It's my Party
Basil Poledouris
" a solo piano score by the maestro of bombast "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Director Randal Kleiser (of Grease fame) addressed the topic Aids and how the patients and family cope with that in the movie It's my Party. The 1996 movie stars Eric Roberts as a man dying of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, and he decides to throw a 2 day party with friends and family before killing himself, this before he slips into a vegetative state that renders him unrecognizable to those he loves. It's a personal drama and it's definitely heightened through the equally personal score of composer Basil Poledouris.
Basil always delivers his themes on piano first, and usually these form the basis for the director and producer before they are brought to life by an orchestra. However the themes were so personal and lovely on piano that director Randal Kleiser wanted them to remain that way. Considering it was a low budget movie to begin with, and that it heightened the already personal tone of the story, Basil wrote a score solely on piano. For a motion picture score this is quite rare, and yet somehow It's My Party becomes one of Poledouris' most endearing projects.
The main theme alone that opens the score in "It's my Party" immediately shows you the emotional and personal intentions of Basil's music. It's a very touching and emotional piece that definitely sets the tone for what's to come. The theme is repeated slower in "Drifting Apart" while a variation of it toys with the memories in "Reflections". The theme in fact goes through all kinds of variations throughout the score, as it is in fact the sole theme of the movie. The touching moment it delivers in "This is my Home", the heartfelt version in "The Kiss Goodbye" and the powerful version in "Ski with Me" show you easily how Basil keeps his main theme alive. The song, from the acting Olivia Newton-John in fact ends the score on a emotional high note, and with a different tone while at it.
The score It's my Party (which is only 28 minutes long) will not be a favorite for many, especially because it's a monotonous score, solely composed for piano and actually centering its entire material around one specific theme. On the other hand this technique does enhance the emotional and touching story of the movie easily, and is an album experience that's perfect for the background whilst doing something else (like for instance reading). And then the occasional emotional goosebumps will tickle you once Basil delivers all he's got in a few standout moments.
Tracklisting
1. It's my Party (3.19) Excellent track
2. Drifting Apart (3.12)
3. Skiing (0.55)
4. Reflections (2.00)
5. It's Not my Fault/Setting Sun (2.59)
6. This is my Home (2.10)
7. Can I Stay? (0.50)
8. Be Strong for Me (3.02)
9. The Kiss Goodbye (5.08)
10. I Love Art (2.15)
11. Ski with Me (2.19) Excellent track
12. Don't Cut me Down: Olivia Newton-John * (4.13) Excellent track
* Music and Lyrics by Olivia Newton-John
Total Length: 32.22
Basil always delivers his themes on piano first, and usually these form the basis for the director and producer before they are brought to life by an orchestra. However the themes were so personal and lovely on piano that director Randal Kleiser wanted them to remain that way. Considering it was a low budget movie to begin with, and that it heightened the already personal tone of the story, Basil wrote a score solely on piano. For a motion picture score this is quite rare, and yet somehow It's My Party becomes one of Poledouris' most endearing projects.
The main theme alone that opens the score in "It's my Party" immediately shows you the emotional and personal intentions of Basil's music. It's a very touching and emotional piece that definitely sets the tone for what's to come. The theme is repeated slower in "Drifting Apart" while a variation of it toys with the memories in "Reflections". The theme in fact goes through all kinds of variations throughout the score, as it is in fact the sole theme of the movie. The touching moment it delivers in "This is my Home", the heartfelt version in "The Kiss Goodbye" and the powerful version in "Ski with Me" show you easily how Basil keeps his main theme alive. The song, from the acting Olivia Newton-John in fact ends the score on a emotional high note, and with a different tone while at it.
The score It's my Party (which is only 28 minutes long) will not be a favorite for many, especially because it's a monotonous score, solely composed for piano and actually centering its entire material around one specific theme. On the other hand this technique does enhance the emotional and touching story of the movie easily, and is an album experience that's perfect for the background whilst doing something else (like for instance reading). And then the occasional emotional goosebumps will tickle you once Basil delivers all he's got in a few standout moments.
Tracklisting
1. It's my Party (3.19) Excellent track
2. Drifting Apart (3.12)
3. Skiing (0.55)
4. Reflections (2.00)
5. It's Not my Fault/Setting Sun (2.59)
6. This is my Home (2.10)
7. Can I Stay? (0.50)
8. Be Strong for Me (3.02)
9. The Kiss Goodbye (5.08)
10. I Love Art (2.15)
11. Ski with Me (2.19) Excellent track
12. Don't Cut me Down: Olivia Newton-John * (4.13) Excellent track
* Music and Lyrics by Olivia Newton-John
Total Length: 32.22