Search - Jerry Goldsmith :: Mr. Baseball: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Home Run!

Stuart M. Paine | Arlington, VA USA | 04/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where is it written that all film music must be Romantic and orchestral and take its lead from Korngold, Steiner, Rozsa or Herrmann? This score to MR. BASEBALL sounds like the work of none of those icons, but it's both perfect for its film AND great listening.



Only Jerry Goldsmith could have combined these elements and made it work so well:



1) a very hot rock band of wailing guitar, keyboard, slap bass and drums

2) Japanese traditional sounds - shakuhachi (wood flute) and (synthesized) koto

3) Western orchestral instruments, featuring flute



There is plenty of flashy ballpark exhuberance in the cues played by the rock group. As a part of their main theme, Jerry's given them a very witty take on the little six note fanfare which always concludes with the crowd shouting, "Charge!". But, that's not all there is to MR. BASEBALL. There is also some lovely, touching music here, particularly the melody for flute (and punctuated by shakuhachi) which reflects the more tender moments shared by Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck) and the young Japanese woman he falls for. The only quibble I can muster is that the pentatonic scale which is the basis for Goldsmith's "Asian" interlude in his main title is really more Chinese than Japanese - that's all.



Being partial to Goldsmith's big, dramatic works such as the STAR TREK scores or the OMEN trilogy (or 100 others), I neglected for a couple of years to pick this up, even passing over two copies priced at $2 each in a cutout bin. Dumb. I was only hurting myself. This is great."

Fun and goofy! Sense of humor required!

skunktrain | So. California, USA | 04/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This may not be one of Goldsmith's best (and this is a short score, alas) but it is great fun. Where can you find music that fits that desperately-needed Japanese/Jazz/Baseball niche? He does it all - combines the baseball theme, a jazz element, and a Japanese sound, all in one score. Come on! Not everyone can do that! But Goldsmith does. It's great fun! If you are a Goldsmith fan, you'll want this in your collection. You never know when you may need some Japanese/Jazz/Baseball music, after all!"