The Reivers
John Williams
" Harmless entertainment "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
I'm sure there are many John Williams scores I've yet to experience, and I'm sure there are treasures in that undiscovered list I've yet to find. The Reivers, a movie starring Steve McQueen of 1969 is not one of them, but it's a doozy nonetheless. You see, there's hardly a wrong word you can say about The Reivers, as it's so fun and harmless music. A comedic tone here and there, a harmonica sound once and a while, a main theme festivity all around, The Reivers is 30 minutes of harmless entertainment.
Opening with solo guitar, brief strings and a harmonica, the tone is set and it will last until the last dying seconds of the score. "Main Title / First Instruction / The Winton Flyer" states the very fabrics The Reivers is built on, and with that optimistic main theme as backbone, it's delicious entertainment. That main theme's best outing comes early on in "The Road to Memphis, a wonderful fun ride full of feisty violins, playful mandolin and racing string work. It's second best outing appears late in the score, during the lovely laidback tone of a harmonica turning in a last attempt in "Lucius Runs to Corrie / Back Home".
In between that, John Williams keeps it entertaining but not demanding. There's hardly a wrong tone, a darker sound or a difficult moment in The Reivers, making it one of those quick afternoon spins that will definitely cheer you up. Because it's hardly demanding, making The Reivers not exactly a classic John Williams one. But the strength lies in the fact that it keeps it so delicious, that even 30 minutes can deliver a smile that lasts for several hours. All in all, rarely did John William miss the target, and The Reivers is not one of those occasions. Harmless entertainment, that's all.
Track Listing
1. Main Title / First Instruction / The Winton Flyer (5.10)
2. Family Funeral / Lucius' First Drive (2.30)
3. The Road to Memphis (1.42) Excellent track
4. Corrie's Entrance / The Picture (2.10)
5. Reflections (1.36)
6. The Sheriff Departs / The Bad News / Ned's Secret (4.11)
7. Memphis (1.22)
8. Ned's Trade (2.02)
9. The People Protest (1.05)
10. Prayers at Bedtime (2.42)
11. Lucius Runs to Corrie / Back Home (3.31)
12. Finale (4.11)
Total Length: 32.12
Opening with solo guitar, brief strings and a harmonica, the tone is set and it will last until the last dying seconds of the score. "Main Title / First Instruction / The Winton Flyer" states the very fabrics The Reivers is built on, and with that optimistic main theme as backbone, it's delicious entertainment. That main theme's best outing comes early on in "The Road to Memphis, a wonderful fun ride full of feisty violins, playful mandolin and racing string work. It's second best outing appears late in the score, during the lovely laidback tone of a harmonica turning in a last attempt in "Lucius Runs to Corrie / Back Home".
In between that, John Williams keeps it entertaining but not demanding. There's hardly a wrong tone, a darker sound or a difficult moment in The Reivers, making it one of those quick afternoon spins that will definitely cheer you up. Because it's hardly demanding, making The Reivers not exactly a classic John Williams one. But the strength lies in the fact that it keeps it so delicious, that even 30 minutes can deliver a smile that lasts for several hours. All in all, rarely did John William miss the target, and The Reivers is not one of those occasions. Harmless entertainment, that's all.
Track Listing
1. Main Title / First Instruction / The Winton Flyer (5.10)
2. Family Funeral / Lucius' First Drive (2.30)
3. The Road to Memphis (1.42) Excellent track
4. Corrie's Entrance / The Picture (2.10)
5. Reflections (1.36)
6. The Sheriff Departs / The Bad News / Ned's Secret (4.11)
7. Memphis (1.22)
8. Ned's Trade (2.02)
9. The People Protest (1.05)
10. Prayers at Bedtime (2.42)
11. Lucius Runs to Corrie / Back Home (3.31)
12. Finale (4.11)
Total Length: 32.12