Players
Jerry Goldsmith
" Typical music by Goldsmith is lovely and soaring "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
You think you know most of Jerry Goldsmith's music, and yet somehow Players was one that remained pretty invisible. That was until Intrada released it as probably one of the last Jerry Goldsmith scores there is to release. Now considering Jerry Goldsmith was a player in the 70's, 80's and 90's, a score like that had to be a good thing. But it wasn't a success like most releases of Intrada. Because this one is actually still for sale. So the only plausible reason would have to be, it is not that good? Yet then my answer would be: by which standards do you defy good?
Because let's face it, Players is typical Jerry Goldsmith music. You will not think of another composer than Jerry Goldsmith. Which is considering today's quality already a plus. It is not classic Jerry Goldsmith, but you will discover several riches here. Beginning with the sprightly heroic music of "Players", a track that dances on the same rhythmic delight The Great Train Robbery possessed, which is not a bad deal at all. This music returns in "Winning Streak", and it's here that you notice the love theme in the middle and the soaring end that excels it even higher. And "A Final Decision" has the honor of putting the most rousing versions of the heroic theme and the love theme together in one typical old fashioned Jerry Goldsmith finale.
Much of the music that follows these soaring cues is less sprightly and more relaxing. Delivering all kinds of sweets for piano, guitar and strings, Goldsmith handles the blossoming love between the characters with a nice accompanying love theme, one that grows towards a lovely conclusion in "The Bedroom" (Revised Version"). Another lovely moment is the love theme assisted by maracas in "The Pleasure Circuit" and the classic trumpet moment in "The Boat" that reminds us of Chinatown ... and LA Noire. Hell even the disco version of the love theme doesn't fail, showing that it's another winning melody for sure. Which makes Players fairly predictable after a while, considering it focuses its strength on roughly the 2 themes alone. But at least you have 2 themes here that stand the test of time once they reach they're most outlandish performance. And then the typical quality of Players becomes the typical Jerry Goldsmith quality, which makes it easier to grade just a tad higher.
Track Listing
1. Players (3.00) Excellent track
2. Unhappy Woman (2.32)
3. New Freedom (1.06)
4. Night Meeting (3.19)
5. A New Life (1.37)
6. The Pleasure Circuit (1.21)
7. The Bedroom (Revised Version) (2.54) Excellent track
8. Solitary Guitar (1.54)
9. Love Theme (Disco Version) (2.43)
10. The Promise (Revised Version) (2.29)
11. Travel Time (1.38)
12. Winning Streak (4.03) Excellent track
13. Which One (0.46)
14. The Boat (1.17)
15. A Final Decision (5.27) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
16. The Bedroom (Original Version) (2.53)
17. The Promise (Original Version) (2.29)
18. 10M5 Fanfare (With Slate & Compliment) (0.38)
Total Length: 42.06
Because let's face it, Players is typical Jerry Goldsmith music. You will not think of another composer than Jerry Goldsmith. Which is considering today's quality already a plus. It is not classic Jerry Goldsmith, but you will discover several riches here. Beginning with the sprightly heroic music of "Players", a track that dances on the same rhythmic delight The Great Train Robbery possessed, which is not a bad deal at all. This music returns in "Winning Streak", and it's here that you notice the love theme in the middle and the soaring end that excels it even higher. And "A Final Decision" has the honor of putting the most rousing versions of the heroic theme and the love theme together in one typical old fashioned Jerry Goldsmith finale.
Much of the music that follows these soaring cues is less sprightly and more relaxing. Delivering all kinds of sweets for piano, guitar and strings, Goldsmith handles the blossoming love between the characters with a nice accompanying love theme, one that grows towards a lovely conclusion in "The Bedroom" (Revised Version"). Another lovely moment is the love theme assisted by maracas in "The Pleasure Circuit" and the classic trumpet moment in "The Boat" that reminds us of Chinatown ... and LA Noire. Hell even the disco version of the love theme doesn't fail, showing that it's another winning melody for sure. Which makes Players fairly predictable after a while, considering it focuses its strength on roughly the 2 themes alone. But at least you have 2 themes here that stand the test of time once they reach they're most outlandish performance. And then the typical quality of Players becomes the typical Jerry Goldsmith quality, which makes it easier to grade just a tad higher.
Track Listing
1. Players (3.00) Excellent track
2. Unhappy Woman (2.32)
3. New Freedom (1.06)
4. Night Meeting (3.19)
5. A New Life (1.37)
6. The Pleasure Circuit (1.21)
7. The Bedroom (Revised Version) (2.54) Excellent track
8. Solitary Guitar (1.54)
9. Love Theme (Disco Version) (2.43)
10. The Promise (Revised Version) (2.29)
11. Travel Time (1.38)
12. Winning Streak (4.03) Excellent track
13. Which One (0.46)
14. The Boat (1.17)
15. A Final Decision (5.27) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
16. The Bedroom (Original Version) (2.53)
17. The Promise (Original Version) (2.29)
18. 10M5 Fanfare (With Slate & Compliment) (0.38)
Total Length: 42.06