Powder

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

If one score of Goldsmith is truly blessed with a main theme, then Powder it is and Powder alone. It is in fact one that makes you cry like that if you see its effect during the movie. And while the movie is inspirational enough to make any person cry, it was the music that made the effect so lively that tears were the least of my problems. Now, Powder may then have one of the greatest themes, on its own its less appealing or lets rephrase it as less stimulating at the end. There are only several moments that truly bless the score and frankly that isn't enough. So, it is a recommendation with a slight question mark and even the biggest Goldsmith admirer should consider this. Even if main themes can blow you away, it is the scary nature of its dark music or its continuing background score that can make it less interesting as listening material, which is darn sad given the nature of movie, score and composer.

First of all, the begin theme that starts the movie (which truly gets spine tingling awe in the begin) is sadly missing but what we get in return is a pure concert performance of the main theme of Powder. A beautiful string piece of emotion, performed with excellence by The National Philharmonic Orchestra opens the CD with 'Theme from Powder', the theme itself returns on many occasions but only several performances are staggering, like at the end of the 8 minute 'Steven and the Snow' and fully inspirational in 'Everywhere'. Sadly the 8 minute track is only memorable at the end due to that performance of the main theme, this is such a case of the music that listens appropriate but not stimulating enough in interest. 'Nightmare in the Forrest' is one of the harder to enjoy moments on the CD, it opens nonetheless with another inspiring performance of the main theme and the nature forest inspired music straight from Medicine Man but then it turns extremely dark, scary and horrendous (parts sound like Poltergeist) and frankly backs up a very disturbing scene. It of course works as the extra mood shocker but isn't really easy to hear torn apart from its visuals.

Mainly, the theme of Powder is the only reoccurring motif and Goldsmith will make slight variations on it but it remains the same. This is somewhat sad and makes the score not so magical. The last track 'Everywhere' is of course the stunning closing track of the album. During the movie I was in tears and the music (which had everything to do with that) really sounded astonishing. So, it might color a score like Powder, it is yet the dominating end experience that decides its rating and then it is not the score of immense proportion. Really, it is a theme that makes the score solely worthy of praise and purchase but some things really make it a lesser participant in the Goldsmith list of soundtracks. Yet, you can not describe its movie magic when the theme does appear. It is not only a composition straight from heaven or the heart, but has spine tingling qualities that make it electrical on its own. Sadly, only in its parts.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Theme From Powder (4.32) Excellent Track

2. Spoon Trick And The Trestle (2.17)

3. Nightmare In The Forrest (5.10)

4. First Kiss (2.25)

5. Steven And The Snow (8.26)

6. Freakshow (4.42)

7. Wanna See A Trick? (4.01)

8. Everywhere (3.54) Excellent Track

Total Length: 35.41

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