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Composed, Conducted, Orchestrated, and Produced by:
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James Horner
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Release Date:
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August 20th, 1996
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Availability:
Regular U.S. release.
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Filmtracks Editorial Review:
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The Spitfire Grill: (James Horner) When Castle Rock Entertainment
purchased this film for a stunning $10 million, there was much talk about the
strong influence the soundtrack had on the film. At the Sundance Film Festival,
James Horner had been hired to give the original soundtrack (which had been
previously assigned to an unknown composer) a boost, and Horner in turn produced
an entirely new and refreshing score that assisted the marketing value of the
film. The last track was named after the original name of the film. Even moreso,
it silenced Horner's severely consistent critics who, for years, had claimed
that the rising composer was not capable of composing an original piece of
music.
After a simply incredible year of output in 1995, much of which stirred up the
"Horner self-ripoff" debate to new heights, the sleeper hit of an album for
The Spitfire Grill was just the right score at just the right time. With
much of the emotional power of the film's characters and settings relying on
Horner's music, it was an opportunity for him step back from the large scale,
A-film projects and create a unique score of country sentimentality. Combining
contemporary pop percussion with fiddles, violas, traditional guitars, pianos,
flighty woodwinds and a medium sized orchestra, Horner brilliantly captures the
robust country society and attitudes, as well as the lofty, spiritual wonders of
the forest. Many of these wondrous cues would be the foundation for similar
mystical scoring techniques heard especially in Titanic and
Bicentennial Man. The pop beats remind us of the main character's modern
problems, and results in such enticing tracks as nine and eleven. The ninth
track, with a remarkably smooth statement of theme by strings and guitar remains
as a compilation favorite for Horner fans.
Thematically, the score is rich with energy and genuine spirit. Much more
personal than many of his large ensemble works of the same era, The Spitfire
Grill is truly delightful and uninterrupted listening experience. Years
later, it remains one of the favorites for many Horner fans; it's lack of flash
and pomp provides a satisfying alternate side of the composer for those who
become weary of his sometimes overly-dramatic efforts. Whenever a harsh critic
of Horner asks the question "when was the last time James Horner did anything
original?" the answer is always The Spitfire Grill. Without fail, its
subtle magic endures long after Horner's huge mainstream success later in the
decade. A highly recommended album. *****
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Viewer Ratings and Comments:
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• 1. An Uncertain Future/Main Title (3:38)
• 2. Shelby & Percy (5:55)
• 3. Hannah's Fall (1:58)
• 4. The Mystery of the Night (1:21)
• 5. Open for Business (2:25)
• 6. Remembering Eli (1:54)
• 7. The Trees (1:39)
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• 8. A Gift from the Forest (4:43)
• 9. Reading the Letters (2:02)
• 10. A Healing Balm (5:59)
• 11. A New Life for Gilead (1:25)
• 12. Wrongful Blame (2:15)
• 13. A Desperate Decision (5:07)
• 14. ...Care of the Spitfire Grill (9:53)
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Insert includes no extra information about the score or film.
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