Babe: Pig in the City

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

If you are buying something for $2.95 (used so to speak), then you know something. In this case: "Do not expect too much". Speaking of this score, I knew the deal, I've seen the movie, I knew what was on the score, I knew there were dialogue snippets and that there is very few score left at the end. Still, things became clear the minute you started listening. You found out that the original theme of the first movie (the wonderful version of If I had Words) isn't even found on this score (used though several times during the movie). Secondly, the material composed by Nigel Westlake is indeed pathetic divided so to speak, barely 11 minutes long and even full of narration (often well chosen but if I want dialogue I'll check the movie out) and even the unthinkable fact of hearing airplanes and people shouting is discovered with it. Last but not least, the CD actually contains 4 tracks not heard during the movie. What's the point of hearing music from the movie Babe: Pig in the City while it isn't even heard during it? It could have been replaced with actual discovered score material but that isn't the case here. That the score works average to good is solely responsible to Westlake's abilities, something the producers of the album severely seem to lack.

So, the movie itself is indeed weaker and perhaps lost a lot of the flair the original possessed. On the other hand, it gave Esme Hoggett (the wife of farmer Hoggett) a chance to star and it actually created a human flair and dignity impossible through the likes of chimps, cats and dogs. Now, considering then the score, it is without doubt suited for the movie. Yet, this is no way in treating score fans and especially composer Nigel Westlake's composition. While the soundtrack actually contains more songs than score, it are the few minutes of score that save this release from total humiliation. 'That'll Do' contains brief Irish flutes and covers a vocal version of Randy Newman's piece (I think Let it Be), the vocals by Peter Gabriel are extremely appropriate by the way. While the score receives barely a minute after each other, it is the rest that doesn't sooth. Mainly the songs which are for the most part classics is good for the movie, bad for the soundtrack and terrible for those who want more original score in the first place. While they all fit the movie, they have no doubt been heard millions of times before and I have no interest in hearing them, except during their respected time in the movie. Next, the song versions created by the three mice is often quoted in the track before and can irritate you to hell if you don't see them coming.

On the other hand, Westlake's material is brief but perfect. Like for instance 'Scram, This is Not a Farm', containing the engine sounds of airplanes, narrations as people on the background but having a short but wonderful orchestral version of the song 'That's Amore'. Or the returning sad music of Babe heard during 'Babe's Lament'. Almost all the score material has narration (none of the songs, figure that out). The sole exception (not composed by Westlake) is the standout track of the score. Performed by The Chieftains and backing up the heartbreaking catch of all the animals in the house, it is 'Protected by Angels' that makes the score grand for a moment. Flutes, bagpipes and an emotional fabulous theme will make you cry for sure during it, it is so effectively brilliant it really was all I needed to buy this score. Especially recommended to see and hear this particular piece in context. And so we come to the bonus tracks, songs and source material that might even sound good, but if it isn't found in the movie then what the hell is it doing on the soundtrack? Proof that the producers didn't respect the work of Westlake and all this space could have brought us in advance 10 to 20 minutes more of score. Last but not least, Ed Shearmur is quoted in arranging several tracks but overall it is not enough. It might sound on occasion as a good listen (even the narration doesn't hurt), but present such a score and you've got everything that fans loath. Babe: Pig in the City unfortunately for it drags the wonderful work of composer Nigel Westlake with it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. That'll Do ** (3.51)

2. Babe: A Pig In The City *+ (1.22)

3. The Returning Hero *+ (1.16)

4. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien: Edith Piaf (2.19)

5. Chattanooga Choo-Choo: Glen Miller & his Orchestra (3.14)

6. Scram, This Is Not A Farm *+ (2.27)

7. That's Amore: Dean Martin (3.07)

8. Three Blind Mice *** (0.41)

9. A Pig Gets Wise *+ (1.17)

10. Are You Lonesome Tonight: The Mavericks (2.59)

11. Protected By Angels **** (3.39) Excellent Track

12. The Big City (Two Step Nadya) ***** (3.12)

13. Babe's Lament *+ (2.38)

14. A Heart That's True: E.G. Daily (3.58)

15. The End *+ (1.26)

16. That'll Do (Instrumental) ** (3.57)

* Original Score

+ Contains dialogue

** Arranged by Ed Shearmur, performed by the Black Dyke Mills Band

*** Performed by Cat Chorus

**** Performed by The Chieftains, featuring the Black Dyke Mills Band

***** Performed by The Terem Quartet

Total Length: 41.34

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