Talent for the Game (Bootleg)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

The case with David Newman was, he may have written already then music for bad films (or simply non interesting ones) but at least he could deliver a more serious tone to those drama / comedies then he has to show for now. And Talent for the Game was no different, because I say who remembers this film? So at least the movie was no success, and the score was never released commercially. So with 25 minutes you had to suffice and the sound is rather good, like for instance Firebirds. So gladly, the Newman fanatics will try to pick up this album, because its an easy but pleasant score as well. And so the time might pass quickly, but also pleasantly. Its actually a serious mix between the tone of Gross Anatomy and the theme of Firebirds, and makes so for some 20 minutes of Newman fun. Truth be told, you could easily see 'Track 1' as Gross Anatomy material because the moment the piano makes way for the whirling strings, you just expect the theme of Gross to burst out. But now it starts to show a typical Newman fanfare as main theme, kinda like Firebirds as said. And so that will cover the rest of the score by tone easily. 'Track 2' has some beat with a light Texan mood and easily is forgotten when the main theme and Gross Anatomy strings start to whirl in 'Track 3' This track shows the most the main theme and actually sounds rather cool in tone with this score, kinda light heroic to the point it isn't serious enough.

And so the score fluently yet not exceptionally forwards the seconds to the moment just the themes are heard, and remembered in the end, which of course makes Talent for the Game for fans alone. The tracks that are noticed are 'Track 5', when after soft music we hear the beat like main theme ala Firebirds, 'Track 6' with its whirling Gross Anatomy string moments, piano in 'Track 7' showing again the soft touch of Newman at work. 'Track 10' is a soft piece and has a meandering quality to it, especially with the piano at work. And 'Track 11' is equally soft meandering music, a perhaps not fitting end to the score, but a relaxing one nonetheless. Perhaps its enough for some, perhaps not for others but I didn't expect miracles of this disc anyway, so Newman fans will easily love the soft tone, the good main theme moments and the references to the other scores of him. And that the quality of the score's sound is rather good also makes for easier listening, so Talent for the Game has at least some small things fans will like. So, a David Newman completist with a keen sense to grab the score by hand will not find astonishing material but at least a welcome easy score from David, a more avid collector of strong albums will not think the world of it. But its at least fun for a background score and the time will pass easily and fluently, more at times you don't need to have for film music listening.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Track 1 (3.12)

2. Track 2 (1.42)

3. Track 3 (6.51)

4. Track 4 (1.35)

5. Track 5 (1.37)

6. Track 6 (1.56)

7. Track 7 (1.37)

8. Track 8 (1.58)

9. Track 9 (1.23)

10. Track 10 (2.59)

11. Track 11 (0.54)

Total Length: 25.51

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

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