Men of Honor
Mark Isham
" Trumpets of nobility "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
In all his honor and glory, Mark Isham is one of the most profound composers who can add a touch of human heroism in a composition, and for that he is known by people in the music business. His trumpet, a known sound in his scores is what drives any heroic, adventure or war / navy laden score. Like Rules of Engagement or Miracle, it is a distinct sound that crosses over from the subtlety and marks the defining moment where the score is growing to. In a way, you can say the same about the Navy true inspired story of Men of Honor, in that Isham gives you the climax at the end, but that the trumpet is always there to lead the way.
The 40 minutes on the album start with 3 songs, but it's nice to know at least that the score wasn't forgotten after that. The first song, "Win" by Brian McKnight is the best of the three, perhaps because it also connects the best to the score of Isham (not surprisingly considering it is based on the love theme of the movie). The 2 classics by The Temptations and Marvin Gaye connect then best to the era of the story itself.
Then it is time for Mark Isham's score to take over, and the first "The Navy Diver" presents us already with the swelling of the more noble fanfares. This heroic main theme is heard completely the opposite like in "A Son Never Forgets", when it is heard softly over the flowing music. "Bounce Dive" adds the first thrills of the album, and the frenzy of the trumpets is most definitely heard.
"Fouled!" is an orchestral tour de force that presents the danger and frenzy of the action, with again the trumpets and the drums laying down the law. It's perhaps not fluently and therefore not totally enjoyable, but it at least sets the tone down. And that tone is the beginning of the strong finale. "The Breath Holding Contest" shows you a variation on the theme and leads strong and firmly to a nice proper finish. The wonderful love theme (heard in the song) is impressively heard in "Jo", with a nice deep vocal by Carmen Carter. And the finale in "Men of Honor" is the way I described it in the begin, Isham leading his already heroic score to the finish with drums, fanfares and the nobility that the story deserves, letting the heroic theme finish the way it is meant to be heard.
It is a good 7 minute piece that confirms Isham's abilities, later showing more of those tricks in Racing Stripes. What I'm saying is that he is not only a jazz composer, because he can add weight and depth to any genre. Men of Honor is especially pleasing during the last 13 or so minutes, and above all it shows his more orchestral voice at work. While not as electrifying as his orchestral crowd pleasing music in Racing Stripes, it's another sign I neglected his better works just because I thought he was jazzy. Please don't do the same.
Tracklisting
1. Win: Brian McKnight * (4.11)
2. I Wish it Would Rain: The Temptations (2.51)
3. Say When: Marvin Gaye (2.36)
4. The Navy Diver (1.46)
5. A Son Never Forgets (3.27)
6. Bounce Dive (2.44)
7. Fouled! (4.55)
8. Gwen (2.43)
9. The Breath Holding Contest (2.55) Excellent track
10. Jo (4.28)
11. Men of Honor (6.51) Excellent track
* Orchestra arranged and produced by Mark Isham
Total Length: 39.41
The 40 minutes on the album start with 3 songs, but it's nice to know at least that the score wasn't forgotten after that. The first song, "Win" by Brian McKnight is the best of the three, perhaps because it also connects the best to the score of Isham (not surprisingly considering it is based on the love theme of the movie). The 2 classics by The Temptations and Marvin Gaye connect then best to the era of the story itself.
Then it is time for Mark Isham's score to take over, and the first "The Navy Diver" presents us already with the swelling of the more noble fanfares. This heroic main theme is heard completely the opposite like in "A Son Never Forgets", when it is heard softly over the flowing music. "Bounce Dive" adds the first thrills of the album, and the frenzy of the trumpets is most definitely heard.
"Fouled!" is an orchestral tour de force that presents the danger and frenzy of the action, with again the trumpets and the drums laying down the law. It's perhaps not fluently and therefore not totally enjoyable, but it at least sets the tone down. And that tone is the beginning of the strong finale. "The Breath Holding Contest" shows you a variation on the theme and leads strong and firmly to a nice proper finish. The wonderful love theme (heard in the song) is impressively heard in "Jo", with a nice deep vocal by Carmen Carter. And the finale in "Men of Honor" is the way I described it in the begin, Isham leading his already heroic score to the finish with drums, fanfares and the nobility that the story deserves, letting the heroic theme finish the way it is meant to be heard.
It is a good 7 minute piece that confirms Isham's abilities, later showing more of those tricks in Racing Stripes. What I'm saying is that he is not only a jazz composer, because he can add weight and depth to any genre. Men of Honor is especially pleasing during the last 13 or so minutes, and above all it shows his more orchestral voice at work. While not as electrifying as his orchestral crowd pleasing music in Racing Stripes, it's another sign I neglected his better works just because I thought he was jazzy. Please don't do the same.
Tracklisting
1. Win: Brian McKnight * (4.11)
2. I Wish it Would Rain: The Temptations (2.51)
3. Say When: Marvin Gaye (2.36)
4. The Navy Diver (1.46)
5. A Son Never Forgets (3.27)
6. Bounce Dive (2.44)
7. Fouled! (4.55)
8. Gwen (2.43)
9. The Breath Holding Contest (2.55) Excellent track
10. Jo (4.28)
11. Men of Honor (6.51) Excellent track
* Orchestra arranged and produced by Mark Isham
Total Length: 39.41