Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Brothers Forever

Two Brothers

Born in the wild jungles of Cambodia, Kumal is wild and daring, while Sangha is shy and timid. But the fun is short lived, when McRory, an explorer, big-game hunter and temple looter, kills their father, while looting an ancient temple. One of the cubs, Kumal, is immediately recovered by McRory and sold to a circus. Sangha, remains in the jungle with his mother, but both are eventually trapped (by McRory) and released as game for the prince to hunt. The mother is then shot, thought to be dead for a moment before running away, and Sangha is taken into captivity, ends up as a pet to young Raoul, son of the French administrator.
Kumal, being trained by the cruel circus ringmaster Zerbino to do tricks, grows up broken-spirit into a timid cage creature, while Sangha, too wild to remain in the French household, is made a part of the prince's palace menagerie. Then the prince decides to hold a big festival, in which a battle between two great beasts is to be the centerpiece. But once the siblings are united in the arena, will the world allow a happy ending for these brothers?

Shot as a documentry, this film has large passages driven by the brilliant jungle photography and ethnically charged music by Stephen Warbeck. Two brothers has many social comments hidden beneath the fun story of the two brothers.

Baraka

I have two passions, photography and music. Baraka combines these two into an epic documentry. It was the first film in over twenty years to be photographed in the 65mm Todd-AO format. The movie was filmed in color 70 mm film in 24 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Nepal, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States. It contains no dialogue or cohesive plot.
The title Baraka is an Arabic word literally meaning blessing. As a Sufi term it refers to a sense of divine presence, but is more often associated with a place or person. In addition to making comparisons between natural and technological phenomena Baraka searches for a universal cultural perspective. The score is provided by Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard (from Dead Can Dance) and Michael Stearns.
1. a: Mantra, b: Organics (04:42)
M. Stearns, 1a. excerpted from Mantra/Stabat Mater by Somei Satoh
2. Wipala (05:04)
from Land of the Incas
3. The Host of Seraphim (06:18) composed and performed by Dead Can Dance
4. Village Dance (02:55) M. Stearns
5. Wandering Saint (06:41)
from Expressions of Impressions
6. African Journey (03:34)
from Exotic Dance
7. Rainbow Voice (02:57)
from Hearing Solar Winds
8. Monk with Bell (02:33)
M. Stearns
9. Broken Vows / A Prayer of Kala Rupa / An Daorach Bheag (04:39)
Michael Stearns / from Sacred Ceremonies, p. The Monks of the Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery / p. Brother - Hamish, Angus & Fergus Richardson
10.Finale (04:34)
M. Stearns
11.End Credits (03:26)
M. Stearns

Thanx to soundtrax for sharing this brilliant score of Baraka

Monday, October 23, 2006

Gandhi: The Man of Peace

Gandhi (George Fenton & Ravi Shankar)

This score is more of a personal homage than popular demand.
I am sure, this score isnt for everyone. Deeply rooted in Indian classical music performed by the maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, the score blends Indian and western music, latter provided by George Fenton. The epic story of a simple man who brought down the world's biggest empire using simple ideas like truth and non-violence.

1. 31st Of January 1948
composed by: Ravi Shankar
2. South Africa – The Beginning
composed by: George Fenton
3. Bands Of The Raj
composed by: George Fenton
4. Discovery Of India
composed by: Ravi Shankar
5. Villages Of Bihar
composed by: Ravi Shankar
6. Massacre At Amritsar And The Aftermath
composed by: Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
7. Intermission
composed by: Ravi Shankar
8. Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram And Reflections Of Early Days
composed by: Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
9. Salt
composed by: Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
10.Partition
composed by: Ravi Shankar and George Fenton
11.End Of The Fast
composed by: Ravi Shankar
12.Remember This Always
composed by: Ravi Shankar Narration: Ben Kingsley
13.For All Mankind
composed by: Ravi Shankar

Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize, though he was nominated five times between 1937 and 1948. Decades later (even in 2006), the Nobel Committee publicly declared its regret for the omission, and admitted to deeply divided nationalistic opinion denying the award. Mahatma Gandhi was to receive the Prize in 1948, but his assassination prevented the award from coming to him. The Prize was not awarded in 1948, the year of Gandhi's death, on the grounds that "there was no suitable living candidate" that year. [wikipedia]


As I discussed Gandhi and his values with my parents, I found it hard to imagine that someone like him lived (or would live again) on this earth. Now, I know what Albert Einstein meant when he said "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."

My tributes to the man we call, Mahatma Gandhi

Shaft

Shaft by David Arnold

Finally, the much in-demand promo score of Shaft by David Arnold.
Heres the track list of the score with me
1. Scene of the Crime (02:54)
2. Boy's Got Justice (01:40)

3. Rough Justice (02:47)

4. Peoples Hernandez, Come On Down (01:06)

5. Remember Me? (04:06)

6. Gimme Your Shoes (01:16)

7. Courtroom Drama (02:47)
8. Looking For a Witness (02:12)

9. Schoolyard Split (01:11)

10.Tailing Walter Wade (02:38)

11.Shaft's Big Swich (02:41)

12.Peoples Gets Played (02:03)

13.Shoot Out 1 (03:40)

14.No More Running (03:39)

15.safe house (shoot-out 2) (03:51)

16.A Rare Harlem (03:21)


shaft

Saturday, October 21, 2006

A forgotten gem - Dina

i better leave the reviews for the experts. an excerpt from the score review

" More and more people begin to see Marco Beltrami only as a horror composer and sadly that isn't true. Recently Angel Eyes or a rejected score for Texas Rangers could have changed that fact, but sadly they aren't released so why would people think differently. One that has been released by Decca is sadly not mentioned and that is I Am Dina, showing of that Marco Beltrami's gift lies more towards the classical line of composing. Its a very dark drama that captures both the more gritty attitude at times but also the classical surroundings of the era as the drama that beholds her life. Nonetheless, Marco Beltrami adds a special touch to the score that barely non other score possesses of him, namely a classical edge. Its all orchestral but with the fact that not many grand orchestral moments are heard. Its simply more the instruments that play a part in the score and likely so, they are noticed rather quickly."
"Jorane is credited on the soundtrack and her inclusion is brilliant to say the least. See her as Lisa Gerrard and Yo-Yo Ma together. First, she's underscores Beltrami's piece entitled 'Dina's Lullaby' with a mesmerizing mix of cello and vocals."

well, thats Dina for you!!

Put on the wings, commander

Officially, David Arnold wrote the Wing Commander Theme, and Kiner the underscore, but in truth the Arnold hallmarks are stamped all over the place. After the ok-ish godzilla, finally Arnorld returns to the epic sound of Independence day and stargate that made him favourite of many. a instantly memorable tune penned by arnold starts the album. it is the immense testosterone driven action music that dominates the 37 min album, all the way to the big damn ending.
1. Overture (3:36)
2. Pod Scene (1:53)

3. Torpedo Kilrathi (3:31)
4. Pilgrims (1:50)

5. Rescued (:55)

6. Into the Quasar (2:45)
7. Bad Decision/Blair (1:27)

8. Angel's Story (1:47)
9. The Fleet (1:07)

10. Briefing/Tricked (2:15)

11. Hot Dogs(1:21)
12. Diligent Arrives (2:34)

13. The Gift/Skipper Missile (3:26)

14. Kilrathi Battle (1:40)

15. The Big Battle (2:27)

16. Kilrathi Into Scylla (2:28)

17. Big Damn Ending (2:09)

its about time commander :)

Thursday, October 19, 2006

November turns sweet

Sweet November [Promo] (Christopher Young)

Christopher Young,though well known for horror scores, provides the expected emotional score complete with all the usual suspects ... racing strings, piano etc.

01 Sweet November (02:12)
02 Divine Gifts (03:08)
03 Merry Thanksgiving (05:44)

04 Advents (05:02)
05 It Was Whatever Was It (03:51)
06 A Woman's Mystery (04:59)

07 Faith Keeping (05:06)
08 Maybe Not Probably Possible (04:32)

09 Tears Of Angels (04:57)

10 Candy Kane (03:13)

11 If Only She Could Live Forever (04:21)

12 Orange Coast Healer (03:02)

13 Life's A Miracle (03:06)


a sweet retreat from the big league action scores :)

Search for the lost empire finally ends!

Atlantis: The Lost Empire [Academy Promo] (James Newton Howard)

What can one say about James Newton Howard's score for Atlantis. It starts as an flambouant adventure score and turns on the magic of discovery with ethnic colour provided by an assortment of instruments and amazing choir.

01 Atlantis Destroyed (01:50)
02 The Smithsonian (01:52)

03 Late For Presentation (01:51)

04 Milo Meets Helga (00:28)

05 Arriving At Whitmore (00:39)

06 The Book (01:07)

07 Whitmore Hires Milo (02:42)

08 The Submarine (03:20)

09 Exterior Lights (00:37)

10 Leviathan Battle (03:35)

11 Breaking The Surface (01:09)

12 The Journey (03:24)

13 Bedding Down (02:31)

14 Fireflies (02:16)

15 Atlantis Discovered (01:47)

16 Milo And Kida Speak (03:29)

17 Milo & Kida's Questions (03:00)

18 Tour Of Atlantis (02:51)

19 Secret Swim (02:44)

20 Adventure Capitalists (02:11)

21 Storming The Palace (01:38)

22 Kida Transforms (03:46)

23 The Crewis Conscience (02:11)

24 The King Dies (03:33)

25 Going After Rourke (01:46)

26 Dogfight (04:59)

27 Just Do It (03:27)

28 Kida Returns (01:37)

29 Goodbyes (01:39)

30 Atlantis (02:00)

31 End Credits (02:21)


part1 part2
While the commercial album provided satisfactory material to cover the entire score, the 73 min promo score is the definite collector's item. the score constantly evolves and never losses focus. Atlantis makes for a great listen anyday. :)

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

No more singing on this Polar Express :)


Alan Silvestri provides a breathtaking score for the visually stunning Polar Express. The score perfectly captured the magic of Christmas with stiring themes and all the instruments one could associate with cristmas.
This promo score contains only the previously unreleased orchestral music. The score, running just below 30 min mark has five untitled tracks. A sure gem of a soundtrack by Alan Silvestri.

enjoy

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Some friendships are wilder than others!

A thoughtfully designed poster ... isnt it?

Heres a hidden gem by john debney!
Excellent use of african chants and percussion instruments makes for an album worth having. A must for the world-music and fans of Hans Zimmer's ethic score. Along with ethnic music debney impresses with his emotive cues on par with the enchanting african chants.

01 Phiry — The Bird Sings
02 Duma Orphaned
03 Cute Kitten Montage
04 Dad Sick
05 Move To City
06 At School
07 Coming Home
08 Pushing Motorcycle
09 Land Yacht
10 Leaving Rip
11 Duma Sees Crocs
12 Land Yacht Remix
13 Croc River
14 Change
15 Freedom
16 Goodnight
17 Run To Village
18 Xan And Duma Say Goodbye
19 Issa Lullaby

Phiry and Issa lullaby are performed by an african chorus without any instrumental backing. Their tones itself provides the required ups and downs to keep the music flowing. cues like the cute kitten and school tracks adequately stir the fun growing up with a wild companion. while cues like croc river and run to village evoke suspence and action they make for interesting listen. but the ultimate highlight has to be the emotion-drenched tracks, like dad sick performed with stronger backing by the traditional orchestra along side the usual african instrumentation. Over 40 min of pure Duma magic !!



the first "mouse" step


Well, heres my first one. So, lets experiment .. bring on the mouse.

Heres a sweet little "mousey" score with appropriate dosage of "mickey" in it.

A good fun score, though not the best by Alan Silvestri. Would have given the track list, but there are just too many, 32 in all !!!!

The complete little score @128kbps running over 68min :)

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Overture

hello everyone .... starting a blog finally!!
lets see how things turn up :)
mythodean