Meet Joe Black

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Every composer gets its prime time moment, where he can deliver his finest music in grand proportions, where he has the ability to compose a 10 minute finale that blows every person away, and when you look at the facts you always want that part to belong to a Thomas Newman score. Its a composer that can bring that tiny piece of musical magic to astound you each time. Still, it isn't the mere fact of 10 minutes of brilliance that makes Meet Joe Black just so special, it are other things as well. It is the first theme that steals my heart, it also brings a secondary theme, a love theme that shines in pure emotion. And adding the playful touch of certain scenes, it always brings that extra fond set of entertaining music. Thomas Newman is good at these kind of things, to offer what any person simply doesn't expect. In Meet Joe Black we have two gorgeous themes, the first captures anyone's attention through its purest performance in 'Walkaway' and mostly because its receives that wonderful finale sound, it explodes in pure orchestral beauty in 'That Next Place'. The second theme offers that set of emotion with more fire, 'Whisper of a Thrill' and 'Someone Else' are both two splendid versions of the love theme, it also has that dark side that links it with Brad Pitt's character in the movie. The rest combines the usual short tracks with the upbeat scherzo's we find once in a while, 'Everywhere Freesia', 'Peanut Butter Man' and 'Fifth Ave.' have their set of entertainment to offer.

Most of Thomas Newman's scores have too many short tracks and can never develop the thematic ideas that Newman intends to bring. I'm glad that he receives at least 3 moments where he can develop the material, and its quite obvious that those moments are the pure highlights of the score. And last but not least we find some band performances witnessed in the movie, they are not bad but some really interrupt the flow and mood of Thomas Newman's score. In a way they work disturbing but they are organized in the film's order. You can always skip them. Meet Joe Black has that extra touch of opportunity for Newman to bring that big emotional sound, and only that part makes the score and movie so attractive. Thomas Newman fans will enjoy each second of the soundtrack and mainstream fans can always try and see, at least the final will bring tears to your eyes. So there is no point to ignore Meet Joe Black for its amazing effect inside the movie, and for its warm sound it offers with each listen. When you look at the facts there is much that the Newman composers can bring, Randy offers that jazzy quality and extraordinary song, David for his remarkable entertaining music throughout, and Thomas can add that fine example why people love film music so much, it once in a while brings tears to your eyes and leaves you breathless, if only that can happen with each score we hear.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Yes (2.04)

2. Everywhere Freesia (1.45)

3. Walkaway (1.52) Excellent Track

4. Meet Joe Black (1.44)

5. Peanut Butter Man (1.39)

6. Whisper Of A Thrill (5.43) Excellent Track

7. Cheek To Cheek + (1.23)

8. Cold Lamb Sandwich (1.44)

9. Fifth Ave. (1.11)

10. A Frequent Thing (0.55)

11. Death And Taxes (1.14)

12. Served Its Purpose (1.24)

13. Sorry For Nothing (0.45)

14. Mr. Bad News (1.36)

15. Let's Face The Music And Dance + (1.23)

16. The Question (1.22)

17. Someone Else (5.19) Excellent Track

18. What A Wonderful World ** (3.28)

19. That Next Place (10.09) Excellent Track

20. Somewhere Over The Rainbow * / What A Wonderful World ** (4.53)

* Written by Harold Arlen

+ Written by Irving Berlin

** Written by George Weiss and Bob Thiele, Performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Total Length: 52.01

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Thomas Newman ===