August Rush: Music From The Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]

Mark Mancina

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: November 21, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony Panosonic
• ASIN: B000V9KEA6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #483 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Who knew Jonathan Rhys Meyers had such an aching, lovely croon? In August Rush, he supplies his own vocals in the role of an Irish indie-rock singer, and it's a testament to his skill that he doesn't embarrass himself on Van Morrison's "Moondance." (He's even better on Lucas Reynolds' "Something Inside.") This is fairly representative of this CD's flavor: thoughtful, adult but not bland--typically, you hear a lot of cello throughout. John Ondrasik, stepping out from his Five for Fighting persona, wrote new material, though the best song, "King of the Earth," is an unreleased one by his main project that boasts superb, elegant production by Bill Bottrell. Intriguingly, guitar virtuoso Kaki King is the hand double for Freddie Highmore, who plays the film's child prodigy. Her two instrumentals, "Bari Improv" and "Ritual Dance," are treats for lovers of inventive acoustic playing, who should also enjoy the self-explanatory "Dueling Guitars." John Legend sounds aching on "Someday," though the cover of "God Bless the Child," by Chris Botti and Paula Cole, feels a little lite. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

August Rush tells the story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a sheltered young cellist (Keri Russell) who have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a mysterious stranger (Robin Williams), August (Freddie Highmore) uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth. Film Stars Robin Williams, Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Terrance Howard, and Mykelti Williamson.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Missing the score!?, April 4, 2008

By	William Bard - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Now I know this is titled "Music From The Motion Picture," but one would think that that would include at least PARTS of the score, such as recurring main themes, etc. While a good "soundtrack," this is missing most of Mark Mancina's heartwarming score, which in my opinion was the best thing about the movie apart from the story. I don't know why nowadays soundtrack producers tend to leave out some of the most vital and emotional music in a film, just to put in the main highlights and songs. While I do enjoy the tracks on this album, it feels empty without the rest. For instance, when I first saw the film, I was blown away emotionally by the orchestral score, and remembered one particular section which utilized the celesta (I think). I found an audio clip on Mr. Mancina's official site, where it was called "Arpeggio Intro." The clip was only a minute or two long, and was one of the greatest moments in the whole film. It was used when Louis leaves August in the park, later when the man finds August's picture on the floor (and makes the connection that Evan Taylor is August Rush), and transitioning into the scene where the little girl in the church and her father discuss praying for August. Truly a touching moment in the film, as well as in the music, yet the producers couldn't find the time or money to stick it in the soundtrack? This makes no sense to me whatsoever. The score is JUST as important as the rest of the music, and I find it quite saddening that Hollywood nowadays wants to exclude classical music so much from society that they can't even include it in a soundtrack, where it played a major role in the story. Other than that, the songs on this are all good, and if that's the reason you want the soundtrack, then by all means, go ahead and buy it. but if you're looking from the orchestral score side of things, please know that this is very, very, very incomplete.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saw the movie and immediately bought the soundtrack, November 25, 2007

By	R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In a CD collection that's spanned more than 40 years of music and I've lost count of how many genres, movie soundtracks number less than 20. I generally don't care that much for enough of the movie to purchase the whole soundtrack. This is one case where I stepped out of the theatre in Acquisition Mode. I was going to actually pay more for the soundtrack at a local vendor if I could just have found it tonight--but I'm getting it cheaper through Amazon and I'm happy. Just great music including folks like John Legend, John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting) and Kaki King on guitar. Very much worth the price--there are no duds on this soundtrack!

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Besides being a strong addition to the movie, music that stands on its own, lovely!, January 5, 2008

By	K. Corn "reviewer" (Indianapolis,, IN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

. This was a delight to listen to and our whole family loves this CD. Most of the songs are favorites, from the main title featuring Marn Mancina, with spoken excerpts from the movie itself, a common practice for many movie soundtracks - and just fine by me - to the variations on the classic Moondance, one featuring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and the other showcasing the talents of Chris Botti.

Even weakest pieces here are very listenable (is that a word?) In any case, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a revelation and John Legend's Someday has become a real staple on my CD player. You'll find Dueling Guitars to be a contrast to any earlier version you might have heard, an improvisation and interpretation which I found intriguing.

If I had to sum up the "feel" of this CD, I'd say it is a blend of jazz, pop and relatively easy listening music but it is NOT Muzak. Don't assume that. It goes nicely with a glass of red wine, roaring fire and a good book.

Artists featured include: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Steve Erdody, Kaki King, John Legend, Heitor Pereira and Doug Smith, Mark Mancina and Chris Botti, among others.

As always, I do suggest you listen to the music samples at Amazon or other sites before purchasing this, although they'll give you only a taste of the entire piece.