Nanny McPhee

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Patrick Doyle is back, after years he is back making big waves in the community with one large thematic fantasy ride after another. And Nanny McPhee is lovely all the same. A children's fantasy tale but above all a new spin on the Mary Poppins magic, Emma Thompson plays Nanny McPhee, a somewhat miss formed witch but with an eye for good and a love for children, she is there when the Brown kids need help, magic, a nanny. No matter what, the enchantment will be unstoppable for children and it will become no doubt a beloved tale. Of course, for musical lovers, Patrick Doyle seemed to be a really good choice, and after hearing the soundtrack you know why. Because its lovely and thematic, enchanting and magical, fantastical and sweet, but its just not enough of that. Foremost its a part devious tale and a part enchanting and the deviousness is too reflected by the music, and a bigger part actually because its more present then the lovely enchantment of Doyle's magical score. First of all, the score is performed by the London Symphony orchestra and the Synergy Vocals, and together they bring Doyle's voice to life. But it starts still with light comedy, and no matter how silly or pleasant it sounds, you get a feeling you want more wonder, and less pranks. 'They've Eaten the Baby' starts with harpsichord, and above all a rushing Casper feeling, its part jazzy and it reminds me so of Casper of Horner, could this be temptrack related or not? Don't know, however, the fun-o-factor is already then present. And most tracks carry this factor, 'A Clockwork Mouse' is light mischievous music, 'Barnyard Fashion' light sneaky music and 'Lord of the Donkeys' is flute and violin in a brief folksy tune.

Of course, there is room for more then that. Besides the Casper like devious theme, we have the main theme which is present in many tracks, but mostly soft presented or a bit on the calm side, 'Secret Toast and Jam', 'Kites in the Sky' and 'The Lady in Blue' has this theme light and lovely. We have too the Nanny theme, and this is a 2 note choral theme mostly, briefly spotted in 'No More Nannies' and enchanting in 'I Did Knock', reaching here the magic Doyle should have unleashed more, magical strings, choir and fanfares whirling, its striking the way it builds up the majestic finish. 'Goodnight, Children' also has this relaxing nanny's tune, but foremost its spotted because here you have Secondhand Lions similarities, the sweet factor amongst some. With 'Measle Medicine' we reach a drum and suspense builder (in the comedy sense) that takes us back to playfulness while 'The Girl in the Carriage' is a nice way to present Nanny's theme on a rhythmic scale (true Doyle trademarks), but the main theme as nanny theme still return softly to sprinkle the fantasy mood nicely. The harpsichord returns in 'Toad in the Teapot' with Casper like attitude and a mischievous brass playing and violin led waltzes, its fun all the same. Naturally as expected a brief lullaby would be used in the music and 'Mrs. Brown's Lullaby' is just that. The score however ends strong, 'Bees and Cakes' is a track you'll grow to love, its whirling brass and strings creates bee sounds while a nice building tune is enlightening the mood, with the jazzy Casper attitude and the successful brass fanfare its a track that grows on you. But its when 'Snow in August' is reached, you realize just why there needed to be more magic and less deviousness. This is a year highlight and only Doyle could create such a magical listen of 7 minutes, the main theme here just swells with fantastical choir and orchestra to amazing heights. Its nothing you heard before in the score and that's why its so sad. Of course, it makes the last track sound even better because of its absence on the soundtrack, but still then you realize what you've missed. Nanny McPhee is a really good score, the comedy is still largely pleasant and thematic but the magic is grand when Doyle swells up his themes, and then Nanny McPhee is just a little too less presenting this magic. But don't let this make you pass up the magic that is still present because its proving one thing, Patrick Doyle is back.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. They've Eaten The Baby (2.40)

2. No More Nannies (1.22)

3. Secret Toast And Jam (2.28)

4. A Clockwork Mouse (1.01)

5. The Pink Chair (0.59)

6. I Did Knock (5.59) Excellent Track

7. Goodnight, Children (4.22)

8. Measle Medicine (1.28)

9. Soup Du Jour (1.10)

10. I Smell Damp (1.39)

11. Barnyard Fashion (1.33)

12. Lord Of The Donkeys (0.37)

13. The Girl In The Carriage (3.17)

14. Kites In The Sky (2.25)

15. The Room At The Top Of The Stairs (1.43)

16. Toad In The Teapot (3.38)

17. Our Last Chance (2.14)

18. Mrs. Brown's Lullaby (1.19)

19. The Lady In Blue (2.02)

20. Bees And Cakes (3.42) Excellent Track

21. Snow In August (7.03) Excellent Track

Total Length: 53.33

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=== Link to Composer Site: Patrick Doyle ===