Grand Canyon

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

It doesn't take long to figure out that the music central in the movie Grand Canyon is of massive importance. Not only the way the music attracts your attention but that the movie itself needs the music to make the point, rage, anger, frustration, hope or comfort, it all means so much when the music takes center stage. Grand Canyon of James Newton Howard in that part isn't far away from his recent Unbreakable, that it uses the same choral accompaniment to address the emotional link but still, this score goes sometimes on a different path as the other. A lot of people haven't heard this score which is a shame because as Alive, it listens good and it has great moments to offer you. And just like any score James Newton Howard has written, it is the choral approach that does wonders when you think you have heard it all or before, Grand Canyon has that approach more then ever, with my fullest approval.

Already from the beginning the music is interesting when combined with the visual approach. Such it is with 'Main Titles' where the main theme is driven and building towards its strongest version, like any score of Howard does. This theme is very good to listen to and has both the energy as the pace a good theme should acquire to keep it interesting. Why interesting? Because it is used a lot and then the choral approach or accompaniment is most welcome. 'My Sister lives around Here / Those Rocks' has a perfect mix of choral magic and 'Don't want Out' is the same. Also here the electric guitar is heard to give it that feeling of rage and anger. 'Mack and Claire's Dream' has good choral moments and the best track is 'Grand Canyon Fanfare / End Titles' which offers both a fantastic fanfare as the emotional theme of track 7 supported through a heavenly choir. For the rest we have soft moments, sometimes a jazzy approach or the use of the electric guitar (especially there the roots of James Newton Howard are most welcomly heard) and together this score stays interesting and entertaining to hear.

There is also a song on board which is as fitting as the score itself and will work even during the middle of the original score. Overall this soundtrack doesn't bring a lot of brilliant things. But it still remains good to hear and even the material that is used a bit in the same vein doesn't destroy this. I always thought that the score of Howard, underscore or no underscore always worked to entertain me and his scores are living proof of that. Grand Canyon is just the perfect score for the movie it accompanies and if people want more choral music the way Howard introduces it each time, then I most sincerely recommend it. Or perhaps watch the movie, because the music makes it 2 times interesting then it already is. Lawrence Kasdan rightfully used the skills Howard laid upon him and Grand Canyon doesn't become the best score, but definitely another great listen.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (3.35)

2. Claire Returns The Baby (1.11)

3. My Sister Lives Around Here / Those Rocks (1.58) Excellent Track

4. Bloodstain (2.05)

5. The Baby (2.47)

6. Don't Work Late (0.52)

7. Mack's Flashback (1.21)

8. Don't Want Out (6.44)

9. Searching For A Heart: Warren Zevon (4.15)

10. Mack And Claire's Dream (5.26)

11. Dee In Brentwood (0.47)

12. Otis Runs (3.53)

13. You White? (1.26)

14. Keep The Baby (1.29)

15. Doesn't Matter (0.44)

16. Grand Canyon Fanfare / End Titles (4.10) Excellent Track

Total Length: 43.07

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

=== Link to Composer Site: James Newton Howard ===