Fire Birds (Bootleg)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

As many have said it already, David Newman remains a favorite amongst the fans, but a favorite composer practically nobody buys scores from, because you heard one you heard them all. The fact of the matter is, he scores (is probably forced too) so many comedies he just (is forcing himself) continues to bring that same sound, because that specific stupid film is forcing him to that sound. What a relief is it then to occasionally catch a glimpse of his more obscure work, non comedic wise. Fire Birds or a failed attempt to repeat the same air force gunho action Top Gun did so well, this time with Helicopters instead of fighter planes. That you make this assumption is occasionally clear from the tone of the score. No doubt about it, Newman keeps his voice here steady and firm, but it had to contain that touch that equally made Top Gun such a hit album, despite having barely score at all. That its Newman is clearly already from the first track, 'Track 1' is covering a fanfare based main theme only he could score, you just hear it that way. Its a fetchy theme and you wished it was used more in the score, despite coming at times long enough on board to hear it. Anyway, this theme suddenly is accentuated more with background beats and here you notice the Top Gun like influences, after that it turns to suspension music, which bases itself on the theme but loosely. Despite its action based nature, occasionally different tracks are heard, like a more moody set of tones in 'Track 2', with a horn solo setting the tone firmly, 'Track 8' is then for the first time covering a love theme statement if you will, kinda light and flightily (like Flipper of McNeely and Free Willy of Poledouris), repeating itself in 'Track 10'. And by 'Track 12' you get the total difference in tone, with finger snapping and the love theme, followed with what seems like total Faltermeyer based music, electronics take over and lay down the hand with beats, electric guitar and rhythms, but Newman still does it well enough, maybe even better.

But its the action music that you will be interested in the most I guess. And while covering some 12 minutes of it on this disc, its sad its heard all in one track. 'Track 6' is one mammoth 13 minute whooper and has the energy and the action variations on the theme to keep you interested. And while the tone is good, you want more clarity and brevity to make sure you catch that energy more then now. Its final minute is letting the Top Gun influence take center stage, the more uplifting material with beats and electric guitar, welcome back Harold Faltermeyer. It doesn't have the interesting flow like Operation Dumbo Drop but its good overall. Of course there is still more, with the cool (almost comical playful tones) intermingling itself with the main theme statements, which always sound cool in 'Track 5'. 'Track 3' before that is letting some suspension music take center stage because the beat is growing as the urge is becoming more dangerous, its a nice tone. More Top Gun like fast and cool in 'Track 7', fanfares are good and its strong and serious enough to belief it. 'Track 9' is covering that same lonely trumpet solo that's occasionally noticed. Altogether not enough for the fan who searches for a very good David Newman score, but its so much better to hear then all of those comedy washes and especially its for the more die hard David Newman fans out there, who equally get sick and tired of comedy and nothing else. Now with Fire Birds there is an alternative. With 40 minutes and a very good sound quality, only lacking the clarity as said brevity, its Top Gun ala David Newman and might not make for sales like the song album of Top Gun (hence the reason why its on bootleg format) but it at least shows David Newman in more serious form, and it makes him sound like a better composer too.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Track 1 (5.46)

2. Track 2 (1.31)

3. Track 3 (3.10)

4. Track 4 (1.05)

5. Track 5 (1.35)

6. Track 6 (13.16)

7. Track 7 (4.02)

8. Track 8 (1.34)

9. Track 9 (2.34)

10. Track 10 (2.42)

11. Track 11 (1.00)

12. Track 12. (4.36)

Total Length: 42.56

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

=== Link to Composer Site: David Newman ===