military terminology of the age. The score then blossoms from these seeds, extending its tendrils across centuries of European traditions. Pre-Baroque instruments such as viola da gamba, vielle, harp, and recorders guide the score westward with the elemental sounds of strings and winds. The second half of the soundtrack covers Mary's isolation and her relationship with Joseph by weaving throughout the choral writing and knitting the work together into a dramatic, reverent whole.

Customer Reviews:

Worth the price of the CD.......2007-03-05

This soundtrack has THE most beautiful version of Silent Night I've ever heard; it's worth the price of the CD just to get that track. (Since the choral portion of the track is sung in Latin, it's called Silens Nox.) When I heard it in the movie, I immediately thrilled to it--it was so gorgeous I wanted to close my eyes and just drink in that glorious music...Bravo!

Beautiful!.......2007-02-22

This CD is the actual movie score containing all the beautiful music you heard throughout! It's soothing to listen to even when it's not the Christmas season!

Better Than Most Soundtracks Lately, but Too Solemn in Every Song.......2007-01-15

THE NATIVITY STORY SOUNDTRACK is a very good CD, but the songs don't stand alone as being great tunes all by themselves, just very decent tunes. The mood of the CD is very somber and solemn throughout, which is okay, but it would have benefited more if there were a bit more variety in the mood, across the entire CD.

THE NATIVITY STORY SOUNDTRACK is better than most CD soundtracks from other films, these days, but it still doesn't have too many memorable melodies to let the listener recognize which song is which.

Sometimes the music uses a hint of a classic Christmas carol, which is always the most distinguishable element of any of the songs. To be fair, this is a movie SOUNDTRACK of background music, and even though the best movie soundtracks contain famous melodies that are instantly recognizeable, (like STAR WARS or JAWS, among others), these most famous melodies are exceptions to the rule. These days, most soundtracks are just lucky to be decent souvenirs of the movie experience, until the film itself is finally released on DVD for home viewing.

If I didn't know this was the soundtrack to this great, underrated, and little seen movie, THE NATIVITY STORY, then I wouldn't be so interested in listening to this soundtrack at all. As it is, I like this CD as a way to help support the movie itself, and to listen to it around other folks, to help remind them that they need to eventually see this film.

I like listening to the CD the best using the back of the CD's song listing, so that I know which songs go with which scene from the film, using my memory. This helps to put the songs in perspective. Otherwise, all the songs start to become one long, indistinguishable session across the entire CD.

Though this soundtrack mostly lacks any really great melodies to use as landmarks throughout the CD, the instrumentation is VERY interesting and expertly researched and arranged! They use a lot of Middle Eastern musical instruments, with a touch of modern recording equipment tricks, and the sound itself is very pleasing and reverent.

I like seeing the film more than I like just listening to the soundtrack at home, of course, but unless I am reading THE NATIVITY STORY NOVEL, or looking through THE NATIVITY STORY GIFT BOOK, then I don't get much listening time out of this CD.

If you are wanting to get THE NATIVITY STORY experience at home, while waiting for the DVD release, then I would recommend THE NATIVITY STORY NOVEL, which has the whole story, and tons of great, extra Bible times details mixed into the story. You will learn a lot about the ancient times and customs and culture from THE NATIVITY STORY NOVEL. I like THE NATIVITY STORY NOVEL even better than the soundtrack, as far as movie souvenirs at home are concerned.

THE NATIVITY STORY GIFT BOOK is not as good as the STORY NOVEL. The GIFT BOOK has one large photo on most pages, but most of the chosen photos have already been used extensively in what little movie promotion was used, so you might not feel like you're seeing anything new, that hasn't already been seen online or in movie review photos. Most of the photos that are used are not very good at showing the movie scenes and events. The STORY NOVEL will ADD to your understanding of THE NATIVITY STORY in a way that the GIFT BOOK and MOVIE SOUNDTRACK do not.

CHILLING SCORE TO ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-12-12

I SAW THE MOVIE AND I WAS BLOWN AWAY, BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS MEMORABLE WITHOUT A GREAT SCORE TO HELP CARRY IT. TELLING THIS STORY ALONE IS POWERFUL ALL BY ITSELF, BUT THE POINT OF THIS MOVIE WAS TO CAPTURE PEOPLE IN WAY LIKE NEVER BEFORE, THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT THIS AMAZING SCORE. IT HELPED CARRY THE EMOTIONS OF THE CHARACTERS AND CREATE A HAUNTING MOOD FOR EACH SCENE. I WOULD NOT HAVE CRIED THE WAY I DID AT THE END WHEN JOSEPH IS CARRING MARY LOOKING FOR A ROOM IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE MUSIC SURROUNDING THIS SCENE WHICH SLOWLY TURNED FROM A MUSICAL PIECE TO CREATE SUSPENSE INTO A RIVITING VERSION OF CAROL OF THE BELLS. IT WAS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.
FROM THE MOMENT THE CREDITS OPENED TO THE ENDING CREDITS, THE MUSIC WAS INCREDIBLE INTENSE AND WORKED VERY WELL WITH EACH SCENE. SINCE THE MOVIE AND THE SOUNDTRACK, THIS MUSIC HAS LIVED INSIDE ME. THIS SOUNDTRACK IS ONE NOT TO BE MISSED. TRUST ME, YOUR CHRISTMAS MUSIC COLLECTION IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT THIS SCORE WHICH DOES AN IMMACULATE JOB OF REMINDING US OF THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD. BLESS ALL OF YOU OUT THERE, AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. PLEASE GO SEE THIS MOVIE AND THEN GO BUY THE SOUNDTRACK.

Average customer rating:

Very stirring Spanish music
Everything you want it to be
Excellent sound track
"Horner, the legend has returned!"
Great Fun!

The Legend of Zorro

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Mask Of Zorro: Music From The Motion Picture
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Superman Returns

ASIN: B000BF0DTC
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

Collecting The Ballots
Stolen Votes
To The Governor's... And Then Elena
This Is Who I Am
Classroom Justice
The Cortez Ranch
A Proposal With Pearls/Perilous Times
Joaquin's Capture And Zorro's Rescue
Jailbreak/Reunited
A Dinner Of Pigeon/Setting The Explosives
Mad Dash/Zorro Unmasked
Just One Drop Of Nitro
The Train
Statehood Proclaimed
My Family Is My Life...

Customer Reviews:

Very stirring Spanish music.......2007-01-10

This CD makes you want to put a rose in your teeth and flamenco dance.

Everything you want it to be.......2006-04-20

I just bought this soundtrack last night after listening to bits of it on iTunes, and it is such a beautiful score. I've seen the film... gosh, I don't keep count anymore, but every time, I always take in the music. And how can you not? James Horner is a wonderful composer, yet the music seems to take on a life of its own.
The opening number gets you right away: the Spanish-style guitar strum, the frenzied tap dance, and the horns. One thing you can definitely credit music to do is build, be it suspense or emotion. The tap dance builds and builds until the guitar takes over.
The second number begins with drums like thunderclaps, violins still keeping the tension. The horns and claps enter, and you have Zorro's theme again. Percussion picks back up around the two-minute mark, and it keeps a nice tempo.
I like to think that this soundtrack is like a Spanish version of Pirates of the Caribbean, another of my favorite films. But the horns always let you know, with special clarity, that this is Zorro.
Whether or not this soundtrack is good is entirely up to the person listening. Then again, if you don't like it, why are you listening in the first place? If you want to hate it, then it's terrible. But if you appreciate all the orchestrations, this soundtrack is a masterpiece. Enjoy.

Excellent sound track.......2006-02-24

The soundtrack for the movie "Legend of Zorro" is far and away greater than the soundtrack for the original movie. It is the perfect piece for putting on in the background while you work or resting your thoughts. There is just the feeling of a fine wine when it's playing. I love the Spainish sound of guitar and orchestration. My office partner finds it wonderful to listen to also. For those who like soundtracks this is a must, and if you just like wonderful music, again, it is a must.

"Horner, the legend has returned!".......2006-02-08

With "Collecting the Ballots" we are reintroduced to the awesome prelude Horner composed for The Mask of Zorro. The difference is that after the tap dancing and clapping, there's no loud bang of the main theme. The theme is expanded a bit and later makes its soft, heroic appearance.

The talk and hype of this album is the longest track: "The Train." Horner composes many long tracks for other works but this is one of, if not, his longest action track to date. It starts hard and fast with a Spanish trumpet, tapping and percussion all leading up to the very Spanish, fun Zorro theme at the 1-minute mark. From there it's non-stop action to the very end. This is one sweeping, swashbuckling ride of a score.

If you enjoyed the first Zorro music, you'll enjoy this one. However, there are no new themes only a multiple amount of use of the romantic theme from the first Zorro. This could be good or bad. It depends on your taste.

The action tracks really make this an awesome score. It's difficult to pick one composition over the over; Mask of Zorro or Legend of Zorro?

This is James Horner's best action score of the year. Add this one to your collection!

Great Fun!.......2005-11-23

"The Legend of Zorro"
The movie comes at an unusual time, seven years after it's predecessor. Why one only has to wonder what took them so long to get around to it, it's provided us with a new James Horner score at the very least. The first score was one of his best action scores... fun, inventive, and with excellent themes. Everyone raved about Horner's creativity, how much different it was from the rest of his work. He's now returned for a sequel (he doesn't do many of those, he's only scored sequels for "An American Tail", "Cocoon", "48 Hrs" and "Star Trek") to "Zorro" and like his other sequel scores ("An American Tail 2" excepted), it's quite similar to the first one. The opening track, "Collecting the Ballots" begins with the same hard guitar strum as the first, and the notes of clapping that follow are identical to the original score as well... fortunately, it's not a complete repeat after that. The same themes are utilized throughout the score, there's no significant new ones (aside from a "false love theme", you'll understand when you see the movie), but Horner uses them in different enough ways to make this score interesting. The instrumentation is the same (clapping hands, stomping feet, tambourines, guitars, ethnic pipes, and blaring horns) but the rhythms and paces are different.

The overall feel of the score is slightly more playful than the original, but it never feels cartoonish. It's simply more fun and less threatening than the original score. Whether this is a pro or con I will leave up to you. The love theme is used more often than the main theme this time around, and it's featured in stunning arrangements several times, but the focus of this score is action music. The action is a lot of fun, and if you enjoyed the first score, you will likely enjoy this one as well. The album is refreshingly free of Horner's cliches while simultaneously sounding like a Horner score... mostly. The highlight track of the album, and there are a few to choose from, is probably "The Train". The longest cue, it's a nearly non-stop action piece that is superbly exciting and epic in structure. Near the end, though, it seems that Horner got so creative he actually jumps out of his own musical borders and seems to be channeling John Williams in "Revenge of the Sith" mode, without ever directly stealing from him. Fascinating. Another bonus is that we have no annoying pop song here, rather, we get an end credits suite (My Family is My Life) that goes back and forth between the main theme and the love theme in various forms. As you probably have noticed, Horner likes to end his scores on a quiet note... his end credits tend to finish the themes, and then fade off into oblivion with quiet, gentle, wandering strings or flutes. Not here. In a bold move not heard since the likes of "Star Trek" or "The Rocketeer" (some might include "Ransom"), Horner brings his score to a close with a mighty brass trill, finishing off his action adventure with a bang. Cool!

Okay, I'll stop raving and make my obligatory complaints. The score is only prevented from reaching a five-star level due to it's derivative nature. There are no new themes here of note, and a novice might have a hard time telling it from the original. But on it's own, it's excellent, and unlike John William's second "Harry Potter" score, this is a score that doesn't pale in comparison to the original. It may not have quite as many highlights as the original score, but it's a more consistently well-written and quality listen. Plus the end credits suite is far more satisfying than that silly song. I've heard better scores this year in "Kingdom of Heaven", "Hostage", "Star Wars", "The Greatest Game Ever Played", "Corpse Bride", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and others, but few of them have been as much pure orchestral fun as "The Legend of Zorro." Recommended.
Rating: ****

Average customer rating:

Next

Manufacturer: Lakeshore Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ghost Rider
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ASIN: B000OLHGVQ
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

8:09
Give Me Two Minutes
Destiny
Pier 18
Carlotti Defines
A Few Minutes Of Your Time
Multiple Point Surveillance
Who Knows What's Safe
Breaking News
Second And Broadway
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Looking For A License Plate
Shadow Group
All Elements Execute!
A Show Of Character
I Believe Anything's Possible

Average customer rating:

You fools!
Missing Theme Song - but otherwise not bad
Fine score, but a consumer warning for the CD
Thomas Newman is a Genius!
Almost perfect for the film, loses points as a cd

Jarhead

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jarhead (Widescreen Edition)
Jarhead
The New World
Munich

ASIN: B000BVRM1S
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Tracks:

Welcome To The Suck
Raining Oil
Battery Run
Mirage Bedouin
Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
No Standard Solution
8 Men 5 Camels
Full Chemical Gear
Unsick Most Ricky-Tick
Morning Glory
Bang A Gong (Get It On) - T-Rex
Desert Storm
Desert Sunrise
Zoomies
Horse
Pink Mist
Jarhead For Life - Naughty By Nature
O.P.P. - Naughty By Nature
Dickskinner
Permission To Fire
Dead Anyway
Scuds
Listen Up - Public Enemy
Fight The Power - Public Enemy
Soldier's Things - Tom Waits

Amazon.com

For his third collaboration with director Sam Mendes (after American Beauty and The Shawshank Redemption), composer Thomas Newman has come up with one of his finest scores. The music mixes modern atmospheric quasi-rock touches with Middle Eastern influences (with particularly great success on the tracks "Welcome to the Suck" and "Zoomies."). The latter manifest themselves in both the beats and the instrumentation--the credits include soloists on exotic instruments such as the bowed cumbus (a type of banjo-like lute) and the processed xaphoons (a sax made of bamboo). All the more jarring, then, when the CD's handful of songs pop up. (It's quite a jolt to hear Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy" after four eerie instrumental tracks.) The other song picks are obvious but well chosen: T-Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," "Naughty by Nature's "O.P.P.," Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," and Tom Waits's "Soldier's Things." Still, it's Newman's work that propels this CD, not the pick-up songs. Surprisingly, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," which figures in one of the movie's most memorable scenes (when soldiers watch Apocalypse Now), isn't included here. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

You fools!.......2006-10-27

I am reading all the negative reviews of this soundtrack, and most of them mention the absence of Kanye West's "Jesus Walks." One reviewer gives the album one star because he was "misled" into buying the album.

Um, hello? This is an instrumental score for the film! NOT a Various Artists soundtrack! This is, you may have noticed, an album that falls under the name of Thomas Newman! If anyone bought this expecting other music, then it's entirely their own fault. It even says on the front: "MUSIC BY THOMAS NEWMAN."

That said, I'd also like to correct Amazon on something - they said this is Newman's third outing with Mendes, the other two being "Shawshank Redemption" and "American Beauty."

Shawshank was directed by Frank Darabont, NOT Sam Mendes.

Mendes' other pairing with Newman was actually on 2002's "Road to Perdition," which is another great soundtrack I'd heartily recommend purchasing.

Missing Theme Song - but otherwise not bad.......2006-03-01

If you've watched the previews for this film, you're likely expecting a song called Jesus Walks by Kanye West to be on the soundtrack but it's not there - very annoying. But otherwise it's a pretty good CD of music to listen to while you work out or drive fast.

Fine score, but a consumer warning for the CD.......2006-01-20

Thomas Newman's original music for JARHEAD is not only typically daring with many unconventional sounds (utilizing samples, electronic treatments and exotic percussion), but one of his most stirring, rock-influenced efforts as well (as with the opening track, "Welcome to the Suck"). At first I thought there were no melodies as memorable as "Dead Already" from AMERICAN BEAUTY or "Road to Chicago" from ROAD TO PERDITION, but the 3/4-time march used in both "Raining Oil" and "Desert Storm" has grown on me. Of course the CD is recommendable for Newman's score alone. But...

...while one doesn't buy a CD of this nature primarily for the extra songs, one does expect the extras to be competently presented when they appear. So I was taken aback to hear Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" at a faster tempo and higher pitch than usual, as though mastered from a sped-up tape. I can't think of any intentional reason for this, so I'm assuming it was a mistake, but either way I found it not only annoying in itself but because of "Fight the Power"'s thematic significance, with its reference to the Bobby McFerrin tune heard earlier in the movie. ("'Don't Worry Be Happy' was a number one jam/Damn if I say it you can slap me right here".)

So then, while I like the Thomas Newman score a lot, I'm docking the CD a star for the sped-up "Fight the Power". Caveat emptor.

Thomas Newman is a Genius!.......2006-01-07

Thomas Newman is brilliant as always and delivers beautifully. Having read the book prior to the motion picture, Thomas Newman truly brings Swofford's tale to life. If you enjoyed The Horse Whisperer or the Shawshank Redemption score, then you'll thoroughly enjoy Jarhead.

Almost perfect for the film, loses points as a cd.......2005-12-23

Make no mistake - Jarhead proves Thomas Newman's abillity to write music for film. He is not making the music in order to show off his amazing talents, he is making the music so it is perfect for the film. Whereas some composers might score depressing scenes with grand sweeping movements trying to make themselves look like complex composers, Newman knows what will enhance the scene and what won't, and what can convey the message required.

Ultimately, this describes Jarhead perfectly. I have seen the movie and music is seamless and perfect for it. For the most part, there is a sonic texture created, with guitars and drums to represent the bravado of the characters. If you are a fan of Newman's stirring orchestral works this is definitely not something you would like. Newer fans of "American Beauty" and the like will find things to enjoy here, but not in as vibrant or pleasing a way as in that album. The score on it's own is just not as exciting or involving as it could be. It is interesting in it's own right, but not very pleasing to hear. However, there are many good tracks interspersed throughout the score to take you to the good spot.

Overall, Jarhead warrants a 4.5/5 for the film, but on a cd, it's score drops to 3/5. It is pleasant at times, and mostly an interesting CD, but there are too many Newman masterpieces to consider this one high on your buying list. Then agan, if you are a Newman fan, this CD should satisfy you're urge to see what the guy is up to. Final score? Three out of five.

Average customer rating:

Steamboy lets off wonderfull steam
Delightful score
So Good!!! And Not Evil!!!!!!!!!! And it's WAY better than dumb Chicken Little!!! I hate Chicken Little!
Steamboy sountrack
A delightful surprise!

Steamboy

Manufacturer: Domo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Steamboy - Director's Cut (Widescreen Edition)
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ASIN: B0007NBAB8
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

Manchester 1866
The Chase
Unexpected Meeting
Scarlet
Raid By The Airship
London World Exposition
The Ateller Of Ray
Crystal Palace Waltz
Ray's Dilemma
The Sortie Of Scotland Ground
Fight In the Exposition Ground
Launch!
Temptation
Fly In The Sky
Two Delusions
Collapse And Rescue
Ray's Theme

Customer Reviews:

Steamboy lets off wonderfull steam.......2007-04-05

Beautiful. Even this word doesn't give Steamboy justice. Steve Jablonsky is a very brilliant man, creating lush atmospheres, deep tones, frantic intensity, and a wonderful main theme.

Lush atmospheres/deep tones: the music sounds great. Listened to on the computer, stereo, iPod, PSP, car, the music is clear. The atmosphere of the music is nowhere near Japanese, even though the actual movie is considered Anime. The music is very, should I say, American, and there isn't a trace of Japanese. The tones are deep, setting up the mood very quickly. On Track 01, Manchester 1866, the music starts off with a beautiful piano segment. Then, adventure kicks in and the music is fast, upbeat, and never fails to amaze. You can close your eyes and picture a far away city, filled with colorful people, flags waving in the air, and airships in the sky. With Track 02, Chase, the music starts off with quick violins, and then throughout the 5 minute song, the music grows more and more frantic, violin a'blazing, drums a'pounding, piano banging! Its really intense, and I love intense music, but the thing that sets Steamboy apart is that it mixes lush violin with the frantic drums. I cannot describe it. Same as in Track 05, Raid By The Airship, I feel like I'm frantically dodging bullets while trying to stay afloat in the air, or even running from very dangerous people through a mall. Its wonderful.

Frantic intensity: Ok, so this is the thing that sets a soundtrack apart from all the others. Is the music intense? Steamboy, I have to admit, is one of the most intense soundtracks I've listened to. I haven't seen the movie, but instead, picture and map out the events in my mind. Action songs such as Chase, Raid By The Airship, Fight In The Exposition Ground, Launch!, and Fly In The Sky, all contain frantic violin. And to top it off, the music stays with you. Unlike the soundtrack to Aeon Flux, Steamboy manages to heat things up, while creating memorible themes, instead of just drums that are all over the place.

The Wonderful theme: Track 17, Ray's Theme, is very original. It is what you would expect from an adventure movie, and Jablonsky manages to capture the heart of the era in the theme. The action themes, like I stated earlier, are very good. The filler stuff inbetween, I guess you could call that a theme. It is not too bad either.

Main Theme(Ray's Theme):*****
Action Theme:*****
Filler Stuff Theme:****

The samples don't do this music justice. No matter what other Soundtrack you have your eye on, just forget about it for now, and pick up this rare jem that will never stop mesmerizing.

Colbster

Delightful score.......2006-02-08

Steve Jablonsky composes a wonderful animated film in the infamous Media Venture tradition. It you're a fan of Zimmer's, Gregson-Williams and Powell's work on animated films, you'll love this one.

A few of the highlight tracks include:

"The Chase" is where Ray's theme is played at a fast pace against the clanking of sticks.

"Fly in the Sky" is where Ray's theme is played boldly as Ray uses the steam pack to go rescue his friend from the giant, flying fortress.

"Collapse and Rescue" is the longest track of the album and most recognizable as being pulled from Zimmer's Pearl Harbor score. Although the variations of the track are similar to Zimmer's, this song is played to increase tension during the destruction of the fortress thing.

"Ray's Theme" is, well, Ray's theme. It's a nice little melody to close the album.

The rest of the score is good too just that the tracks above are the ones that stood out for me.

If you're a collector of Media Venture scores for animated flicks, get this one. The import version is pricy but no different from the commercial release. The only difference is the album artwork. You decide if the import worth twice or more than the asking price for the commercial album release.

So Good!!! And Not Evil!!!!!!!!!! And it's WAY better than dumb Chicken Little!!! I hate Chicken Little!.......2005-12-09

This one was quite a surprise for me since i wasn't expecting much musicaly from this movie. To those of you who saw "Akira", the music was alright... there was like three or four good musical tracks on the cd, but the rest was mostly just ambient. But when I saw "Steamboy" and I heard the music, it captivated me on the spot, and I was glued to the screen the whole time.
The Score to "Steamboy" is superb! I listen to it very often, along with the Kameo soundtrack. Both soundtracks are quite listenable for all ages, there is no questionable lyrics or any adult content... just joshin' ya! These are MUSICAL, not lyrical. But there are those "FREAKY" parents out there who think all things like this are "bad", or "evil". It is not in any way. This musical material could even spawn musical interest in childern! Intcerdible!!!! WOW!!!! SO COOL!!!! Chikka chikka Boom boom!!!!.....
later,
dark

ps Chicken Little IS SOOOOO STUPID!!!!!!!! He tries to copy "Napoleon Dynamite"!!! Which is MUCH better than dumb old Chicken dumby!

Steamboy sountrack.......2005-09-03

You don't have to be an anime fan to appreciate this fine soundtrack. The music really fits the content of the movie and helps move the story. Well orchestrated and moving, a real treat to the ear.

A delightful surprise!.......2005-05-09

As a rule, I don't expect much from composers coming out of Media Ventures. Occasionally they surprise me, as was the case with Harry Gregson-Williams, but for the most part, they never really develop their own musical voices -- one need only listen to almost any score by Nick Glennie-Smith, Klaus Badelt or Trevor Rabin to realize how interchangeable most of their work is. After hearing his fantastic contribution to Hans Zimmer's score for TEARS OF THE SUN (the best cue on the album) and his profoundly disappointing score for THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from STEAMBOY. But whatever I did or didn't expect, I was in for a delightful surprise. This hidden gem is a terrific piece of music. Not the most sophisticated composition in the world, but its nonstop energy and fun have made it one of my most frequently listened-to CDs over the weeks since I bought it. Stylistically, think early James Horner or Michael Kamen. The score's backbone is the beautiful "Ray's Theme," which pops up time and again and gets an absolutely gorgeous arrangement at the end of the CD, but in addition to this fantastic theme, there's a huge amount of fun action music. Surprisingly for a composer coming from MV, there's not a whole lot of brass, and the synths are minimal -- what there is is a lot of fun exciting stringwork, quick ostinatos, that sort of stuff, with enough variation and enough quiet material interspersed to keep it interesting. The second half of the CD is almost nonstop action; I'd point out highlights, except almost every single track is a highlight. From beginning to end, this CD is a wonderful listen. If you enjoy James Horner's THE ROCKETEER, Harry Gregson-Williams' SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS, or any fun, fast film music -- don't overlook this one. Take a chance on it. I guarantee it'll be worth it.

Runtime: 60:56

Average customer rating:

A FINE SOUNDTRACK.
Great
Better as Background Music
surprising score from a multitalented man
Captures the Times

Flags of Our Fathers

Manufacturer: Milan Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Letters from Iwo Jima
Flyboys
The Prestige
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Flags of Our Fathers (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000IOM1TG
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

The Photograph
I'll Walk Alone - performed by Dinah Shore
Knock Knock - (Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens, Andrew McCormack, Graeme Flowers)
Wounded Marines
The Thunderer - (John Philip Sousa)
Armada Arrives
Goodbye Ira
Symphony In G Minor, 3rd Movement - (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
String Quartet Opus #6, 2nd Movement - (Joseph Haydn)
Inland Battle
Flag Raising
Any Bonds Today? -(Irving Berlin)
Summit Ridge Drive - performed by Artie Shaw and His Gramercy Five
Vic'try Polka - (Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne)
The Medals
Platoon Swims
Washington Post March - (John Philip Sousa)
Flags Theme
End Titles Guitar
End Titles

Amazon.com

As if delivering Oscar-winning films were not enough, Clint Eastwood is one of the few directors to also compose much of his movies' soundtracks; even more impressive is that he's able to work within distinct genres, from jazz to country to Hollywood-style neoclassical. With help from orchestrator Lennie Niehaus, Eastwood creates a compelling soundtrack to the WWII drama Flags of Our Fathers, combining Eastwood originals (including son Kyle's contribution on "Knock Knock") with Philip Sousa marches; classical pieces by Mozart and Haydn; and period-defining pieces by the likes of Dinah Shore ("I'll Walk Alone"), Irving Berlin (a new recording of "Any Bonds Today?"), and Artie Shaw ("Summit Ridge Drive"). These are fairly minimal but it's nice to see them eschew the usual war-movie tropes--like the movie itself. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Flags of Our Fathers tells the life stories of the six men who raised the American flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima, a turning point in WWII. The film is based on the bestselling book of the same name, written by James Bradley and Ron Powers, which chronicled the battle of Iwo Jima and the fates of the flag raisers and some of their brothers in Easy Company.

Customer Reviews:

A FINE SOUNDTRACK........2007-02-12

The soundtrack to "Flags of our Fathers" is a fine recording of music from the Oscar-nominated film. The strength of the album lies in the period songs, which are arranged beautifully by the artists who perform them. Clint Eastwood's orchestral score is another matter. It's got some fine moments (Like in "Wounded Marines," "Inland Battle," and the theme), but is a let-down overall. It's hard to know who to recommend this to. If you've enjoyed Clint's soundtracks before, then you'll probably like it.
Grade: B+

Great.......2007-02-01

I don't see how this album could possibly get lower than a 4. It's melody is haunting and emotional. Sure, there is a lot of era-filler music, but those pieces are good too. Clint's actual score is great, especially "wounded marines" and "end titles."
My mother almost comes to tears every time she hears the music, and I've often heard her humming it when she thinks no one is around.
All in all, it is a magnificent cd, keep up the good work Clint.

Better as Background Music.......2006-11-22

While this is an interesting mix, it works better as part of the film experience. To listen to the music, without the film accompanying, causes it to lose much of the impact. One thing film makers almost never get right is the spirit of the vocals in movies about the 1930s and 1940s. The female trio, in the war bond drive scenes, sounds like a contemporary imitation of the vocalists from that era. They don't sound authentic and I have heard many vocalists (solo or mixed voices) from the 1930s and 1940s on compact disc. This happens with orchestras attempting to recreate that era even when playing those arrangements. One orchestra that gets it absolutely right is the Dutch orchestra The Beau Hunks. So it can be done. Check them out on Amazon.

surprising score from a multitalented man.......2006-11-01

In addition to being a talented filmmaker,Clint Eastwood is an accomplished musician,and this score shows it.There have been several other posters here lambasting Mr.Eastwood for scoring his own pictures and screaming "He's no(insert composer name here)".Don't pay any attention to them.While he may not be in the class of John Williams or others as a composer,this is a melodic and highly effective score that fits the film and is well-performed under the brilliant baton of Lennie Niehaus.The main piano theme is memorable.This is a great companion to
his "Mystic River" and "Million Dollar Baby".

Captures the Times.......2006-10-26

This soundtrack is a very good integration of director Eastwood's music with traditional patriotic music and music of the WWII era. Overall, this soundtrack captures the time and place and the lives affected by events. As a soundtrack album of the film, this CD works effectively.

Average customer rating:

Another brilliant score
Energetic and Inspiring!
Howard adds to his great score resume with another winner!
Well Composed and Fitting
Enjoyable

Hidalgo

Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hidalgo (Widescreen Edition)
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ASIN: B0001GF29M
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

Main Title
Don't Waste Our Money
Arriving in the Desert
Morning of the Race
The Race Begins
The Second Half
Sandstorm
Frank Pushes On
Katib
Montage
The Trap
The Last Push
The Final Three
Let 'Er Buck

Amazon.com

Director Joe Johnston's tale of a half-Indian Pony Express rider (Vigo Mortenson) and the horse (the titular Hidalgo) he enters in a grueling race across the punishing Saudi desert is an energetic throwback to the adventurous swashbucklers of a bygone era. James Newton Howard's rousing orchestral score echoes those sentiments perfectly, evoking musical moods that are variously American and Arabian--and, in its best moments, a skillful fusion of both. "Main Title" and "Don't Waste Our Money" hearken back to the dynamic, driving rhythms of Copland and Elmer Bernstein to conjure an American western classicism that ranges from the pastoral to the epic in its sweep. If Howard's Arabian motifs are initially somewhat of a caricature, once established they gracefully shift into evocative passages of impressive dynamic and emotional range. There's the obligatory action film thunder, of course, but those cliches mostly take a welcome backseat to the haunting, worldbeat allure of "Montage" and the triumphant, melodic warmth of "The Final Three" and "Let 'Er Buck." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Another brilliant score.......2005-04-08

Another promising and well-elaborated score by James-Newton Howard. He managed to combine perfectly West elements with Arabian ones. Brilliant imposing music in a combination with romance tracks when needed. I highly recommend it; it is a score which each of its tracks claims the title of the best one. The only drawback is that one of the elaborated themes reminds me a lot the main theme of "braveheart" - this can be easily heard in the main title track and in the "Let ́Er Buck".

Energetic and Inspiring!.......2005-03-12

This soundtrack, while not James Newton Howard's best soundtrack, has a charm about it that not many other soundtracks posses. It starts slow, but in forty five seconds or so, bang! You are introduced into Howard's Cowboy style composition that personaly enthralls me.

Very good, buy if you love J.N.H's music.

Howard adds to his great score resume with another winner!.......2005-02-16

James Newton Howard, composer of the scores to films like Treasure Planet, Peter Pan, Atlantis, Dinosaur and of course The Fugitive wins again with the score to Hidalgo. In a movie full of diverse situations and peoples, Howard manages to create an interesting and beautiful score that encompasses all aspects of the films. He is not a grand scope composer like Williams, but Howard is able to capture perfectly the feel of a film and like his score for Peter Pan, write some great music. I highly recommend it.

Well Composed and Fitting.......2004-12-31

I quite enjoy this soundtrack and do believe that it is one of the best fitting scores that ties to its movie. From the opening, the sense of the movie is captured. As you listen to the soundtrack it is as if you are able to recall each scene of the movie.
The mesh of sounds on "Montage" is possibly the strongest point on the score, but I find all of the tracks highly enjoyable and easy to listen to.

Enjoyable.......2004-09-02

I really feel that this sountrack is quite enjoyable. There are a few composers out there that consistantly can put out scores that not only suit the movie it is written for, but then can have it stand on it's own merits. I think this gentleman can join them. This soundtrack was refreshing, yet at the same time, reminiscient of great movie music from a past era.

I was greatly suprised to read several of the other reviews. Actually, kind of flabbergasted. Many of my favorite composers have been repeating themselves in their scores, of late. I have been having no reason to pay attention to the soundtracks while watching a movie they have written for, since, I have heard it all before. This is a new voice, yet of the same wonderful quality! I didn't have to be reminded of a totally different movie while a passage played, as it had been used before, in some other movie. While watching Hidalgo, my ears perked up and I began looking forward to purchasing the soundtrack afterwards so that I might listen to it in more depth. I haven't been dissappointed. In this soundtrack at least. The other reviews, related, are another story.

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