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The Snowman was originally published as an illustrated
book without words by artist Raymond Briggs in 1978. In 1982
it was made into an animated tale for Channel 4 with words
and music by Howard Blake. It has been broadcast every Christmas
since and now, 25 years after it's first screening, Sony has
released an anniversary soundtrack...
I
can't believe it's been 25 years since The Snowman
was first broadcast
on Channel 4. Yes, 25 years since Aled Jones's annoying voice
first screamed forth without warning from millions of TV sets
across the UK.
This
release is an audio book and soundtrack rolled into one. There
are six tracks on the CD. The first three include the original
soundtrack with narration by James Nesbitt, while the final
three tracks feature Howard Blake's music including the song
that made Aled Jones a household name - curse you Blake!
The
audio book is a bit of a disappointment really. James Nesbitt
may be a great actor, but a voice actor he isn't. The end
result is not as great as it could have been if someone with
a much better speaking voice and better range of vocal emotions
had been behind the microphone. Instead we get Nesbitt really
trying hard to pull off something he just can't - breathing
life into a cute children's tale.
The
second half of the CD - the soundtrack - is much more impressive.
Here we get to hear Blake's original score without any interruptions.
I was impressed that the music still holds its own after 25
years. I thought I'd know every note by now, but was pleasantly
surprised to hear a lot of subtle and moving sections that
I'd previously not remembered, as well as all the familiar
themes that accompanied scenes like the bike ride and the
party at the North Pole.
The
tracks with Nesbitt's narration are best forgotten, but I'm
sure the soundtrack will be cherished by many for a long time
to come.
Darren
Rea
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£9.99
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