Dinosaur: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

James Newton Howard

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B00004T0P1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,049 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With his score to the effects-heavy Disney dazzler Dinosaur, James Newton Howard proves there's no emotion or action he's beyond evoking with convincing bravado through his prodigious command of melody. Beginning with the water-pure, exploratory, near new-agey opening track, "Inner Sanctum/The Nesting Grounds," Howard sets his listeners up for a range of emotions. Danger and adventure come with "The End of Our Island," a highly textured face-off between hunter and hunted with excellent cymbal- and timbale-driven percussion. "Raptors/Stand Together" has a creepy sense of stalking, and "The Carnotaur Attack," is every bit as ominous as the theme to Jaws. Then there's "Kron & Aladar Fight" with a clashing that suggests chaotic energy. A mood of triumph comes with the inspiring march "Across the Desert," and "Finding Water" satisfies with its quality of resolution. "Breakout" provides the unmistakable sense of succeeding at some Sisyphean task and attendant celebrations. Traditional African rhythms, as on "The Courtship," support vocal arrangements by Grammy- and Tony-Award winning Lebo M. (best known for his work on The Lion King) and sometimes chirpy, cheerful chanting, as in "It Comes with a Pool." Less gut-driven but not a pinch less powerful is the gentle, beautiful "The Cave," an orchestral piece well worth several punches of any CD player's Repeat button. For a closer, this 16-song CD's "Epilogue" sweepingly parts the clouds to reveal sunshine and hope as only Disney could and, as usual, it works. In a little less than an hour, the Dinosaur soundtrack succeeds in taking its listeners on a 65-million-year journey without a regrettable moment. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music by James Newton Howard, May 3, 2000

By	dancingbird "dancingbird" (Santa Barbara, CA) - See all my reviews

James Newton Howard's Dinosaur soundtrack is one of his finest works. The music is so good, that Disney even used it in the movie trailers (most trailers use music from other films which is why you don't hear most trailer songs on the soundtrack). The only drawback to the CD, which is minor, is that the titles contain spoilers for the movie. And since the soundtrack is released three weeks before the film, it's easy to know what will happen. The CD contains 16 scores and no songs.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing, June 20, 2000

By	"bigbearmdb" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

How a score this fully developed, robust and exciting can be produced in Hollywood of this day and age is really a miracle.

James Newton Howard is one of the best out there right now, and this is him at the top of his game. Worth buying just for the five minutes of score we all heard last year in DINOSAUR's extended, no-dialogue preview. But that was literally just the beginning.

If you enjoyed Hans Zimmer's LION KING or POWER OF ONE, you will most definitely enjoy this CD... a thrilling mix of prehistoric rhythms and full-blooded orchestral writing, with hands down one of the most exciting action themes of recent memory (heard in full glory halfway through track 7, "Raptors / Stand Together").

A major work in film scoring from a composer who keeps getting better and better.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breathtaking score.... simply stunning!, July 8, 2000

By	Kelly (Alemeda whatever) (Kansas) - See all my reviews

Simply put this is the most wonderful score I have heard since "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", another Disney movie. I may be a huge Disney fan but I won't hesitate to admit when their work is less than stellar. For example Mulan had a wonderful score but weak songs, and Hercules had cute songs, but a weak score. Anyway, this score is simply brilliant. Although there is not a single track on here with lyrics it does not matter. This is one of the most soaring awe inspiring, uplifting, sometimes even spooky (as in Raptors/Stand together) scores ever. I have not heard much of Howard's other work, save the sixth sense, but if it's anywhere near as good as this it's worth checking out. The best track by far is across the desert. A piece with a complex and pulsating rhythm that you simply canot get out of your head. Other highlights include the upbeat "The Courtship," The touching "Inner Sanctum" and the majestic "The egg Travels." Many of the tracks are backed by vocals performed by Lebo M. who supplied background cvocals in The Lion King. This really adds to it. If this score does not win best original score... WIN! I will completely lose faith in the academy.