Comments on: Movie Soundtrack Recommendations

By: Ron Lusk

Ron Lusk — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:48:04 +0000

Out of Africa: I first heard this the day after my mother's funeral, watching the darkness fall over Los Angeles from the hillside house of a former English teacher. He had had a stroke, and didn't say much—if anything—but his wife and I had tea and talked sparsely and quietly.
Years later, we would use the music as background while doing a presentation on our mission trips to South Africa. It brought tears to my eyes to hear the music and see (again) the people and places we'd served.
Much Ado About Nothing: brings back memories of the first time I saw Benedick prancing in joy through the fountain, and thought, "This is a taste of Adam crying out, 'This is bone of my bone! Flesh of my flesh!'"

By: Paul Hayes

Paul Hayes — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:23:21 +0000

Danielle mentioned the Yo Yo Ma album that features Morricone’s music. This album has many of his pieces and is lushly evocative, hauntingly beautiful.
The string arrangements are elegant. This album has been for me a great background for devotions, worship planning and prayer.

By: jeff

jeff — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:12:55 +0000

I have a huge library of movie scores, so it’s hard to think of my favorites. However, some in my playlist for reading/studying/background music are:

Sommersby by Danny Elfman - A truly beautiful score from the compser who became famous for his “oompa-oompa-oompa” music for Batman, Simpsons, Pee Wee, etc. Sommersby is a period movie and the music is lush and gorgeous.

Little Women by Thomas Newman - Another uplifting score with lots of low, lush strings supporting moving melodies from french horns and high strings. Much of the movie is set during Christmas time, so you have a smattering of that joyful season mixed in. And can you believe that there is a recording of “For the beauty of the earrth” sung by Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst et.?

The Rocketeer by James Horner - A fun adventure of a score. You’d recognize the main theme if you heard it, as it’s been used for countless movie trailers.

Wyatt Earp by James Newton Howard - Kevin Costner seems to get the best out of his composers (i.e. Dances with Wolves, The Postman). James Newton captures all the elements that make a great western score: Adventure, freedom, honor. Plus there is a great love theme that always makes me want to see the movie again.

Avalon by Randy Newman - This score and Awakenings are my favorites from Randy Newman. Avalon is out of print but check ebay. This score if pure americana. It has that bittersweet flavor for which Newman is famous, but the discovery and gratitude of an American immigrant family comes through. This is a great movie too!

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:00:57 +0000

Thanks for the great list everyone, I am always looking for a great list. I’m Canadian, and I am surprised that no one mentioned possibly my favorite, which I assume is an American Classic: A River Runs Through It? Can anything take you to nature like this soundtrack? Also, many mentions of James Newton Howard, but no mention of Emperor’s Club soundtrack. A Beautiful Mind and speaking of the person who talked about ethnic flavoured soundtracks, how about the Jazz flavoured Finding Forrester soundtrack?

By: Cap Stewart

Cap Stewart — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 13:26:20 +0000

First, while we can refer to these albums as soundtracks (which is certainly valid), some might get them confused with those song compilation CD’s that are “inspired by” a motion picture. There is, however, quite a difference. Instrumental soundtracks (i.e., film scores) are a gift from God. Song compilation soundtracks, on the other hand, are a direct result of the Fall. Having established that, here are a few of my favorite scores.

Edward Scissorhands. I have a soft spot for choral work, especially the ethereal beauty of boys’ choirs. This CD is the epitome of such music and composer Danny Elfman is THE MAN when it comes to utilizing boys choirs (the opening cue in Batman Returns and the finale in The Family Man are two other examples).

The Mask of Zorro. James Horner goes flamenco. He is often accused of being a self-plagiarizing hack—consider the use of the infamous four-note motif to represent the bad guy in almost EVERY STINKING MOVIE he’s ever scored (okay, that’s a bit hyperbolic)—but he’s still quite an amazing composer. He went into uncharted territory (for him, at least) for this score and came up with some amazing themes and orchestrations.

The Peacemaker. What can I say? I love a good action score and I love composer Hans Zimmer. This movie contains one of the best third acts in action film history (just my opinion—but it’s true) and the pounding rhythms and use of electronics mirror the film’s intensity. Very enjoyable action themes throughout.

Other notable/random cues from films that I especially enjoy include the following:

* The burning bush theme from The Prince of Egypt (yes, with a boys choir)

* The theme for Kong and Anne in King Kong (2005) by James Newton Howard (hauntingly beautiful piano melody)

* The main theme from Titanic (so sue me)

* James Newton Howard’s contemplative theme for Batman in Batman Begins (mournful and emotional string melody with piano accompaniment)

* The opening sequence cue for The Rock by Hans Zimmer (thematically-driven action music at its finest)

* The main theme from Jurassic Park by John Williams (because it was the first film score I ever owned)

I could keep going (for days, in fact), but I guess that’s good for now.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:20:58 +0000

Has anyone heard the soundtrack of Liberty! The American Experience, a six-part series on PBS? The soundtrack features Mark O’Connor, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, and James Taylor…and it’s beautiful! Check it out…

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 21:11:58 +0000

Paul -

Yikes! All I remember from the Princess Bride soundtrack is the hard-on-the-ears 80’s synth horn pad during the “chase scene.” Guess I’ll have to review the tapes…

By: Paul Martin

Paul Martin — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:22:38 +0000

How did you all miss Mark Knopfler?! “The Princess Bride” is a wonderful soundtrack - simple, pleasant and easy to work when playing. It also makes for nice soundtracks on your home movies. And Knopfler’s other work on “Local Hero” is still my fave of all soundtracks. Knopfler has a compilation disc out called “Screenplaying” that highlights a bunch of his work. Very nice!
I have lost the recording, but I used to love listening to the “Kindergarten Cop” soundtrack - was that James Newton Howard?

By: T.Newbell

T.Newbell — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:41:32 +0000

Thinking of soundtracks reminded me of a worship seminar I went to where Mark Altrogge was speaking at my church. He reminded us of what a gift music is and how God has graciously given us music- all kinds of music. God has been so kind to allow us to enjoy music and different sounds and styles. Thanks for the reminder Bob!

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:17:58 +0000

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned “Glory.” The soundtrack is enriched by the Harlem Boys Choir, and is a distinct favorite. I also like a lot of the soundtrack to “Geronimo” - a few tracks feature a throat singer. I enjoy a few pieces of odd piano work on “Sneakers” and “The Firm,” but it’s a good bit of dissonant pounding at times. I’m always looking for a good ethnic soundtrack like “The Gospel of John” or “The Passion.” I’d love to find some ethnic Latin or Arabic sountrack music. Any ideas? Anyone heard the soundtrack for “Black Hawk Down?”