Merlin (Hallmark)
Trevor Jones
" Theme wizard Trevor Jones weaves his wand again "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Trevor Jones is not only known for his strong musical voice, he is also known as an artist that stands for a unique voice. Many people might see it as uninteresting background music, and will no doubt prefer The Last of the Mohicans over many of his darker affairs. But once you deepen yourself to the actual intricate quality of the underscore, you'll realize it hypnotizes and mystifies you more than you would like to. And when he adds to all that mystery a theme unlike no other, you receive what Trevor Jones is adored for, namely Musical Magic.
Merlin is a very underrated score and like many of Trevor Jones' works, it functions perfectly inside the context. I had the pleasure of seeing this Hallmark feature once, and besides the immense cast of actors, very impressive effects, sets and vistas, it was the score that set down the mood, atmosphere and magic, all needed to make Merlin so legendary in its tale.
The score couldn't start any better when we hear what a theme Trevor Jones has given us now. Absolutely sensational, this is a theme that will win hearts each and every time you'll hear it. It opens "Age of Magic" and besides this theme, the 14 minute track delivers us constant dreamy material and wondrous fanfares. All in all, Trevor Jones in a nutshell.
"The Dragon's Lair" is a track that mimics its style with the ones heard in Dark City and Thirteen Days, showing an immense rhythmic tension rhythm that uses practically every instrument that there is to be used in the London Symphony Orchestra. Tracks 3 and 6 have short but excellent fanfares for Martin Short's character, alongside multiple minutes of dreamy music. While this could have been deleted rather easily, it is nonetheless this that defines Merlin in general, and Trevor Jones will not want to miss a minute of it.
In "Mab's Demise" the fury unravels itself once again, leaving room for my favourite moment to enter the stage. "Reunited" is movie magic once you have heard in context, because the use and the growth of the main theme is nothing short of movie magic. During this scene Merlin unravels his last trick. And when Jones underscores this scene, it is MAGIC. The final track (which wasn't heard in the film) is an astonishing performance of the main theme.
Merlin has got so many strong points, one almost forgets there will be moments that some will not want to experience a lot. With that I mean the extensive underscore, dreamy material and hypnotizing mood. But this is necessary to unravel the mysteries of Merlin's journey, and to leave you in awe once underscore becomes overscore. Because when it comes down to actual magical movie music, you'll find no better theme to deliver you this quality. Once again, Trevor Jones has done the impossible. He has made magic real, musically.
Tracklisting
1. Age of Magic (14.33) Excellent track
2. The Dragon's Lair (5.03) Excellent track
3. The Walls Are Whispering (14.15)
4. Arthur's Call (8.42)
5. Griffins (3.15)
6. A Game of Intrigue (7.44)
7. May Angels Fly Thee Home (8.13)
8. Mab's Demise (4.32)
9. Reunited (2.53) Excellent track
10. In Search of the Grail (4.03) Excellent track
Total Length: 73.41
Merlin is a very underrated score and like many of Trevor Jones' works, it functions perfectly inside the context. I had the pleasure of seeing this Hallmark feature once, and besides the immense cast of actors, very impressive effects, sets and vistas, it was the score that set down the mood, atmosphere and magic, all needed to make Merlin so legendary in its tale.
The score couldn't start any better when we hear what a theme Trevor Jones has given us now. Absolutely sensational, this is a theme that will win hearts each and every time you'll hear it. It opens "Age of Magic" and besides this theme, the 14 minute track delivers us constant dreamy material and wondrous fanfares. All in all, Trevor Jones in a nutshell.
"The Dragon's Lair" is a track that mimics its style with the ones heard in Dark City and Thirteen Days, showing an immense rhythmic tension rhythm that uses practically every instrument that there is to be used in the London Symphony Orchestra. Tracks 3 and 6 have short but excellent fanfares for Martin Short's character, alongside multiple minutes of dreamy music. While this could have been deleted rather easily, it is nonetheless this that defines Merlin in general, and Trevor Jones will not want to miss a minute of it.
In "Mab's Demise" the fury unravels itself once again, leaving room for my favourite moment to enter the stage. "Reunited" is movie magic once you have heard in context, because the use and the growth of the main theme is nothing short of movie magic. During this scene Merlin unravels his last trick. And when Jones underscores this scene, it is MAGIC. The final track (which wasn't heard in the film) is an astonishing performance of the main theme.
Merlin has got so many strong points, one almost forgets there will be moments that some will not want to experience a lot. With that I mean the extensive underscore, dreamy material and hypnotizing mood. But this is necessary to unravel the mysteries of Merlin's journey, and to leave you in awe once underscore becomes overscore. Because when it comes down to actual magical movie music, you'll find no better theme to deliver you this quality. Once again, Trevor Jones has done the impossible. He has made magic real, musically.
Tracklisting
1. Age of Magic (14.33) Excellent track
2. The Dragon's Lair (5.03) Excellent track
3. The Walls Are Whispering (14.15)
4. Arthur's Call (8.42)
5. Griffins (3.15)
6. A Game of Intrigue (7.44)
7. May Angels Fly Thee Home (8.13)
8. Mab's Demise (4.32)
9. Reunited (2.53) Excellent track
10. In Search of the Grail (4.03) Excellent track
Total Length: 73.41