One of my favorite parts of going to movies is the soundtrack that accompanies the film.  I’m a huge fan of music that not only compliments a movie, but enhances the film so much that, without it, the film would not be as effective.  When it comes to the Narnia films so far, Lisbeth Scott’s vocals have been an ever present part of the experience, as the Pevensies enter Narnia, or on the journey to the Professor’s.  She has a new album coming out, with a campaign to support a children’s charity.  She also collaborated with composer Harry Gregson-Williams, whose music was present in the first two Narnia films.

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The last two weeks have been some of the busiest weeks I’ve had since re-launching the mailbag.  Last week, in fact, was so busy that I didn’t get a chance to do the mailbag.  I usually do it on Wednesdays, but there was something important that came up last week.  You see, there was a movie that came out that has made nearly a half of a billion dollars worldwide, so far.  Being a child of the 80s, I had to see it.  Twice.  On opening day.  Yes, I am a geek, and no, I don’t recommend this movie for children to see.  But I won’t be reviewing it entirely unless I am asked to write further on it, the film is Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and I loved it.  Not every minute, but I thought it was great overall.

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If the music of Narnia has captured your attention, and you enjoy symphonic music, or have become a fan of Harry Gregson-Williams, you’ll want to check out the score for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  Harry Gregson-Williams was the composer for both The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian.  He won’t be working on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, though, as that is going to be composed by David Arnold.

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In an announcement for the composer of Bond 22, the James Bond fan site MI6 has revealed that film composer David Arnold will be composing the score for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:

David will also be scoring the third Narnia film, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” for Disney/Walden and directed by Michael Apted, with whom David has scored three films (”The World is Not Enough“, “Enough” and “Amazing Grace“)

It is pretty typical for a composer and director to team up on movies as they have already established their relationship. They tend to work together quickly and efficiently as they’ve got a short-hand in which they can communicate more effectively than a new composer coming in. This is the type of relationship held by Steven Spielberg and John Williams, M. Night Shyamalan and James Newton Howard, and Andrew Adamson and Harry Gregson-Williams.

You can visit David Arnold’s official website for more!

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After Edmund is a band that takes it’s name from the character “Edmund Pevensie” in “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I confirmed that with the band through their MySpace page. Matt replied, “I’m glad you asked . From none other than CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia!” They are releasing their first album, in stores starting today!

Sophisticated and complex musically, yet lyrically direct and accessible, new Slanted Records artist After Edmund is poised to take the Christian music scene by storm. Kicking off their debut album with the swirling chords of “Clouds” and the frenetic, driving “Thank God”, After Edmund tackles themes of a desperate desire to feel God’s presence, being honest in the midst of pain and losing everything to truly find Christ. Producer Sotty Wilbanks (DecembeRadio, Third Day) adeptly captures the crackling energy of the band’s powerful, kick-out-the-slats live shows.

Track Listing

01. Clouds
02. Thank God
03. No Tomorrow
04. Tears
05. Everyone
06. Darkest Room
07. Let It Go
08. Stealing Away (Sabade)
09. Like A Dream
10. To See You Leave
11. When You Need Someone
12. Go Oboe

If you become their friend on MySpace, tell them we sent you!

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Our friends over at insideRevolution.net have posted a bit about a Lewis-inspired album by a band called Wavorly.

Here’s the news from insideRevolution: I know for a fact that a lot of my visitors are huge Narnia fans and support anything to do with Narnia and C.S. Lewis. For those of you like this, you might want to check into Wavorly’s new album Conquering The Fear Of Flight. It just so happens this album was inspired by C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce. I learned this from their biography which says, “Lewis’ classic novel The Great Divorce, served as an influence on several of the disc’s songs, while his sense of imagination and heart deeply shaped the melodic and stylistic inspiration behind the band in general.” I’ve heard some of the album and it sounds great. It is definitely one to check into. Look for it in stores on June 12th.

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We’ve just posted the nineteenth edition of the NarniaFans Mailbag. We’ve answered two letters this week, covering the Mailbag and “Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!” Keep those e-mails coming!

Click here for the nineteenth NarniaFans Mailbag!

You can also view the 17th Mailbag covering the Christmas gifts, Susan, Prince Caspian, and more.

And the 18th Mailbag covering the Harry Gregson-Williams, Susan, Prince Caspian, and more.

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Tim Finn has released his seventh solo album this week entitled Imaginary Kingdom. The album includes the song Winter Light, which was used in the final credits of the latest Narnia film: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

“Imaginary Kingdom is an album of beautiful songs crafted by a master songwriter who always has a story to tell. Following on from the success of his collaboration with younger brother Neil, the more famous of the two ex-Crowded House siblings, Tim is back with arguably his most complete record to date. With references to astounding moons and salty seas aplenty there is much of the Finns’ native New Zealand in this offering. The land of the long white cloud appears to be the perfect place for the fantastical images on this album. ”

Order Imaginary Kingdom here.

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We’ve just posted the second edition of the NarniaFans Mailbag. (Just a day later than planned.) We’ve answered seven letters this week, including such topics as the music in the teaser, interviews, when Dawn Treader may be filmed, and more!

Click here for the second NarniaFans Mailbag!

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Filmtracks reviews the score to Shadowlands: Among Richard Attenborough’s narrative triumphs was 1994’s Shadowlands, a glimpse into the later years of admired British scholar and author C. S. Lewis. In his career of biographical storytelling, Attenborough would experience the full range of success, from the heights of Gandhi to the failures of Chaplin, and while Shadowlands is not anywhere near as well known as many of his other pictures, Attenborough’s telling of the friendship and love between Lewis and American poet Joy Gresham is widely regarded as a nearly flawless film.

The overall impression that Shadowlands will leave you with is one of restrained beauty and elegance. No part of the score overwhelms you like some of Fenton’s larger, later efforts. He develops one primary theme of romance in the two “The Golden Valley” tracks, though since the relationship between the poet and author does not include sparks, the theme quietly meanders with the ease of a typical John Barry venture. Performances of this theme are typically restrained to strings and woodwinds, with the only robust statements placed near the end.

[Read the rest at Filmtracks]

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