Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mansions of the Lord, as used in Reagan Funeral Recessional, June 13, 2004
By A Customer
Many millions were moved to tears by the dramatic conclusion of the funeral of President Ronald Reagan, in which a powerful piece of choral and instrumental music was played while the honor guard marched in, lifted the casket, and recessed down the aisle with the cross and candles and priests leading the way. That music was an arrangement of the last cut on this album, and the album is worth it if only to be able to have this music handy for future reference. I remember thinking, as the tears streamed uncontrollably down my face, that I'd have maintained my composure but for the music. Indeed, I never shed a tear during the funeral until that music began to play over the scene of the handsome young soldiers bearing their commander-in-chief to his final resting place. I remember thinking that this music had a cinematic quality to it, deeply sad but carrying a strength and resilience that perfectly matched the image of the President as he was recalled by the eulogies of those who loved him. A powerful piece of music indeed, and one that should be remembered even if the rest of the album is less memorable.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
When did soundtracks stop being soundtracks?, March 11, 2002
I saw this movie the other night, and was deeply touched and impressed. The orchestral soundtrack was a perfect match with the story, creating an atmosphere of patriotism, and yet sadness that this kind of sacrifice in necessary for our country's defense. I went out and looked, and found this CD, and didn't look at it closely enough until it was open and too late.To this album's credit, its actual title (not as seen here) is "Music From And Inspired By" We Were Soldiers. To be precise, two tracks of fourteen are heard anywhere in the film: the last two, one of which is the closing credits. Here I was, looking for beautiful, classical-style soundtrack music a la Braveheart or Gladiator, and I am treated to truly boring new offerings from groups like Five For Fighting and Train. Don't get me wrong: I own albums from both of these groups that I truly enjoy listening to. But this is not the time or place for them. It is one thing for a movie to advertise itself with the popular music it sports, to bring in viewers who assume that anyone who has the good taste to put Dave Matthews, or Three Doors Down, or whatever other band into their movie, must be capable of putting together a movie that is decent in other respects too. But this CD is nowhere near what the music of this movie was really about.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Passion of Mel Gibson, March 4, 2006
This collection of songs seems to be more a testimonial to our military than entertainment for our jaded ears. We need only contemplate those involved to see that it's another gift of a sort from Mel Gibson, et al. Sure, they make the money - but we have the profound experience of listening, and of hearing what these songs say to us about war, love, and sacrifice. The first cut, "For You", in the gravelly, aged, tired, and marvelous voice of Johhny Cash, with a bit of sweet balance from Dave Matthews isn't, as someone earlier commented, a "rockabilly duet" - this is a song done in the first-person tense, of that ultimate sacrifice made 2000 years ago on a cross outside of Jerusalem, and it reminds us that our military - in whatever wars - have been ready to sacrifice their lives as well. An outstanding musical performance, followed by 12 more good-to-excellent pieces which all, in one way or another, reflect the experience of war. The biggest goose-bumps are saved for last with "The Mansions of the Lord". Who would have guessed that in this age of hip-hop and half-dress a pair of contemporaries would reach into their souls and present to us a hymn truly of the Grand Tradition: the words were written today/the words were written 2000 years ago; the melody is simultaneously anguish and triumph. The composer (Nick Glennie-Smith) and the lyricist (Randall Wallace - who wrote Gibson's film "Braveheart") have given to every fallen soldier's loved ones a glimpse of that soldier's Easter Day. This hymn is now being performed during military funerals - a tradition begun in Ronald Reagan's funeral at the National Cathedral. So - this album is great listening, with a good mix of performers, and styles - but beyond that, it's music that speaks to the soul.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ Michael Kamen
~ Hans Zimmer
DVD ~ Mel Gibson
, recommendations and new releases on SoundUnwound 
