The Shawshank Redemption

by

Thomas Newman

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It started back in highschool, well actually when I was in 7th grade and heard the music from the Shawshank Redemption for the first time. I simple fell in love with it. A while later, my brother bought me the soundtrack and I played it over and over and over......

A few years later, I have purchased 47 movie scores. Everything from Sling Blade to Easy Rider to Dances With Wolves. Of course, my heart has gone out to Thomas Newman, the man who first haunted me with his movie score, The Shawshank Redemption.

This score is my favorite of all of Newman's work, surpassing even the likes of How To Make An American Quilt, Meet Joe Black, and The Horse Whisperer. This, along with Fried Green Tomatoes, was the standard barer for most of Newman's current musical scores and despite some pressure from Road to Perdition and American Beauty, this one still stands as the leader of the pack when it comes to scores composed by Newman.

BUY THIS ONE. Don't think twice. If you haven't owned any of Newman's scores yet, the perfect place to start is with The Shawshank Redemption.

THis was an astounding and uplifting movie. I first saw it at home and when Tim Robbins' character finally gets the record player and then broadcasts Sull'Aria from Marriage of Figaro it brought me to tears. The piece of music, which I was not familiar with since I generally detest Opera, tied with the scene and its redemptive character, is one of the most moving things I'v ever experienced. It is one of the most beautiful melodies ever. So I bought the disk and I've practically worn it out on that track. And also the old Hank Williams and Inkspots stuff, great stuff. SOme of the rest of it is hard to listen to without the accompaniament of the movie.