The Land Before Time

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Don Bluth, the mind behind some of the best animations today always had a talent for finding the right doses of musical soundscape. The Secret of NIMH was scored by Goldsmith (for some it is one of his best), Anastasia brought David Newman to the forefront, he received his first Academy nomination (to some it is one of his finest), Titan A.E. brought new technological advance and Revell scored it (for persons one that deserves a release). And yet, James Horner scored both An American Tail and The Land Before Time (for some couple of his bests). Horner simply understands both the thematic landscape and the vocal accompaniment to deliver for such an animation. And it seems that all the big executive producers (Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall) brought the inspiration for Horner to score, today the soundtrack is known for its vast amount of original and inspirational music, today it is known as Horner in the really good days. These days people wonder if Horner will write something original for a change, well if he had it in himself it must come out sooner or later. Until then you can always go back to the really prime examples of fun and inspiration. And The Land before Time stands fast and tight on that first position. It offers gorgeous playful themes, the ones that sound so good, so soft yet so firm.

So proud that they lose that animated sound yet become the half of childlike fun. This is no more a score for young kiddies, but it has that feeling that even people of 90 years old will enjoy it no more, no less. The biggest luck of The Land before Time is indeed The King's College Choir's performance. This brings so much more feel to it all, I can only wonder how on earth they glorify the third track at the end 'Whisperings Winds'. The first track 'The Great Migration' offers all themes into roughly 8 minutes of divvying film music. I hardly felt that the bombastic power of The London Symphony Orchestra was needed, yet it feels that bit more when you listen to it. The song, always a proud investment when Horner is on the case is another winner. Both Diana Ross' singing and Horner's themes makes this a great contender. To let people still know about the young nature of the tiny dinosaurs there is the playful (sometimes classical sound (don't start)) in 'Foraging for Food'. Not the highlight but fun, fun, fun. The last two tracks are the real highlights and bring some of Horner's most enjoyable music ever written. The whole score has its tiny feel that listens and probably sounds a bit like those "other" scores but you can not start arguing, Horner builds his themes so strong there is no comparison to make with other soundtracks. Let's say that some of other classics benefit from their material.

So, in the end you get what people want, an animated score that doesn't sound childish, yet has that feel to entertain the young ones, and those young at heart. I feel that the score starts cooking when we reach the song of Diana Ross, before its soft but so beautiful. Horner is is some ways one of the film music masters, and animated compositions have proven this, he can bring that feel required to make it a winner, both the movie and the score. The Land before Time is one of Horner's best imaginative soundtracks and it listens like pure gold. I recommend it for those who remain to see Horner as nothing more then an unoriginal composer. I urge you to beg for forgiveness after you have heard this pearl of movie music, he can write and has composed some poor soundtracks (like anyone in the industry), but he has at the other hand composed some of the best in the business. He is as all the composers only human, with its faults but with his talents, and if he keeps finding them at this tempo, then we have nothing to worry about for the future.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Great Migration (7.49) Excellent Track

2. Sharptooth And The Earthquake (10.32)

3. Whispering Winds (9.00) Excellent Track

4. If We Hold On Together: Diana Ross (4.07) Excellent Track

5. Foraging For Food (7.15)

6. The Rescue / Discovery Of The Great Valley (12.43) Excellent Track

7. End Credits (6.24) Excellent Track

Total Length: 58.12

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

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