Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture [Soundtrack]

smoke signals: music from the miramax motion picture [soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
At its best, the soundtrack to Smoke Signals is a beautiful experience--simple orchestrations with plaintive flute and guitar (just check out "Arnold Is Dead") give the soundtrack to this Native American-directed, -written, and -acted film an introspective feel. Too often, however, the otherwise moving score by B.C. Rich resorts to standard rock clichés. The electric guitar used throughout has a generic '80s metal sound, which does little to enhance the film's tone (unlike the included and wonderful vocal contributions from Native American ensembles Ulali and the Eaglebear Singers). Guitar-shaded soundtracks can work extremely well (check out the excellent Gas Food Lodging score). Here, however, the ax is up-front and distracting. It's a shame because on more subdued tracks like "Charles Bronson," "Fry Bread Riot," and "That's My Father," the Northwest Sinfonia is simply sublime. Cuts by singer/songwriters Dar Williams and Jim Boyd are also featured, making this soundtrack all the more powerful. --Jason Verlinde

Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture,B. C. Smith,Tvt,Pop,Soundtrack,Soundtracks,Soundtracks & Film Scores

Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture [Soundtrack]
Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Beauty
  • soundtrack
  • Poetic, moving, spiritual journey.
  • Great Music
  • Just buy it
 Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture
B. C. Smith
Manufacturer: Tvt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Smoke Signals
  2. RESERVATION BLUES The Soundtrack
  3. Mahk Jchi
  4. Weaving The Strands: Music By Contemporary Native American Women
  5. First Come, Last Served

ASIN: B000007Q6L
Release Date: 1998-06-23

Tracks:

  1. Forgive Our Fathers Suite
  2. On Fire Suite
  3. Fourth Of July
  4. Arnold's Body
  5. Road Buddy
  6. Arnold Is Dead
  7. Treaties
  8. Fry Bread
  9. Reservation Blues
  10. Hippy Arnold
  11. Journey Begins
  12. Alternate Gymnast
  13. A Million Miles Away
  14. Good Day For Breakfast
  15. Breaking Bottles
  16. Arnold Leaves
  17. Clobbering Thomas
  18. Super Thomas
  19. John Wayne's Teeth
  20. Charles Bronson
  21. Fry Bread Riot
  22. Jesuit Basketball
  23. Trailer haircut
  24. Victor's Run Suite
  25. That's My Father
  26. Father And Farther
  27. All My Relations

Amazon.com

At its best, the soundtrack to Smoke Signals is a beautiful experience--simple orchestrations with plaintive flute and guitar (just check out "Arnold Is Dead") give the soundtrack to this Native American-directed, -written, and -acted film an introspective feel. Too often, however, the otherwise moving score by B.C. Rich resorts to standard rock clichés. The electric guitar used throughout has a generic '80s metal sound, which does little to enhance the film's tone (unlike the included and wonderful vocal contributions from Native American ensembles Ulali and the Eaglebear Singers). Guitar-shaded soundtracks can work extremely well (check out the excellent Gas Food Lodging score). Here, however, the ax is up-front and distracting. It's a shame because on more subdued tracks like "Charles Bronson," "Fry Bread Riot," and "That's My Father," the Northwest Sinfonia is simply sublime. Cuts by singer/songwriters Dar Williams and Jim Boyd are also featured, making this soundtrack all the more powerful. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beauty.......2004-03-08

It's difficult to give beauty any meaningful score. 'Five stars' just isn't enough in this case. From start to finish, this is a great collection of music... one of those CDs you buy a second time because it deserves to be shared with a good friend.

5 out of 5 stars soundtrack.......2002-09-16

I've never been a soundtrack lover but this one's the exeption. It captures the mood and emotions of the movie. I just love it...

5 out of 5 stars Poetic, moving, spiritual journey........2002-01-25

At times the soundtrack to Smoke Signals is lighthearted, like the laugh-out-loud novelty of the Eaglebear Singers chanting a song called "John Wayne's Teeth." At other times it is a hummable road song, like "Reservation Blues" or "A Million Miles Away." But most of the time it is a journey, a journey of remembrance, questions, pain, and, like the phoenix, rising from the ashes and soaring.

I loved the two songs by Ulali, one of which ("All My Relations") can be found on their album Mahk Jchi. Their haunting acapella chants really made "Forgive Our Fathers Suite" the best song on the soundtrack even though it was difficult to choose a favourite. The song is eerie, powerful, connected, a plea. Pounding drums and near-guttural chants open the track, but near the middle there is a sudden transition to a gentle three-part harmony flowing like the river, a sense of tension being released, of past ghosts freed and worries laid to rest.

The music ranges from quiet guitar and flute, Native flute and percussion ("Charles Bronson"), chant and guitar ("Victor's Run Suite,")to a mixture of rock and Native influence ("On Fire Suite," "Fourth of July"). Many of Thomas's storytelling songs have the exact same introduction ("Hippy Arnold," "Good Day for Breakfast," and "Fry Bread Riot" all sound suspiciously similar although it does lend continuity to the setting).

This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever invested in. There are a variety of songs spanning a number of genres, all Native, all representing different aspects of who we are and where we are going. It is always touching, powerful, and an awakening whenever I listen to it. If you are searching for something or if your journey is only beginning, pick up a copy of "Smoke Signals" to help you on your path.

5 out of 5 stars Great Music.......2000-11-04

This songs on this CD exude both the thunder and gentleness of musical expression. On many of the songs the Native American elements are very strong. Other songs are more white folky sounding, and then there are the ambient soundtrack snippets which sound good to, but aren't really full- fledged "songs". There are a few tracks which I just can't get into, but overall its a great CD with an excellent production. Wow- what a film though. Very powerful stuff.

5 out of 5 stars Just buy it.......2000-07-01

Whatever brought you to this site insures that you won't be sorry with your purchase. I have over 80 NA artists' CD. I am proud to include this one in my collection BTW: If you get through the final tract without tears or a lump in your throat, you get a special prize at heaven's gate...

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