Voyages (Compilation)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

This compilation of Varese Sarabande of '95 can still be considered as one of the best because it delivers all kinds of musical styles but still so enjoyable it makes you wonder how they did it. Voyages, combining all genres of Alan Silvestri together and does it with such a tremendous pride, it is nothing short but a testament to the musical career of one of the greatest composers alive. I'm not the man you should listen to but if one was wondering to get a jump start in the music of Silvestri, then by all means Voyages delivers the answers to your prayers. Most of the tracks are main themes or end titles of the various soundtracks but two receive special attention. Forrest Gump (one of his most successive scores) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (one of his most sought after releases) receive both massive treatment with combining various moments of score together. Together all what you need is a bag of "CHiPs" and enjoy what's coming your way.

After the short logo music, Joel McNeely guides the music of Forrest Gump into good hands with a special suite. It are in fact the first track and the last track combined and sound very impressive. Father of the Bride is one of his better comedic / drama themes and receives both a warm string sound as a jazzy twist. From Back to the Future III we receive the end credits music and Ricochet is a tension building piece which uses hints of Death Becomes Her's violin work. It is one of the lesser pieces but still audible if you are asking. The wonderful end credits of The Quick and the Dead is another perfect pastiche western addition which only differs from The Mexican with not using the choral sound. Richie Rich is another lovely comedic piece with a very enjoyable main theme and Romancing the Stone is also a little winner in its category. This by its entertaining edge of jazz and flavor of American rumba sound. A lot of people didn't like it but if it has a beat and a twist, I can enjoy it. Soapdish is no different in this, using a more Latino rumba based flavor (starting with the music heard briefly in The Birdcage). It is enjoyable as it is spicy.

The immense suite from Who Framed Roger Rabbit (conducted by John Scott) is another massive combination of various tracks glued together. It represents the score pretty well, using the begin action based music as some fanfares of heroism and while at it some sleazy sexy seductive themes and of course the main love theme, also the judge's theme is heard in all good working order. The Abyss always works with its choral wonder and The Clan of the Cave Bear is a welcome order (sounding somewhat in the line of Flight of the Navigator). Death Becomes Her's final end cue is the best track of that initial score and is the only music needed to be heard. Finally Predator 2 is another wonderful musical movement with especially an excellent threatening use of choir at the end. I believe Voyages is a wonderful compilation to begin with, Castaway offered some exact same moments of score but here you have various others and also two suites of combined moments. So, definitely the trip worthy if you have the interest towards a lot of enjoyable minutes, say an hour of fun and pleasure.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Silver Pictures Logo (0.19)

2. Forrest Gump (9.20) Excellent Track

3. Father Of The Bride (2.27)

4. Back To The Future Part III (4.00) Excellent Track

5. Ricochet (2.12)

6. The Quick And The Dead (3.36)

7. Richie Rich (5.59)

8. Romancing The Stone (5.19)

9. Soapdish (3.51)

10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (11.19)

11. The Abyss (3.12) Excellent Track

12. Clan Of The Cave Bear (2.57)

13. Death Becomes Her (5.46)

14. Predator 2 (8.46) Excellent Track

Total Length: 69.38

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=== Link to Composer Site: Alan Silvestri ===