The Ghost and the Darkness

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Any composer writing several scores in a year knows the one will rise above the other. Fans probably expected to find Star Trek: First Contact to be better than say this score. Well, you're wrong. The Ghost and the Darkness is in terms of listening pleasure better than First Contact. If this now means that I adore this score to the end, no, but it does prove to be a very fulfilling listen once and a while. Especially Jerry Goldsmith's theme mixed with the African chants works like clockwork and the main material just stays good enough to hear to the end. Congo, the African based score that Goldsmith composed the year before is deeply influenced in this soundtrack but at the other end you witness that there is lot more potential in this score, perhaps it just got to do with the respected movie it accompanies. Anyway, when you hear the theme and when you hear the choir, it is not hard to like what's coming your way. The Ghost and the Darkness is in that respect a very good listen.

The score opens and will close with the bumpy and most enjoyable main theme of the movie. This African based rhythm is as perfect as they come and it appears a whole lot in the score. Whether it is the begin or end or simply with a double and powerful performance in 'First Time', it is simply a great tune. But Goldsmith has more things in charge for you, like 'The Bridge' with its first two minutes that are just wonderful. Small Soldiers influences during it and some other scores but the main theme on top of it makes it just perfect. 'Catch a Train' uses a different influence namely from Lionheart and the use of Congo is heard the most when the Trek theme (the way I describe it) is heard in the most tracks, such as 'Reminton's Death' but mostly it is heard when the fierce music is presented, when the lions are attacking. In tracks 'Lions Attack' and further in 'Final Attack', it is the combination of both music and choir that makes it so damn interesting. Where Congo used a good action theme, here the theme becomes truly inspiring simply because of those chants of the African choir, and of course from the aggressive orchestral play of the Philharmonic Orchestra. They are as good as they come.

Anyway, the last 6 to 7 tracks are all very good. Each track has either the Trek theme, the main theme or a different theme ready to show itself, making the score especially pleasing the more the time nears its end. The Ghost and the Darkness isn't the biggest listen, isn't the best score of Goldsmith and there are other scores (4 star) I approve before it but you can't deny that listening to it is damn fun. Congo was good but speaking of the interesting facts, The Ghost and the Darkness is better and Goldsmith no doubt knows a thing or two about the jungle and prairie (like Medicine Man and others already made clear). An interesting package for the Goldsmith fans, since nobody talks about it much but probably a lot already have it in their collection. And if you haven't, then there's no need to not purchase it, the next time you stumble upon a copy of its release. Because its worth it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Theme From The Ghost And The Darkness (2.10) Excellent Track

2. The Bridge (4.07) Excellent Track

3. Catch A Train (2.00)

4. Lions Attack (5.15)

5. First Time (1.58) Excellent Track

6. Starling's Death (5.55)

7. Lions Reign (2.37)

8. Preparations (2.44)

9. Reminton's Death (2.28)

10. Prepare For Battle (1.58)

11. Final Attack (2.50)

12. Welcome To Tsavo (4.57) Excellent Track

Total Length: 39.31

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