Caldera Records present the original score for the motion picture That Good Night from 2017, directed by Eric Styles, featuring music by Guy Farley. The film, based on the stage play by N.J. Crisp, tells the story of Ralph, a successful writer whose life is full of regrets. With a curious personality that’s both charming and rude, Ralph has built a number of “love him or hate him” relationships over his life – unfortunately, his family seems to fall into the latter group. Now in his seventies and terminally ill, Ralph sets out two goals before entering that good night: he wants to mend his relationship with long-abandoned son Michael and also make sure that he is not a burden to his much younger second wife, Anna...

Guy Farley (The Hot Potato; Knife Edge; Mary of Nazareth; Modigliani) once again releases a flawless soundtrack. I always smile when I know a Farley score is on the way for review. To date it's a guaranteed chance for me to sit back and enjoy some incredible music. It's scores like this that make it a privilege to be a soundtrack reviewer.

The album is filled with memorable themes and motifs throughout this album's 24 tracks (48 min, 10 sec) that are both uplifting and touching, paying tribute to the character’s struggles and the film’s hopeful message. The final segment is an interview with Farley (6 min, 47 sec) reflecting on his time working on the movie.

Farley provides an elegant underscore, recorded with a small orchestra of strings, woodwinds, harp, piano, and world instruments such as a Cavaquino, Spanish guitars, an accordion and ethnic percussion which capture the Mediterranean flavour of the Portuguese Algarve, while the chamber orchestra works its magic on the emotional element of the story.

As is standard for a Farley score, this album works just as well as a standalone collection of beautiful music as it does to help lend emotion to the film. Farley is the only composer, aside from Abel Korzienowski, who can do no wrong in my eyes. It's pretty obvious that the man is passionate about his art and takes a great deal of time and effort to get the listener to that emotional place that the movie requires.

'Birth' stands out as the one track that shifts the dynamics of the music. It's ethereal, and throws you a little off balance. The impact is the track is incredible powerful and it leaves a lasting impression.

Once again, I find myself desperately trying to find something that could be used as constructive criticism (because I'm worried my reviews for his releases are becoming too gushy) but I can't. There's nothing to fault here. Not a note out of place, nor a second of wasted time. From start to finish this album is packed with emotionally charged themes that should stir something deep within even the coldest of hearts.

This marks the 24th CD-release by Caldera Records and features a detailed booklet-text by Gergely Hubai and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was produced by Stephan Eicke and John Elborg.

Yet another rousing score that has been beautifully produced for serious soundtrack collectors by Caldera Records.

10

Darren Rea