Memphis Belle

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Everybody by now knows something about composer George Fenton. A classical voice in the movie industry that has amazed more than often people with his soundtracks. But somehow a classic like Memphis Belle has slipped the review which unfortunately for it deserved to be recognized once and for all. I haven't seen the movie but know perfectly what it goes about, merely about a group of pilots who fight in World War 2 for the sky and learn what war is all about, even in the air. Since knowing a bit of George Fenton, I saw him succeeding but also failing as composer of this movie. Because I was thinking about In Love and War, the classical romanticized score that received both the emotional love as the perfect war music. So I wasn't really prepared for what Memphis Belle would deliver but I sure do know why they have praised this score so much. One of the reasons why I perhaps like this score is its direct link towards Hans Zimmer's Backdraft. Strange but true, the main theme really reeks closely of the theme of Zimmer's classic and sometimes the approach is just Backdraft. Now, I'm not going to start by saying that Zimmer borrowed this approach because the theme alone here takes a different route after a time but still, the similarities are quite interesting to follow.

First of all, I must confess again by saying that this is another recording, and this usually means that several (unwanted) tracks have been deleted. I never delete score but when you receive source material such as the jazz pieces (3 of them), then I wisely skipped them. So expect when purchasing this score that three jazz pieces are thrown with it. Now considering what I said about In Love and War, it is Memphis Belle that at times takes the same style in the musical approach. At least in occasions, 'The London Air / Front Titles: Memphis Belle' starts with a classical romantic piece but soon changes into the main theme by Fenton (Zimmer) Backdraft and quotes it gentle but already then darn effective. Especially the drum marches that precede it really do sound Backdraft like in nature or at least hint that. '"Prepare for Take Off" (Amazing Grace)' uses a flute accompaniment of this famous War piece during the score but the real highlight of this disc is 'The Final Mission', a four minute tour de force of amazing orchestral fanfares that rain from the sky like the bombs itself. And it is not this over patriotic side but just excellent heroic music. The main theme receives perfect orchestral power through the orchestration and performance of the orchestra. This truly is something I didn't saw coming and makes score albums like this a dream come true for film music fans.

The other tracks all cover a different piece of music, whether it are mournful solos or piano accompaniment or dangerous foreboding music, it all sets the story quite well. The only unfortunate aspect is, these are not highlight and the single track that brings forth this excellence is 'Memphis Belle: End Title Suite', an eight minute recapitulation of all the themes, including the dramatic theme and the powerful fanfares of track 4, also at times the music (during the piano moment) becomes distinctly Vangelis like and of course Backdraft in nature. The song at the end which was used as a theme by Fenton in track 1 is another enjoyable version in the line of many versions heard elsewhere. The sole reason however why Fenton's score doesn't receive a higher quotation is the absence of more score. I have no doubt that several score tracks (especially tracks such as 4) were deleted from the list, or perhaps simply pieces that were good to listen to. Because take away the jazz pieces and the song and the running time is just 30 minutes. Enough to make the point but still. Memphis Belle is an excellent piece of music with at least 12 minutes of music to die for and the rest of it music that succeeds to interest me, it is then also a score I recommend when you are searching for difference in Fenton's career or power in his scoring technique. More than ever, Memphis Belle has both in abundance.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The London Air / Front Titles: Memphis Belle (3.57)

2. The Steel Lady (1.49)

3. "Prepare For Take Off" (Amazing Grace) (2.44)

4. The Final Mission (3.56) Excellent Track

5. "With Deep Regret ..." (2.06)

6. The Bomb Run (1.36)

7. Limping Home (2.30)

8. Crippled Belle: The Landing (3.31)

9. Resolution (1.08)

10. Memphis Belle: End Title Suite (7.43) Excellent Track

11. Danny Boy: Mark Williamson (3.34)

Total Length: 34.43

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

=== Link to Composer Site: George Fenton ===