Congo

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

We all know what Jerry Goldsmith can do with crappy movies! Yes, make them at least accessible for those watching to it when compared from the musical point of view. Congo wasn't a movie I enjoyed but the score is just something different because it really gives (even for the 33 minutes) you the feeling of hearing something of effort. Jerry Goldsmith isn't just an ordinary composer and that also makes the score better than the average effort of Frank Marshall as a director. Just what you liked of The Ghost and the Darkness, Medicine Man and Powder is just what Congo brings. The African mood, the nature sound and the soft elegant theme for the monkey Amy, altogether with Lebo M's performance and Goldsmith's appropriate theme. Congo isn't special but just delivers this fun time and a soundtrack that does this for its running length is a welcome one. It offers thematic diversity in tone and adds the rhythms of Medicine Man into an African mood (track 'Deep Jungle' does make the point rather obvious) and by that Congo is a great listen for your time.

The score starts deeply African like with Lebo M (of The Power of One and The Lion King fame) when he starts this score with a short performance. The performance of him and the main theme is excellent but both receive better time in the last track and therefore I chose that track to be the excellent one. 'Amy's Nightmare' is one fierce action track which restates the main theme with honor and glory and the hint towards Amy's theme in 'No Customs' is welcome for both Medicine Man and Powder fans. Still, what this score brings at the end is as good as any Goldsmith classic, with an action statement of the main theme and a choral rephrase of Lebo M's song. First 'Gates of Zinj' is just 2 minutes long but the action statement of the main theme is such riveting and cool that it amuses me each time and the 10 minute suite of 'Amy's Farewell / Spirit of Africa' is just the treasure any score wants, with last performances of the main theme, main song and Amy's theme. No matter what the previous tracks were lacking in your perspective, these lasts two tracks ample deliver Goldsmith's vintage. More, it actually sounds like that Goldsmith was really inspired by the movie and shows that the composer is top professional each time.

I don't know why Congo didn't receive a lot more praise. I know it isn't the longest score of Goldsmith, or at least not the best but the entire score is enjoyable and that is the fact. More, it offers some material worthy of attention and any Goldsmith fan will surely enjoy what thee will hear. Anyone that enjoys a trip to Africa (musically speaking) and isn't afraid in giving a bad movie (good score) a try will not really be disappointed by Congo. It even feels at this time better then before, because if I compare it with recent efforts like Hollow Man and The Last Castle, I really enjoy it so much more and it really feels like so goddamn inspiring from start to finish. I hope fans from now give it a chance because I really like Congo more then the average efforts of other composers or even today's Goldsmith's releases. It offers a fun listening time, a combination of good tracks overall and will surely please those wanting more of The Ghost and the Darkness. Congo will not disappoint those who try and see.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Spirit Of Africa: Lebo M (2.40)

2. Amy's Nightmare (2.57)

3. No Customs (1.48)

4. Kahega (2.34)

5. Bail Out (2.25)

6. Deep Jungle (1.58)

7. Hippo Attack (4.02)

8. Crash Site (2.10)

9. Gates Of Zinj (2.17) Excellent Track

10. Amy's Farewell / Spirit Of Africa: Lebo M (10.28) Excellent Track

Correct Order: (1 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 2 - 4 - 10)

Total Length: 33.39

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=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===