White Squall

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

As always I was amazed by what Ridley Scott managed to portray on the screen, I liked the movie very much but there was one major asset that intrigued me, Jeff Rona's score for the movie. I am always surprised when people talk about Jeff Rona, they simply mention that his music he scored for Chicago Hope was good and that's it, well I feel that you're missing a really good score. Ridley wasn't happy with the first attempt and rejected the score, he went to Hans Zimmer for help but Hans was unavailable, he instead mentioned Jeff Rona and things all started to work out marvelously. White Squall has a simple yet excellent main theme and a mood that will intrigue many people. In this case you must say that he has scored a musical water project that flourishes with each note you hear. It is in fact such a treasure that you will get goosebumps each time you hear the score. No matter how Media Ventures' composers influence your end result, it is simply a terrific example of what else they can deliver, namely a stylish and profound listening experience. The score has what fans love of James Horner, namely his Scottish sound, next it delivers a main theme that perhaps sounds so simplistic, yet its so full of power and emotion and finally the experience that you are hearing the better moments of Toys mixed with the floating feeling of Wind. Yet what it offers of actual highlights is lesser, but the ongoing sound and mood and the sudden bursts of a terrific moment is more then enough to convince anyone.

The main theme that gets simply spine tingling moments in 'Power of the Wind' and 'Ringing Out' is brilliant, it isn't powerful but when it becomes associated with the trumpet you really feel yourself lucky to be a film music fanatic in the first place, and then you hear the low supporting choir in the background that feels simply like Toys' best moments. The more playful moments are equally entertaining and there is also one darker cue, but nothing that will spoil the mood. I have to mention that one day it suddenly captured me, I always liked it but just that one day all the emotions simply took control of my body, and it became sensitive to everything I heard at that time, that beautiful sound and sensational inspiring music. White Squall is ignored for too long and I feel that people should wake up and smell the brilliance in this score, it may look as just another lovely score, but the truth is stronger and better than that. White Squall is simply great, a very good listen and breathtaking when those Scottish sounds begin to show themselves. Recommended if you like Toys (well the better moments of it because there are some great cues on that score that deserve a release) and you were pleased with that watery feeling of Wind. White Squall is one of those feel good spine tingling listens that captures you in its mood and intrigues you by its heavenly tone, a worthy and memorable listen.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Still Waters (3.23)

2. Departures (4.34)

3. The Journey Begins (4.38)

4. Power Of The Water (2.39) Excellent Track

5. On The Water / Dolphins (3.58)

6. A Wonderful Sail (3.16)

7. Ringing Out (2.50) Excellent Track

8. The Cubans / New World (4.10)

9. Galapagos (2.40) Excellent Track

10. The Test (1.05)

11. White Squall (Lifeboats) (4.19)

12. The Return Home (3.21)

Total Length: 41.14

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Jeff Rona ===