Customer Reviews

Out Of Africa: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This review refers to the "Out Of Africa" Soundtrack CD by MCA Records....

Old Fashion phrases like "dreamy" and "makes me swoon" come to mind when I think of the beauty in this music. Composer John Barry has added his genius to many films,"Dances With Wolves" and "Indecent Proposal" just to name a couple, and this one is one of the most beautiful and dramatic examples.

There are 12 "dreamy" tracks. Opening with the "Main Title"(I Had A Farm In Africa"), and including three variations on "Karen's Theme"("I'm Better At Hello", "I Had A Compass From Denys", and "If I Know A Song of Africa"), Barry's genius captures Karen's emotions, her feelings for Denys and her passion for the country and people of Africa). "Flying Over Africa" and the "End Title", ("You Are Karen")..will at the very least evoke goose bumps,and if you have seen the film and remember those scenes, may even bring a little lump to your throat. There is also some tradtional African Music, "Siyawe" which is wonderful and then there's Mozart - "Concerto For Clarinet and Orchestra in A" performed by The Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields, and Directed by Neville Marriner(Jack Brymer, Clarinet).

The CD is an excellent quality. It sounds wonderful on the stereo. I like to turn it up quite a bit, so I think my neighbors must love it too, cause I haven't heard any complaints!

So, "Let The Rest of The World Go By" (also included), get ready to "swoon" and enjoy.....Laurie

also recommended:
Orchestral Album
Cinema Choral Classics
Native Land

John Barry has remarkable talent, and he is at his best on this soundtrack. The beauty of the music, the appropriateness of the match to the film, is remarkable. This is, however, an abbreviated version of the soundtrack. It's now available in a new recording (20-bit digital) on Amazon, with much more of the film's music added. You may want to look into that version as well, by the Royal Scottish N.O. The music itself is a wonderful way to recall the film, but it stands alone too as a beautiful orchestral composition.

John Barry won an Oscar for this score and it still holds up as a classic. Each selection is moving and heartfelt. Barry is at his best here, by pulling emotions out and just barely keeping under the radar of over-whelming emotional sweeps. There is only one drawback to this soundtrack and that is that it is only a little over (33) thirty-three minutes long. That's a tragedy. You might consider buying the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's recording. I found it to be nearly identical and it certainly does justice to Barry's work.

If you are like me, then you probably love music. This CD is one that you can listen to while doing other things or just relaxing with your eyes closed on a quiet afternoon.

John Barry is a remarkable composer and conveys a great deal of emotion in his music. This collection from the movie Out of Afrca is only one example of his talent, but a good example at that.

Hghly recommended!

John Barry has written the perfect score for this wonderful movie/story. Each time I listen to the soundtrack, I see the movie all over again, in my mind. If you have not seen the movie, you will enjoy the music for exactly what it is - magnificent melodies that just 'take you away'. I highly recommend it!

First, John Barry is an excellent composer. This is not the only soundtrack he has done but I do think it is the best. It captures every moment and actully takes you back to a time when things were so very easy and slow. Every moment of this CD recreates in your memory the entire film which was a great love story. the CD itself is a love story and can put you in the loving mood with the first note. It has a Mozart original, concerto for clarinet and orchestra in A, it's wonderful. But the best are the compostions by John Barry. He has an excellent ear for romance and portrays it with every note played. It makes you want to pick up your own instrument and play. It's that amazing. You should certainly buy this one if this is your liking. thanks for listening.

One lovely theme after another flows from this recording. This Academy Award winning score from John Barry takes flight (literally, listen to the breathtaking FLYING OVER AFRICA) and leaves the listener almost breathless. As in another of his Academy Award winning scores (DANCES WITH WOLVES), Barry shows an amazing ability to capture the elation one feels at the sight of a beautiful natural landscape. For this is not just a story of romance between the two main characters. It is the story of Karen's (Meryl Streep) love for Africa. This is a score of rare beauty. This is a score not to be missed.

I have to agree with the last reviewer "Mags", from
Jersey Shore, "Let the Rest of the World Go By" is
a wonderfully romantic piece which takes one back
in time... Quite visual! Another great soundtrack
by John Barry that will be treasured like "Somewhere
in Time". Listeners who enjoy these two favorites will
appreciate "John Barry Moviola", a CD which includes
many of his classic themes.

Like Meg, I'm also interested in knowing more about the
music instrumentation in "Let the Rest of the World Go
By" as to who were the artists playing and/or artists
who may have have produced a CD recapturing a similar
music style reflecting this period of time.

At the time I finally got this CD I haven't watched the movie in a long long time but I remember that I loved the movie and the music so I got the CD score.
I listened to it and my mind was able to recall the beautiful images of Africa, the endless sky, the color, the people bend working in the farm. The music is just incredible - even if you did not see the movie. It's just set you soul in a fly. If you don't totally love it the first time you listen, then listen again - it grows on you. The music is evocative and inspiring. I have to say that I normally do not buy music from the movies. I just don't because I always thought the music is just background for the movie. In this case (and in case of The Red Violin) I am glad I made an exception.

This cd is filled with wonderful melodies. I especially like it because it is not filled with repitions on a single theme. The lack of fast and exciting music is a minor tragedy, but makes this cd a great relaxation or bed time soundtrack.