Meet Joe Black: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Thomas Newman

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00000DHZU
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,210 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Meet Joe Black, director Martin Brest's remake of the '30s semiclassic Death Takes a Holiday, took widespread critical potshots for its three-hour length and laconic pace. Ironically, composer Thomas Newman's score is a compelling exercise in musical economy--spare, emotionally longing arrangements where the spaces resonate almost as much as the notes. The composer (youngest son of the great film scorer Alfred Newman and cousin to Randy Newman) shows the same deft handling of emotional nuance he displayed on The Shawshank Resemption, The Horse Whisperer, and Oscar and Lucinda (winner of Best Original Score at the 1998 Australian Film Awards), here underplaying the story's romance and otherworldly aspects with a few piano notes and a masterful use of strings and winds. Yet another tribute to the Newman gene pool and an impressively mature work from one of Hollywood's brightest young film composers. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "It's a Wonderful World" of Music (CD a little low), December 3, 2002

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

There is no doubt that this is one beautiful album. I'm in total agreement with all the 5 star ratings for this perfect score of the "Meet Joe Black" film. Thomas Newman composed and conducted most of these orchestral instumentals that take you scene by beautiful scene of the story. You will relive from beginning,"Yes", to end, "That Next Place", all the heartwrenching moments.I could only go with the 4 stars though, as I am reviewing the total product. The CD seems to have been recorded very low.If I have 5 discs on my changer this is the one I always have to turn up about 5 notches, and then back down when the next one starts. If this is not a problem for you(and it really isnt for me) and you love this film, then you'll love the CD.

The tracks also include two wonderful songs by Irving Berlin, "Cheek to Cheek", and "Let's face the Music and Dance".And then there is the mesmerizing end credits music.Performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. This vocal rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" makes me stop whatever I'm doing and just listen for a while.

So even with having to adjust the sound for this one, it still ends up on my changer 9 out of 10 times. It's well worth it!

dvd - Meet Joe Black
I Love It!..........Laurie

more beautiful music from the movies:
Stealing Home: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Music for the Movies of Clint Eastwood

Red: Bande Originale Du Film

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and Relaxing, August 18, 2001

By	V. VanCamp "lovesbookslovesmusic" (Ithaca, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Oh, what a wonderful soundtrack this is! 'Meet Joe Black' was a thought provoking and captivating movie and the soundtrack is no less so.

Thomas Newman is a genius! I especially enjoy 'Everywhere Freesia'; 'Walkaway'; 'Meet Joe Black'; 'Whisper of a Thrill'; 'Cold Lamb Sandwich'; 'Served its Purpose'; 'Someone Else' and the capper - 'That Next Place'

Also, equally enchanting and nicely filling out the album are Irving Berlin's classics: 'Cheek to Cheek' and 'Let's Face the Music and Dance'; the well known 'What a Wonderful World' written by George Weiss and Bob Thiele; and the medley performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World'. This last song is a beautiful and winsome addition!!

I listen to this album often!!! It calms me and soothes me (I tend to get easily wound up!) Many times I will put it in to relax me into a nap... or I'll listen to it at bedtime for a lullaby into dreamland!!

I zealously recommend this soundtrack!

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my favorite soundtrack!, April 25, 1999

By A Customer

While waiting for the video of Meet Joe Black to come out, I bought the soundtrack on a whim, and I am so glad I did! The music is so beautiful and completely takes me back to the film. I can't help but visualize the corresponding part of the movie when I hear each song. The first time I listened to "Someone Else" and "That Other Place", I started crying, but since then I've trained myself to think of the happy aspects of the film and not well up. My one complaint is that many of the songs (especially "Peanut Butter Man" and "5th Avenue") are much too short. The final song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World", blends both songs together well and is a perfect finale for the soundtrack and the film. I highly recommend this soundtrack to anyone who appreciates beautiful music!