Randy Newman - Ragtime (1981 Film Soundtrack)
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Free Music Notes for Ragtime (1981 Film Soundtrack)
Free Music Review: Available at last: Great score for an ill-judged movie
Hit: 5 Stars
Reviewer: Scott Ross from Raleigh, NC United StatesIn the liner notes Randy Newman jokingly refers to this as "the only record yet to be released" on CD, but those who love this score almost feel that little jest is the ennis. E.L. Doctorow's astonishing novel should probably never have been translated to the screen at all; the prose is too exquisitely, exhileratingly literary to "land," as they say, in a different medium. The approach of Milos Forman et al. was to distill a complex emotional and historical tapestry down to a Hollywood-y essence. (The recent musical play at least captured Doctorow's bracing intelligence, and some of the book's flavor.) Aside from the actors' performances and the sheer pleasure of watching James Cagney on a big screen again - and, sadly, for the last time - the only real lasting element of "Ragtime" has been Newman's beautifully conceived score. Distinctly Newman's own, the score reflects Doctorow's intentions better than any other single aspect of a sadly mis-judged movie. It's less an evocation of Scott Joplin than a prefectly realized impression of the era itself, with Newman's sad, achingly effective little waltz ("One More Hour") somehow encapsulating both the promise and bitter set-backs facing a young country on the eve of what would later be called its century.
Free Music Review: Masterwork
Hit: 5 Stars
One only has to imagine the potential. Producer Dino de Laurentiis originally hired Robert Altman to direct the movie adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's Altmanesque novel "Ragtime". Following not too long after the triumph of his masterpiece "Nashville," Altman's dense sonic and visual style was perfectly suited to bring this multilayered, historical novel to the screen. Unfortunately, de Laurentiis re-edited Altman's "Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson," against Altman's wishes, and the resulting feud ended up putting Ragtime in the hands of the talented but horribly inappropriate hands of Milos Foreman. The movie was (and is) a major disappointment, a pale and unidimensional rendition of the novel. As fate would have it, however, this disappointing movie yielded one of the greatest movie scores of all time. Randy Newman's work for Ragtime was as stunning as Foreman's work was stultifying. Haunting, melodic, allusive and memorable, this is Newman's best movie work, and the best evidence ever that musical genius is genetic: Newman is the nephew of two of the greatest movie composers of the previous generation: Lionel and Alfred Newman. A giant accomplishment, Ragime's availability at long last on CD is nothing short of a major event.Free Music Review: Absolutely brilliant.
Hit: 5 Stars
I first came across this soundtrack when looking for Donald O'Connor songs - I'm a big fan of his, and I'm trying to track down all the songs he's ever recorded. It just so happens he has one of the most delightful songs on this soundtrack, "I could love a Million Girls". Apparently it's from a Disney film called Summer Magic, but I don't think Disney would approve of how dirty this song is if you think about it! Donald O'Connor was around 55 or so when he recorded this song, so his voice isn't as great as it was once, but he still does a fantastic job.
Now, onto the other songs. "Ragtime" (the song listed on the soundtrack) is hauntingly beautiful - it really captures the feeling and mood of the time, and puts you right back there. Same with most of the other "score" tracks. This is definately one of the best scores out there, and it's a pity it didn't do better. I guess it's almost ahead of it's time a little, considering this was the time period that gave us films like The Blues Brothers and other such early SNL comedies which didn't require scores like Ragtime needed. It really should've done better, but for now enjoy the soundtrack because I doubt you'll get another release of it!
Free Music Review: F I N A L L Y ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Hit: 5 Stars
When even the composer himself (in the liner notes) calls this "the last album ever to be released on CD," one can't help but feel like there are at least a few other crazies out there who have been WAITING FOR THE BETTER PART OF TWENTY YEARS for this soundtrack to be released on CD. Worth the wait? Are you kidding? The lush orchestrations and Randy Newman's pure genius shine through on every delicious, melodic track. A soundtrack is truly a soundtrack when it enables the listener to "see" the film all over again, and this one certainly does. Check out "Train Ride" and "Atlantic City," but who am I kidding here; every cut is a bonafide gem. Newman's soundtrack career really took off with this one. Tasty jazz licks, period-piece instrumentation, and of course, the incredible piano compositions and Newman's ivory tickling all add up to one helluva soundtrack. (I wore two cassette copies out...can you tell I love this album?) Here's an idea: buy two copies in case Rhino decides to pull it from the market!!! NOTE TO RHINO RECORDS: Thank you, thank you, thank you!Free Music Review: At Long 5 Stars
I, too, have been waiting for this soundtrack to be released on CD for ages and ages - but life being what it is, I seldom remembered to pursue the quest. I had not listened to the score for many years (my only copy was on cassette and I haven't owned a cassette player for ages). As soon as the CD arrived, I tore into the box and slapped the disc into the player -- and was transported into a heaven I'd forgotten existed. Randy Newman's music is so absolutely wonderful and the remastering is excellent. I listen to "Train Ride" over and over again; a more perfect piece of popular music has seldom been written. And I say that as a rabid fan of classic Scott Joplin ragtime. It is all I can do at this point not to play this CD 24/7.......! Bless you, Rhino!