The Shipping News

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Christopher Young was in the spotlights with this one. The movie, an intelligent drama about starting over and forgetting the past was about to shook the floor of the Academy Oscars in 2001 with Kevin Spacey and the director Lasse Hallstrom as biggest contenders of the evening. Yet Julianne Moore was equally convincing and the music of Christopher Young equally respected with critics as fans. He perhaps didn't take an Academy nomination for his work at home, he at least received his first Golden Globe nomination for it, considering the still unexplainable gap that Murder in the First left behind (a score way better then this one). Still, the flair of this Irish ditty isn't to be ignored either and at least Young was on board a project that many could have scored in his place, simply because of the typecasting of Young as horror composer. Normally, Rachel Portman would have been expected (due to the collaborations with director Lasse Hallstrom) yet the choice fell to Young instead. And not one that let to disappointment because Young's Irish effort is a lovely listening piece of Irish flair and emotional depth. Young's main theme is one that grows near the end, making it so lovely when the appearance at the last track surrounds you with its qualities. Another theme of Young could have been used more prominently because it equally has got qualities. And the rest is respectable, at times playful Irish folk, which can make an afternoon of your time at least interesting.

The opening and closing tracks are the best of the score, because here the main theme is splendidly revealed as a perfect, emotional cracker theme with Irish roots and emotional boundaries. 'Shipping News' and the longer 'Sail On' capture the theme where it appears on flute, supported through bodhram drums, bringing beautiful strings to the fare later one and then returning to even a larger sounding main theme performance. These are the two tracks in which in follows that path. The other two tracks where the theme appears are 'Killick-Claw Harbor' and 'Death Storm', and their performances are equally respected and appreciated. There are of course countless variations on the main theme or the secondary theme. 'The Gammy Bird' is a variation on the main theme and 'Weather Rhymes' a lovely track where the secondary theme appears soft yet beautiful. 'Killick-Claw Harbor' even has the two themes and here the solo flute performance of the secondary theme is excellent. Furthermore, 'Dutsi Jig' is a typical Irish piece, as the bagpipes bring an almost dance like piece to the fore, you either love its presence or neglect it as heard before, just in another wrapping paper. I must admit, it is one of the less intriguing pieces since I seem to pick perhaps nothing new out of it.

There are also some tracks which bring a difference in order, 'Seal Flipper Pie' captures a more dark variation on the main theme, and even if its dark it never feels too out of place, brooding or unpleasant. In fact you even like the sudden change a bit in tone. And 'Dog on Fire' brings through Irish instruments an equally emotional darker mood. As said the collision of strings and the begin of the main theme on its strongest makes the last track a joy to hear. Sadly here, the secondary theme doesn't receive a moment on air time, since a strong orchestral appearance of this theme (always performed through the score on guitar or solo flute) could have given it even more momentum. This overall makes of The Shipping News another testament of the capabilities and qualities of so called horror composer Christopher Young. The man has proven with the most diverse efforts to be more then just brass and thump when it comes down to horror. The Big Kahuna was an instrumental divvying listening experience and The Shipping News is equally great to listen to. That it stops a bit during the middle and that the secondary theme should have received more attention are tiny flaws you remember after the listen, but the main theme and several strong tracks make at least that overall, it is a pleasant listen for a Young enthusiast, Celtic freak of the genre as fan of the movie.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Shipping News (4.04) Excellent Track

2. The Gammy Bird (2.18)

3. Weather Rhymes (2.00)

4. Killick-Claw Harbor (3.30)

5. Deep Water Down (1.54)

6. Dutsi Jig (2.03)

7. One Kite Better (2.50)

8. Seal Flipper Pie (2.44)

9. Strictly Fishwrap (1.31)

10. Mooncussers (2.43)

11. Alwyn Spires (1.59)

12. Asleep With The Angel (3.18)

13. Death Storm (3.03)

14. Botterjacht (2.13)

15. Dog On Fire (3.08)

16. Sail On (6.16) Excellent Track

Total Length: 45.44

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Christopher Young ===