The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films [SOUNDTRACK]

John Facenda, Sam Spence

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino / Ada
• ASIN: B00000DGUH
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,184 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Football's appeal comes from the vicarious joys of seeing huge men racing around a field trying to knock each other's heads off, right? Not for the millions of people who grew up on the Sunday-morning highlight shows compiled by NFL films (which, through the magic of cable, can now be seen pretty much whenever you turn the TV on). The stylized slow-motion storytelling made the violence seem like a vicious ballet--something that Sam Peckinpah, John Woo, and Ringo Lam have also accomplished in their films--but what's a ballet without music? Sam Spence and Tom Hedden composed a series of classic themes that emphasized the relentless power and dangerous beauty of football (complete with marching drums, heroic horns, and dramatic string sections) to complement the highlights, and John Facenda's poetic narrations brought the whole thing together. Facenda possesses the deepest rumble of a voice this side of James Earl Jones, and listening to him narrate highlights form last week's game makes it sound as if the game were a timeless classic played decades in the past. The Power and the Glory is truly an unexpected pleasure. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horns for God's Game. , June 29, 2005

By	Bernard Chapin "Ora Et Labora!" (CHICAGO! USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There is no better sport in the world than American football and the NFL is undoubtedly the greatest league on earth. While the Patriots and the concept of "team" have been an incredible story the last few years, The Power and The Glory forcefully reminds us that the NFL peaked in one important area decades ago. The music that was produced in the 1960s for NFL Films' specials surpasses everything we hear today. The CD never lets us forget the golden age of Butkis, Schimdt, and Bart Starr.

There are 36 tracks on the album and the odd ones contain verbal snippets from actual NFL films episodes while the even ones contain the music. I must say the overall effect is stunning.

The voice over tracks let the players, our heroes, talk. Even though I hate the Packers, number 21 is devoted to Lombardi and deservedly so. The same could be said about "Heroes of the 60s" where you hear Dandy Don Meredith give a pep talk before a final drive. At times, it feels like you're practically in the huddle--except you don't get beat up.

What can one say about this music? I listened to it over and over again as a child. I used to run inside early on Sundays just to catch the highlights from the week before, even if it meant putting up with Brent Musberger and Phyllis George for a half hour beforehand. This is fanfare for the vigrous man.

Perhaps the most picturesque tune is "The Final Quest" although "Golden Boy" is a close second. When I heard "Up She Rises" at an Irish bar in 1998, I told somebody that the band stole the song from NFL films. They responded by saying NFL films stole it from Ireland. Well they were right, but what an anthem! The Raiders are the only team with their own composition and this fact is not lost on Al Davis as one can hear it on the television during simulcasts from their stadium.

The Power and Glory is worthy of Graham Greene's title as it symbolizes the nobility of the physical life. It's also one of the few power CDs suitable for the workplace--which is saying a lot.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect CD to get you psyched for anything!, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

Listen to this CD before any challenge. The music will make you feel invincible!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nevermind ESPN's Chris Berman, FACENDA is the real deal!, December 27, 2001

By	Jason P. (Fair Lawn, NJ, United States) - See all my reviews

Most of us football fans have heard, many a time, ESPN's Chris Berman belt out in his best baritone: "LAMBEAU FIELD, THE FROZEN TUNDRA, THE GREEN BAY PACKERS..." Isn't it great? Just like the old NFL films we used to see on TV. Well, forget that! This CD, with the legendary John Facenda, is THE REAL DEAL! Listen to the original voice of the NFL as we all knew it. Watching NFL Films, although still fun, just isn't the same anymore, not since Mr. Facenda passed away. That...and the music. Watching NFL football highlights set to the glorious sounds of that symphony, that was the best! It made NFL football seem like the greatest sports battles of mankind. You might like highly competitive baseball games in the summer. Or you might look forward to the NBA on a lazy Saturday afternoon in March. Others love the excitement of the NHL playoffs or maybe a big boxing match on a Saturday night. However, nothing, I mean NOTHING, comes close to matching the butterflies in your stomach that you get from sitting down in front of the TV on a FOOTBALL SUNDAY in November/December. The other reviews of this CD are correct: There are some great narrations and musical highlights missing here, but don't worry. The 36 tracks included here are more than enough. Some of the tracks that I've been blasting in my car going to work and back are: 1.The Power And The Glory 3.A Season Awaits 4.Round Up 6.The Lineman 11.The Autumn Wind 12.The Raiders 15.A Time For Glory 19.Brahma Bull ... and my two favorites ... 21.Lombardi and 22.The Final Quest (just to let you know, I'm not even a Packers fan). I would recommend more tracks, but I still can't stop listening to the ones I listed. You will not be disappointed.