Gods And Generals

John Frizzell/Randy Edelman

Rating: 7.1


Ten years after the movie Gettysburg was made, Ronald Maxwell returned to direct the prequel, Gods and Generals, in what was to be a trilogy of movies made of the civil war. Because of the lackluster reception Gods and General met in the box office, all plans for the third movie were, and still are, indefinitely postponed. The reason for the lack of enthusiasm which greeted Gods and Generals can be explained by the slow pacing of the movie, and by the serious over-acting that occurs some throughout the film. It certainly has moments, but as a whole drags far too much. But what of the music?

The score, written largely by John Frizzell with some help from the the returning Randy Edelman, has a very subdued atmosphere the whole way through. The title track, Gods and Generals, is a choral arrangement of the main theme, and starts out the score in a very solemn way, repeating twice before bringing in the snare drum, giving it a resolved feel. War is inevitable, and the theme carries a sadness, a sense of the weight of this moment in history, as well as a dignity, in it. This theme dominates much of the writing, but is good enough not to suffer from over-exposure. Even when the music is of a lighter quality, it never comes very far out of the somber mood of the main theme. Lexington Is My Home, as well as The School Of The Soldier both demonstrate this, as they feature some dance-like music, yet never really sound happy.

The tracks which give credit to Randy Edelman often feature simple piano played with orchestral settings of the themes. Sometimes the piano parts are overly simplistic in a much too modern way (one chord repeated over and over with a melody played in the orchestra), but over-all it adds a nice touch for those who can keep from being too critical.

Another element is the use of Irish music. Thankfully, John Frizzell did not do the same thing as many composers, and mix the Irish with the Scottish music. There is a difference, and Frizzell seems to be aware of it. Most casual listeners will identify the bagpipes in the piece These Brave Irishmen, but it is actually the uilleann pipes being played, as the bagpipes are Scottish, and not Irish. Both forms of music evolved from Celtic music, but there is a difference. The Scottish tend to be somewhat less subdued, while the Irish have more of mystical a quality to their music. You do not hear the Scottish marching bagpipes, but the reflective Irish uilleann pipes. The piece begins with the fluid sound of wet orchestral strings, playing the theme to be reprised later by the uilleann pipes. Frizzell made no attempt to hide the harsh sound of the pipes, which was a very good decision on his part. When they come in, they sound perfect. Out of place, yet so noble.

VMI Will Be Heard From Today is the most interestingly different track on the album. It is the only real battle music that seems to have made it to the album, and underscores the confederates stealthily approaching the union. It is appropriately intense, and builds very slowly. The bass is overriding, and sounds quite out of place compared to the rest of the music. When it finally builds through its crescendo to the forte, it turns to a short, driving, choral, triple meter, orchestral outburst.

The two songs, Going Home by Mary Fahl and 'Cross The Green Mountain by Bob Dylan are both adequate, although I don't really understand the constant electric guitar usage in 'Cross The Green Mountain.

In my review of the Gettysburg soundtrack, I wrote of the bad, somewhat synthesized sound of the recording. That problem is completely non-existent with this cd. In fact, the recording is so flawless as to put many other quite good sounding albums to shame. There is such a depth to the stereo image, as well as a quality to the sound, that puts this album at the very top as far as orchestral recordings.

The music is quite good, but, as a whole, can be tough to listen to in large amounts because it is so brooding. However, it certainly fits the film well, and works quite nicely on cd, too. At the scores worst, it is a little repetitive with it's themes, and somewhat overbearingly contemplative. At its best, it reaches towards great.



-Colin Thomson



Track Titles:

Going Home
Gods And Generals
You Must Not Worry For Us
Loved I Not Honor More
Lexington Is My Home
The School Of the Soldier
Go To Their Graves Like Beds
My Heart Shall Not Fear
These Brave Irishmen
To The Stone Wall
You'll Thank Me In The Morning
The First Crop Of Corn
My Home Is Virginia
No Photographs
VMI Will Be Heard From Today
Too Much Sugar
Let Us Cross Over The River
The Soldier's Return
'Cross The Green Mountain