Customer Reviews

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Emissary

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

 

 

Dennis McCarthy's score for "Emissary" (No "the," by the way) stands after seven years as one of his best compositions ever.

As filmatic as Generations, "Emissary" features some of McCarthy's best and most distinctive work from the early years of Deep Space Nine, (the texture changed in the fifth year) including a few cues that were later retooled for other episodes. Listen for the direct parallels between this and the music to "The Visitor."

The Main Title is also excellent, with one glaring problem that cost the CD a star. Evidently GNP Crescendo was unable to locate the original recording of the main title, so they simply digitally remastered the final product as seen on the show. Unfortunately, the sound effects are still there, seriously sabotaging the effect of the music. Echoes of the main theme are heard throughout the score bringing to mind Alexander Courages explorations of his two main themes in "The Cage" and "Where No Man has Gone Before." We also hear the theme played with Couyrages classic Trek theme in one fascinating cue. ("Saying Goodbye")

The music for "Wolf 359" is an excellent example of Star Trek battle music, and is especially delightful to Trek enthusiasts for its allusions to Ron Jones' music for "The Best of Both Worlds" and for a dynamic early version of one of McCarthy's suspence themes.

The rest of the album is very good, though the absence of the end credit music is sorely felt. Still, there are some memorable bonus tracks. "Cucumbers in Space," one of only two releases of original Trek source music so far, is a witty parody of electronic punk music, particularly the deadpan finale. The CD ends with "Single" versions of the Main Theme and of a beautiful piano solo from "Passage Terminated" which presumably were intended for Pop radio stations. The latter is fine, though actually inferior to the original "Passage." The former is a hoot! The DS9 theme is awkwardly played with a horrible drumbeat in the background until, of all things, an electric guitar takes over. It is one of the worst moments in the hisotry of Trek music.

Dennis McCarthy does a superb scoring assignment for this original episode - "The Emissary" from Star Trek:Deep Space Nine, not a marching tempo from the earlier Goldsmith scores. There is a wonderful sense of peacefulness & serenity to this soundtrack, which is very different from previous "Star Trek" scores. McCarthy immediately sets the tone and mood for his music with the opening - MAIN TITLE with horns and strings mixed with smooth orchestration.

Highlights on this album - THE ENTERPRISE DEPARTS/A NEW HOME very melodic and flowing theme with building brass at the end - TIME STOOD STILL with alien overtones, but very effective - PASSAGE TERMINATED creating a sense of loneliness, as a piano with slight orchestra weaves a restful and meditating effect for the listener to absorb, with every fiber and nerve in your body fully accepting this musical voyage.

GNP/Crescendo Records and producers Neil Norman, Mark Banning and composer Dennis McCarthy have once again given us an enjoyable, entertaining and enlightening experience through the power of music. Highly recommend this to ALL soundtrack and Star Trek fans who would venture into the realms of - "Deep Space Nine"!

Total Time: 52:34 on 18 Tracks/ GNP-Crescendo Records - GNPD 8034

It seems to me that Dennis McCarthy composes dramatic episodes the best, and he does a superb job composing the music for Emissary. My favorites were #1 the main title, which is perhaps the best theme song on any Trek series, #3 The Enterprsie Departs/A New Home, #12 Passage Terminated, and #18 a variation of Passage Terminated. If you like the music on DS9, then you will most likely enjoy this CD.

I enjoy classical and pretty much all of the Star Trek music. Track 17, The Theme from Star Trek 'Deep Space Nine' Single Version, was different but still Star Trek and nice to listen to.

This is the greatest Trek series. All the songs were great except the "single version" of the main title, which was awkward. Overall I recommend this cd.

I really liked the CD. I listen to it when ever i get to the CD player. I love StarTrek and i really like the music in the shows. I think the composer did a great job and I want to get the other CD of StarTrek as well. I recommend this CD to all people that like StarTrek and SCI-FI.

In this opening chapter of the excellent DS-9, we meet Dr. Bashir, the nicest, smartest Muslim in the galaxy. Truly Science Fiction. Star Trek again precedes social reality! (An American and a Russian cooperating? A black female officer?) And the part is even played by a real Arab actor.