Search - Jeff Danna, Jeff / Danna, Mychael Danna, Sara Clancy :: Uncorked [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Relaxing and thoughtful music that's become uncorked

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 09/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It isn't often that I review instrumental soundtracks. How to describe the orchestra or the tracks? However, I decided on the soundtrack for one of my favourite movies, Minnie Driver's At Sachem Farm, or Uncorked for the movie release. The music was composed and produced by Jeff Danna, who has done music for other movies as well as collaborated on Celtic-flavoured albums with his brother Mychael.



Some of the tracks are variations on the main theme, best encapsulated in "Ross's Concert," a sweet introspective and sad acoustic guitar track that goes into a sudden burst of energy for a minute as if to celebrate that active energy encapsulated in one's potential.

However, the track "The Arboretum" which mixes shimmering strings and flutes, with violins, is another great rendition of the main theme. Ditto for "Discovery," wonder-inducing and warm at the same time, played when Ross finds out that the things he has been worried about are all taken care of, and that things are all right. The end title is a more skippy version of the tune, as things turn out happy in the end.



Others such as "Little Pillar" and "The Crane" serve as minor set pieces, although the latter with its stark piano and violin sounds like a stripped-down Sigur Ros track.



A distinctly Celtic-flavoured sound is represented with the harmonium and hurdy-gurdy in "Stilt Walk," played when Uncle Cullen does the title deed and perches atop his 20-cubit pillar to get the far perspective. That same melody is found in "Red Wine," played when Ross is alerted by his housekeeper that the faucet, laundry, and sink are pouring out red wine, uncorked by Uncle Cullen.



Apart from "Ross's Concert," my other favourite track is "Love Of Heaven," the only vocal track, done by soft Meav sound-alike Sara Clancy. A slow and sad Celtic ballad, this was featured when both Minnie Driver and Rufus Sewell end up with their respective soul-mates at the end of the film. This track is also on Jeff and Mychael Danna's A Celtic Romance-The Story of Lladain and Curithur



Clocking in at 29 and a half minutes, Uncorked may be shorter than average, but the tracks work well as bite-sized pieces of sweet melancholy and thoughtfulness, the sort one might have while looking out of a window on a rainy day.



Note that vocal songs by Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Wild Strawberries, Grant Lee Buffalo, Tara MacLean, Barenaked Ladies, and Sarah McLachlan which were featured in the movie are not included. However, Jeff Danna, known for doing other instrumental soundtracks, his most recent one being the one for Vanity Fair with Reese Witherspoon, has cut his teeth on others, such as O and Cold Comfort, so that's not a big thing, although it would've been nice to have a separate Uncorked soundtrack featuring all the songs.

"

Great Music! Limited Editon!

Daniel J. Hamlow | 04/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love this soundtrack, especially "Ross' Concert"... Jeff Danna's music is just beautiful. To respond to the other reviewer who commented on the CD's length... I'm a fan of the movie too and all of Dana's music from the movie is on the CD.Plus what's cool is that this is a Limited Edition of only 3,000 CDs, so that would explain the regular price."

Great album but...

Destiny Jacobson | Princeton, Mn | 11/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wish there were more songs on the soundtrack that are in the movie. I love every single song on the soundtrack but was disappointed that about only have the songs in the movie are on the soundtrack. That is why I only give it a 4 star rating, not that I don't like some of the songs."