Title - 'The Express' (Lakeshore Records)
Artist - Mark Isham
As much as I admire - and sometimes love - composer Mark Isham's work, this cinematic tale of the great Ernie Davis is literally told on the big screen thru the many, many great tunes that ccompany the story. Tracks from such greats as: Muddy Waters, Nat King Cole, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles and Elvis, just to name a few.
And so as this is simply a composed structure of that very same movie, devoid of any and all of the abovementioned musical / vocal talent, I have to say I am disappointed by this release.
Simply put, without these guys' classic tunes how can the stage be set for a listening admiration of the great Ernie Davis? It can't, sorry.
Sure Isham’s composing record - he’s scored over 75 films - is profound, but that's not in contention here; the 'life' of the recording is. Melancholy and triumphant within it's 45 minute run, it kind feels like a generic backing track to enable you to slip on whilst watching some college football game on TV with the TV's sound down!
Title - 'The Express' (Lakeshore Records)