The Magic of Marciano (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

The Magic of Marciano was described as a labor of love, from both the director as the man who ultimately scored it, his friend Harry Gregson-Williams. What's it about I really don't know since this small art house film quickly fell below the radar, but its a drama and this short promo shows Gregson-Williams nicely wrapped things up in the drama touch. At first its not that special to make it your next hard to get item, because for that not enough score is found and secondly, therefore its not the best non score found by Harry Gregson-Williams. But some things make it better to not completely ignore it, and that's because The Magic of Marciano has such a theme which breaths 2 styles, either dramatic and not happy, or when little altered it becomes a charming nice main theme which gives hope again to all that's listening. In the first track 'Opening Titles' the piano and strings don't set a welcome main theme to the forefront, which makes it perhaps a little sadder then usual, but still its nice enough to mention it. At times even some James Horner is heard through it (when he scores intimate dramas). And a light vocal effect is bringing that cue a little more of that emotional burden, which is good for the real strength of this intimate little score. 'James Images' is again darker then usual, with the piano setting the tone to it, and again this light solo female vocal is heard briefly over it. 'Katie's Depression' is not promising much difference and despite the light urgency at times in the music, again the soft solo voice and the constant toying with variations on the theme make it a little heavier then usual, but it all stays whistable and appropriate to hear.

Nothing much changes with 'Restless Night', with the main theme heard on piano. Luckily at times there is some room for a happier little moment, and that is 'I.Q. Test' which gives a little upbeat side a chance to grow briefly near the end. At least it sounds a little happier then what we heard before. Yet it changes back to the more light darker sound after that, the main theme at most occasions heard through variations, occasionally that solo vocal setting a sense of emotion to that, the piano usually stating the real emotion with that, and 'The Courtroom', 'I want to See her' and especially 'Catatonic' are therefore not sadder and weaker, but different from what ends the score. 'Through the Eyes of old Soul' is back a longer track (considering the rest) and while stating the main theme directly on the piano (which begins to sound more and more like Angela's Ashes the more you hear it), and hearing the solo vocal once more, there is this side in the music which suddenly changes the tone with growing strings and orchestra which makes it equally emotional, but with a feeling it could all go better from here on, especially the nice flute solo makes us aware of that. Harry Gregson-Williams didn't score this movie to be noticed, but at times the small movies carry the good moments and themes, and besides The Match, The Magic of Marciano carries a good main theme and a sound which makes you believe the composer put a side of himself into it, and shows that small intimate scores usually carry a strength to them all the same. The Magic of Marciano is nice, a little darker ala Angela's Ashes (when considering the more bigger brother to that) but also makes it for fans of the composer a small piece of intrigue, which perhaps makes it a part of themselves without knowing.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Opening Titles (3.56)

2. James Images (1.52)

3. Katie's Depression (4.42)

4. Restless Night (1.20)

5. The Boat (1.13)

6. The I.Q. Test (1.50)

7. The Courtroom (0.58)

8. Foster Care (0.37)

9. I Want to See Her (1.21)

10. Catatonic (1.38)

11. Through The Eyes Of Old Soul (3.20) Excellent Track

Total Length: 22.54

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Harry Gregson - Williams ===