Passionada
Harry Gregson-Williams
" passionate little score "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
While 2003 was somewhat the breakthrough year for Harry Gregson-Williams, it was several years before that he finally broke through solo wise. In 2000 solo efforts were already brought to our attention, yet we didn't mention it to anyone, and 2002 already saw these solo efforts being released commercially but we hardly bought them. Still, in 2002 Passionada and Phone Booth were examples of Harry's versatile abilities, and Passionada is naturally the easier listen.
It's basically a love story with a passionate kiss at the end for you to wait onto. The Varèse release also features 3 songs, and they flow nicely around Harry Gregson-Williams score. The score itself starts with "Main Titles", having piano, strings and guitar to offer. That opening is nothing special, it's "Vicki on her Bike" that's fresh and daring I might say. I don't know if you could call it light techno with a vocal, but it sure feels more modern than the next. The added guitar to it just completes the whole intention. Other occasions where Harry inserts these fresh styles is in for instance "Vicky Has an Idea".
Another experimental route is the Thomas Newman approach. Like so many today, Newman's voice is discovered in another composer's effort, and here it's found in "Beck the Cardcounter" and "'Portuguese Fishermen".
While "Vicky and Nana" is not experimental, it shows the somber Thomas Newman voice, making you wonder if it really isn't him composing this. Luckily there's a lot of proof that it is actually Harry doing the composing here. A guitar adds emotion to the mysticism in "Photo Memories", the dark sounding piano becomes lighter through the addition of flute in "Smooth as a Pooltable", the main theme is heard through guitar in "The Lighthouse", graceful soft Spanish music is discovered in "The Bakery", and a nice emotional finish makes "Foodplay" one of the better tracks.
However the nicest surprise is found in "Fish Trail", once again due to the fact Harry's mimicking the lovely voice of Thomas Newman. And in "What Charlie Wants", there's even light choral magic to give you a surprising (yet welcome) finish.
Altogether, that's all I can say about Passionada, meaning that I find it nice. It's a not too demanding listening experience, there are various styles running through each other, and even the songs don't form a problem at all. Passionada was hardly noticed by fans because it wasn't Harry Gregson-Williams' turn yet. And considering he's attacked so much today for his mediocre thriller scores, Passionada might be a good alternative in the place.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (2.34)
2. Photo Memories (1.30)
3. Vicki on her Bike (1.35)
4. Beck the Cardcounter (1.45)
5. Fado Preparations (0.43)
6. Triste Sina: Misia (4.28)
7. Vicky Has an Idea (1.47)
8. Smooth as a Pooltable (2.12)
9. Portuguese Fishermen (1.11)
10. The Lighthouse (1.24)
11. The Bakery (3.19)
12. Foodplay (3.40)
13. Vicky and Nana (1.32)
14. Paixões Diagonais: Misia (4.07)
15. Fish Trail (1.59)
16. What Charlie Wants (3.30)
17. A Felicidade: Suba (4.12)
Total Length: 41.35
It's basically a love story with a passionate kiss at the end for you to wait onto. The Varèse release also features 3 songs, and they flow nicely around Harry Gregson-Williams score. The score itself starts with "Main Titles", having piano, strings and guitar to offer. That opening is nothing special, it's "Vicki on her Bike" that's fresh and daring I might say. I don't know if you could call it light techno with a vocal, but it sure feels more modern than the next. The added guitar to it just completes the whole intention. Other occasions where Harry inserts these fresh styles is in for instance "Vicky Has an Idea".
Another experimental route is the Thomas Newman approach. Like so many today, Newman's voice is discovered in another composer's effort, and here it's found in "Beck the Cardcounter" and "'Portuguese Fishermen".
While "Vicky and Nana" is not experimental, it shows the somber Thomas Newman voice, making you wonder if it really isn't him composing this. Luckily there's a lot of proof that it is actually Harry doing the composing here. A guitar adds emotion to the mysticism in "Photo Memories", the dark sounding piano becomes lighter through the addition of flute in "Smooth as a Pooltable", the main theme is heard through guitar in "The Lighthouse", graceful soft Spanish music is discovered in "The Bakery", and a nice emotional finish makes "Foodplay" one of the better tracks.
However the nicest surprise is found in "Fish Trail", once again due to the fact Harry's mimicking the lovely voice of Thomas Newman. And in "What Charlie Wants", there's even light choral magic to give you a surprising (yet welcome) finish.
Altogether, that's all I can say about Passionada, meaning that I find it nice. It's a not too demanding listening experience, there are various styles running through each other, and even the songs don't form a problem at all. Passionada was hardly noticed by fans because it wasn't Harry Gregson-Williams' turn yet. And considering he's attacked so much today for his mediocre thriller scores, Passionada might be a good alternative in the place.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (2.34)
2. Photo Memories (1.30)
3. Vicki on her Bike (1.35)
4. Beck the Cardcounter (1.45)
5. Fado Preparations (0.43)
6. Triste Sina: Misia (4.28)
7. Vicky Has an Idea (1.47)
8. Smooth as a Pooltable (2.12)
9. Portuguese Fishermen (1.11)
10. The Lighthouse (1.24)
11. The Bakery (3.19)
12. Foodplay (3.40)
13. Vicky and Nana (1.32)
14. Paixões Diagonais: Misia (4.07)
15. Fish Trail (1.59)
16. What Charlie Wants (3.30)
17. A Felicidade: Suba (4.12)
Total Length: 41.35