Blizzard
Mark McKenzie
" Let it now let it snow, let it Blizzard "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Mark McKenzie is known for his emotional drama scores. Mark McKenzie isn't really known for his sprightly celebrations. Hence the reason Blizzard is such a giant discovery. Written in 2003, it captures a typical charming holiday festivity that joys you with its sprightly nature. It jumps, it thunders, it enlightens your spirit with those typical warm fuzzy feelings of Christmas, reindeers and holiday coco. It is Mark McKenzie's ultimate example to win you over for sure.
Ready for a whopper opening? Many people will have heard it before when it was featured during a montage of the 75th Academy Awards presentation. Now it will enlighten this spirited soundtrack with "Blizzard Suite". The fanfare, the prancing choir, the light version of the family theme, the magical quality when it rises to an orchestral crescendo. Like in most soundtracks, McKenzie can throw everything together in a gorgeous suite. Enough to keep you talking about it.
And it just continues, the lightly heroic but above all soaring beauty of "Katie Skates for her Family" is too good to ignore. The light sweetness of "Goodbye" and "Don't be Afraid", the soft family theme in "The Best Friend Ever", the playful nature of "Archimedes" and "Skate Off", the fetching march of this theme in "Katie's Waltz" or the montage piece with the warm music of "Months Fly By", even in short tracks McKenzie can deliver his charm.
But in moments like "Welcome Blizzard" you know sweetness isn't gonna cut it. It is magic that has to do it. And "Flying" is beyond magic. The soaring quality alone with magical choir over it, it is music that gives me goosebumps. The fanfare opening of the suite returns in the film version of "Air Tag" and is of course delicious as holiday chocolate milk.
Of course in every holiday movie, a piece resembling the Home Alone rush must be present. But McKenzie doesn't repeat it, he just brings something resembling this, and in the classical sense "Erin's Program" is born. Naturally Katie receives more airtime for her program, and what a show it is. "Katie's Program" is a delight full of wondrous fanfares and utter feel good music. This is Williams magic my boys.
But McKenzie cheering isn't over yet. "Rescue" begins frightening and this is quite a shock for such a joyous album. The battle between the urgency of the brass and the joyous music is a must to hear. We remain on edge after that with "Donner Jr. & Jeremy" but the resolution is present to make it extraordinary. The nobility and beautiful writing of Mark McKenzie shows their best moments during "Another Chance" and the glorious "Finale", ending this McKenzie score with a bang.
Why o why did we only receive a 1000 copies of Intrada? You know, a 1000 sell out, whether the music is good or not. Luckily Blizzard is not good, it is stunning. Magical feel good music BUT written with themes and having soft, magical, action and fanfare musical moments. Meaning it has it all! If McKenzie is just your thing, then you haven't heard him like this before. It is his biggest and best score yet. It is gorgeously magical and it makes my Christmas snowy no matter what. Highly Recommended.
1. Blizzard Suite (6.43) Excellent Track
2. Katie Skates for her Family (2.07) Excellent Track
3. Goodbye (1.43)
4. The Best Friend Ever (1.40)
5. Welcome Blizzard (3.17)
6. Flying (4.50) Excellent Track
7. Don't be Afraid (2.55)
8. Archimedes (1.24)
9. Skate Off (1.29)
10. Air Tag (3.17) Excellent Track
11. Katie's Waltz (2.08)
12. There's More (0.57)
13. Months Fly By (1.32)
14. Erin's Program (1.09)
15. Katie's Program (2.17) Excellent Track
16. I Think You're Great (1.23)
17. Katie Meets Santa (1.28)
18. Rescue (3.47) Excellent Track
19. Donner Jr. & Jeremy (2.00) Excellent Track
20. Another Chance (3.03) Excellent Track
21. Finale (5.14) Excellent Track
Total Length: 54.31
Ready for a whopper opening? Many people will have heard it before when it was featured during a montage of the 75th Academy Awards presentation. Now it will enlighten this spirited soundtrack with "Blizzard Suite". The fanfare, the prancing choir, the light version of the family theme, the magical quality when it rises to an orchestral crescendo. Like in most soundtracks, McKenzie can throw everything together in a gorgeous suite. Enough to keep you talking about it.
And it just continues, the lightly heroic but above all soaring beauty of "Katie Skates for her Family" is too good to ignore. The light sweetness of "Goodbye" and "Don't be Afraid", the soft family theme in "The Best Friend Ever", the playful nature of "Archimedes" and "Skate Off", the fetching march of this theme in "Katie's Waltz" or the montage piece with the warm music of "Months Fly By", even in short tracks McKenzie can deliver his charm.
But in moments like "Welcome Blizzard" you know sweetness isn't gonna cut it. It is magic that has to do it. And "Flying" is beyond magic. The soaring quality alone with magical choir over it, it is music that gives me goosebumps. The fanfare opening of the suite returns in the film version of "Air Tag" and is of course delicious as holiday chocolate milk.
Of course in every holiday movie, a piece resembling the Home Alone rush must be present. But McKenzie doesn't repeat it, he just brings something resembling this, and in the classical sense "Erin's Program" is born. Naturally Katie receives more airtime for her program, and what a show it is. "Katie's Program" is a delight full of wondrous fanfares and utter feel good music. This is Williams magic my boys.
But McKenzie cheering isn't over yet. "Rescue" begins frightening and this is quite a shock for such a joyous album. The battle between the urgency of the brass and the joyous music is a must to hear. We remain on edge after that with "Donner Jr. & Jeremy" but the resolution is present to make it extraordinary. The nobility and beautiful writing of Mark McKenzie shows their best moments during "Another Chance" and the glorious "Finale", ending this McKenzie score with a bang.
Why o why did we only receive a 1000 copies of Intrada? You know, a 1000 sell out, whether the music is good or not. Luckily Blizzard is not good, it is stunning. Magical feel good music BUT written with themes and having soft, magical, action and fanfare musical moments. Meaning it has it all! If McKenzie is just your thing, then you haven't heard him like this before. It is his biggest and best score yet. It is gorgeously magical and it makes my Christmas snowy no matter what. Highly Recommended.
1. Blizzard Suite (6.43) Excellent Track
2. Katie Skates for her Family (2.07) Excellent Track
3. Goodbye (1.43)
4. The Best Friend Ever (1.40)
5. Welcome Blizzard (3.17)
6. Flying (4.50) Excellent Track
7. Don't be Afraid (2.55)
8. Archimedes (1.24)
9. Skate Off (1.29)
10. Air Tag (3.17) Excellent Track
11. Katie's Waltz (2.08)
12. There's More (0.57)
13. Months Fly By (1.32)
14. Erin's Program (1.09)
15. Katie's Program (2.17) Excellent Track
16. I Think You're Great (1.23)
17. Katie Meets Santa (1.28)
18. Rescue (3.47) Excellent Track
19. Donner Jr. & Jeremy (2.00) Excellent Track
20. Another Chance (3.03) Excellent Track
21. Finale (5.14) Excellent Track
Total Length: 54.31