Customer Reviews

The Power Of One: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first saw this film at the theater in 1992, I and my friend who was with me were both stunned by how incredible and beautiful this music was. It left on us that kind of impression where you just can't wait to go get the soundtrack.

I'm a music lover. I own over 150 CDs, and this is one of the first CDs I've ever owned. And it's still one of the best that I have. The music on this soundtrack is far more beautiful and soothing to the ear than most of the movie soundtracks out there today. There are even four songs on the CD which are not contained in the film: "Limpopo River Song," Power of One" (performed by Teddy Pendergrass), "The Funeral Song," and "Wangal Unozipho". These great songs only go further in complementing the score as a whole. Unlike even some of the very best movie soundtracks out there, this one contains no boring tracks. All the songs are vibrant and uplifting whether they are fast or slow. The sounds of African voices (notably the Bulawayo Church Choir of Zimbabwe) mix in wonderfully with the ominous percussions and orchestra music composed by Hans Zimmer.

Hans Zimmer has proven to be the master of variety when it comes to composing film scores. In 1989, he composed the music for DRIVING MISS DAISY, POWER OF ONE in 1992, THE LION KING in 1994 (for which he won an Academy Award), and even such action films as THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, and GLADIATOR. He has earned his place of honor among such greats as John Williams, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, and Alfred Newman.

If you liked the African-flavored tracks on the soundtrack to Disney's "The Lion King", you will love this album. Not being an expert, I don't know whether or not this is "authentic" African music, but I can tell you that it is some of the most emotionally stirring music I've heard. The rhythms and harmonies totally sweep you away. I've tried to use this CD as background music to study by, and it doesn't work because I just have to sit back and lose myself in the music; needless to say, my work never got done until I turned it off and put in something a little bit less involved. This is definitely a purchase that you won't regret.

Rid the words "powerful" and "moving" of their triteness--learn them anew by hearing this incomparable soundtrack. The harmonies! The instruments! The richness and precision of the African voices! And lyrics that some have said move them to tears. Put on headphones--this is something you listen to with full attention to the details. No music can stir the soul more than Mother Africa, for example, with its slow crescendo (14 minutes including reprise) that gathers like a storm and then fades into the distance leaving a lone voice in the calm.

I thought the inclusion of African-American Teddy Pendergrass, singing the title track ("Standing lost by a river / In a land far from you...") was a brilliant touch.

I have already used one track of this CD, so far, as background music for a slideshow of pictures I've taken in tribal Africa. Senzenina, like most of the music on the CD, it is not in English, enabling it to speak to each listener individually. (I know what it says to me....) The one thing people invariably say after seeing my slide show is, "What is that music? Where can I get it?"

Over all, I would say this music is a blend of both earthy and choral sounds, both primitive and contemporary percussion and rhythm, both sorrow and courage, a nod to the hard past and the rivers of blood that continue to forge a strong and powerful and endless march into the future. In spite of the seeming triviality of our every-day lives, in the end, life is profound--and that's what this is about. That it is about life that continues to this day in the cradle of our birth makes it all the more profound.

It's hard to imagine anyone not being blown away by this work of Hans Zimmer.

I've had this CD in my music library for a number of years and haven't listened to it for a long time. I had it buried somewhere collecting dust. I dug it out tonight and replayed it. It all came back to me. I've forgotten just how powerful and moving this soundtrack is and the reason why I bought it in the first place many summers ago. I saw the movie only once but I fell in love with the music from the start. The sheer grandeur of those beautiful African choir voices. It brought tears to my eyes once again, as it did before. I even discovered that the beginning part of the last track "Mother Africa Reprise" was used in the 2001 trailers for the first Lord of the Rings movie "The Fellowship of the Ring". I remember asking myself when I saw the trailers what was that African-sounding "chantlike" music that was used in the background. It sounded familiar to me but I didn't make the connection that it was from this soundtrack. I had it all along and didn't remember! I'm not letting this one out of my sight again. It's going back on top of my CD rack where it belongs for more deserved replays. Listening to it reminds you why music is THE universal language.

Personally being from South Africa, I think that this is a great CD. For more on this item watch the movie, except keep in mind that South Africa has changed because this movies is about at lesat a decade or more ago. This music is truly South African, and is great fun to listen to. You can feel the joy in the music, a kind of joy that can only be African. The songs capture the joy and sadness from the movie and are awsome to listen to.

This is one of the most amazing choral works I have ever listened to. It is one of my favorite albums and I can't begin to guess how many times I have listened to it. I still get goosebumps listening to the rainmaker. Authentic African music or not it is wonderful stuff. I do agree with others that the one cut that should have been left off is the pop style song 'The power of one" but that is what the skip button on a cd player is for. I can't believe that this CD is out of print. Get it used or any way you can. I doubt you will be disappointed.

I keep looking for more music like it -- if anyone knows of anything like this please e-mail me.

I had seen the film only once, and read the book five times before I ordered this soundtrack. And it is everything I expected it to be -- stirring, moving, powerful, and ALIVE! It may not be authentic African music, but it tells me so much about the African spirit. As I listened to the score for the first time, I had to pick up my copy of the book, and begin reading it all over again, while listening to the music at the same time. I was disappointed with one song, though: the Southland Concerto. In the book, Peekay describes it as an extemely melodic and harmonious work of art, something very difficult to imagine, a song which often left him in tears. However, Hans Zimmer's composition of it is not what I would call a heart-breaking concerto. It makes me wonder whether he read the book before reading the mutilated screenplay.

It's one of the most beautiful inspirational music ever. I listen to it and then i feel better about myself. It may sound weird. But, it's true! Write me if you want to talk about the movie/music anything!

kelseya82@hotmail.com

This album is as wonderful as all the other reviews say it is. The one drawback is the Power of One theme in the middle -- it goes from amazing African music to cheesy early '90s quasi-rock. The difference between this song and the rest of the album is similar to the difference between the book (a work of genius) and the movie (a mildly entertaining copy that fails to capture the magic of the book). If it bugs you as much as it does me, just buy the CD and make a copy (for your own personal use of course!) without that theme. It fixes the problem perfectly!

Contrary to earlier reviews, this is not always traditional African music, though it does incorporate African music brilliantly. The first note is like a diamond bullet right between the eyes, and is followed by an aural assault of African singing, drumming and orchestral music. This CD definitely stirs your soul. I have lived in Kenya, and this music certainly captures the spirit. Truly amazing and breathtaking.