Search - W. G. Snuffy Walden :: Stephen King's The Stand: Original Television Soundtrack

Snuff Walden reaches an emotional apex

Harry Drinkwater | 09/15/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These compositions are magnificent on many levels. Snuff Walden is one of music's greatest composers. You wouldn't know his name, but you've most certainly heard his music. His credits include the incidental music for TV shows such as Thirtysomething, The Wonder Years, and I'll Fly Away. Walden also plays all the guitar parts for his scores. For The Stand mini-series Stephen King approached Walden to do the music. In that request King wanted what he termed "Blue Jean Music." And that's exactly what he got. Each track on this CD invokes many emotions, from hope and struggle to turmoil and simple pleasure. The third track on the CD, "On the Road to Kansas," is Walden at his best, creating an acoustic masterpiece. One word that sums it up for me is "Tasty." And this blend of acoustic work is what Snuff Walden is best known for. Equally impressive is the more rocky track, "The Trashman in Vegas." Here Walden switches directions employing a harder feel with a Mark Knopfler style of guitar playing. His versatility really shows, however, in the title track, where he uses a full orchestral arrangement for the climax of the film. Many things are impressive about this soundtrack. The mood, feel, and emotion created throughout this work is an incredible achievement. Anyone listening to this entire CD would swear that it was impossible for one guy to have written all the music on this thing. But that is what Snuff Walden is all about. Versatility and sheer musicianship. Someone needs to pull this guy aside and ask him to come out with a Snuff Walden instrumental CD of material independent to that of a TV show or movie. When The Stand originally aired I watched the whole thing, but throughout what really knocked me out was the music. I was unable to find the CD until about four months ago. I own a retail electronics store in New Hampshire and from time to time I throw The Stand soundtrack in the CD player and run it through one of the higher end home theater systems on display. Every time I play it during store hours someone will eventually come in, hear the music, and say something along the lines of, "What is that CD? Can I buy it from you? It's really great!" Of course I tell them what it is and where on the internet to find it, and although I have been offered twenty bucks in one case for my copy, I wouldn't part with it. Tasty!"

Good soundtrack, but missing stuff

Steven H. Sunday | ANNAPOLIS, Md United States | 07/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I will be kind, and assume that use of recorded material in the
movie did not extend to the soundtrack. I liked the original
music composed for "The Stand", but what is conspicuous by it's
absence is the hit song by the Larry character, "Baby, Can You
Dig Your Man?". Perhaps it was never actually completed. Just
bits of it played in "The Stand". Another excellent song that
was in the movie, but not in the soundtrack, was an old 80's hit
by Crowded House called "Don't Dream It's Over" that Molly Ringwald's character played on her portable record player while
she was still in Maine."

The best soundtrack!

Steven H. Sunday | 12/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved The Stand when I saw it on t.v. for the first time over 6 years ago! One of the best things about the miniseries is the music. The music by Snuffy Walden was so appropriate for each scene. Now everytime I listen to a track like "One will fall by the way" or "Ain't She Beautiful" I can actually envision the movie scenes in my mind. But you don't have to see the movie to enjoy the c.d. The music captures so many different moods, it's very relaxing to listen to. Simply said, the soundtrack is just awesome, and very beautifully done."