The American President
Marc Shaiman
" My name is Marc Shaiman and I am the composer of the trailer music of Saving Private Ryan! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
When Marc Shaiman wrote the main theme for The American President, he didn't fully realize that his theme would become legendary years after that. His theme took on a different life when it appeared in the teaser of Saving Private Ryan. This theme was so instantly beloved, Shaiman himself feared people would associate it to the great John Williams. He even said that he would love to tell the world it was him who wrote the theme, not someone else. All jokes aside, the theme does work fantastically well in that setting, while it was destined to be the theme for Andrew Shepherd, and he is The American President.
It is not the first time Shaiman delivered us such a lovely theme. Patch Adams, City Slickers, the man obviously knows how to surprise us with a winning tune. And he has saved the best for this little score. Like some CD's, the main theme is what creates the fuzz around the soundtrack, leaving an impression behind which is solely the work of one winning main theme performance. The heavenly performances in "Main Titles", "President Shepherd" and "End Titles" are what define the album as a whole.
Of course, we can not forget what the album could be worth without the theme. Will it remain to have that undeniable charm? Does it have material that is equal of that pride? No, I'm afraid not. Like the Saving Private Ryan album, a main theme makes an album enchanting, but without it the enchantment would be a lot weaker.
We have the instrumental dance piece that doesn't work as well as it did in the film. So no enchantment there. But most of the other material stays a bit on the background anyway, leaving room for that glorious main theme to steal the show whenever it appears. A good exception is "Make the Deal", bringing out some strength without that big main theme.
Sadly for Shaiman, this theme didn't support Saving Private Ryan. Because what if? Would it have received a Golden Globe instead of its nomination? I believe it could have achieved far more praise than it has received now, no matter the strong movie it is accompanying now. Shaiman's style of course is evident throughout, leaving Patch Adams' impressions behind when the piano is twinkling away. In the end The American President didn't receive the Golden Globe that evening because one main theme can't make an entire album. Sad considering the main theme does make the album here.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (2.23) Excellent track
2. Call Me Andy (1.38)
3. I Like Her (1.47)
4. It's Meatloaf Night (0.40)
5. The First Kiss (2.21)
6. The Slow Down Plan (1.12)
7. The Morning After / Meet the Press (2.10)
8. Politics as Usual (0.57)
9. Never Have an Airline Strike at Christmas (0.35)
10. "I Have Dreamed" (The State Dinner) (2.57)
11. Camp David (1.30)
12. Gathering Votes (2.36)
13. Make the Deal (3.42)
14. Decisions (1.45)
15. President Shepherd (7.27) Excellent track
16. End Titles (5.04) Excellent track
Total Length: 39.06
It is not the first time Shaiman delivered us such a lovely theme. Patch Adams, City Slickers, the man obviously knows how to surprise us with a winning tune. And he has saved the best for this little score. Like some CD's, the main theme is what creates the fuzz around the soundtrack, leaving an impression behind which is solely the work of one winning main theme performance. The heavenly performances in "Main Titles", "President Shepherd" and "End Titles" are what define the album as a whole.
Of course, we can not forget what the album could be worth without the theme. Will it remain to have that undeniable charm? Does it have material that is equal of that pride? No, I'm afraid not. Like the Saving Private Ryan album, a main theme makes an album enchanting, but without it the enchantment would be a lot weaker.
We have the instrumental dance piece that doesn't work as well as it did in the film. So no enchantment there. But most of the other material stays a bit on the background anyway, leaving room for that glorious main theme to steal the show whenever it appears. A good exception is "Make the Deal", bringing out some strength without that big main theme.
Sadly for Shaiman, this theme didn't support Saving Private Ryan. Because what if? Would it have received a Golden Globe instead of its nomination? I believe it could have achieved far more praise than it has received now, no matter the strong movie it is accompanying now. Shaiman's style of course is evident throughout, leaving Patch Adams' impressions behind when the piano is twinkling away. In the end The American President didn't receive the Golden Globe that evening because one main theme can't make an entire album. Sad considering the main theme does make the album here.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (2.23) Excellent track
2. Call Me Andy (1.38)
3. I Like Her (1.47)
4. It's Meatloaf Night (0.40)
5. The First Kiss (2.21)
6. The Slow Down Plan (1.12)
7. The Morning After / Meet the Press (2.10)
8. Politics as Usual (0.57)
9. Never Have an Airline Strike at Christmas (0.35)
10. "I Have Dreamed" (The State Dinner) (2.57)
11. Camp David (1.30)
12. Gathering Votes (2.36)
13. Make the Deal (3.42)
14. Decisions (1.45)
15. President Shepherd (7.27) Excellent track
16. End Titles (5.04) Excellent track
Total Length: 39.06