Shrek: Original Motion Picture Score [Soundtrack]

Harry Gregson-Williams (Composer), John Powell (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell
• Audio CD (December 4, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00005RZTY
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,162 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fairytale

2. Ogre Hunters / Fairytale Deathcamp

3. Donkey Meets Shrek

4. Eating Alone

5. Uninvited Guests

6. March of Farquuad

7. The Perfect King

8. Welcome to Duloc

9. Tournament Speech

10. What Kind of Quest

11. Dragon! / Fiona Awakens

12. One of A Kind Knight

13. Saving Donkey's Ass

14. Escape from the Dragon

15. Helmet Hair

16. Delivery Boy Shrek / Making Camp

17. Friends Journey to Duloc

18. Starry Night

19. Singing Princess

20. Better Out Than In / Sunflower / I'll Tell Him

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great music but not enough cohesiveness, January 10, 2002

By 

"wayneoon" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shrek: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

I must say, I was waiting for the score to be released ever since the day I set my eyes upon the movie. I would say, I was delighted when the score was finally released. Unfortunately, in my country where pop and rock are considered gods, there ain't much of choices when it comes to scores. Soundtracks flooded the market here but few choice scores only made it across the Pacific.

Now, this score has its magical moments especially the opening track. Sad but not sorrowful, happy but not joyful. There is a sense of yearning. Personally speaking, I wouldn't have thought of a better tune to kick-start a fairytale than this tune. You can almost hear the music narrating the tale, "Once upon a time there was a princess....".

The second track depicts the scene whereby the villagers hunted for ogres in the movie and Shrek sneaked up behind them. Cleverly written, with cues to highlight the action, this track hits it climax when a dramatic tune approaches and you can almost hear the seven dwarves being herded away. :)

The third track has two catchy tunes, one being the cue where Donkey was chased and a quieter and jocular tune when Donkey was trying his best to make a nuisance of himself and convincing Shrek to let him stay. An unexpected ending but interesting twist.

The fourth track(Eating Alone) renders a lonesome tune with cello strings and guitar droning at the background while the fifth track(Uninvited Guests) really hits the magical genius button. Clever use of woodwind instruments and the whistle to depict the comical effect of Shrek's home being overran by fairy tale creatures. The climax with a full orchestra shows the bustling activities of the recently immigrated fairy tale creatures.

The sixth(March of Farquuad) and seventh track(The Perfect King) has the sinister tune which associates the personality of this character. A triumphant march-like tune is carried throughout the eight track(Tournament Speech) but once again, JP and HGW managed to tickle the ribs by ending this tune in a surprising manner.

From here onwards, the tune is recycled to suit the different cues and scenes. Notable tracks to be mentioned are "Dragon!/Fiona Awakens" which carries a frantic and bombastic pace and a great tune to boot,"Escape from the Dragon" is a cult favourite by many reviewers as well. Great techno track. "Helmet Hair" shows the serenity that follows after escaping from the dragon and the disappointment when the Princess found out that Shrek wasn't the knight that she was hoping for. "Singing Princess" was featured in the movie and believe it or not, you can hear the explosion as well :) Great for laughs. "Ride the Dragon" and "Transformation" was heard in partialty in the soundtrack release track "Love's first kiss".

If you want my opinion, I would say, great and superb music. Different from the usual Disney fare of percussions galore. The tracks was well-orchestrated and you can very well say that this score is the icing on the cake for this movie.

I would be interested to wait for the next JP and HGW collaboration. Just wondering though, how would they have fared if they were to compose for Lord of the Rings instead of Howard Shore?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but did not live up to expectations, December 6, 2001

By 

Keith Hahn (Warrensburg, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shrek: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

Well, after waiting for months, the Shrek score finally came out. While it's definitely a great listen, I was disappointed by the length of the cues. Most are less than two minutes and barely long enough to enjoy.
Nevertheless, I am thoroughly enjoying my continued listening of the cd. The best track is #14: "Escape From the Dragon." It's a kind of rock/techno track with the main theme worked in.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HALLELUJAH!!!, December 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Shrek: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

At last! Shrek's amazing score by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell is available on CD! The music lets you relive the magic of the movie, from the haunting beauty of "Fairytale" and "Singing Princess" to the lonely solitude in "Eating Alone." From the ominous "March Of Farquuad" and "Fairytale Deathcamp" to the heroic adventure of "Escape from the Dragon." Not to mention the humor with the songs "Welcome to Duloc" and "Merry Men." None of the songs are very long (the longest being just under three and a half minutes) with several songs under a minute, but every second of this CD takes you on a musical journey that I shall cherish happily ever after. Thank You DreamWorks!!!!