[Closed] Now Playing XXXII

Mao's Last Dancer - Christopher Gordon

First listen...

The score opens up with some pretty standard (and some might say cliche) far east sounds, which are appropriate for the film's location. Classical ballet music is featured throughout the album - again very appropriate for the film's subject matter but I could honestly do without it. Those pieces should have been regulated to the end of the album because it's sucks the dramatic life out of Gordon's gorgeous score. For instance, we go from the stunningly beautiful violin solo of "Dance Of Longing" to Ludwig Minkus' "Don Qixote" which just hits you over the head like a ton of bricks and complete takes you out of the moment emotionally. I think that on my second go around I'm skipping the classical music.

Back to Gordon's score: As we reach the middle portions of the album to the end the music is dominated by dramatic strings, piano and traditional Oriental instrumentation. Gordon's score reminds of parts from Pavilion of Woman and parts Memoirs of a Geisha but not as over the top - the only time Gordon lets loose is during the latter half of the superb and spine-tingling "Village Dance and Finale" where Gordon's signature symphonic colors really come to life!

Mao's Last Dance is an exotic combination of western and eastern elements featuring many erhu, cello, violin and piano soli ("Pas de Deux" is excellent) - but when Gordon adds on the layers of the symphony orchestra - especially the strings - he hits all the right spots emotionally. A thoughtful, melodic and mostly restrained score from one of the most talent film composers working today.

Excellent music!

-Erik-

I think there's a bit of letting loose in the mock propaganda ballet finale 'Madame Mao's Model Ballet' too.
Also 'Becoming a Dancer' is where the main theme gets its most exhilarating treatment for me. (Very much in the spirit of other training montage cues in films - e.g. 'Becoming a Geisha'.)

NP: JEREMIAH JOHNSON (John Rubinstein)

As you'd expect this is a very western sounding featuring the violin, small orchestra, and some vocal material. I remember seeing the movie but haven't revisited it for a long time. This isn't spacious like Big Country but I do like it.
Thomas

Book of Blood - Guy Farley
Just awful. Colourless, generic, bland - all those words. On a par with The Flock for tedious, frustrating listening.
Why do they release this stuff?


On to Trick 'r' Treat - Douglas Pipes
At least there's some life in this, a bit of movement. Something that actually sounds like music for the most part.

Indeed, plus Kate Bush gorgeous version of the song

NP: Return to Neverland - Joel McNeely

Parts of this score are roughly analogous to being high.

Except that it's somewhat more legal.

And there are no side-effects*.

*except perhaps the side-effect of realizing that certain other scores that I used to appreciate more are actually crap

NP: Angels and Demons ~ Hans Zimmer

I've been through a difficult phase and this score became its soundtrack. Espacially Science and Religion became a constant listening. I follow the title track. I put faith both to science and God and things worked out.

Thank God Tim things are getting better a step at a time.

I'm glad to hear that, I'll not ask the whys and wherefores just that you are doing good is enough


NP : THE ROCKETEER - James Horner


....and as Barry Normal used to say...'and why not'.

NP : A BEAUTIFUL MIND - James Horner



A favourite.

Where's the V2 theme in Allied Assault?

Edit: Sorry, it's the "Schmerzen" cue. Doh!

Even more interesting (edit: geeky) is the "Halftrack Chase" cue from Frontline. It's not used in the game, and there isn't a halftrack chase to speak of. There's just a "The mission continues.." screen featuring concept art of a halftrack chase after the manor house level where the cue should have slotted in.

It is however featured in exactly that type of scenario Medal Of Honor Spearhead, the expansion pack to Allied Assault released 6 months after Frontline.

I wonder if the level was simply cut from Frontline or Spearhead was already in the making at the time Giacchino came on board. It fits the level perfectly too, so it was either written at the same time as the Frontline score or the developers based the level around the cue very carefully.

Now that is a geeky thing to know!!

Spent a bit of time on trains today, which gave chance to listen to...

Mao's Last Dancer - Christopher Gordon

A very fine album. Some beautiful music here. Deserves to be heard by a lot of people. Fans of Memoirs of a Geisha would be unlikely to be disappointed.

The Informant - Marvin Hamlisch

Having said the above... this remains my favourite of 2009 so far.

The Perfect Storm - James Horner

It doesn't half go on a bit. Very entertaining though.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth - Gavin Greenaway

Simply magnificent.

Absolutely stunning, score and song.