Customer Reviews

Black Beauty

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always been a horse lover, and I've always known who Danny Elfman was since I can remember, thanks to my mom. We bought this soundtrack right after seeing the movie when it was brand-new, and I doubt we paid more than maybe 10 dollars for it. What a surprise it was for me to just now find one copy on Amazon for $149! (we also have a cassette tape because this was before CD players were standard in cars) I'd been hoping to purchase another copy because ours is wearing out, but I have a feeling I'll just have to make copies of the original and keep the original as best I can.
Anyway, it saddens me that this CD is so hard to come by, especially since it is perhaps my favorite of Elfman's works! I have about 20 of his soundtracks, but this one in particular holds a special place for me. Like others have said, it is quite a different style for Elfman, but wonderful as always.
The music really does make the movie. There are gorgeous ballads, such as the first main title, that has such a pretty melody to it, touching, soft, and orchestral. Lots of violins.
Then there are happy, rambunctious songs like "Gang on the Run" and "Jump For Joy."
The only way I can describe such songs as "The Dance/Bye Merrylegs" is by using the words "magical and whimsical." The flutes are wonderful (ok, so I'm not sure if they're real flutes, but they're some type of that instrument), and songs like "Sick" have sad, apprehensive piano melodies.
"Frolic" is probably the happiest song on the compilation, followed by "Ginger Snaps," a serious song erupting towards the end in a climax that sounds almost chaotic and painful, all the while foreboding.
The saddest song, for me anyway, is "Poor Ginger" and a mournful song it is, too! Slow, again whimsical, memorable, and of course, beautiful.
Anyway, before I go into too much detail, this CD, to me, is worth too much in its wonderfulness (is that a word?) to sell for any kind of price. I hope for a re-issue but I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Any fan of Danny Elfman should have this CD in their collection, and I'm saddened that it seems so hard to accomplish that now.
However, if you're desperate, you could always buy Elfman's complilation "Music For a Darkened Theater, Vol. 2" which has 7 or 8 songs from the soundtrack on the first disc :) And of course, it's worth it to have the other songs in the set, as well.

The score is very Celtic in nature. Very differnet for Danny Elfman. Another score like this is his score for Sommersby. The Two don't compare in the long run though. Black Beauty is Elfman's most beautiful and classical work straight through to 2004. This score is used for many ads for other movies and it's used in the promos for Big Fish which I haven't seen or listened to yet. It is a shame that Danny has been overlooked so many times at the Oscars. His music for Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Sommersby and Black Beauty rival anything that's won an Oscar(pick any year).

If Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Mahler wrote a film score together, this might be what it would sound like.

I bought the score even before I saw the film, and I was in tears after the first few bars. This is the most gorgeous, lush, evocative film score I have ever heard, and I am a collector of MANY. I can't believe this has become such a valuable collectible, but seriously...it is worth every penny. I don't understand why it hasn't been re-released!

Even though this CD is really hard to find under $40 (I myself paid around $75 - eek!), it is worth it. A very unusual CD for Danny Elfman in comparison to the Nightmare Before Christmas, Black Beauty is a beauty in itself. Celtic themes are present in this album, and the main title that is repeated throughout is just beautiful. If anyone ever has a chance to own this album for a decent price, please do so! You won't be sorry you did.

I've listened to this album over 200 times I'm sure. I actually own the cd and now that I know how much it's worth I think I'll make a copy for myself and sell the other. I don't think it's worth 40.00$, but then again, I don't think any album is. It's definately one of the most beautiful albums I own in any genre.

This soundtrack is just beautiful! Too bad it's been out of print for a long time. The average price for this cd is now $40.00, but is usually priced much much higher. If you find this cd at an affordable price, even if it's used, go for it!

I really love the CD the only thing I was disappointed in was the CD's length. It only runs about 35 minutes. For such an expensive CD one would think the music would last longer.

Soundtracks are not among my favorite musical forms , but I make an exception for BB. Elfman uses various instruments to create a sort of concerto for the mostly sad life of a horse. The film is just about perfection. The technical quality of the recording is very high , I`ve listened to it several times since I purchased the cassette a week ago. SD

This soundtrack has become my all time favorite Danny Elfman scores. There are strong, moving themes throughout the entire album. This score carries a lot of the emotion in the movie. I can't choose a favorite track as all of them are great. It's a shame that it's out of print now.

Black Beauty soundtract has a beatiful flow.I almost float away lstening to it!it changes from happy fast music to slow gripping sad music.I love it!If you can play the piano go to PianoThemes.com to listen and print out songs in Black Beauty,you can print out the music sheets!I realy think amazon shoudmake it so you can listen to the track listings online,if they have noticed, they are one one the only sites that Black Beauty soundtract is avalable.