Harry and the Hendersons

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

I know, it doesn't make the perfect combination at first but Harry and the Hendersons and The Goonies still make an FFF album; full fun family release. Both scores aren't the most talked about releases and probably this has to do with the obscurity of both titles. Since The Goonies was released in Japan (solely the cover says enough), it wasn't easy to pick it out of the list. But a trusted online shop has given me the possibility to purchase it for a price of $28. Both scores are frankly also guilty pleasures, family scores that enchanted me one way or another with themes and moments that are remembered simply because they were fun. And probably it isn't a bad thing in checking out both releases separately. First Harry and the Hendersons, one of Bruce Broughton's earliest projects which you probably saw when you were younger and presented here with acceptable sound quality but nothing more on that part. Broughton's 30 minute score offers us the main part of the movie and delivers classical, horror and the main familiar friendship sound. This also means that people who haven't seen the picture will surely feel that 'Harry in the House' is simply dreadful and this also includes 'Footprints' for some reason. But as any score that offers a bit of childlike monster horror it fits with what it has to represent in the movie, and that includes the musical effect as part of that feeling.

The score listens exactly as what the movie is presenting on screen, first Harry sounds and looks terrifying and this is really heard in Broughton's score. Then the music becomes rather calm apart from some scary interruptions and the more family and friendship music is found at the end with 'Good-byes' as its best piece of music. Still the main part is rather scary and difficult to appreciate on its own, and sometimes hearing the instruments with less than a sharp quality isn't helpful either. It remains a questionable subject, and Broughton fans might find it more important than others. Harry and the Hendersons is at times more than appropriate and it offers a more than powerful score in sound and construction of Broughton, representing Bigfoot (or better said Harry) with a lovely theme. But those nasty and sometimes overbearing pieces of music still influence your judgement in any way or form. Also don't be startled when you hear the begin, I know this sounds extremely classical (Haydn) but it belongs with the score. Harry and the Hendersons fits more then ever with the movie, as a standalone listen it doesn't function actually the way I expected it. It isn't bad but non Broughton fans won't find it as half as interesting. Try the movie for all its worth when your interested because Bruce Broughton isn't exactly the Bigfoot of Hollywood in the first place.

Another example of a fun little score is Dave Grusin's The Goonies, there to let you enjoy your inner childlike soul with adventurous music. And those that are looking for that little opening cue right out of the movie, well its here and it is really cool. Sometimes it are the little attempts that bring the joy when you simply want something short and decent, and in any way this score is good fun overall. The score starts with an excellent little scherzo and the way the music develops is very good. It has pace and the main theme (for the Fratellis) is all over the place, deviant but fun at the same time. 'Booby Traps' is really the only "?difficult?" track, having some dissonant notes but nothing horrible. Other tracks worth mentioning are 'The Water Slide', a short but fun cue and 'The Ship Fight' were Sloth performs his own Superman act. The ninth track has a variation on the main theme, heard in the first and third track. The Goonies isn't big but what it delivers is fun, adventure music for the entire family. Dave Grusin didn't make it complicating and this explains the pleasure. If I would want to pick out the best of the two, it has to be The Goonies. This because it listens in general more appropriate but Harry and the Hendersons still offers what it has to do and sometimes it is that what you have to accept. This double CD release offers acceptable sound quality and probably some highlights for Broughton and Grusin fans. Worth a try if you saw the films and want to spend a little money for a change on something less known. One little thing: the track listings at the end of the page aren't correct. This CDR bootleg was sold without the track listings, Harry and the Hendersons is available on the internet and is definitely correct, those from The Goonies are created by me. They are pretty accurate but not all of them. So, if you have the correct track listings or you feel that some are misplaced, do not hesitate to answer. I would be extremely grateful.

Harry and the Hendersons: ***
The Goonies: ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

Harry and the Hendersons

1. Main Title (3.02)

2. Some Dumb Thing (2.26)

3. Irene! (1.29)

4. Harry In The House (4.12)

5. Harry Takes Off (3.17)

6. Your Feets Too Big (3.11)

7. Drawing Harry (1.47)

8. Taking Harry Home (2.55)

9. Foot Prints (4.16)

10. Good-byes (4.04)

11. "Harry And The Hendersons" (3.27)

Total Length: 34.07

The Goonies

1. The Escape (3.18) Excellent Track

2. Booby Traps (3.45)

3. Breaking Down The Pipes (1.20)

4. The Water Slide (0.50)

5. One Eye Willie (2.55)

6. The Ship Fight (1.18)

7. Found The Gold (1.13)

8. Back In Family Arms (3.02)

9. End Credits (2.19)

10. The Goonies March (2.28)

Total Length: 22.28

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

=== Link to Composer Sites: Bruce Broughton & Dave Grusin ===