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Q-Review
As one of the of the sleeper
scores of 1999, Mychael Danna supplies a superior effort for the made-for-tv-film,
Ride with the Devil. Danna weaves an authentic and pulsating
score together utilizing the "twang" of the fiddle, banjo, and
accordian, as well as a full blown orchestra. The highlight of the
score is the action/suspense theme that he employs several times throughout
the score. It is introduced in track 4, Clark Farm Shootout. The
percussions set a heart-pounding tone and the as the strings and brass fill
in, a tight, high-energy piece is formed- not unlike John Powell's work in
his score for Endurance or Trevor Jones unforgettable Last of the
Mohicans. Ride with the Devil also features three
traditional pieces and one contemporary cut, the end titles, performed by
Jewel. These detract only somewhat from the overall enjoyability of the
score.
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The
Bottom Line
Mychael Danna makes
his mark through the action sequences of the film. While many
composers are noted for their lovely, romantic themes, Danna is able to set
himself and this score apart through the intensely memorable pieces written
for the battle sequences. Ride with the Devil certainly carries
on the great tradition of superior film music for a Civil War film.
Edelman's Gettysberg and Horner's Glory are still a notch
above this effort, but this score certainly deserves to be mentioned with
them. If one is looking for some fresh action music, Ride
with the Devil, is worth investigation.
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Composed
and Produced by Mychael Danna
Conducted and Orchestrated by Nicholas Dodd