This volume improves on its two forebears in a number of ways. The cryptically jolly "Inspector Morse Theme" is shunted last for once, to make way for the adagio "Eirl Theme"--a sombre opening that reflects the album being dedicated to producer Kenny McBain who died during the third series upon which this collection is based. Again, Barrington Pheloung's arrangements of classical source ...
Offering bracketing bonuses on this follow-up album are the "ITV" and "Full" versions of the stately "Morse Theme". Barrington Pheloung's new material then swings between airy strings ("The Warmer Side of Morse"), and chilly piano phrases ("Gently Sinister Revelation"). If sequenced together, the portrait of Morse is of a most tranquil mind at sea while swimming about for clues ("Lewis & Morse"). ...
When Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks collaborated on the Academy Award-winning Saving Private Ryan, an abiding passion to further honour the young fighting soldiers of WWII was born in both men, resulting in Band of Brothers, an ambitious 10-part mini-series based on historian Stephen Ambrose's account of a 101st Airborne regiment as it fought its way across Europe. In scoring the ...
HBO's Mafia masterpiece The Sopranos is a remarkable television series--it's witty, creative, and truly unique. The same praises could be sung for a show's soundtrack, an odd but fun mix of beats, classic rock, and--what else?--Mafia-staple Sinatra. Alabama 3's theme "Woke Up This Morning (Chosen One Mix)" gets things off to a lively start, as does bluesman R.L. Burnside's "It's Bad You ...
The soundtrack to Channel 4's cutting edge drama series Teachers--like the soundtracks to most of Channel 4's "cutting edge" drama series--is packed full of songs guaranteed to appeal to today's "hip" twenty-to-thirtysomethings. Except that it isn't quite as hip as it thinks it is. Although it has more than its share of modern and left-field classics (dEUS's "Little Arithmetics", Doves' ...
This third instalment of the Ally McBeal soundtracks series, featuring performer Vonda Shepard, delivers another solid collection of emotive blues and country-inflected power ballads. The surprises here are the three tracks sung by the TV show's guest thespian Robert Downey Jr. If this soundtrack was intended to be a star vehicle, it's an old banger. Downey's contrived rasp, hardened vocals and ...