Passionada

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

While 2003 was somewhat the breakthrough year for Harry Gregson-Williams, it was years before that he finally broke through solo wise, yet hardly a soul mentioned it. In 2000 solo efforts were already brought to our attention yet we didn't mention it to anyone, 2002 already saw these solo efforts being released commercially but we hardly bought them to remember that to our fellow members. Still, in 2002 Passionada and Phone Booth were examples of Harry's versatile abilities, and Passionada is naturally the easier nice flowing listen. Its basically a love story with a passionate kiss for you to discover, but even though its not the big romantic passion, its still so lovely occasionally to dive into it. The Varèse release also features 3 songs and they typically are found in the genre of the film. While not being those love and like efforts, they are for one a little easier to appreciate then those for instance in Frida, and secondly while being scattered around Gregson-Williams' score, they somewhat make the score better because they flow well into the music, and make you notice the soft sound of Harry too. The 'Main Titles' are piano, strings and guitar and basically nothing there sounds surprising. But 'Vicki on her Bike' sure is fresh and daring I might say, I don't know if you could call it light techno with the vocal but it sure feels more modern then the next, however the guitar alone sets a flair to it that you hardly ignore the intentions of Gregson-Williams here, it feels so right. Other occasions where Harry inserts these fresh styles is in 'Vicky Has an Idea' where this time the flute makes for the welcome and fresh instrumental touch in the cue. Another part is where Gregson-Williams starts to dive into the experimental side of one Thomas Newman, and basically he succeeds too in that part. 'Beck the Cardcounter' is a side of experimentation with guitar, 'Portuguese Fishermen' with piano and beats a close cousin to those Newman scores.

While 'Vicky and Nana' is not experimental, it shows here the somber Thomas Newman voice and truly lets you believe the master is at work here. The most side is however for Gregson's true voice, the added guitar sets a side of emotion to the mysticism of 'Photo Memories', the dark sounding piano gets lighter through the addition of flute in 'Smooth as a Pooltable', the main theme is heard by guitar in 'The Lighthouse', graceful soft Spanish music for 'The Bakery' while the nice emotional growth (soft) makes 'Foodplay' one of the better tracks. However the nice surprises are found in 'Fish Trail', Thomas Newman like effects with guitar but the orchestra grows a bit here making it nice. And 'What Charlie Wants' is giving a nice light choral magic to the end which is surprising and yet welcome. Why choir is always nice with me is simple, usually it adds that little spark to it which makes it even better then before, and while soft here, its that little extra spark which makes it nice, nice, nice. Altogether, that's what Passionada is, nice. A listening experience which doesn't' ask too much of you, a score with several styles mixed in between and even the songs make the score a little smoother then for instance Frida and other consorts. Yet its Gregson-Williams voice all right and not the occasional Thomas Newman licks which are heard, because Veronica Guerin and other scores have little styles already waiting to emerge. Again, Passionada was hardly noticed by fans because it wasn't Gregson-Williams turn yet. Perhaps its now a little better to see the side of it, because it shows Harry is truly becoming more and more the front man of the Ex MV school. Good for him too, since they all believed these guys could only score action.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (2.34)

2. Photo Memories (1.30)

3. Vicki On Her Bike (1.35)

4. Beck The Cardcounter (1.45)

5. Fado Preparations (0.43)

6. Triste Sina: Misia (4.28)

7. Vicky Has An Idea (1.47)

8. Smooth As A Pooltable (2.12)

9. Portuguese Fishermen (1.11)

10. The Lighthouse (1.24)

11. The Bakery (3.19)

12. Foodplay (3.40)

13. Vicky And Nana (1.32)

14. Paixões Diagonais: Misia (4.07)

15. Fish Trail (1.59)

16. What Charlie Wants (3.30)

17. A Felicidade: Suba (4.12)

Total Length: 41.35

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

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