An American Tail
James Horner
" Rather subdued effort if you compare it with its sequel, despite the lovely themes "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The year 1986 was one to remember all right, for James Horner at least. He broke the silence with Aliens, an all out science fiction action soundtrack (nominated for an Oscar) and in the same year his first animated tale of any real importance was scored, namely An American Tail. It was just a matter of time before the name James Horner stood synonymous for success.
So An American Tail started it all, giving us the proof that this was a composer equipped with some awesome talents. The soundtrack itself mixes the usual songs with the actual music of Horner, even though his music is heard during the many sing a long songs too. What the score offers is a pure thematic joy of a main theme, brought to life in the first and last track. I don't want to be hasty, but they are the best parts of the soundtrack.
Horner's score on a whole is very attractive and playful ,at times even downright beautiful when the Cocoon moments start to break through. The sing a long songs on the other hand are fun for an occasional listen, without making a serious statement. "There Are no Cats in America", "Never say Never", "Somewhere out There" and "A Duo" are fun and lovely. They bring the spirit of the animation to life, but they are kinda childish in their performance nonetheless.
The full version of 'Somewhere out There' is the exception in this all. It is more mature and without question, it is the best song of them all. Of course this due to the reason Horner uses the song theme in his score, linking both song and score to each other.
The score itself is fun and charming, offering pure James Horner material! And that my friends has its perks. In "Give me your Tired, your Poor" some moments of Cocoon are heard, while "Releasing the Secret Weapon" offers both Willow and Star Trek II in a nicely fitting design. "The Storm" on the other hands shares some resemblances to classical music. And at the end of the soundtrack, "Reunited" and "Flying Away and End Credits" offer their part of the thematic joy.
Under the guidance of the London Symphony Orchestra the score is in good hands, making sure An American Tail offers Horner in all his animated glory. All this would later be expanded and perfected in such efforts as The Land Before Time (which is a pure recommendation by the way), and of course the sequel. Because in that time Horner stood for fun and excitement, and even if An American Tail isn't always that, it shows nonetheless the better Horner at work.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title * (5.07) Excellent track
2. The Cossack Cats * (2.15)
3. There Are no Cats in America (3.00)
4. The Storm * (3.59)
5. Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor * (2.44)
6. Never Say Never (2.25)
7. The Market Place * (3.02)
8. Somewhere Out There (2.41)
9. Somewhere Out There: Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram (3.58) Excellent track
10. Releasing the Secret Weapon * (3.38)
11. A Duo (2.38)
12. The Great Fire * (2.54)
13. Reunited * (4.44)
14. Flying Away and End Credits * (6.01) Excellent track
* Soundtrack composed by James Horner
Total Length: 49.55
So An American Tail started it all, giving us the proof that this was a composer equipped with some awesome talents. The soundtrack itself mixes the usual songs with the actual music of Horner, even though his music is heard during the many sing a long songs too. What the score offers is a pure thematic joy of a main theme, brought to life in the first and last track. I don't want to be hasty, but they are the best parts of the soundtrack.
Horner's score on a whole is very attractive and playful ,at times even downright beautiful when the Cocoon moments start to break through. The sing a long songs on the other hand are fun for an occasional listen, without making a serious statement. "There Are no Cats in America", "Never say Never", "Somewhere out There" and "A Duo" are fun and lovely. They bring the spirit of the animation to life, but they are kinda childish in their performance nonetheless.
The full version of 'Somewhere out There' is the exception in this all. It is more mature and without question, it is the best song of them all. Of course this due to the reason Horner uses the song theme in his score, linking both song and score to each other.
The score itself is fun and charming, offering pure James Horner material! And that my friends has its perks. In "Give me your Tired, your Poor" some moments of Cocoon are heard, while "Releasing the Secret Weapon" offers both Willow and Star Trek II in a nicely fitting design. "The Storm" on the other hands shares some resemblances to classical music. And at the end of the soundtrack, "Reunited" and "Flying Away and End Credits" offer their part of the thematic joy.
Under the guidance of the London Symphony Orchestra the score is in good hands, making sure An American Tail offers Horner in all his animated glory. All this would later be expanded and perfected in such efforts as The Land Before Time (which is a pure recommendation by the way), and of course the sequel. Because in that time Horner stood for fun and excitement, and even if An American Tail isn't always that, it shows nonetheless the better Horner at work.
Tracklisting
1. Main Title * (5.07) Excellent track
2. The Cossack Cats * (2.15)
3. There Are no Cats in America (3.00)
4. The Storm * (3.59)
5. Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor * (2.44)
6. Never Say Never (2.25)
7. The Market Place * (3.02)
8. Somewhere Out There (2.41)
9. Somewhere Out There: Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram (3.58) Excellent track
10. Releasing the Secret Weapon * (3.38)
11. A Duo (2.38)
12. The Great Fire * (2.54)
13. Reunited * (4.44)
14. Flying Away and End Credits * (6.01) Excellent track
* Soundtrack composed by James Horner
Total Length: 49.55