Customer Reviews

61* (Score)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Firstly, the previous review by Terence Brennan in Indiana unfortunately lambastes the wrong album. Contrary to his review, this CD DOES contain (almost exclusively) Marc Shaiman's classical compositions for the film, with only a tiny amount of "period" music. The recording Mr. Brennan was attempting to carve up is in fact the other recording entitled "61* Original Soundtrack". This CD is titled, "61* Music Composed By Marc Shaiman". Do not confuse the two, as the content is markedly different.

This is a wonderful CD. The main theme passes the acid test, sticking in your head well after the fact. It is a refreshing change from the "cookie-cutter" style of many current soundtracks. The main theme is an effective use of 3/4 time, and the dynamic range of the various tracks is excellent. The climactic moments of the score are truly stirring.

If this soundtrack has a weakness it is that the cuts as presented are too short. It would be interesting to hear the main themes pulled together into an old-style "overture" and "entracte" with continuous flow and a beginning, middle, and end; Marc Shaiman are you listening?

Bet you twenty bucks that some figure skater will attempt to cut and paste this material together to make a program out of--and butcher it in the process!!

-BVS-

My wife really liked the movie, the story. She liked the musi too, so i ordered the cd. She's very pleased.

I've had a weakness for Marc Shaiman since hearing his remarkable score for CITY SLICKERS. After that, I fell for the majesty and power of his score for THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, and this score for 61* may be the best of all! What this wonderful music does is give WEIGHT to the great home-run race between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle -- the music makes it IMPORTANT -- as it was to every baseball fan in 1961. It is soaring and majestic and powerful -- oh, yeah, and beautiful, if that's important. My four-year-old (who got his first real exposure to baseball by watching 61*) demands this score almost every day, as he also demands a daily viewing of the film (to date we've seen it about 200 times). I can't say enough about it. Buy it at once; listen to it forever. If you love real old-fashioned movie music that sets and sustains a mood, you'll just love this. And when you're finished listening, buy the DVD or VHS of 61* and watch it. See if it isn't the very best baseball movie you've ever seen.

As a lifelong baseball fan, I loved *61, and thought the score was extremely well done. It's no score to "Legends of the Fall" or "Gladiator", but it's a great one nonetheless. The theme is solid and melodic, and moved around well.

Mr. Brennan's rating this score a 1 seems to be due to the fact that he has REVIEWED THE WRONG PRODUCT. He is speaking of the compilation soundtrack album -- NOT THIS SCORE by Marc Shaiman.

I cannot speak of the compilation soundtrack, but I can tell you this score is fantastic. Highly recommended.

Marc Shaiman's score for 61* is evocative and moving. A few of the tracks seem redundant, but I found myself humming the theme for days after seeing the film. The compositions really accentuate the fine performances on-screen, and this album brings scenes to life in my mind. This album should not be confused with the regular soundtrack album, which features pop music from the film, not Shaiman's classical compositions.

Worth a listen.

This soundtrack Sucked. I really enjoyed the movie and thought when it said "score" that at least a little bit of the classical music in the movie would be one here. Not a note. Also there are of course period songs which I wouldn't know where in the movie at all. If I could get my money back I would. BRUTAL!!