Sommersby

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

How many people can point out Danny Elfman from out of the mass when he's not doing Danny Elfman stuff? It is perhaps a weird question but if no one ever listened to Sommersby, they will surely feel themselves lucky if they eventually do. It is not only a score that sounds completely non Elfman like but it also captures a wider scope of sound, a bigger scope of tone and a fantastic tale of emotions. This is everything what The Family Man recently and Black Beauty years ago achieved, a musical tone of heaven. Perhaps the one sad thing is the absence of the choir, the typical choir of Elfman. But not to be disappointed by it, Elfman throws in some guitars and flutes and a hell of a main theme. This theme is just perfect and each time it receives its majestic phrase, you will be lucky you are listening to this and not some other score. Typically, the main theme is repeated a lot but when right, you will not bother anymore. Sommersby is everything what Elfman fans perhaps didn't want but in the end wished more of, an Elfman showing something not dark but beautifully emotionally laden.

First of all, this theme or at least a brief part of this score has been used countless times before, it features regularly as the logo music of one movie industry (I think it is Castle Rock Entertainment). Now this isn't a shame that they used a brief part of it because even with those 10 seconds, it sets a mood none other could achieve. The main theme, as said repeated more then often starts this score strong in 'Main Titles', heartfelt but still powerful in 'First Love', brilliantly in 'Return Montage' and again fantastically in the final track cleverly entitled 'Finale'. These tracks are stunning, and then I'm even forgetting its timeless performance during 'Going to Nashville', which sounds just like the first track but still is amazing to hear after all that time. But the thing that also sets this score into gear is the playful music (mostly Irish influenced like in Black Beauty and containing the same wit as those in The Family Man). These tracks are just plain Elfman, meaning no matter how different they may feel from the rest, they still remain goddamn excellent. Their performance in 'Welcoming', 'At Work' and especially in the last 'End Credits' are just plain brilliant. These two things solely are worth every time of this score, the ethnic material just helps to bring more diversity.

Overall, this score simply feels non Elfman like, which I consider a good thing. Black Beauty is heard in the last track, some trademarks during 'Mortal Sin' are noticed but for the rest it is simply non Elfman like and anyone wanting a different taste of Elfman's style will do just fine with Sommersby in their hands. The sole tiny miss complaint I might be having is apart from the over repetition of the theme, the mood that can get you down a bit on several short occasions. But the sudden change of emotional to bouncy wit will just lighten the mood up every time, which is perfect for the listening experience. Any Elfman fan not containing this score in his or her possession is missing a winner, more they are missing the true potential of Danny Elfman as composer. And for those who have something against his usual way of scoring, the blessing has been answered. Sommersby is for one and all one of the best emotional listens of its generation and film music at its best coming of Elfman alone. Man I never knew I was ever going to say that of darky dark Elfman.

\도도1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (4.42) Excellent Track

2. The Homecoming (1.58)

3. Welcoming (1.34)

4. First Love (3.55) Excellent Track

5. At Work (2.01)

6. Alone (4.22)

7. Return Montage (5.19) Excellent Track

8. Mortal Sin (4.38)

9. Homer (1.07)

10. Going To Nashville (1.42) Excellent Track

11. Baby (2.13)

12. Tea Cups (1.42)

13. Townsend's Tale (6.08)

14. Death (2.09)

15. Finale (4.02) Excellent Track

16. End Credits (3.16) Excellent Track

Total Length: 51.31

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Danny Elfman ===