I've always had a soft spot for western scores. My Dad was a big fan of 'cowies' and I would watch them with him as a young boy. The music I heard from watching the 'classics' (HIGH NOON, SHANE, MAG 7) must have set off some sparks that would go on to shape my music listening habits later on. When I was getting into film scores proper (late 70s), the discovery of things like THE COWBOYS, WILD ROVERS, STAGECOACH by my two fave film composers (JW & JG) were priceless indeed. Elmer Bernstein & Bruce Broughton were two other 'western titans' in my film score days of yore. I love the classic western vibe Randy Newman brings to this score. Not continually, as the score also has a 'typical sounding' song by him (The Time Of Your Life) and some broad comedy/animated scoring, with jazzy interludes. But the tracks featuring that Americana western vibe are mighty fine indeed. The last 6/7 tracks on the CD (from 14/'Atta' onwards) feature this element most prominently. Played it today, for the first time in ages, and had forgotten how solid it is (couldn't find any old threads, but no change there). Please share your thoughts...
This also features some of Randy Newman’s very best action music (I think some of it may have been left off the album). The western vibe in other cues kinda makes sense since the film is very much a (more comedic) remake of The Magnificent Seven(/Seven Samurai).
A rather overlooked score and film nowadays but I really like both quite a bit.
I still list this as my favourite Randy Newman score for Pixar, even if the Toy Story ones are perhaps more iconic now. A Bug's Life just has so many great themes, all used brilliantly throughout. And yes, the action music is particularly terrific. As far as I can tell, the soundtrack specifically misses out any cues which feature a choir, presumably for reasons of cost, which rather craps over the idea that the soundtrack is the composer's ideal presentation of their music. A particular shame in this case as it means you miss out on two particularly great cues, Return to the Colony and the Finale. I can't believe you'd want to miss either of those tracks out given the choice...
I didn't know that. Poor Disney. Maybe they were skint that week I do have an unmentionable lying around somewhere. I'll have to dig it out and check the additional stuff.
I didn't know that. Poor Disney. Maybe they were skint that week I do have an unmentionable lying around somewhere. I'll have to dig it out and check out the additional stuff.
Well maybe it was only going to be one track with chorus and it wasn't worth it for the full reuse fee... I was lucky enough to find a copy of one of the official Oscar promos which contains (I think) all of the missing music so I've been able to assemble a complete version in iTunes.
