Free Willy

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

One year after the light, breezy and oceanic Wind, Basil Poledouris returns to the seas with the family drama score Free Willy. And surprisingly nothing much really differs from the way Poledouris introduces the sound of the ocean and the water. It then of course makes Free Willy a great listen when you thought that Wind was all that you needed to start a sailing training exercise on your own. And personally I find there is none better then Poledouris to describe both the sea and the family feel when it concerns Free Willy's mood. It makes the soundtrack a gem of emotion, an excellent listen for the fans and soothing for a background mood. The synthesizers (Wind), the harmonica in track 2 as the full main theme performance in any other moment create an incredible listening experience for young and old.

First of all, I believe there are many that have heard the main theme of Free Willy before, was it on the scores of Basil Poledouris, on the third by Cliff Eidelman or simply in the movie, it is still one of the best family themes I have ever heard and it truly fits amazingly well with the scenery at the end. Its hard not to cry if you know what I mean. The best main theme performances are found in 'Main Title', with its Wind synthesizers watery effects and the 12 minute 'Farewell Suite', an excellent Poledouris construction of emotion, heroism and a happy ending to top it all off. The more playful moments are discovered in 'Connection', 'The Gifts' and the best of the three 'Friends Montage'. But luckily these are never childish. And especially those that saw the movie will love one of Michael Jackson's best songs that ends the movie, I deleted the remix version also found on the album with the several songs that were included on the disc. I only needed the one by Jackson, with the excellent choral backup.

I can not deny that it may look childish, standing at the counter with a Free Willy film but the Free Willy album is not embarrassing, it is Basil Poledouris' talent that he composed music that will be enjoyed by both child as adult. And that my friends is the greatest compliment I can give for Basil's soundtrack. It is overall still one of the best listens of his career, because it has everything that makes a winning album on disc: a main theme of beauty and emotion, a mood full of adventure and friendship and a song by one of the greatest rock stars the world has ever known that captures all that in 4 minutes. Together mixed with the rest of the songs it has a satisfying control of both the emotion and your interest. Free Willy remains an incredible listen for its fans of the movie, and of course the Basil devotees that want more of this each year.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (5.06) Excellent Track

2. Connection (1.44)

3. The Gifts (5.19)

4. Friends Montage (3.40) Excellent Track

5. Audition (2.04)

6. Farewell Suite (12.01) Excellent Track

a) Jessie Says Goodbye

b) Let's Free Willy!

c) Return To Freedom

7. Will You Be There: Michael Jackson (3.40) Excellent Track

Total Length: 33.47

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Basil Poledouris ===