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| Robert Berry - A Soundtrack For The Wheel Of Time |
 Released: 2001 Label: Magna Carta Cat. No.: MAX-9052-2 Total Time: 50:38 | |
Reviewed by: John "Bo Bo" Bollenberg, August 2001
Based on the Robert Jordan book series The Wheel Of Time, Robert Berry has written a true soundtrack. Masterminded and executed mainly by himself, it certainly illustrates the great talent that Berry really is. "A Theme For The Wheel Of Time" certainly is a winner what with the powerful singalong chorus. "Return To Emonds Field" perfectly illustrates the cinematographic strength of the music begging to be used for a Hollywood blockbuster. Needless to say, the subject for this music requires a decent amount of acoustic instruments as we can witness during "Song For Moiraine," to name but one. Whilst most of the stuff has been written by Berry himself, two songs have been co-written with Lief Sorbye, one song together with executive producer Pete Morticelli whilst one of the tracks was written by Andy Frazer. Nevertheless all of the tracks complement each other due to the aforementioned Celtic influences. "The Winespring Reel" is almost like a marriage between Tempest and Kansas. Berry certainly knows how to arrange the orchestral parts to the fullest without the use of a real orchestra! In "The Halls Of Tar Valon" you can clearly hear the drama required. Also for the feel of "Ladies Of The Tower," the ominous arrangement is the main ingredient, adding a synthesized choir to the eerie atmosphere. In the opening section of "The Game Of Houses" Lief Sorbye’s mandolin almost sounds like a koto. "Voyage Of The Sea Folk" is a true knees-up with all of the traditional instruments joining the party (sadly no real bagpipes, I’m afraid). "Rand’s Theme (Fanfare For The Dragon Reborn)" is probably the most classical arrangement of the lot, sounding creepy towards the end as if thunder and lightning are lurking behind the corner. With "The Aiel Approach (Dahl Of A Chant)" Berry throws a bit of Latin around to keep us on our toes. Sadly once again, the limited budget has meant that Berry could not use a real orchestra. Nevertheless I guess we can already reserve this year’s Oscar for best soundtrack to Robert Berry. For the time being, however, let’s settle for one of those plastic Oscar replicas filled with bath foam. If he doesn’t win the real McCoy in the end, at least he’ll smell nice! [See also Keith's and Steph's review - ed.] More about The Wheel Of Time: Track Listing: A Theme For The Wheel Of Time (3:35) / Return To Emonds Field (3:55) / Song For Moiraine (3:34) / Travelling The Ways (3:05) / Spears And Buckler (1:22) / Dream Walker (2:04) / The Knowledge Of The Wise Ones (1:09) / The Winespring Reel (4:32) / The Halls Of Tar Valon (0:57) / Search For The Black Ajah (5:06) / Ladies Of The Tower (3:12) / The Game Of Houses (3:44) / Voyage Of The Sea Folk (3:45) / Heart Of The Wolf (1:09) / Journey Through The Waste (0:57) / Lan The Warder (1:16) / March Of The Trollocs (3:15) / Rand’s Theme (Fanfare For The Dragon Reborn) (4:31) / The Aiel Approach (Dahl Of A Chant) (2:10) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.robertberry.com Selected Discography
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Having Tempest as label mates certainly has inspired Robert Berry when he was writing the soundtrack for the The Wheel Of Time videogames. By means of co-writing two songs with Tempest leader Lief Sorbye and adding Lief’s mandolin, it’s pretty obvious that the Celtic influences are widely spread all over this album. It’s almost as if this album wants to say to you: "welcome to the world of Robin Hood!"