Not Without my Daughter
Jerry Goldsmith
" A lesser attempt of Goldsmith, holds nonetheless more qualities than today's mainstream music "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Due to the lack of memorable music, labels are bringing us forgotten entries of late composers such as Elmer Bernstein, Franz Waxman and Jerry Goldsmith. Totally understandable considering those were the masters who infused movie music with so much quality, that even the so called lesser entries became solid efforts in the end. That is what you notice once you're re experiencing them again. Not Without my Daughter was released by Intrada back in 1991, in a 34 minute version. Quite frankly it was enough, considering it wasn't exactly one of Goldsmith's best. But now, due to the re release of the complete edition by La-La Land records, Not Without my Daughter suddenly shows you that even in the lesser efforts, Goldsmith offered us so much more in comparison of today's music.
To begin with "The Lake", we can already show you a contrast today's music just doesn't infuse anymore. Meaning, there's a synth brass statement in "The Lake" that is quite disturbing. That is until the strings calm down the whole situation and perform a much more colourful version of the main theme. This shows the wonderful life the family is having. This is stated further on through flutes and strings in "Night Stories" and "The Promise" (albeit here more fractured).
The theme that stands for the wonderful easy life soon becomes less colourful and more moody, as the situation and life in Iran is not as they pictured it. In "No Job" that theme tries to break the moody barrier, and barely succeeds. A more somber picture is painted in "Trapped", with occasionally a main theme statement present that signifies the mother and daughter.
As the situation becomes more and more hopeless, the music becomes more and more frenetic. A synth motif (briefly heard in the very first seconds of the first track) are what drive "First Break", an attempt to free themselves from the tyranny in which they are held. The same for "School's Out", but here the strings of the secondary motif are dominantly heard over it, giving it a sense of urgency and dramatic potency. And in "Don't Leave" the secondary theme now gets a high pitched string opening, presenting the ruthless actions of Moody against Betty.
The warm noble main theme in "The Recruiters" shows that Betty has found people who may be able to help her. And this is heightened in "First Break" with the synths and percussion silently showing us their second attempt to break free. In "Dry Spell" that game continues and in "The Flag / Back Home" the main theme luckily is shown again in full colour (meaning Betty and her daughter have made it).
The additional music containing a piano moment, a classical piece by Chopin and a 20 minute orchestra only suite (without the synths) all make it a little more appealing. But why Not Without my Daughter received this treatment is a bit unsure. It is not one of Jerry Goldsmith more appealing works, and works average at best. However considering how film music now sounds today, it is so delightful to hear how 2 simple themes and a motif can portray an entire story on CD effortlessly. The proof that still the best music comes from actual themes and motifs underlining your musical quest. And then an even average album can become something more.
Tracklisting
1. The Lake (2.39)
2. Night Stories (2.01)
3. The Promise (2.01)
4. Mistaken Identity (0.34)
5. No Job (3.16)
6. Trapped (2.48)
7. Street Call (1.21)
8. First Break (0.54)
9. Threats (1.32)
10. The Basement (0.42)
11. School's Out (1.11)
12. Don't Leave (3.32)
13. The Recruiters (0.57)
14. First Break (4.39)
15. Dry Spell (5.54)
16. The Flag / Back Home (5.47)
Bonus Tracks
17. Piano Source (not used in film) (0.45)
18. Prelude (Chopin) (2.29)
19. Joy to the World (0.27)
20. Orchestra Only Suite (20.07)
Total Length: 63.49
To begin with "The Lake", we can already show you a contrast today's music just doesn't infuse anymore. Meaning, there's a synth brass statement in "The Lake" that is quite disturbing. That is until the strings calm down the whole situation and perform a much more colourful version of the main theme. This shows the wonderful life the family is having. This is stated further on through flutes and strings in "Night Stories" and "The Promise" (albeit here more fractured).
The theme that stands for the wonderful easy life soon becomes less colourful and more moody, as the situation and life in Iran is not as they pictured it. In "No Job" that theme tries to break the moody barrier, and barely succeeds. A more somber picture is painted in "Trapped", with occasionally a main theme statement present that signifies the mother and daughter.
As the situation becomes more and more hopeless, the music becomes more and more frenetic. A synth motif (briefly heard in the very first seconds of the first track) are what drive "First Break", an attempt to free themselves from the tyranny in which they are held. The same for "School's Out", but here the strings of the secondary motif are dominantly heard over it, giving it a sense of urgency and dramatic potency. And in "Don't Leave" the secondary theme now gets a high pitched string opening, presenting the ruthless actions of Moody against Betty.
The warm noble main theme in "The Recruiters" shows that Betty has found people who may be able to help her. And this is heightened in "First Break" with the synths and percussion silently showing us their second attempt to break free. In "Dry Spell" that game continues and in "The Flag / Back Home" the main theme luckily is shown again in full colour (meaning Betty and her daughter have made it).
The additional music containing a piano moment, a classical piece by Chopin and a 20 minute orchestra only suite (without the synths) all make it a little more appealing. But why Not Without my Daughter received this treatment is a bit unsure. It is not one of Jerry Goldsmith more appealing works, and works average at best. However considering how film music now sounds today, it is so delightful to hear how 2 simple themes and a motif can portray an entire story on CD effortlessly. The proof that still the best music comes from actual themes and motifs underlining your musical quest. And then an even average album can become something more.
Tracklisting
1. The Lake (2.39)
2. Night Stories (2.01)
3. The Promise (2.01)
4. Mistaken Identity (0.34)
5. No Job (3.16)
6. Trapped (2.48)
7. Street Call (1.21)
8. First Break (0.54)
9. Threats (1.32)
10. The Basement (0.42)
11. School's Out (1.11)
12. Don't Leave (3.32)
13. The Recruiters (0.57)
14. First Break (4.39)
15. Dry Spell (5.54)
16. The Flag / Back Home (5.47)
Bonus Tracks
17. Piano Source (not used in film) (0.45)
18. Prelude (Chopin) (2.29)
19. Joy to the World (0.27)
20. Orchestra Only Suite (20.07)
Total Length: 63.49