Journey of Man
Benoit Jutras
" Music for acrobats "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Cirque du Soleil is famous around the world for their circus acts and shows. They are the ones who paint art when they defy gravity so elegantly. And besides all their circus acts around the world, there was also an art film about their work, made for the Imax screen entitled Journey of Man. A tale about the growth of a young boy through the years of the world, it is presented as only Cirque du Soleil could do it. Now, trusted composer Benoit Jutras has been following the cirque equally, delivering his background music for the many shows throughout his career. And this project finally demanded for something extra.
With 46 minutes (strange considering the feature runs only for about 38 minutes), it ultimately brings us music that sooths the listener, growing alongside the visuals and making it magical when the scene required it. So Benoit Jutras didn't hold back when painting his score with solo vocal artist Roxane Potvin, choir and a relaxing doses of beautiful tapestries, making Journey of Man a background score that didn't stay on the background for long.
The song "Journey of Man" surrounds the main theme early on, and it sounds like something an Alan Menken would write. And it is lovely performed as well by Roxane Potvin. But it's the main theme that sounds oh so familiar of a theme composed for another film, but I just can't pick which score or which composer. Now, in the end it doesn't matter since the theme is so lovely in the end (there's a version you'll just love in "Overture" to back up that statement).
Furthermore, there are various different styles flowing throughout the score. "Taiko" is performed by the Tribe from Cirque du Soleil's Mystère and sounds just long enough, while "The Forest" is a rhythmic soothing African song, with the main theme mixed through it. "Birth" opens with the main theme softly by cello, and the lovely strings set down a dramatic theme that shows you softly its subdued glory. It's very beautiful when heard in the right mood.
But this score really begins to kick in from "In the Beginning", when the main theme, theme song, Roxane Potvin and the choir collide in one another, giving you dramatic and classical styles combined. "Youth" is a rock piece, reminding me of Michael Kamen's Winter Olympics piece, while "Banquine" re uses that rock element, but here aided by cello, choir and saxophone, giving you a eclectic yet very pleasing mix. The real treasure of this disc however is "Journey of Man (Instrumental)", because here we finally discover how beautiful the main theme actually is.
I can't really explain the basic style of Journey of Man, because it is something of all ages, for all ages. The basic thing is, it works and it pleases, giving you a free flowing mix of styles, soothing as it goes to the final wonderful track. I'm sure a lot of people will fall in love with the project, once they encounter it. I recommended it then also without a hesitation.
Tracklisting
1. Journey of Man: Roxane Potvin (3.38)
2. Overture (1.03)
3. Taiko * (1.40)
4. Birth (4.17) Excellent track
5. The Forest: Toumany Kouyaté (3.41)
6. In the Beginning (5.03)
7. Youth (4.50)
8. Flying (1.41) Excellent track
9. Réveil (7.19)
10. Banquine (5.05) Excellent track
11. Journey of Man (Instrumental) (5.01) Excellent track
12. Trip Hop (2.59)
* Performed by the Tribe from Cirque du Soleil's Mystère
Total Length: 46.23
With 46 minutes (strange considering the feature runs only for about 38 minutes), it ultimately brings us music that sooths the listener, growing alongside the visuals and making it magical when the scene required it. So Benoit Jutras didn't hold back when painting his score with solo vocal artist Roxane Potvin, choir and a relaxing doses of beautiful tapestries, making Journey of Man a background score that didn't stay on the background for long.
The song "Journey of Man" surrounds the main theme early on, and it sounds like something an Alan Menken would write. And it is lovely performed as well by Roxane Potvin. But it's the main theme that sounds oh so familiar of a theme composed for another film, but I just can't pick which score or which composer. Now, in the end it doesn't matter since the theme is so lovely in the end (there's a version you'll just love in "Overture" to back up that statement).
Furthermore, there are various different styles flowing throughout the score. "Taiko" is performed by the Tribe from Cirque du Soleil's Mystère and sounds just long enough, while "The Forest" is a rhythmic soothing African song, with the main theme mixed through it. "Birth" opens with the main theme softly by cello, and the lovely strings set down a dramatic theme that shows you softly its subdued glory. It's very beautiful when heard in the right mood.
But this score really begins to kick in from "In the Beginning", when the main theme, theme song, Roxane Potvin and the choir collide in one another, giving you dramatic and classical styles combined. "Youth" is a rock piece, reminding me of Michael Kamen's Winter Olympics piece, while "Banquine" re uses that rock element, but here aided by cello, choir and saxophone, giving you a eclectic yet very pleasing mix. The real treasure of this disc however is "Journey of Man (Instrumental)", because here we finally discover how beautiful the main theme actually is.
I can't really explain the basic style of Journey of Man, because it is something of all ages, for all ages. The basic thing is, it works and it pleases, giving you a free flowing mix of styles, soothing as it goes to the final wonderful track. I'm sure a lot of people will fall in love with the project, once they encounter it. I recommended it then also without a hesitation.
Tracklisting
1. Journey of Man: Roxane Potvin (3.38)
2. Overture (1.03)
3. Taiko * (1.40)
4. Birth (4.17) Excellent track
5. The Forest: Toumany Kouyaté (3.41)
6. In the Beginning (5.03)
7. Youth (4.50)
8. Flying (1.41) Excellent track
9. Réveil (7.19)
10. Banquine (5.05) Excellent track
11. Journey of Man (Instrumental) (5.01) Excellent track
12. Trip Hop (2.59)
* Performed by the Tribe from Cirque du Soleil's Mystère
Total Length: 46.23