Customer Reviews

Grizzly Man - O.S.T.

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

 

 

Richard Thompson seems to be at another particularly prodigious point in his career; in evidence of this is the current album on which he provided the score for the stunning Werner Herzog documentary Grizzly Man. The all-instrumental RT tracks run the gamut from intense electric leads, haunting and spacey guitar droning, acoustic picking, and an upbeat number or two. There is also some cello, bass, percussion, and keyboard layered in which further expand the depth and range of the compositions' textures and dimensions. It is notable that toward the end of the album, the songs seem to structurally unravel, however, it only goes to further the mood of the story before returning to the main title theme. The disc closes with Coyotes sung by Don Edwards (purveyor of all things cowboy), a touching curtain on a unique story and a wonderful album.

I became familiar with this music having watched Herzog's masterpiece on DVD. In the special features section there is a small but beautiful documentary on the making of the music for the soundtrack. I was hitherto unaware of Richard Thompson, but I must exclaim this is musicianship at it's finest. His playing is completely unformulaic and made of pure emotion. It is perfectly coupled with the drama of the movie and works in the everyday when you want a deeply transporting music to fill your thoughts. Another testiment to the genius of Herzog to employ a improvisator of such rich talent.

I am constantly looking for simple and crude instrumental music to listen to when I write. I stray away from classical works, because I find their brilliance far too distracting. I also avoid the monotony of overdriven beats without substance. I prefer that there be little or no singing and speaking. I want an exploration of a theme, genre, and especially an improvised mix and replenishment of both.

The Grizzly Man soundtrack works well in my pursuit for inspiring, open-ended music. I disagree with the reviewers who suggest that the soundtrack requires the film as a complement. In fact, the soundtrack was recorded after the film's completion, and the musicians were directed not to play to the film but rather to capture the open country, to juxtapose ideas and spaces that the film explores.

Over two intense days, the entire soundtrack was improvised (largely guided by the great guitarist Richard Thompson) and recorded. My only complaint is that there is not more of this music. Since the pieces were often meant to fill a certain scene or length of footage, certain pieces tease the listener rather than fulfill a promise of a longer greatness. For two days' work, however, this is certainly a fantastic undertaking.

If you've seen the film, I assume you won't need this review, so for others: if the word "soundtrack" is a perjorative, then you probably won't like this disc. If however, you listen to the "Main Title" sample cut and the sound appeals to you, then you will. A couple of the tracks are relative throwaways, and no, this isn't as sweeping thematically as "Rhapsody in Blue", but it achieves two things: it is a perfect accompaniment to the film, and it stands on its own as a portrait/aural landscape. I would compare it to Metheny's "A Map of the World". My brother and I are both big Metheny fans-- he's bored by that release, yet I, captured by the main theme, go back to it time and time again.

When I go this disc, I had to make a long errand in my car which gave me a great opportunity to listen to it. The music of the Grizzly Man soundtrack was great in the movie, contributing to the movie experience but not overwhelming it. And "not overwhelming" is a good way to describe the music on its own. I don't mean that in a negative way. It's just that there is nothing here that really grabs you in. It's a pleasant, atmospheric listening experience, and there's a place in the world for pleasant, atmospheric music, especially when it us played by Richard Thompson and some excellent supporting musos.

This music stands on its own better than most soundtracks, but would still be difficult to appreciate fully outside of the context of the sessions and the film. The main theme is reminiscent of Thompson's Knife-edge instrumental from the "Strict Tempo!" instrumental album, and features some lovely playing on the "cues". To increase your enjoyment, see the documentary on the recording sessions included in the special features on the DVD of the film. No fan of Richard Thompson will be disappointed!

The Grizzly Man soundtrack is a wonderfully deep and touching musical tribute. Unlike most reviewers I feel that the soundtrack holds up on its own as a piece of beautiful music. The sonic depth and transcendent melodies are enough to make the hair on your neck stand up (In my case it actually did). Richard Thompson is a master with the guitar, he makes the guitar come to life and sing its song for all to hear. All the performers involved are accomplished and very talented and I believe that sets this soundtrack apart from some others. The methods that they used to make some of the sounds was unorthodox to say the least, but what wonderful results! Give this soundtrack a listen, if your into melodic sound you will not be let down.

Richard Thompson and the other musicians did a great job of creating this soundtrack to go along with Werner Herzog's movie. If you want to appreciate it, watch the movie. When it is not accompanying the movie, it seems a little disjointedly moody and ambient, and doesn't seem to play well track to track.

There are some gems on the album, the main title track is great and Coyotes is a great cowboy classic, but the brilliance of the soundtrack was when it was joined to the film. Perhaps the best thing to do is buy a couple of tracks through itunes and skip buying the album.

Again, brilliant work for its intended use, not so great on its own. Also, if you get a chance, watch the music featurette on the Grizzly Man DVD. It's interesting, especially if you are a Richard Thompson fan.

A beautiful collection of guitar music from the soundtrack of a mesmerizing show. If you have not seen the actual show you are missing some unbelievable footage. Yes breathtaking mountains and rivers. Yes big BIG grizzly bears.

But the real magic is the proximity that grizzly man achieves out in the middle of the wilderness. Not hidden electric prods, no off camera camera crew to keep them bears honest. He repeatedly gets up close to these wild creatures. He really loved those bears and it comes across in the show.

So if you liked the show you will enjoy this music. Beautifully arranged by the composer.. Thompson. Short tunes that take you from incident to incinent through various moods and adventures.

nice, sometimes moody, audio wallpaper. i liked mostly the the main title "grizzly man" and its quieter counterpart. it sounds like the music behind an epic SUV or pick-up truck commercial. it conjures up images of the marlboro man's ghost or sweeping aerial views of midwestern plains, not alaskan tundra. if listening to new-agey soundtracks from documentaries about tragic outdoorsmen is your thing (as it is mine), seek out a copy of "the shape of the land", by philip aaberg and michael hedges. it's a more engaged listening experience on the whole and works with or without the movie.