SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 60 Min.
Released by Morgan Creek Music Group in 1991, this ten-track album consists of:
- Overture and a Prisoner of the Crusades (From Chains to Freedom) Michael Kamen (8:27)
2. Sir Guy of Gisborne /The Escape to Sherwood Michael Kamen (7:27)
3. Little John and the Band in the Forest Michael Kamen (4:52)
4. The Sheriff and the Witch Michael Kamen (6:03)
5. Maid Marian Michael Kamen (2:57)
6. Training – Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves Michael Kamen (5:15)
7. Marian at the Waterfall Michael Kamen (5:34)
8. The Abduction /Final Battle at the Gallows Michael Kamen (9:53)
9. (Everything I Do), I Do It For You Bryan Adams (6:38)
10. Wild Times Jeff Lynne (3:12)
Note: For this album, Kamen conducts the Greater Los Angeles Orchestra.
REVIEW:
The extended version of Bryan Adams’ hit song is unquestionably the highlight. Yet, the emotional complexity of conductor Michael Kamen’s orchestral score secures this soundtrack as a true winner. Beyond all its boisterous action crescendos, romantic serenity, and rustic interludes, Kamen complements the film’s plot by appealing to listeners’ sentiments for any given sequence. His work makes it refreshingly easy to visualize the movie’s twists based on just the music cues alone.
The dark Sheriff and the Witch is likely the hardest to identify, but its ominous undertones give Alan Rickman’s conniving Sheriff of Nottingham and Geraldine McEwan‘s witch their sinister due. Likewise, Maid Marian and especially Marian at the Waterfall imbue Marian & Robin’s developing love story with an elegantly serene contrast to the eerie Track 4.
The sole weak inclusion is Jeff Lynne’s forgettable Wild Times, which does little more than complete the film’s playlist. Even so, the other nine tracks are a first-class instrumental narrative for the film.
PACKAGING:
The album’s tracks are listed on the CD case’s back cover, but their running times aren’t included. The classy double-sided, twelve-panel insert includes a brief introduction by screenwriters-producers Pen Densham & John Watson; primary cast photos; some film stills; technical credits; and obligatory album thank-you’s. The CD case itself is sturdy and well-protects the disc.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
