SOUNDTRACKS
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
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.
Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, the composer of the wistful and emotional Oscar-winning score
for Finding Neverland delivers another score in the same vein with his music for the
romantic drama Evening (Verve Records). The movie didn't fare well with most
critics or audiences (though I liked it well enough) but it's inarguable that it's a
beautifully designed film augmented by its gorgeous score. Kaczmarek's lovely
main theme is heard in the "Opening Titles," played in turn by piano, solo violin,
flute and one of those Enya-type female singers. The emotionally rich instrumentals
mix well on the soundtrack with period jazz standards sung by legends Ella
Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughn and Anita O'Day, and the reigning jazz male
heartthrob Michael Buble, who contributes an up-tempo "I've Got the World on a
String." Inexplicably, however, the charming duet "Time After Time," sung in the film
by Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson, isn't included.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBD
for Finding Neverland delivers another score in the same vein with his music for the
romantic drama Evening (Verve Records). The movie didn't fare well with most
critics or audiences (though I liked it well enough) but it's inarguable that it's a
beautifully designed film augmented by its gorgeous score. Kaczmarek's lovely
main theme is heard in the "Opening Titles," played in turn by piano, solo violin,
flute and one of those Enya-type female singers. The emotionally rich instrumentals
mix well on the soundtrack with period jazz standards sung by legends Ella
Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughn and Anita O'Day, and the reigning jazz male
heartthrob Michael Buble, who contributes an up-tempo "I've Got the World on a
String." Inexplicably, however, the charming duet "Time After Time," sung in the film
by Claire Danes and Patrick Wilson, isn't included.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBD
The soundtrack cover for Evening and
the film's composer Jan A.P.
Kaczmarek posing with the Oscar he
won for Finding Neverland. Will Evening
find him clutching a second Oscar?
the film's composer Jan A.P.
Kaczmarek posing with the Oscar he
won for Finding Neverland. Will Evening
find him clutching a second Oscar?
