DAD

JAMES HORNER

Rating:

Original Review: I think the word that best sums up Dad is "introspective". It's a score which belongs to the same group as The Man Without A Face, Searching for Bobby Fischer and To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday in the Horner repertoire - low key, low impact, but utterly gorgeous. The other three had memorable, definite main themes, and Dad is no exception. A pretty piano melody (which is highly reminiscent of Casper's Lullaby and other things), played by Horner himself is introduced in 'Prologue and Main Title', and recurs throughout: I suppose you could call this 'Dad's Theme' and it forms the cornerstone of the entire score. In 'Dad' it picks up a soft rock beat - a real highlight - and is presented in a softer, more poignant version in 'Saying Goodnight'. There is a secondary woodwind theme in 'The Vigil', and 'Taking Dad Home' begins with a strong, highly emotional melody as, in the film, Ted Danson finally cracks under the pressure of caring for the sick Jack Lemmon, before heading into a tender rendition of Dad's Theme. I really don't know how to describe 'Mopping The Floor' - it's like nothing we've seen before, Captain - but I suppose the best way would be to think of Yehudi Menuin on acid playing at a hoe-down. To be fair, other than 'Mopping the Floor', Dad never really hits you with anything particularly original or spectacular - its not a score which will make you roll around on the floor in awe of the music - but it is very, very nice. Subtle and charming, it makes a welcome addition to anyone's collection - especially that of a Horner fan like myself.

Track Listing: Running Time: 43 minutes 21 seconds

MCA Soundtracks (1989)

Music composed and conducted by James Horner. Orchestrations by Grieg McRitchie. Piano solos performed by James Horner. Album produced by James Horner and Jay Gruska.


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These web pages were designed and maintained by Jonathan Broxton copyright 1997. All opinions and views expressed on these pages are my own and are in no way intended to reflect those of my employer, the Trent Institute for Health Services Research, or those of the University of Sheffield.