Customer Reviews

Das Letzte Einhorn (The Last Unicorn)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received this CD for Yule 2000, and I can only say that the first time I put it in the CD player, I cried. Not in a sad sort of way for the beautiful lyrics, or for the lovely melodies, but in the way one might cry at seeing a long-lost friend- joy and happiness to find something so missed. Ok, so that's a little maudlin, but its true. Fans of the animated feature will be delighted to see that all the music is there. On a side note, I'm sure almost everyone who saw the movie will be especially happy to learn that Mia Farrow DOES NOT appear on this album. I used to hate the song "Now that I'm a Woman", but the singer on this album does a fantastic job and its actually quite a pretty song. On a more technical and musical note, the sound quality is fairly good, considering when this movie came out. The music itself is a bit dated, but America (the band) did a wonderful job of performing Jimmy Webb's music for the film for the time it was released. My German is a bit non-existant, but if I read the back of the case right, the London Symphony Orchestra lent its talent to the album. If you're in to "classic rock" or are familiar with America's work, then this is a great album to get- especially if you're a child of the 80's like I am. Younger people of the Britney-Spears-Back-Street-Boys-crowd might not like this album unless they happen to be huge fans of the movie. Is it worth the price of an import? Absolutely. And as a segway, get the book. Its just soooo much richer in plot, texture and entertainment than the movie could ever be.

In 1982 I was privileged to work with and record two songs written by Jimmy Webb for this lovely film. However, for the final cut Mia Farrow insisted that her vocal be used in 'Now That I'm a Woman'. The duet, written in Jeff Bridges key, must've been too high for her so my version remained on 'That's All I've Got to Say'. I've no idea how or why my vocals made it to this CD even though Mia Farrow is billed as singer. The score is wonderful. It's amazing how many people adore this movie - how as kids were so moved by it and as adults still feel that way. Peter Beagle's story is enchanting. I'm happy to have been a part of it, even if I remain uncredited!

If you have ever seen The Last Unicorn, you know that the movie is moving and magical in art and in music. I searched for this Soundtrack for years and gave up awhile ago. Thanks to the internet, I have it now and love. The reproduction of this to CD is not perfect, but the few blemishes are hardly noticable.

I had the movie on the old record movies <back when i was just a kid> and the music was just incrediable then. I grew up loving this music and still do. The soft rock and classical mix here works very nicely together. If you are like me, and lyrics mean a great deal to songs, this is definitely for you. The words are moving and really, this is a soulsearching type soundtrack that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age and especially those of us who can recall the scenes with the music as we listen. Get the CD and the Movie if you don't have it. You won't be sorry.

The music is the perfect backdrop to a magnificent faerie tale. I went to sleep with this music in my head as a child and still know every word as an adult. It's a great cd with excellent sound quality. It's just a shame it has to be so expensive because an American distributor won't pick it up....Ironic that a soundtrack by a band named America is an import only.

I have watched this brilliant film when i was 9 and now i am 11 and i still adore it.I read the book and it was excellent and enchanting.The songs make me feel lovely and it is sure breath-taking.I have never said i find this boring.I love the song "When the last,"because it shows that that day will come where people will only see the last of every creauture, but standing above them all, will be the shiney silvery unicorn. Personally it sets the true spirit out of peoples bodies.It isn't the dance- type of song but sure the listen type.The magical words are easy to learn and very unicorn-like.If you listen to the words propally then you understand.The movie is good too.

If you ever have a chance, watch the movie. In the end credits, soon after Jimmy Webb, is the name Elton Mosher (I think they may have accidentally screwed it up though, something like Elton Moser). Elton Mosher wrote almost the entire score to The Last Unicorn. I happen to have hours and hours of studio tape of Jimmy, America, and Elton, voices included, of just brainstorming, and you can hear the music forming as they go. Did you know, America did not contribute anything except their talent, even though they are a wonderful group, and they sound gorgeous? 90% of the music was written by Elton, and the rest by Jimmy. Jimmy contributed all of the lyrics and melodies for the songs that required vocals. Elton then took these melodies and lyrics and formed the orchestrations that we all grew up with and love (at least if you were raised on The Last Unicorn). I too have all the words and lyrics memorized. The orchestrations are filled with zooming arpeggios, odd chord patterns, dissonance, and musical genius. I may be a little biased, however. This soundtrack is the best I have ever heard in my opinion, and I have heard it practically from the day I was born. You see, Elton Mosher is my father, and Uncle Jimmy is my dad's best friend since high school and my godfather. Again, this is a wonderful soundtrack that everyone should have a copy of!!!!

Goodness gracious, thank the Lord for Peter S. Beagle who wrote the book The Last Unicorn! It's a great storyline which totally enhances the film. The music, is by far, extremely inspiring and lovely. I first saw the movie when I was a young child of 6 years old and years later I still love and cherish it dearly.

Wow! I have loved this movie since I was a kid back in the 80s. I watched it over and over again, sometimes just to hear the wonderful music. And now, I can't believe I finally have this soundtrack! I have the VHS version of the movie, and the sound quality is quite poor. I'm pleased to say the CD sounds perfect! If you enjoyed the film, buy this soundtrack! And if you haven't already done so, read the book - it's wonderful! And, as other Unicorn fans, I am looking forward to the live action film that is currently in production. I only hope the music can live up to the standards this soundtrack has set. It may seem expensive, since it's an import, but it's totally worth the money!

I'm delighted to say that "The Last Unicorn" is a fantastic record that glows in the purest essence. Composed by Jimmy Webb, the actual score (which is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra) is quite authentic in its medieval setting; it echos a storybook world of kings, damsels, sorcerers, and of course, one unicorn who searches far and wide for her missing ancestors. While wisely avoiding his aim for a children's audience, Webb allowed the music to emit both mystery and myth. At the same time, the album's instrumental numbers flow along with the story and its characters. The ominous "Red Bull Attacks," for example, is dominated by its droning horns and crashing symbols; it can easily make one feel the heat of the Bull's scorching fire, which incinerates everything in its path. "The Cat's" sliding, high-pitched fiddle and piano keys emphasize a feline's slinky torso and curious yellow eyes. "Bull-Unicorn-Woman" may as well take place in a lavish ballroom, where dashing gentlemen and coquettish ladies dance together and make merry in wine.
Unlike the soundtracks of other 1980's fantasy films (most notably "Labrynth" and "The Neverending Story"), this one does NOT feature any new wave sythensizers, despite the presence of the pop group America. In the album's first five tracks, the band members play the wandering minstrels; they present simple, gentle tunes that delicately mix acoustic guitars with violins, woodwinds, and harp strings. "The Last Unicorn's" glittering title track foreshadows the tale about to be told while the chorus's volume rises and falls like the sun. The harmonious "Man's Road" is meant to take listeners down a shimmering trail of tears, leaving one alone in an empty void. "In The Sea" bathes the ears with enchanted warmth as it makes talking magpies and winged horses more believable. Mia Farrow's solo, "Now that I'm a Woman" is sung from the perspective of a lost princess who needs guidance; someone who longs for the love of another. This is immediately followed by "That's All I've Got to Say," her tearful duet with Jeff Bridges. Indeed, this track signifies a love reunited.
"The Last Unicorn," all in all, is a rare audio gem. It beautifully sparkles like dewdrops on a rose petal! Now that the score is digitally remastered, you too will be able to hear the laughter of the Last Unicorn!

Okay, so the person singing "Now that I'm a Woman" song isn't Mia Farrow. And the whole casing is in German. No big. First of all, I honestly believe that only die-hard fans of the original movie will notice the different female singers. Secondly, all the other songs--at least the lyrical ones--are exactly the same; the ones sung by America anyway. Although, I think they kept the original male singer in "That's all I have to Say"...
As for the album being in a language only half of us will truly understand? No worries, the songs are in English, and if you really want to know what the back cover says, it's easy to find the movie and get the production notes, especially with the movie now on DVD. For that matter, the song titles on the back are also in English, whihc is odd given that the rest of the casing is in German....
All in all, I enjoy this CD. I have the original flim, but it was getting difficult to keep fast forwarding and rewinding becuase I didn't want to watch the whole flim, just listen to "Man's Road" or "In the Sea". Now that I have uploaded this on my Ipod--something I needed the CD for, cause you aren't going to find the songs anywhere on Itunes Music Store--I can listen to whatever song I want without fiddling with my VCR. The movie has always and will always be a favorite--and the music plays a large part of why--music I now have. (The other half of why is becuase I'm a unicorn lover.)
And that's all I have to say.