Angela's Ashes: Music From The Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]

John Williams (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: John Williams
• Audio CD (December 7, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00003A9QG
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,321 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Given that John Williams has his pick of much of the $80-million, thrill-packed boilerplate that comes clanging out of Hollywood every summer and fall, it's especially noteworthy (and often gratifying) when he doesn't exercise his option. In scoring Alan Parker's adaptation of Frank McCourt's Pulitzer-winning memoirs of his dire Irish upbringing in the 1930s and '40s, Williams has produced a graceful, autumnal work of compelling, though decidedly delicate, emotional power. Using spare piano and solo woodwind melodies filled with longing eloquence, Williams effectively punctuates a sweeping, largely string and wind ensemble. As he did to great effect in The Phantom Menace, the veteran leans heavily on his classical moonlighting duties for inspiration. Interspersed throughout (and also effectively underscored by his music) are concise, telling excerpts of the film's narration read by Alan Bennett. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Voice-Over Ruins the CD..., January 31, 2002

By	Daniel V. Reilly (Upstate New York, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

When I saw Angela's Ashes in the Theater a few years ago, I was so taken with John Williams' beautiful score that I rushed right out and bought the Soundtrack CD. I was VERY disappointed to find that about 80% of the Score is drowned out by the over-dubbing of dialogue from the film. If I wanted to hear film dialogue, I would get the DVD and play that. It's too bad that Mr. Williams' lovely music is forced to play second fiddle to an actor playing Frank McCourt, and the CD packaging says NOTHING about every track having a monologue over the music. (There is an import version of the CD that omits the annoying voice-over, but that didn't do me any good......I had already bought this version.)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Williams does it again, January 20, 2000

By A Customer

Williams continues to surprise and amaze me everytime he writes a new score. This is no exception. This is the somber side of Williams, like Schindler's List, Presumed Innocent, and Seven Years in Tibet. If you like those, you'll like this one. If you're interested in the music, I recomend the Decca release (at Amazon.co.uk) because it doesn't have narration over the music like the US Sony release.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, February 6, 2000

By	"pathetique" (Utah) - See all my reviews

Wow. Angela's Ashes--wow. If you're looking for a "Star Wars" fanfare or something lively to pep you up for a good sprint, this isn't the CD to buy. But if you are looking for something beautiful and almost spiritually moving, this is perfect. It has a lot of similarities to "Seven Years in Tibet," "Schindler's List," and "Empire of the Sun," only with an Irish/American twist. It is so amazing how John Williams can make even the most saddening situations absolutely gorgeous. He definitely sees the beauty of them.

I haven't even seen the movie that inspired this soundtrack, and yet, the music is so powerful it touches and moves me every time I listen. When track #17 plays, I almost cry....and don't even know the circumstances of the moment. If you enjoy any of John William's before-mentioned soundtracks, I guarantee that you'll enjoy this one.