SOUNDTRACKS
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Soundtracks are a lot more than movie music...
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
There could probably be a no more perfect match between movie score composer and
material than Thomas Newman to the suburban ennui of Little Children. The story –
which involves the affair between a listless mother played by Kate Winslet and a stay at
home dad (the physically and emotionally winning Patrick Wilson) – is right up the alley for
Newman. Who better than the guy who has given this now familiar staple of the movies
(suburban malaise) its signature somber sound?
If Newman had scored nothing else in the genre other than American Beauty he’d still be the
standard bearer in this area but that theme music for Six Feet Under and scores for other
movies in this arena have offered further proof that he’s the guy to call if you want sad but
beautiful. Take track five of Newman’s score for Little Children – the cue titled “Bandshell” –
in just 2:05 we get the essence of the composer's signature – and his genius. Plucked
strings, tinkly percussion and piano tiptoe around at the bass and middle of the scale while
a wall of strings slowly swells and then surges up a half step (in tried and true Bernard
Herrmann fashion) leading to that inescapable shiver of satisfaction that Newman's music
always elicits. Then the music steps back down and slowly recedes. Time and again
Newman has used this trick – I can single out cue after cue from Shawshank, “Road to
Chicago” from Road to Perdition, “Weehawken Ferry” from Cinderella Man, etc., etc. -- and it
never fails to please.
Little Children features another Newman tradition – the chilly, simple but evocative piano
melody (heavily echoed) played over a mixture of strings and electronics (“White Plastic
Bag” from American Beauty is the pinnacle of this kind of cue and the inspiration for dozens
of other composers). The nature of the movie calls – like American Beauty – for many, many
of these cues. Overall, Little Children is a quiet, eerily beautiful score that ranks right up
there with the best of Newman – a high compliment indeed.
Also, like other Newman scores – this one isn’t easy available in CD form – but instead can
be gotten at one of the download sites – iTunes or Rhapsody. I was lucky to get a For Your
Consideration disc that bypasses those closed music systems of which I am – sorry world –
not a fan of. I like controlling how I put my music together – but that’s another column for
another day. If iTunes is the only way to get your ears wrapped around Newman's Little
Children score so be it. Start the download at once.
UPDATE: As of January 23, 2007, Amazon.com was offering a CD of the soundtrack for sale
so those who are iTunes shy like myself can buy it directly by clicking HERE. GO GET IT!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
material than Thomas Newman to the suburban ennui of Little Children. The story –
which involves the affair between a listless mother played by Kate Winslet and a stay at
home dad (the physically and emotionally winning Patrick Wilson) – is right up the alley for
Newman. Who better than the guy who has given this now familiar staple of the movies
(suburban malaise) its signature somber sound?
If Newman had scored nothing else in the genre other than American Beauty he’d still be the
standard bearer in this area but that theme music for Six Feet Under and scores for other
movies in this arena have offered further proof that he’s the guy to call if you want sad but
beautiful. Take track five of Newman’s score for Little Children – the cue titled “Bandshell” –
in just 2:05 we get the essence of the composer's signature – and his genius. Plucked
strings, tinkly percussion and piano tiptoe around at the bass and middle of the scale while
a wall of strings slowly swells and then surges up a half step (in tried and true Bernard
Herrmann fashion) leading to that inescapable shiver of satisfaction that Newman's music
always elicits. Then the music steps back down and slowly recedes. Time and again
Newman has used this trick – I can single out cue after cue from Shawshank, “Road to
Chicago” from Road to Perdition, “Weehawken Ferry” from Cinderella Man, etc., etc. -- and it
never fails to please.
Little Children features another Newman tradition – the chilly, simple but evocative piano
melody (heavily echoed) played over a mixture of strings and electronics (“White Plastic
Bag” from American Beauty is the pinnacle of this kind of cue and the inspiration for dozens
of other composers). The nature of the movie calls – like American Beauty – for many, many
of these cues. Overall, Little Children is a quiet, eerily beautiful score that ranks right up
there with the best of Newman – a high compliment indeed.
Also, like other Newman scores – this one isn’t easy available in CD form – but instead can
be gotten at one of the download sites – iTunes or Rhapsody. I was lucky to get a For Your
Consideration disc that bypasses those closed music systems of which I am – sorry world –
not a fan of. I like controlling how I put my music together – but that’s another column for
another day. If iTunes is the only way to get your ears wrapped around Newman's Little
Children score so be it. Start the download at once.
UPDATE: As of January 23, 2007, Amazon.com was offering a CD of the soundtrack for sale
so those who are iTunes shy like myself can buy it directly by clicking HERE. GO GET IT!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
| Thomas Newman haunts me again with his score for Little Children |
