The Young Black Stallion (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Is it finally time for William Ross to break through? Seems like yesterday he composed the fan favorite Tin Cup and pleased audiences with his strong orchestral fanfares and thematic ideas. But it was also yesterday so to speak of I heard Ladder 49 and Game of Their Lives, and while others may think more of that, I beg to differ. Its all about taste and appreciation in the end, but The Young Black Stallion, promo of 2003 delivers a bit more color then his promo's of late firefights and soccer games. The point still has to be made its still all fairly inspired from other scores, but so were moments of Ladder 49 and Game of Their Lives. While the Arabic flavor can be seen from the direction of The Mummy or the more romantic blushes of other scores, The Young Black Stallion still does more for me in the end. It all starts with 'Main Title' and the vocal ethnicity, fairly obvious considering where we stand in the movie, then a more epic theme makes way and while it reminds you of many things, it still sounds lovely in the end. 'The Caravan' repays that theme a visit but in the more softer sense, and 'Caravan Attack' is paying the tribute back to the ethnic tone of the score. One of the first times the score receives the emotional color is when 'Alone / The Stallion' is heard, first Postman like eerie strings are spotted, then a variation on the main theme and grows of the orchestra, only to be heard in emotional wonder in 'Friends'. Basically after that Ross keeps the standard the same with solo vocal moments, main theme briefly growing and the softer moments that listen good yet the same.

Its not until 'Secret Valley' the growing moments make for wonders when the romantic friendship theme is reprised more then once, and how ordinary it sounds all the same (and sounding more like something out of Legends of the Fall), it still sounds good enough and better then the promo's of Ladder 49 and the bunch. And from that point on, its more inspired and the tunes come together, 'Training Montage' gives the friendship theme a more horsier rhythm and 'Sad Grandfather' is then the counterpart to that with a more bleak piece. Luckily the final moments deliver the real thrill to this album's winning status, and 'The Horse Race' is 6 minutes of thrill alone. Of course its so inspired to the Mummy's action moments (name them all if you will) and of course even Imhotep's danger theme makes a unwelcome appearance, but my god Ross comes close in giving the energy of that Goldsmith classic a clear vibe back, and its indeed a lot of orchestral fun to return to. And Tin Cup fanfares, and the friendship Legends of the Fall theme return lovely in 'Finale', while the solo vocal sings of with the Arabic theme in 'End Titles'. While not exactly again the Ross album with his own voice, its at least better and easier to like then Ladder 49 and Game of Their Lives, from my point of view of course. The big action piece is a welcome one and if it wouldn't have been included on the disc, then I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have received the rating it has now, but considering how well it pounds you back into action, it does make all the difference. The Young Black Stallion is an easy and likeable William Ross score, again capturing too many temp moments to really get excited about, but he does deliver them with the flair and gusto an orchestral composer should bring all the time.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (2.25)

2. The Caravan (2.32)

3. Caravan Attack (1.35)

4. Alone / The Stallion (3.19)

5. Friends (2.48)

6. Mirage / Going Home (3.42)

7. Aidan / The Grandfather (1.47)

8. Even Gina (1.43)

9. Secret Valley (5.55) Excellent Track

10. Training Montage (1.37)

11. Sad Grandfather (1.57)

12. Nera Can Ride (0.51)

13. The Horse Race (6.22) Excellent Track

14. Finale (1.31) Excellent Track

15. End Titles (1.09)

Total Length: 39.18

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

=== Link to Composer Site: William Ross ===