Search - Danny Elfman :: Black Beauty

One Of Elfman's Best

R. A. Van Nuys | Washington, D.C. | 11/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a horse lover, and I've always known who Danny Elfman was since I can remember, thanks to my mom. We bought this soundtrack right after seeing the movie when it was brand-new, and I doubt we paid more than maybe 10 dollars for it. What a surprise it was for me to just now find one copy on Amazon for $149! (we also have a cassette tape because this was before CD players were standard in cars) I'd been hoping to purchase another copy because ours is wearing out, but I have a feeling I'll just have to make copies of the original and keep the original as best I can.

Anyway, it saddens me that this CD is so hard to come by, especially since it is perhaps my favorite of Elfman's works! I have about 20 of his soundtracks, but this one in particular holds a special place for me. Like others have said, it is quite a different style for Elfman, but wonderful as always.

The music really does make the movie. There are gorgeous ballads, such as the first main title, that has such a pretty melody to it, touching, soft, and orchestral. Lots of violins.

Then there are happy, rambunctious songs like "Gang on the Run" and "Jump For Joy."

The only way I can describe such songs as "The Dance/Bye Merrylegs" is by using the words "magical and whimsical." The flutes are wonderful (ok, so I'm not sure if they're real flutes, but they're some type of that instrument), and songs like "Sick" have sad, apprehensive piano melodies.

"Frolic" is probably the happiest song on the compilation, followed by "Ginger Snaps," a serious song erupting towards the end in a climax that sounds almost chaotic and painful, all the while foreboding.

The saddest song, for me anyway, is "Poor Ginger" and a mournful song it is, too! Slow, again whimsical, memorable, and of course, beautiful.

Anyway, before I go into too much detail, this CD, to me, is worth too much in its wonderfulness (is that a word?) to sell for any kind of price. I hope for a re-issue but I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Any fan of Danny Elfman should have this CD in their collection, and I'm saddened that it seems so hard to accomplish that now.

However, if you're desperate, you could always buy Elfman's complilation "Music For a Darkened Theater, Vol. 2" which has 7 or 8 songs from the soundtrack on the first disc :) And of course, it's worth it to have the other songs in the set, as well."

Different For Elfman

T. J. Dennie | Canada | 04/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The score is very Celtic in nature. Very differnet for Danny Elfman. Another score like this is his score for Sommersby. The Two don't compare in the long run though. Black Beauty is Elfman's most beautiful and classical work straight through to 2004. This score is used for many ads for other movies and it's used in the promos for Big Fish which I haven't seen or listened to yet. It is a shame that Danny has been overlooked so many times at the Oscars. His music for Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Sommersby and Black Beauty rival anything that's won an Oscar(pick any year)."

Extremely sought after, but worth it

C. Quilling | Virginia | 10/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though this CD is really hard to find under $40 (I myself paid around $75 - eek!), it is worth it. A very unusual CD for Danny Elfman in comparison to the Nightmare Before Christmas, Black Beauty is a beauty in itself. Celtic themes are present in this album, and the main title that is repeated throughout is just beautiful. If anyone ever has a chance to own this album for a decent price, please do so! You won't be sorry you did."