Mark Knopfler - Local Hero (1983 Film)
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Free Music Notes for Local Hero (1983 Film)
Free Music Review: A Perfect Film Score
Hit: 5 Stars
Local Hero is one of my favorite film scores, and contains some of the best music Mark Knopfler has written. It is hedonistically enjoyable and bears repeated listening. The music is not anything like a Dire Straits album, but is beautifully evocative of the small town in northern Scotland where the movie is set.Mark Knopfler is clearly the main the main songwriter, but Alan Clark (a founding member of The Hollies) collaborates with Knoplfer on some tunes, and contributes a few short pieces of music of his own, including the hauntingly beautiful "Stargazer", which actually sounds like the Aurora Borealis. Gerry Rafferty ("Baker Street") contributes vocals to one track as well. I am left with the impression that having other talented musicians to work with on this project (instead of sidemen) inspired Knopfler to create a great achievement not only in the music presented but in the quality of the audio production as well. Knopfler has not reached same heights again on any of his later soundtracks, although the music for "Wag the Dog" comes fairly close.
As much as I love my old LP version of this album I have to admit that the CD is stunning. The wide dynamic range of the music is what CDs were made for.
Free Music Review: Well, I Own the Vinyl Copy, but...
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, the editorial review by Jim Emerson is right on the money about this being one of those soundtracks made for cd and not the vinyl medium...As I am writing this review I can hear the pops and ticks on my vinyl copy on the more quiet passages and tracks; But I love the nostalgic sound of vinyl---different strokes I guess...Anyway, I have NEVER seen Local Hero but purchased a vinyl copy of the soundtrack at a used record shop. It is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time...Quite a few different styles of music by Mark Knopfler and it is a relaxing pleasure to hear this album to relax the mind and soothe the soul. Not quite ambient, not quite jazz, not quite pop, and by no means kitschy...Very eclectic, yet recognizeable and timeless...It is a somberly uplifting album.On vinyl, it sounds warm, sweet and awesome to me... Well worth owning regardless of the medium, but Mr. Emerson, you're right, it is a recording highly worthy of getting on the digital format...
Free Music Review: This is what a soundtrack should be...
Hit: 5 Stars
A good soundtrack should enhance the movie for which it was written. This soundtrack not only enhanced the mood and feeling of the movie, but also evokes those same feelings and moods when you listen to it.I do not like the "Boomtown" song, but I did not like that part of the movie so much either.
But hearing the "Wild Theme" or "Whistle Theme", I can picture the spectacular beaches, rocks and cliffs.
Hearing "The Ceilidh and the Northern Lights", I can see the northern lights through Mac's drunken eyes.
Hearing "Smooching", I see Stella and Gordon dancing in the empty restaurant.
Hearing the "Going Home" theme, I feel again the half-empty "it can't be over yet" feeling I have whenever I see the ending again.
The movie is my all-time favorite. And the soundtrack album is, in my opinion, the best of Mark Knofler's soundtrack albums because it played a big part in the movie.
Free Music Review: Classic Knopfler Release
Hit: 5 Stars
Early in his career, Mark Knopfler composed this soundtrack to a mostly cult-followed movie, Local Hero. I loved the instrumentals on this record when it was released in the mid 80's. After seeing the movie I learned to appreciate this S/T even more. "Smoochin'" could be the most beautiful instrumental ever composed. "Wild Theme" is gorgeous in it's own right. The Scottish/Irish themes in these tracks are compelling and interesting. Knopfler's guitar playing are smooth and beautiful, as usual. Guy Fletcher's keyboard offerings are moody and chilling at times. If you are a fan of Knopfler, this MUST be owned by you!Free Music Review: absolutely enchanting!
Hit: 5 Stars
I loved the quirky Scottish movie Local Hero, because it was so pure Scotland, instead of what people think Scotland is. The music greatly added to the delightfully whimsical tale. It has a lot of great cuts, but it's with the old standard Mist Covered Mountains it really finds its soul. It's one of the best recorded versions of this beautiful song. It alone is worth the price tag!
It's a soothing score, making it one I play often. With his impressive Dire Straight credentials and a long line of musical scores since, this debut solo effort really showed his feel for how music can really set the tone for the movie.