King of the Wind
John Scott
" John Scott plays Lawrence of Arabia "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
King of the Wind is a 1990 British adventure film about the life of an Arab colt in eighteenth century Britain. Starring Richard Harris, Glenda Jackson and Frank Finlay, it was composer John Scott's second movie in the year 1990. Considering the look of the cover reminded me immediately of Lawrence of Arabia, I was expecting something in that vein. And I wasn't far off, considering John Scott thought exactly the same. The small ethnic Arabian flair is already noticeable in "The Birth of Sham" (alongside the first hint of the main theme), but it is most definitely noticeable once it flavors the lush romantic and epic Arabian desert theme in "King of the Wind". Or as John Scott admirers would put it, another winning theme of the master.
This theme (which reminds me of that wonderful desert theme of John Morris in Spaceballs) returns plenty throughout the score. It's heard alongside some nice rhythmic adventure music in "Race with Wild Horses", in the lovely "Agba and Sham at Versailles", "The Earl of Godolphin" and "Banishment to Hangman's Noose", through solo violin in "Newgate Prison", working as a heroic armor during "Sham Fights for Roxanna", romancing the magical "A Letter from Hannah", fueling the adventure in the delightful "Winning the King's Plate" and finishing the adventure in "The Godolphin Arabian (End Title)".
And furthermore, we have a bit of everything. A bit of ethnic dance music ("The Royal Court at Tunis), a disturbing synthesizer moment in an otherwise loyal orchestral sounding score ("Set Sail for France"), beautiful moments of string music in "Death of Ahmed" and "A New Life in England", a fragment of Mozart's Horn Concerto representing monsieur Richard ("Monsieur Richard: Chef Royale") and a wonderful playful and heroically titled moment in "The Newmarket Race". You name it, King of the Wind remains pleasantly predictable and unpredictable for 50 minutes.
Making King of the Wind once again a pure example of John Scott's wonderful thematic voice. It is pretty much a one theme minded score (not as bad as King Kong Lives), but luckily Scott's noble intentions and soft music do color an already bright and colorful palette. The feeling of romance and adventure just flows through every single note, and makes the score a pleasant breathing experience to listen to. Another classy addition in an already rich John Scott catalog.
Tracklisting
1. The Birth of Sham (2.51)
2. King of the Wind (2.52) Excellent track
3. The Royal Court at Tunis (2.48)
4. Race with Wild Horses (2.16)
5. Set Sail for France (2.40)
6. Death of Ahmed (2.20)
7. Arrival in France (1.50)
8. Monsieur Richard: Chef Royale (1.08)
9. Agba and Sham at Versailles (1.08)
10. The Abduction of Sham (4.44)
11. A New Life in England (2.00)
12. Sham Shows His Metal (1.20)
13. Death of Coke (2.57)
14. Newgate Prison (3.18)
15. The Earl of Godolphin (1.42)
16. Lord Granville (1.02)
17. Sham Fights for Roxanna (1.33)
18. Banishment to Hangman's Noose (3.16)
19. A Letter from Hannah (2.08)
20. The Newmarket Race (2.40) Excellent track
21. Winning the King's Plate (3.07) Excellent track
22. The Godolphin Arabian (End Title) (3.16) Excellent track
Total Length: 52.56
This theme (which reminds me of that wonderful desert theme of John Morris in Spaceballs) returns plenty throughout the score. It's heard alongside some nice rhythmic adventure music in "Race with Wild Horses", in the lovely "Agba and Sham at Versailles", "The Earl of Godolphin" and "Banishment to Hangman's Noose", through solo violin in "Newgate Prison", working as a heroic armor during "Sham Fights for Roxanna", romancing the magical "A Letter from Hannah", fueling the adventure in the delightful "Winning the King's Plate" and finishing the adventure in "The Godolphin Arabian (End Title)".
And furthermore, we have a bit of everything. A bit of ethnic dance music ("The Royal Court at Tunis), a disturbing synthesizer moment in an otherwise loyal orchestral sounding score ("Set Sail for France"), beautiful moments of string music in "Death of Ahmed" and "A New Life in England", a fragment of Mozart's Horn Concerto representing monsieur Richard ("Monsieur Richard: Chef Royale") and a wonderful playful and heroically titled moment in "The Newmarket Race". You name it, King of the Wind remains pleasantly predictable and unpredictable for 50 minutes.
Making King of the Wind once again a pure example of John Scott's wonderful thematic voice. It is pretty much a one theme minded score (not as bad as King Kong Lives), but luckily Scott's noble intentions and soft music do color an already bright and colorful palette. The feeling of romance and adventure just flows through every single note, and makes the score a pleasant breathing experience to listen to. Another classy addition in an already rich John Scott catalog.
Tracklisting
1. The Birth of Sham (2.51)
2. King of the Wind (2.52) Excellent track
3. The Royal Court at Tunis (2.48)
4. Race with Wild Horses (2.16)
5. Set Sail for France (2.40)
6. Death of Ahmed (2.20)
7. Arrival in France (1.50)
8. Monsieur Richard: Chef Royale (1.08)
9. Agba and Sham at Versailles (1.08)
10. The Abduction of Sham (4.44)
11. A New Life in England (2.00)
12. Sham Shows His Metal (1.20)
13. Death of Coke (2.57)
14. Newgate Prison (3.18)
15. The Earl of Godolphin (1.42)
16. Lord Granville (1.02)
17. Sham Fights for Roxanna (1.33)
18. Banishment to Hangman's Noose (3.16)
19. A Letter from Hannah (2.08)
20. The Newmarket Race (2.40) Excellent track
21. Winning the King's Plate (3.07) Excellent track
22. The Godolphin Arabian (End Title) (3.16) Excellent track
Total Length: 52.56