Back to Titanic

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Ka-ching! Today, Shania Twain couldn't have sung it any better for the fate of Titanic, its winning movie and soundtrack. Everything that was attached to the label sold simply and the fact was, it was earned even if you liked it or not. Of course, for soundtrack lovers, people soon started to look for more music from James Horner's winning score, and believe it or not, there were several pieces not heard on the original album that needed to be there, or at least warranted a more music from sequel release. Not entitled "more music from" but simply Back to Titanic, this disc recreates everything that was good from the score. But here, unlike More Music from Braveheart, there is so much new material, its quite stunning to realize there are still surprises to be found, coming from the score we all know by heart. Some 50 minutes of Horner's music is released, which is quite extraordinary for the fact the original album lasted for almost 80 minutes too. Here 79 minutes and counting, Back to Titanic still brings several pieces worthy of attention. We have the requested piano solos during the sketch scene, Horner's own piano work performing the main theme during 'The Portrait' is beautiful and quite emotionally touching before a rousing suspension track unleashes more ideas from the sinking ship. 'A Building Panic' differs though from the rest when a choir adds more depth to the proceeding and that the rumbling of the piano and orchestra is somewhat different then we are used to from hearing of Horner, even in the original soundtrack. Its another highlight to say the least.

Other new tracks of Horner are 'Jack Dawson's Luck', which is a jig for violin and later bagpipe picking up a bit of rhythm after a while, but it basically repeats the same stuff which makes it not too important. 'Lament' basically adds noting remarkable except for some violin solos reminding the listener of Legends of the Fall. And what about 'A Shore Never Reached', which is simply Saving Private Ryan in tone for almost 2 minutes (you wouldn't know the difference if you swapped them for soundtrack) before Celine Dion's winning song reappears, even though this time with dialogue. Its well chosen and adds a certain kind of effect on it but its not special in giving the song its boost or power. 'An Irish Party in Third Class' adds the Irish bagpipe music from the deck below with dialogue (which doesn't make sense since we could easily look to the scene in the movie and it would be the same) while 'Come Josephine, in My Flying Machine' is a quiet touching and moving slow piece that does somewhat effectively capture the mood well. However, there are 2 mammoth suites from Horner's music opening and closing the score, and they are lightly put amazing stuff altogether. Adding nothing new, its the wonderful collision of bagpipes and choir performing the main theme in 'Titanic Suite' that makes it so special. And 'Epilogue / The Deep and Timeless Sea' does it even better, here vocalist Sissel, choir, bagpipes and light orchestra collide in giving the main theme unseen beauty, how light it may sound all the same. Some people have complained about the lack of power in these 2 suites, but that is not the point since its basically a return to the sea, an ode to the tragedy and a light redemption for the victims of its disaster. Simply put, Back to Titanic does the astonishing fact of adding minimally 50 minutes more of Horner's music not featured on the score before. The two suites are basically repeating much of the already released material but their variations of the themes make the results spine tingling beautiful nonetheless.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Titanic Suite (19.04) Excellent Track

2. An Irish Party In Third Class +* (3.47)

3. Alexander's Ragtime Band ++ (2.30)

4. The Portrait (4.43) Excellent Track

5. Jack Dawson's Luck (5.38)

6. A Building Panic (8.08) Excellent Track

7. Nearer My God To Thee (2.49)

8. Come Josephine, In My Flying Machine: Maire Brennan * (3.32)

9. Lament (4.36)

10. A Shore Never Reached (4.27)

11. My Heart Will Go On: Celine Dion * (4.42)

12. Nearer My God To Thee +++ (2.22)

13. Epilogue / The Deep And Timeless Sea (12.36) Excellent Track

* contains dialogue

+ performed by Gaelic Storm

++ performed by I Salonisti

+++ performed by Eileen Ivers

Total Length: 79.06

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

=== Link to Composer Site: James Horner ===