SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:14 Min.
For the eleventh track of her 1995 A Portrait album, Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli performs this elegant rendition of Franz Schubert’s “La Pastorella.” She is accompanied by pianist-conductor Sir András Schiff.
REVIEW:
Gifted with a regal voice, Cecilia Bartoli sounds absolutely wonderful on this track. Though the song itself is short, Bartoli’s version is a gem!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 48 Min.
Released by Decca Record Company in 1998, this instrumental album by Kamen and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra offers a playlist collecting some of Kamen’s best-known hits with some of his more obscure works. Partial proceeds of this project is distributed to ‘The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.’
Michael Kamen’s Opus consists of these twelve tracks:
Horn: John Cerminaro.
2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991):
Maid Marian at the Waterfall (Everything I Do, I Do It for You) 4:30
Flute: Scott Goff
3. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995): Rowena 4:58
Harp: Gillian Tingay & John Marson; Harpsichord: Maggie Cole; and English horn solo: Michael Kamen.
4. Don Juan DeMarco (1995):
Dona Ana (Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?) 6:01
Cello solo: Caroline Dale & Violin solos: Ilka Tavi and Christopher Warren.
5. Circle of Friends (1995): You’re the One 3:50
Piano: Michael Kamen
6. Crusoe (1988): Marooned 6:04
Cello solo: Caroline Dale.
7. Highlander (1986): There Can Be Only One 3:31
Trumpet: Charles Butler.
8. The Next Man (1976): Magic City 2:58
Harp: Gillian Tingay.
9. The Winter Guest (1997): Stromness 4:07
Horn solo: Hugh Seenan.
10. Die Hard (1988): Tagaki Dies 1:57
11. Edge of Darkness (BBC – 1985): Nuclear Train 6:02
Co-Composer: Eric Clapton; Unspecified Performance Contribution from: Tomoyasu Hotei; and Guitar Solos: Scott Rockenfeld, Eddie Jackson, & Chris DeGarmo of Queensryche.
12. Brazil (1985): Brazil 2:02
Co-Composer: Ary Baroso; and Vocals: Kate Bush.
REVIEW:
Its intelligent sound so elegantly blends together that one might construe Opus as a single film soundtrack vs. a sampler. Courtesy of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the underrated Kamen (who passed away in 2003) hits upon many essential moods of classical-style movie magic.
The epic Tracks 1 and 7 confirm how he made vital contributions to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the original Highlander. Track 8 is far more obscure, but it, too, is intriguing in its own subdued way. The track becomes much easier to visualize once Kamen notes that the music echoes Sean Connery’s character on a nighttime New York City helicopter ride. Then again, it could just as easily apply to some medieval adventure.
If one wants romantic charm, the low-key Tracks 2-5 will most definitely fit the bill. Far more unique is the eerie Track 12 from Brazil, which offers the album’s sole vocals. British songstress Kate Bush imbues this brief title tune with a haunting aura that will likely arouse curiosity re: this particular film. Kamen also handles ominously suspenseful works (Tracks 10-11) with aplomb. The subdued nature of Tracks 6 and 9 helps anchors this album’s effort to satisfy listeners through sheer eloquence. Clearly, Kamen’s Opus combines his originality with a classical sound, making it a tough combination to beat.
Considering his lengthy resume, it would have been a blast, had this album been a double-disc compilation instead of one. This first-rate highlight album makes a tantalizing case to seek out more of Kamen’s work, including his acclaimed effort for Mr. Holland’s Opus.
PACKAGING:
The tracks are listed on the case’s back cover. The classy fold-out booklet includes a track listing; running times; musician credits; technical credits; film stills, and Kamen’s brief commentary re: each track.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 8:16 Min.
Climaxing 1985’s Ladyhawke, British conductor/composer Andrew Powell (with some help from Alan Parsons) provides a thorough montage of Ladyhawke themes. Its symphonic sound comes from the New Philamornia Orchestra London.
REVIEW:
Its ethereal first portion proves an ideal means of narrating Ladyhawke’s fairy tale finale. There’s no mistaking that it’s also an unique approach to Hollywood medieval adventure.
In particular, the unmistakably synthesizer-like melody (including some electric guitar) is a wonderful transition into the end credits. Continuing this medley is the Ladyhawke single, which doubles as the movie’s end title
One might also notice that some elements of the main title are thrown in for good measure. Symphonically summarizing Ladyhawke, this track is a mid-80’s gem for soundtrack and instrumental enthusiasts.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:50 Min.
It’s the eighth track off Enya’s 1992 Shepherd Moons album.
REVIEW:
Its ethereal choir-like opening is well-matched by the included sound effect of a rainstorm commencing. Enya’s elegant vocals and a slow-brewing melody (strangely reminiscent of a Christmas-like choral tune) subsequently converge to create a soothing calm within the storm, so to speak. For any relaxation-themed playlists, the lullaby effect of “Evacuee” makes an worthwhile download option.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:24 Min.
For his 1996 dance-electronica album, Dreamland, composer-musician Robert Cocina (aka Robert Miles) performs this instrumental (Track # 2), with Fiorella Quinn on vocals.
Notes: “Fable” also has a purely instrumental ‘dream’ variant (Track # 8) on this same album.
REVIEW:
The pulsating chemistry between Fiorella Quinn’s vocals and Myles’ electronica magic is dynamite! This track is an excellent option for a workout playlist.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 7:13 Min.
For his 1996 dance-electronica album, Dreamland, composer-musician Robert Cocina (aka Robert Miles) performs this instrumental (Track # 8). “Fable” also has a ‘message’ variant (Track # 2), with vocalist Fiorella Quinn supporting Miles.
REVIEW:
Robert Miles works his pulsating electronica magic on this track. Its high energy offers can’t-miss prospect for workout playlists. Yet, the inclusion of Fiorella Quinn’s alluring vocals on the ‘message’ variant, is the more memorable and arguably better “Fable.”
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:59 Min.
Composer-conductor John Barry provided the original score to Disney’s same-named 1979 sci-fi film. From Lifestyles’ 2001 Night at the Movies 2-disc cover album is this instrumental suite recreating “The Black Hole.” This particular cover appears on Disc 2.
REVIEW:
Considering the film soundtrack’s availability is sparse, this faithful cover at least offers a five-minute sampler. For what it is, this suite does some dynamite work.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
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SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:46 Min.
Composer-conductor Michael Kamen devised the instrumental, “You’re the One,” for the soundtrack of the 1995 romantic Irish film adapting Maeve Binch’s same-named novel, Circle of Friends. A few years later, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra performed this track for the 1998 Michael Kamen’s Opus retrospective album.
REVIEW:
Definitely well-played! With its gentle piano-driven melody, “You’re the One” proves a quietly underrated gem. Composer Michael Kamen builds the track with a romantic music box-like sound that is tough to surpass. This poignant theme would be ideal for instrumental and classical music playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 7:04 Min.
For his 1996 dance-electronica album, Dreamland, composer-musician Robert Cocina (aka Robert Miles) performs this instrumental (Track # 1) in an expansion of its radio form. The track’s brief intro is a thunderstorm followed by the sound of birds chirping, with drizzling rain in the backdrop.
Notes: The four-minute radio version of “Children” appears on this compilation album: Ultimate Dance Party 1997, Volume 1. Also, Miles includes the song’s ‘original’ version (running time of 6:19) as Track # 10 on Dreamland.
REVIEW:
The pulsating beat delivers a dynamite electronica sound that reverberates as well as it did a quarter-century ago. For fans of contemporary dance instrumentals, this version of “Children” (no matter what its title is supposed to refer to) is recommended. However, the evidently rare four-minute version heard on the radio (without the extra techno-bells and whistles) is just as good, if not better.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:32 Min.
From Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, “All I Ask of You” is covered as an instrumental for NatureQuest’s 1995 album, Andrew Lloyd Webber Naturally.
REVIEW:
Enhanced by background sounds of nearby ocean waves, this saxophone-and-piano duet of “All I Ask of You” is a terrific boost to any meditative/relaxation playlists. In terms of a sleep aid, the ocean sounds are effective helping drift off to dreamland.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
