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.
Just time for a quick recommendation this time:
Alexandre Desplat, one of my new favorite film composers lost the Oscar for his
score for The Queen to Gustavo Santaolalla, who won for the second time for Babel
(he also won last year for Brokeback Mountain). Not surprisingly, the complex,
multi-storied movie also called for a number of musical styles and the 2-disc
soundtrack (on Concord Records) reflects that.
It’s a mash up of musical cultures – everything from a disco remix of Earth, Wind
& Fire’s “September” to an assortment of traditional Mexican tunes. The
Argentine Santaolalla’s compositions again focus on his signature evocative,
twangy guitar that resonated so beautifully in Brokeback and act as nice
bookmarks between the other selections. This is a great soundtrack for musical
schizophrenics (I'm proud to list myself among their number).
But unlike his evocative work on Brokeback, Santaolalla’s work for Babel is
eclipsed by what is the musical highlight of both the film and the soundtrack, the
achingly beautiful “Bibo No Aozora,” by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who is also a favorite
film composer (I especially admire his scores for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and
The Sheltering Sky).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
Alexandre Desplat, one of my new favorite film composers lost the Oscar for his
score for The Queen to Gustavo Santaolalla, who won for the second time for Babel
(he also won last year for Brokeback Mountain). Not surprisingly, the complex,
multi-storied movie also called for a number of musical styles and the 2-disc
soundtrack (on Concord Records) reflects that.
It’s a mash up of musical cultures – everything from a disco remix of Earth, Wind
& Fire’s “September” to an assortment of traditional Mexican tunes. The
Argentine Santaolalla’s compositions again focus on his signature evocative,
twangy guitar that resonated so beautifully in Brokeback and act as nice
bookmarks between the other selections. This is a great soundtrack for musical
schizophrenics (I'm proud to list myself among their number).
But unlike his evocative work on Brokeback, Santaolalla’s work for Babel is
eclipsed by what is the musical highlight of both the film and the soundtrack, the
achingly beautiful “Bibo No Aozora,” by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who is also a favorite
film composer (I especially admire his scores for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and
The Sheltering Sky).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the
ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
| The soundtrack cover and a triumphant Gustavo Santaolalla displaying his second Oscar in two years for the score. |
