Scent of a Woman

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

1992, the start of a wonderful career for Thomas Newman. Unlike his brother David, Thomas has been set on high standard films when he finally was on board in Hollywood. Everyone by now knows the style Thomas Newman consumes when he creates musical landscapes of sound and theme. Today it is more the experimental usage of various instruments, before '90 it was more the synthetic sounds interwoven but there was a time that orchestra meant something. Oh yes, Scent of a Woman may not be the biggest example of that but it still gives you the quirky edge but with an orchestral depth that makes it much more enjoyable for the fan of film music. Scent of a Woman (a highly respected movie with outstanding acting performances of both Pacino and O' Donnell) is equally respected as score when you see the way it sounds during the scene, on score it even gives you more. As background material it might be some of the best music to be found, there is something for everyone here. We have the atmospheric dramatic tension building stuff (piano and soft flutes) like in 'Cigars Part Two' and 'Other Plans'. We have the quirky and bouncy music that always stirs up a nerve (positively meant) like 'Tract House Ginch' and 'The Oakroom'.

But most importantly we have the main theme that shines in its soft performance 'Main Title' or with grandeur in the highlight of the score 'Fleurs De Rocaille'. Sometimes themes can be that sweeping even if they don't use orchestral power to prove it. The way that the English horn supports it is breathtaking, and when joined with full force it is nothing short but mesmerizing. Of course in some way Scent of a Woman is still just plain normal, meaning it isn't a score that listens like it has all the highlights of the year, but with Newman there is usually something more then with just any other composer. He has the ability to make the music sound interesting when it needs to be, examples in abundance. Still, there is still one moment I ought to mention. At first, I didn't think much of it but when seeing the movie and hearing it being played over the end credits, 'End Title' is a treat of a track. It has a beautiful moment, stronger then the performance at the end of the track 'Park Ave.' and especially having so much intelligence, it is breathless. If people wonder what Scent of a Woman brings, then download the trailer of Angela's Ashes, offering both the soft as strong performance of the main theme. Scent of a Woman may not be the best career release of music by Thomas Newman, it still has a lot to offer. First of all, an interesting quality that makes it both enjoyable as intriguing and most importantly music that tells the soul to shut up for a moment, and enjoy the music like it is meant to be, from the instrument to the heart.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (2.56)

2. A Tour Of Pleasures (0.49)

3. Tract House Ginch (1.03)

4. 45 In 25 (3.22)

5. Balloons (0.53)

6. Cigars Part Two (2.30)

7. Long Gray Line (1.02)

8. The Oakroom (0.34)

9. Park Ave. (4.27)

10. Witnesses (1.18)

11. Beyond Danger (2.43)

12. Other Plans (2.08)

13. Assembly (2.01)

14. Fleurs De Rocaille (2.50) Excellent Track

15. End Title (2.34) Excellent Track

Total Length: 31.26

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

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