The Ultimate Life
Mark McKenzie
" blue grass rhythms make the experience ULTIMATE "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The Ultimate Gift of 2006 (about a guy who can inherit the wealth of his grandfather's estate when he can accomplish 12 tasks in one year) is about discovering the beauties of life, and knowing that money can help others more than oneself. The movie was fairly successful when it aired on DVD, resulting in a sequel several years later. Though the main actor is replaced, the story focuses on the early years of the grandfather instead, and how his search for success cost him a lot. That discovery was aided in 2006 by the music of Mark McKenzie, and it's a joy to see him returning to the ultimateness once again.
Because we have to make it abundantly clear yet again, composers like Mark McKenzie are needed more than once a year. The melodic craftsmanship and beauty is of vital importance for films, and that key signature is flowing through the veins of The Ultimate Life once again. It opens soft and dreamy with the expected relaxing piano in "As Long as You Are Alive, I Will be Too: The Gift of Family", followed by the typical lovely strings in "I Love You Mama". But it's in the other tracks that The Ultimate Life turns to less expected rhythms, by infusing blue grass to the story. "Being Laughed At: The Gift of Dreams" and "Train Hopping" infuse it ever so rhythmically to the score.
But rhythm is only one thing, you have to add quality to it as well. And the melodies that come out of "Eager Beaver: The Gift of Work" are nothing but wonderful. A violin, a mandolin and a guitar create McKenzie magic. That melody returns in the every so lovely "Shared Dreams: The Gift of Friends" and as a soft jazz song in "If You Want to Dance With Her", but it never sounds more enchanting than in "I Will Wait for You: The Gift of Love", another reminder how much emotion McKenzie can pour in a cue. Truly amazing stuff. The return of that enchanting melody pops up in "Stinkin' Rich: The Gift of Laughter" and with a tantalizing variation in "Life's Greatest Fortunes Are the Ones Closest to You".
Not all is sunshine and optimism in Red's life (the moodier "Facing Failure: The Gift of Problems" is a rare example, while a short but thrilling example of action music (the war scene) is sadly even absent on album), but in general The Ultimate Life is as expected as optimistic and cheerful as possible. Slightly dramatic near the end (just like the way it opened), and in between chock full of infectious blue grass rhythms that feel like a breath of fresh air, The Ultimate Life is another example of how Mark McKenzie contributes to the quality of film music. Normally these kinds of movies don't tend to stir up a lot of buzz once you look back to what's written over the year. But somehow Mark keeps reminding you that quality, melody and refinement are always around the corner the moment you let him on board. Take a lesson producers, because we fans require more than just that 'once upon a year' lesson.
Favorite Moment - I Will Wait For You: The Gift of Love (0.01 - 1.57)
Hear the theme transforming, and making your day.
Track Listing
1. As Long as You Are Alive, I Will be Too: The Gift of Family (2.35)
2. I Love You Mama (2.09)
3. Being Laughed At: The Gift of Dreams (1.16)
4. Train Hopping (2.25)
5. The Golden List: The Gift of Gratitude (1.25)
6. Eager Beaver: The Gift of Work (2.50) Excellent track
7. Shared Dreams: The Gift of Friends (2.03)
8. A Leader of Men: The Gift of Learning (1.12)
9. If You Want to Dance With Her (1.47)
10. I Will Wait For You: The Gift of Love (1.57) Excellent track
11. Facing Failure: The Gift of Problems (2.44)
12. Bright Idea (1.36)
13. The Expert (1.51)
14. Stinkin' Rich: The Gift of Laughter (1.57) Excellent track
15. Texas Gold: The Gift of Money (1.22)
16. Pickin' A Lawyer (2.28)
17. A New Kidney: The Gift of Giving (2.22)
18. We Can Try (2.14)
19. I Want To Be With You: The Gift of A Day (3.06)
20. Life's Greatest Fortunes Are the Ones Closest to You (2.11)
21. One Life: Tamela Mann * (3.41)
* Written by Kelly Morrison
Total Length: 45.11
Because we have to make it abundantly clear yet again, composers like Mark McKenzie are needed more than once a year. The melodic craftsmanship and beauty is of vital importance for films, and that key signature is flowing through the veins of The Ultimate Life once again. It opens soft and dreamy with the expected relaxing piano in "As Long as You Are Alive, I Will be Too: The Gift of Family", followed by the typical lovely strings in "I Love You Mama". But it's in the other tracks that The Ultimate Life turns to less expected rhythms, by infusing blue grass to the story. "Being Laughed At: The Gift of Dreams" and "Train Hopping" infuse it ever so rhythmically to the score.
But rhythm is only one thing, you have to add quality to it as well. And the melodies that come out of "Eager Beaver: The Gift of Work" are nothing but wonderful. A violin, a mandolin and a guitar create McKenzie magic. That melody returns in the every so lovely "Shared Dreams: The Gift of Friends" and as a soft jazz song in "If You Want to Dance With Her", but it never sounds more enchanting than in "I Will Wait for You: The Gift of Love", another reminder how much emotion McKenzie can pour in a cue. Truly amazing stuff. The return of that enchanting melody pops up in "Stinkin' Rich: The Gift of Laughter" and with a tantalizing variation in "Life's Greatest Fortunes Are the Ones Closest to You".
Not all is sunshine and optimism in Red's life (the moodier "Facing Failure: The Gift of Problems" is a rare example, while a short but thrilling example of action music (the war scene) is sadly even absent on album), but in general The Ultimate Life is as expected as optimistic and cheerful as possible. Slightly dramatic near the end (just like the way it opened), and in between chock full of infectious blue grass rhythms that feel like a breath of fresh air, The Ultimate Life is another example of how Mark McKenzie contributes to the quality of film music. Normally these kinds of movies don't tend to stir up a lot of buzz once you look back to what's written over the year. But somehow Mark keeps reminding you that quality, melody and refinement are always around the corner the moment you let him on board. Take a lesson producers, because we fans require more than just that 'once upon a year' lesson.
Favorite Moment - I Will Wait For You: The Gift of Love (0.01 - 1.57)
Hear the theme transforming, and making your day.
Track Listing
1. As Long as You Are Alive, I Will be Too: The Gift of Family (2.35)
2. I Love You Mama (2.09)
3. Being Laughed At: The Gift of Dreams (1.16)
4. Train Hopping (2.25)
5. The Golden List: The Gift of Gratitude (1.25)
6. Eager Beaver: The Gift of Work (2.50) Excellent track
7. Shared Dreams: The Gift of Friends (2.03)
8. A Leader of Men: The Gift of Learning (1.12)
9. If You Want to Dance With Her (1.47)
10. I Will Wait For You: The Gift of Love (1.57) Excellent track
11. Facing Failure: The Gift of Problems (2.44)
12. Bright Idea (1.36)
13. The Expert (1.51)
14. Stinkin' Rich: The Gift of Laughter (1.57) Excellent track
15. Texas Gold: The Gift of Money (1.22)
16. Pickin' A Lawyer (2.28)
17. A New Kidney: The Gift of Giving (2.22)
18. We Can Try (2.14)
19. I Want To Be With You: The Gift of A Day (3.06)
20. Life's Greatest Fortunes Are the Ones Closest to You (2.11)
21. One Life: Tamela Mann * (3.41)
* Written by Kelly Morrison
Total Length: 45.11