Monday, January 11, 2010

Song of a Scotsman

In my usual fashion I present here a list in one of my many areas of expertise - film scores. This is for those of you looking for some inspiration, or just something to help you relax. Refute or deny as you wish, but I give to you THE top 20 tracks from an original film score in 5 categories:

If you're going to listen to any of them, listen to the #1s. If you only listen to one of them, listen to Legends of the Fall. I dare you not to not like it.

The Beautiful Tracks:

1. Legends of the Fall - The Ludlows** - James Horner (5:40) Gs Yt
2. Field of Dreams - The Place Where Dreams Come True (9:08) Gs Yt
3. Lord of the Rings (The Two Towers) - Evenstar - Howard Shore (3:15) Gs Yt
4. The Shawshank Redemption - So Was Red - Thomas Newman (2:44) Gs Yt

Honorable Mention:
Armageddon - Armageddon Piano - Trevor Rabin (0:36) Gs Yt


The Tranquillo Tracks:

1. Finding Nemo - Nemo Egg (Main Title) - Thomas Newman (1:20) Gs Yt
2. Cast Away - End Credits - Alan Sylvestri (7:30) Gs Yt
3. The Shawshank Redemption - Suds on the Roof - Thomas Newman (1:36) Gs Yt
4. Black Hawk Down - Leave No Man Behind - Hans Zimmer (6:18) Gs Yt

Honorable Mention:
Transformers - No Sacrifice, No Victory - Steve Jablonsky (2:57) Gs Yt


Music that might give you the ability to punch through lead:

1. Friday Night Lights - Your Hand in Mine (Goodbye) - Explosions in the Sky (2:05) Gs Yt
2. Gladiator - Elysium-Honor Him-Now We Are Free* - Hans Zimmer (8:15) Gs Yt
3. Remember the Titans - Spirit Score - Trevor Rabin (7:28) Gs Yt
4. Black Hawk Down - Minstrel Boy* - Hans Zimmer (5:43) Gs Yt

Honorable Mention:
Friday Night Lights - Your Hand in Mine (w/Strings) - Explosions in the Sky (4:08) Gs Yt


Tracks of Inspiration:

1. The Shawshank Redemption - End Title - Thomas Newman (4:06) Gs Yt
2. Transformers - Optimus - Steve Jablonsky (3:18) Gs Yt
3. Apollo 13 - Main Title - James Horner (2:30) Gs Yt
4. Braveheart - A Gift of Thistle - James Horner (1:38) Gs Yt

Honorable Mention:
Lord of the Rings (The Two Towers) - Samwise the Brave - Howard Shore (3:46) Gs


Tracks that might make you cry, but not in a good way:

1. Black Hawk Down - Gortoz A Ran* - Hans Zimmer (4:30) Gs Yt
2. The Sixth Sense - Malcolm is Dead - James Newton Howard (4:47) Gs
3. Batman Begins - Corynorhinus - James Newton Howard - (5:05) Gs Yt
4. Armageddon - Harry Sees Dad - Trevor Rabin (2:31) Gs

Honorable Mention:
Batman Begins - Macrotus - James Newton Howard (7:36) Gs Yt

And one for good measure. An old Scottish/Irish drinking song that may very well be sung at my funeral:
Waking Ned Devine - The Parting Glass* - Shaun Davey (5:37) Gs Yt

* - With Vocals

I await your suggestions for improvement, and all that your caged wisdom might add.