I Am Sam

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Was it Chicken Run that catapulted his fame in 2000? Or was it the continuation of that tone in 2001 that got him to absurd comedy (Rat Race), computer animation (Shrek), science fiction comedy (Evolution), ancient comedy (Just Visiting) and drama (I Am Sam) that made Powell's name? Still, to wonder why is to visit Varèse Sarabande, since they all released the 2001 efforts of him, and now I Am Sam is like hearing Two Weeks Notice, but slightly different nonetheless. Two Weeks Notice you could call the more mature listen, straightforward and mixed on a theme and on a romance. I Am Sam, you could call the more inexperienced one of the bunch, yet here taking the risks and the variations to take the listening experience further in both the eclectic as the drama level. I Am Sam just has that Thomas Newman bounciness to its tone that at times makes it refreshing yet equally tasteful or not for whoever thinks its impression of it, no better example then its bounciness is 'Rita', basically light percussion effects and rhythm, through it a dialing phone and some weird tones in the end. Shows here Two Weeks Notice might be the more straightforward one, but perhaps the easier one to like. But that was just one track, one example. Yes, there are other more light hearted pieces, but then more musical then that one, 'Sam's Friends' with its upbeat bass and ukes, but 'Making Coffee' is a loud piece of guitar and percussion, not anymore the breezy tones of the guitar, but again somewhat eclectic and experimental, but also loud, either way, it somewhat hurts the more relaxed nature this score stands for. Basically, I Am Sam is lighthearted, even the more emotional pieces remain soft, with guitar, solo violin, solo cello, piano or just some strings but it are those moments I prefer more, because they want to basically carry out either emotion or a theme, linking us to the movie and tragic story.

'Starbucks & Hospital' is in between of that, guitar and flutes, a main theme statement (of a theme that doesn't appear that much still) and light bass making up for the bounciness that carries Sam to the hospital, but between that you hear loud (you could say distortion) but are in fact instruments creating it. Strange in the end. 'Reading Together' is the first sign of the touching strings (which were the only part of the orchestra being used) and its soft mood is more appropriate then the eclectic mix of ideas. Upbeat but covering a statement of the theme is 'At the Park', more serious but laying the emotional link with piano, guitar and violin is 'The Birthday Party'. 'Sam Visits Lucy' is a better track, nice guitar swings, low cello and violin making the link, but funny for Belgium connaisseurs is in fact Powell scoring the theme of the Proximus commercials (composed by Wim Mertens). Call it coincidence and who to blame? Ah, lets forget that shall we. 'Lucy Runs and Sam Loses' is emotional cello over a light beat with solo guitar, its a little serious then normal but fits the scene well. Same with 'Kramer v. Kramer' and the lovely cello in 'Torn Away' over a nice beat. Piano in 'Lucy, Calm Down', a wonderful percussion rhythm in 'Nighttime Visits' which unveils a fun main theme rhythmic statement on guitar (showing that Powell touch) and the main theme with guitar, solo cello and piano at the very end, it are the sings of the more appropriate touches of this score. You can love or hate the eclectic Thomas Newman bounces, you can love or detest the more serious light emotional material what we expected, I Am Sam brings both and might push your impression a bit up and down. Still, its in the end good material to hear on the background, and not like Gigli or Two Weeks Notice, its a little less straightforward, but makes it also perhaps more interesting to digest. More, its a nice addition to the Powell collection, because its different from them also in the end.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Starbucks & Hospital (5.04)

2. It's Ok Daddy (1.06)

3. Sam's Friends (1.49)

4. Reading Together (1.36)

5. At The Park (1.08)

6. The Birthday Party (2.37)

7. Rita (3.15)

8. Sam Visits Lucy (2.55)

9. Buying Shoes (0.40)

10. Lucy Runs And Sam Loses (2.11)

11. Annie's Father (1.21)

12. Making Coffee (1.34)

13. Kramer V. Kramer (2.52)

14. Torn Away (1.44)

15. Lucy Paints, Sam Makes Origami (4.27)

16. Lucy, Calm Down (1.04)

17. Nighttime Visits (1.19)

18. I'm Getting More From This (1.38)

19. On The Stairs (2.25)

Total Length: 41.00

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Powell ===