Thomas Newman, Various Artists - Soundtracks - The Green Mile: Score from the Motion Picture

The greatest soundtrack composers have historically performed a musical tightrope act, being called upon to be stylistically inventive yet invitingly familiar, emotionally compelling without being cloying. In modern times, few have risen to the challenge like Thomas Newman. His score for Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's miraculous death row fable is an organic masterpiece, whether Newman is wringing dramatic fury from his orchestra's rhythm and percussion or, as is more often the case here, delicately shading the proceedings with a palette of sounds distinctly his own. Though seasoned with a pinch of period pop and folk music to underscore the film's period and locale, it's Newman's spare, creative soundscapes that become the film's subtle, emotional core. The composer may have grown up in a family (Hollywood's legendary Newman clan) steeped in daunting film-music history, but Newman has gratifyingly created a body of work whose attention to shade and nuance--and their crucial spiritual connections--seem more influenced by Bernard Herrmann, and that's not bad company, either. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

The Green Mile Soundtrack

If you have been emotionally moved during the viewing of
'The Green Mile' it is largely due to composer Thomas Newman's wonderful score. His music accents such emotions as loss, hope, fear, honour and melancholy. His music is the very sounds of isolation and long uninterrupted thoughts. The songs 'Coffey on the mile' and 'The Green Mile' from the soundtrack are sure to stick in your head long after you hear them. If you are familiar with Thomas Newman's work on 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'American Beauty' or 'Road to Perdistion', you will certainly want to add the 'The Green Mile' to your collection as well.
August 27, 2006

Somewhat Dark

I found this CD to have very dark-natured music, not very enjoyable for the most part as the individual tracks changed so often that the feel of the CD is not very cohesive. October 12, 2005

My Favorite Thomas Newman Score

While I love American Beauty and Shawshank Redemption, this is one of Newman's longest scores, so there's more listening time. The styles are diverse including some Billie Holiday. I have listened to this score hundreds of times and have not tired of it. I always hear something new. If you are a Thomas Newman fan, this is an essentail part of any collection. March 23, 2003

Coffey wouldn't "try to take this one back."

This is a superb score. Don't let the cd samples fool you too much. Most of these songs contain various parts to them and a simple thirty second listening experience will not suffice!

I found myself driving through the prarie land of Illinois on a freezing winter's night, listening to this cd and feeling like I was in a dream. I'm being completely honest with you. It was amazing.

Tracks likes Foolishment, Night Journey, and Danger of Hell are hauntingly mesmerizing. Track #32, Coffey on the Mile, is one of Newman's greatest accomplishments ever. Track #37, the song played during the credits, will leave you in a thick state of deep contemplation. You will love this one.

All in all, this is one of Newman's greatest scores, and arguably the best of all time for Mr. Newman. You will love it. August 14, 2002

Newman's Best

If one reading this has ever at some time had personal reflections with music, then you can appreciate this CD. I found the Shawshank Redemtion score to be awsome, but this is perfect. This is what Pure Moods should have been. It is rare for me to find a CD with anything that I sit alone with and just simply listen to, and have a deeper look at my self with, this is a whole CD filled with such music. If you like this type of music then I personaly warrenty you will like this. As for the other comment about construction quality, as of yet I have found nothing wrong with this CD. It is published by Warner Bros. and seeing as I have has a John Fogerty CD, for 3 years now, made by them, I can only assume the same level out of this. March 30, 2001

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