This is a thread I wanted to create for a long, LONG, time, but never had the time to do. Well, now I have. So, here we go!
From time to time, there is a score that comes out of nowhere, and that blows your mind. Andy Price's score for the 2006 BBC version of the legend of Robin Hood is one of them. What surprises me is, after doing a bit of research, I only found two JWFaners talking about this score (richuck and artyjeffrey). That's a shame (and that is why I needed to create this thread), because this score deserves to be known.If you look at Price's biography, you won't be impressed at all. The man only scored a few documentaries, short films, and some TV shows (including Law and Order UK). Now, if you look at his discography, you'll only see one CD: Robin Hood.
Let's start at the beginning, that is to say with the show in question: BBC Robin Hood.
If you don't want to bother reading all that shit, go directly to season 1 complete score section. And if you're not convinced by it, go to season 2 complete score section. And if only want to listen to one cue to be convinced that this score kicks ass, listen to The Return Of The Nightwatchman.
About The Show.
So, in 2006, the BBC decided it was time for another version of the legend of Robin Hood, aimed at a younger audience. What we got as a result was a pretty uneven series, with some good bits, and some (really) bad bits. The cast was OK, with Jonas Armstrong playing a (more or less) convincing Robin, Lucy Griffiths giving us one of the best Marian to date, and Richard Armitage (the soon-to-be Thorin Oakenshield) a great nemesis to Hood. But the one that stole the show certainly was Keith Allen as the Sheriff of Nottingham (probably my favourite version of that character). Concerning the outlaws, they were never really given the chance to shine, but we were given some good performances from Harry Lloyd as Will Scarlett and Joe Armstrong as Allan A Dale.
The first season of the show felt really disjointed, with no real story arc or anything. The episodes had no real connections between them, and most of the stories told didn't make you feel involved. Well, at least for the first half of that season. The second part was better handled, and the creators managed to get rid of some of the flaws from the beginning of the show (or at least, made them less apparent). One thing that was great through the whole of the first season, though, was its score: a bombastic opening theme, lots of secondary themes, awesome action music... This was definitely one of the highlight of the first season (even though that season was probably the worst of the show).
The second season was a vast improvement, with better production values, better performances from the actors, better storylines (with the Black Knights plot to tie them all together), and a much, much better score with amazing variations on the main theme (but more on that later).
The third season was a bit of a mixed bag. Some unnecessary characters were added to the cast, and the plot yet again didn't offer any story arc (except for the last few episodes), and a lot of characters developments felt weird. Yet, this season offered a great finale for the show, almost of epic proportions, dare I say. Concerning the score, it was nowhere near as good as season 2 score, but there were a few cues which really blow other TV shows music out of the water (but once again, more on that later).
About The Original Soundtrack.
So, most of you must be thinking: when are we going to talk about music?? Well, now is the time.The original soundtrack for the show was poorly produced. Only 57 minutes long, with most of it featuring some of the dullest cues from the score (Journey Home, Your Eyes, Scaling The Walls...) and leaving most of the good stuff lying in dust. It doesn't mean there isn't a lot to enjoy, because there is, actually. First of all, there are the opening credits, obviously, featuring both Robin's theme and Marian's theme. Then, there are Rescue (probably the highlight of the album for many), Outlaws and Gisborne's Trap, all of which are amongst the best action cues for a TV show I have ever heard, and which offer some nice variations on the main theme. Also worth noting are From The Rich To The Poor, Shooting Pies, Silver Arrow, He Is My Brother and The Nightwatchman, amongst others.
Now you must be thinking: I'm reading all this, but when am I going to listen to something? Well, now is the time. Here is a YouTube channel that features the complete soundtrack: http://www.youtube.c...0D1647CA6DCAB5C
I'd tell you to go buy the soundtrack at Amazon site if you like what you heard. But apparently, it's either out of print, or it's getting rare. On Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/B000JYW5KK), there is only one "Used" available (at $90!!), and Amazon.co.uk says it is temporarily out of stock (http://www.amazon.co...07697656&sr=8-1). I've checked a few other Amazon sites, and it's the same thing. But if you can get your hand on this on another site, I encourage to do so, it is worth it!
Track-By-Track Analysis.
1. Robin Hood Theme. The CD opens with Robin Hood theme, which is also the main theme of the show, obviously. The theme here is big, bold, bombastic…... Pretty much everything that starts with a B, except "Bad". It is quickly followed by Marian's theme (the love theme of the show) at 0'12, adding a romantic touch to the track. The track then concludes with a second Robin's theme statement at 0'26. This track appears during the opening credits of every episode of the series. (Season 1-3) Note: The original cue includes a short introduction (that can be heard in a few episodes, as the pilot), which is absent from the album presentation. You can listen to the full version of that cue at Andy Price official site.
2. Journey Home.
A short track that includes fragments of Locksley's theme (to be confirmed though. I suck at identifying themes when they are not in their most obvious "form") as Robin and Much are travelling back home. (Season 1, Episode 01)
3. Run, Master! Run! The track starts with action music, underscoring the scene where Robin and Much are chased by the Sheriff's men in the forest. The music gets more and more powerful as the horsemen are catching up to the two friends. The track then shifts to suspenseful music at 0'36 as Robin and Much find a place to hide, and one of the horsemen is looking for them around there. (Season 1, Episode 01)
4. Locksley. We are introduced to Locksley's theme at the beginning of this track as Robin contemplates his village. But the music soon takes a darker turn at 0'36 when Robin and Much enter the village, and villagers flee in front of them. The threat is not yet defined, and as such, Gisborne's theme, which we hear for the first time here, is only played partially. This theme then fades, as the second part of the track, starting at 0'59 (and playing slightly later in that scene), offers us more sorrowful music to underline Locksley's villagers' affliction. But as Gisborne and his men enter the village, we are given a second, bigger rendition of his theme at 1'20, which ends the track. (Season 1, Episode 01)
5. Marian's Theme. A short introduction leads us to another rendition of Marian's theme, quite different from the one heard in the opening credits, as the character makes its first apparition in the show. Here, the theme is played on a classical guitar, in a softer, slower way. The track segues into a short statement of Locksley's theme at 0'59, as Robin and Much are returning to Locksley's manor. (Season 1, Episode 01)
6. Your Eyes. Another short track, featuring mostly incidental music. The first part (from the beginning to 0'26) underscores Robin and Marian meeting in one of Nottingham's Castle hallway, while the second part (from 0'26 to the end) comes from another episode, as Robin is visiting Marian at Knighton Hall. (Season 1, Episode 01 (0'00-0'26)/ Season 1, Episode 07 (0'26-End))
7. Rescue. The first big action track from the album, playing during the scene where Robin rescues Allan A Dale, Will Scarlett and his brother at the gallows. It opens with a strong statement of Gisborne's theme, followed by the first part of Robin's theme from 0'18 to 0'52. Then, what we could call "Robin's action theme" makes its appearance, up to 01'02, where Gisborne's theme is heard for a second time, as the Sheriff's men are about to throw Much from the battlements. Robin's theme is then played at 1'14 before another Marian's theme statement is heard at 1'42, in a similar fashion as in the opening credits, as Marian helps Robin's escape. Robin's theme, once again, is played at 1'55, followed by a brief rendition of Gisborne's theme at 2'21. A build-up to Robin's theme appears from 2'27 to 2'43, followed by the main theme in its biggest rendition on the entire album. The track ends with incidental music. (Season 1, Episode 01)
8. The Sheriff Gets His Man. The first minute of this track features the first apparition of the Sheriff's theme, as the Sheriff asks Locksley's villagers if they know where Hood is. The guy everyone talks about finally appears at 1'18, with incidental music underscoring his entrance, before his theme burst into the track at 2'06, and stays until the end of it, along with more incidental music, as Robin gives himself up to the Sheriff. (Season 1, Episode 02)
9. Scaling The Walls. Yet another short track, featuring mainly incidental music. The music takes a comic turn at 0'30 as Much tries to, well, scale the walls of Nottingham Castle. (Season 1, Episode 02)
10. Outlaws. Another major action track from the album. It starts with the very first appearance of the Outlaws' motif, as these guys come rescue Robin from the castle's dungeon. From 0'33 onwards, Robin's theme takes the lead, as the character does in the scene, while they infiltrate the castle to reach the Sheriff's room. The track ends with a statement of Robin's theme, obviously. (Season 1, Episode 02)
11. From The Rich To The Poor. Little John's theme covers the entire track, playing during the scene where we see Robin and his men giving food and money to different villages. It should be noted that this theme is actually an orchestral rendition of a song Little John's wife sings to her son in this episode. (Season 1, Episode 02). Note: The "film" version of this track is slightly different. Indeed, the second part (from 0'35 to the end) doesn't feature the flute (or whatever that instrument is) in the episode.
12. Chasing The Nightwatchman. Incidental music is featured for the most part in this track, which ends with an incomplete Robin's theme statement at 0'16, just before Robin faints in the scene. (Season 1, Episode 03)
13. Flush Him Out. This track opens with a sinister version of Gisborne's theme, which segues into incidental music from 0'14 to the end, as Robin and his men are chased by hunting dogs. (Season 1, Episode 03)
14. Proving His Innocence. The first part of this track consists of incidental music. Then, Marian's theme appears at 0'54, to underscore Marian and Joe Lacey discussion about Robin. A very brief statement of the Outlaws' motif appears at 1'30, followed by incidental music up to the end, as Robin sneaks into the castle. (Season 1, Episode 03)
15. A Noble Deed. The track opens with, what I think is Nettlestone's theme, underscoring Robin and his men entrance into the village, followed by Robin's theme as Little John reopens the mill. Another Nettlestone's theme statement concludes the track. (Season 1, Episode 03)
16. Gisborne's Trap. The last action track from the album. It starts with suspenseful music, as Robin and his men think they might have fallen into a trap. Well, they were right. At 0'37, Gisborne's theme appears, in a strong fashion, as he and his men surround the outlaws. Robin's theme makes a short appearance at 0'52, followed by Robin's action theme at 1'00 which covers the last part of the track. (Season 1, Episode 04)
17. Shooting Pies. Incidental music covers the first 20 seconds of that track, before Robin's theme step in at 0'21, up to 1'12, where incidental music comes in for a second time, underscoring the scene where Robin and Roy sent Clun's villagers pies with arrows. (Season 1, Episode 04)
18. Robin And Marian. Once again, incidental music opens this track, quickly followed by Marian's theme at 0'22 up to 0'52. Then, incidental music derived from Marian's theme appears and ends the track, as Robin and Marian are having an argument. (Season 1, Episode 04)
19. Marian's Punishment. Incidental music for the Sheriff's confrontation with Marian opens the track, followed by a slightly "tortured" version of the incidental music from the previous track at 0'36. (Season 1, Episode 04)
20. Two Mothers. A track that covers two cues from two different episodes. The first part (from the beginning to 1'03) covers the scene where Robin and his men find out that Roy betrayed them. It features a sorrowful rendition of the Little John's theme as the character learns of the betrayal. The second part of the track (from 1'03 to the end)actually underscores a scene from the first episode, the night before Allan A Dale, Will Scarlett and his brother are about to be executed, as Robin tries to find a way to save them. It features mainly incidental music, and ends with the very first Sheriff's fanfare, appearing at 2'54. (Season 1, Episode 04 (0'00-1'03)/ Season 1, Episode 01 (1'03-End))
21. Where Is She? This track, playing during the scene where the outlaws try to find Roy's mother in the castle's dungeon, opens with the outlaws' motif, up to 0'52. Then, Annie's theme makes a brief appearance, before the outlaws' motif returns at 1'11. Little John's theme makes a sudden appearance at 1'32, as his character smashes the castle's dungeon's door. Incidental music, starting at 1'41, covers the end of the track. (Season 1, Episode 04)
22. Him I Liked. The entire track only features Roy's theme to underscore his death scene, as Robin and his men are forced to flee. (Season 1, Episode 04)
23. Different Directions. A penultimate short track, featuring mainly incidental music, as the outlaws say farewell to Annie, and Robin and Marian share a few words. (Season 1, Episode 04)
24. Silver Arrow. Robin's theme opens this track, played in a quirky way, as Robin is practicing, shooting arrows at his friends. Then, at 0'45, incidental music comes in, underscoring the scene where the Nightwatchman gives food to villagers and stumble upon Gisborne. (Season 1, Episode 05)
25. Gisborne Woos Marian. The track features mainly incidental music (more or less) derived from Gisborne's theme, in a more "seductive" way, as Gisborne is inviting Marian to the Sheriff's Fair (Season 1, Episode 05)
26. The Sheriff's Plan. A track based on a theme derived from Gisborne's. It's not very obvious in the first part of the theme, but the second part clearly comes from Guizzy's theme. (Season 1, Episode 05)
27. A Love That Cannot Be. This track is basically Much's love theme. This theme appears a few times in the episode it is featured, but this is only time it appears on album. As with From The Rich To The Poor, this theme is actually an orchestrated version of a song sung by one of the characters (in this case, Eve, the woman Much is in love with). (Season 1, Episode 09)
28. Lucky George. Lucky George's theme opens this track, but Robin's theme appears quickly, as Lucky George fall into the outlaws' ambush. Then, LG's theme appears once again, followed by Robin's theme 1'33. The joyful music is suddenly interrupted at 1'48 by a more dramatic setting, as Much think Robin is wounded. The track ends with a nice Robin's theme statement at 2'01. (Season 1, Episode 07).
29. He's My Brother. Allan A Dale's theme covers the entire track here (it is the one of the few times we hear it on the album), as Allan tries to convince Robin to keep his brother in the gang. (Season 1, Episode 07).
30. The Nightwatchman. This track only features the Nightwatchman's theme (obviously), which is basically Marian's theme on "action mode". It is the only time we hear this theme in the whole first season of the show. (Season 1, Episode 07).
31. The Hanging. Allan A Dale's theme opens this track in a very saddening way. That is the second and last time we hear this theme on the album. The track ends with incidental music appearing at 0'54. (Season 1, Episode 07).
32. No Way Out. This track consists mainly of incidental music, covering the scene where Gisborne asks Marian to marry him. Marian's theme makes a brief appearance at 1'55. (Season 1, Episode 07).
33. I Never Told her I Loved Her. This track features Marian's theme prominently, in a very sorrowful fashion, as Robin thinks Marian is dead, and bring her to the outlaws. (Season 1, Episode 12).
34. Robin Hood End Credits. This track, which we could call "Robin Hood Theme – Extended Version", features a really nice intro with a great statement of Robin's theme, followed by a build-up to the main theme (from 0'34 to 0'46). The rest of the track is exactly the same track as Robin Hood Theme. The second part of this track is heard at the end of every episode of the first season, but the first part is heard in its entirety only in one episode. (Season 1, Episode 08 (0'00-0'46)/ Season 1, All episodes (0'46-End))
So yeah, there is a lot to enjoy on this soundtrack, but we are missing a great amount of good stuff.
About Season 1 Complete Score.
Coming soon!
Edited by BloodBoal, 19 September 2011 - 09:18 PM.
