Valiant

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

With Valiant, George Fenton ventures into the animation / computer animated business for the first time, and he really wanted to make a success of it. That's why you don't have to see Valiant as a comedic score but a serious endeavor and a good listen. But comparing to the score most will compare it with namely Memphis Belle, it still lacks some punch and besides, it isn't Fenton's best. Things to consider, things to accept because we really weren't expecting Deep Blue or anything. But that score really made me a fan of his work, and along with Dangerous Beauty and Anna and the King, its intoxicating to see such thematic brilliance wrapped in scores. Valiant isn't that strong but its a nice darn good listen and makes up for time with 48 minutes well enough. Thing is, its got a catchy theme but perhaps not the ultimate theme, it hasn't got a super killer moment (even though track 12 comes close) like Memphis Belle but still, its got moments and above all Deep Blue was superior because of the emotion and large scale moments. Valiant isn't gun ho bombast and warns the listener with that easily after minutes, but its especially got moments that grow loud and heroic, but not loud enough perhaps for those who want Memphis Belle or worse Cutthroat Island. But of course, take the things the way they are, and Valiant starts therefore with the good main theme already lurking heroically in the manner you expect it. 'Valiant', its got that undeniable English War manner, that typical tone for a war tune and a heroic ditty combined, its got that undeniable quality of liking it the more you hear it. But its not a super theme, but then how many themes are nowadays? Another even more typical war march is heard in 'March of the R.H.P.S.' with drums and whistling and the whole brass manner.

In 'Wish me Luck' and 'Victoria and the Final Training' the more thematic heroic moments grow, the theme and especially some Pirate trademarks in 7, before a brief love theme or moment is heard. By then 'Arrival at Camp / Drummed out of rhe Claw / In the Coop' throws in some Horner like jazz and its not difficult to hear some themes alike to his many jazzy tunes of Jamie. Of course some underscore is equally presented, 'Van Talon and the Bastion' and 'Mouse Division' capture both the more darker material for the bad pigeon as the more plucky light comedy touches, of which the score is surprisingly few off. 'The Eve of the Mission (Adagio)' has then some lighter music mixed with growing moments and 'Decoys' and 'Re Grouping' has the more pumping action music with fanfares, not always melodic but still thrilling enough when you're in the right mood. The big blockbuster of the disc is 'The Rescue and Escape' and that for 12 minutes long, its especially an action pleaser because it throws the best theme versions in grand style along with more pumping action music and some darker suspension moments, it wouldn't feel out of place on Memphis Belle, but then on the other hand Memphis Belle still has the more flying grandeur touches Valiant just doesn't reach yet. Another growing finale is served in 'Winged Heroes (Adagio and Fanfare)' while the marching tune is heralded in 'End Titles / March of the R.H.P.S.' with the typical overblown War regime touch. The song by Mis-Teeq isn't totally out of place, and kinda fits, but still its not a truly brilliant version of it anyway, how cool it may sound all the same. Together, Valiant really makes for a fun album, and the orchestral rousing moments are as ever classy with Fenton, but there is still a difference in how I compare them, and Memphis Belle (a score in the same genre) is still more rousing, and his other classics are far more emotive and grand then Valiant. That doesn't' make however Valiant a weak or average album, it definitely has moments Fenton fans will love and a 12 minute action track always sounds good doesn't it?

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Valiant (2.27)

2. March Of The R.H.P.S. (1.31)

3. "Wish Me Luck" (2.07)

4. Meeting Bugsy (0.58)

5. Arrival At Camp / Drummed Out Of The Claw / In The Coop * (2.44)

6. Van Talon And The Bastion (3.22)

7. Victoria And The Final Training (1.47)

8. The Eve Of The Mission (Adagio) (3.53)

9. Mouse Division (4.17)

10. Decoys (2.14)

11. Re Grouping (1.08)

12. The Rescue And Escape (12.43) Excellent Track

13. Winged Heroes (Adagio And Fanfare) (1.37)

14. End Titles / March Of The R.H.P.S. ** (2.59)

15. Shoo Shoo Baby: Mis-Teeq (2.39)

* Performed by Chris Dean and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra

** Performed by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Total Length: 47.18

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

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