David Shire Film Music
Label: Gorfaine-Schwartz Agency
Catalogue No: Promotional Use Only
Release Date: 2002
Total Duration: 73:43
UPN:
The David Shire Film Music compilation will instantly mesmerize every Shire fan on the planet. With samples of his original recordings that range from the 70s to the present, the 70+ minutes of music on this promotional release are very evenly balanced; each track represents about 3 minutes of a score’s main theme, making for a suite-like effect. The only characteristic of this release that keeps it from being one long, enjoyable listen is the fact that Shire has done five or six surprisingly inferior scores, and many of them appear here. Balanced with the 15 good excerpts on this release, they may not seem that significant. But every time the CD begins to flow very well, a track like THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP comes along and warrants the immediate relief of the forward button on your stereo.
Diversity is the key on this compilation. Shire’s piano solos in THE CONVERSATION are followed by the London Symphony Orchestra’s popular performance of RETURN TO OZ. PARIS TROUT returns to the small ensemble, with two guitars stealing the spotlight. Also making good use of the guitar is the much sought-after ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN, which is dark and menacing in tone, but heroic in theme (perfect for the Pakula film). There’s no doubt about the touch of James Bond in FAREWELL, MY LOVELY, but nevertheless, it is an enjoyable film noir remake score with the full spirit of the alto sax.
The sound quality also varies from track to track. BED AND BREAKFAST is impressively full of warmth and depth, while the 70s pop style of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3 (recently released on Retrograde) is tinny and distant. Fortunately, the three most remarkable compositions feature excellent sound: OLD BOYFRIENDS is a film that was never released, yet Shire’s viola solos are very enjoyable. The track from the IMAX film, THE JOURNEY INSIDE is more upbeat, grand, and heroic in a larger scale than many of the other selections. Shire’s Academy Award-winning song, “It Goes Like It Goes” from NORMA RAE, still retains its magic. It’s one of the hotter movie songs of our age – the type that compliments any collection of themes.
Overall, there’s such a variety of music on this CD that there’s bound to be a track here that will tickle the fancy of any film music fan. For Shire fans especially, the compilation is a dream come true.
Originally Published in Soundtrack Magazine Vol.17 / No.67 / 1998
