Customer Reviews

An American Tail: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

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4 star:		(3)
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John Williams is always said to be the prestigious composer of film music, but I have always preferred James Horner. He doesn't just write music that enhances the mood, he writes music that steals the show. The Main Title of this album is beautifully stunning with melancholy splendor, and then suddenly and appropriately goes into Feivel's upbeat, mischievous theme that you never can really forget. It's hard to believe that this symphonic-style score was written for a cartoon about mice. But, the story itself is beautiful, and could be told in any way, shape, or form, and I think that Horner realized this when he was writing his score--he was not thinking of little cartoon mice running around shouting "Down with Cats!" He was thinking of the trials and the bravery of those immigrants crossing the Atlantic to escape the persecution of their homelands, and I think Horner realized this, and composed the score for them, so that today it is more of a monument to them than to the cartoon itself.
"Somewhere out there" is like reading a poem, and although I first saw An American Tail when I was very small, I have always remembered the tune, and the lyrics.

James Horner has done a lot of great scores for movies, but "An American Tail" is his greatest. Once again, he puts a lot of emotion and depth into it. The song that he wrote for this movie, "Somewhere Out There," is my favorite song from a movie. It is the best song he wrote for a movie. The Main Title track at the beginning of this soundtrack is so beautiful, inspirational and moving. Track 13, Reunited, makes me cry the most when I hear it because I can picture the sence where Fievel is in Orphan Alley in my head. It's amazing that when you hear a moving piece of music like this, the sences from the movie play in your mind. This soundtrack is a must for all Horner fans.

Wow, at this price especially, this is a steal. I remember going on a field trip as a kid to see this thing in the theater. I had already started to notice good music and film music even at that young of age. When I heard this music for the first time, it made cry several times. Beatiful, tender, and bone chilling beauty. Forget Titanic! This is the James Horner that I grew up with. This, and his score for Don Bluth's other animated feature, The Land Before Time, are two of his best works of all time. They are also some of the best film music in some time as well. Yeah, some of the songs I could do without, but even they have their charm. His follow up to Amercian Tail 2 wasn't as good, but decent. This has such depth and soul, you just can't believe it was for some cartoon. I realize all these years later that this is what gave Amercian Tail its heart and soul. A must have! Now THIS is Horner at his best!

James Horner would win his Oscar for "Titanic," but his score to the animated classic ranks as one of his best. There is not a missed note in this remarkable composition for the Don Bluth creation. The Academy Award-winning "Somewhere Out There" is, without a doubt, one of the best songs ever written for the screen. The fact that it is performed by two mice does not lessen its impact. It is truly a testament to love and the enduring bond between family members. The only other song from a film that sends chills through me at each listening is the theme from "Beauty and the Beast," another Oscar-winning tune.

James Horner does an absolutely outstanding job of composing the score for An American Tail. Included are nearly all of the instrumental pieces from the movie, and all of the songs from the film. If you're a fan of the movie, and loved the music, this item is a must-have. For those of you who have a 'James Horner' collection, don't leave this one out. This is some of his best work, along with 'Titanic'.

This CD is wonderful, however has any one noticed how similar "somewhere out there" and parts of Beethoven's Piano Sonata #8 in C Minor, Op. 13, "Pathétique" - 2. Adagio Cantabile, are very similar. Interesting.

James Horner has done a lot of great scores for movies, but "An American Tail" is his greatest. Once again, he puts a lot of emotion and depth into it. The song that he wrote for this movie, "Somewhere Out There," is my favorite song from a movie. It is the best song he wrote for a movie. The Main Title track at the beginning of this soundtrack is so beautiful, inspirational and moving. Track 13, Reunited, makes me cry the most when I hear it because I can picture the sence where Fievel is in Orphan Alley in my head. It's amazing that when you hear a moving piece of music like this, the sences from the movie play in your mind. This soundtrack is a must for all Horner fans.

Even though there are shades of previous scores like "Krull" and "Star Trek II-The Wrath Of Khan", James Horner created one of his most touching scores with "An American Tail". The main title is quite soft and it gets to your heart, as well as 'Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor' and 'The Market Place'. Of course there is action, which is demonstrated in the cues 'The Cossack Cats', 'The Storm', 'Releasing The Secret Weapon', and 'The Great Fire'. All in all, it's a feel-good work by Horner without reaching any important heights.

The songs Horner wrote with veteran composers Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil are quite good. I'd like to remark the tune 'Never Say Never' in which I felt pleased to hear Christopher Plummer sing -the only movie I remember hearing him sing is "The Sound Of Music". 'There Are No Cats In America' is a fantastic song, worthy of Broadway. And let's not forget the beautiful 'Somewhere Out There', as performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram, the best song of 1986 in my opinion.

If you feel somewhat depressed, this album will make you feel good. A fine work by James Horner.

I remember watching this movie as a child back in the 80's and loved the music then.

So not only was the movie great but the music was - and still is - soul-touching...to the point where I had to buy this soundtrack as an adult and OMG, I'm still in love with the beautiful music.

The first and the last tracks are the best!

This music will brighten your day and put you in a cheerful mood - even if your day sucked or you're in a bad mood!

Wow! This music is like "medication" to cheer you up and even if you're already in a good mood, well, you'll stay in a great mood!

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SOUNDTRACK!

James Horner is one of the many great composers of our time. This soundtrack is a crowning achievement in his career. This movie's theme song was the first by Horner to ever be nominated by the Academy for "Best Original Song". However, there is more to love on here than just the song. Horner writes a score that is beautiful and inspiring. Definitely recommended if you are a Horner-fan, a collector of soundtracks, or if you cherished this movie as a child.