Music Webmaster Len Mullenger
	FILM MUSIC RECORDINGS REVIEWS

	Christopher FRANKE Babylon 5: The River of Souls   Berlin Symphonic Film Orchestra/Franke     Sonic Images SID8907 [49:55]
		Crotchet Amazon

		I, like thousands of other viewers, am constantly surfing TV channels to see what's on offer, with the plethora of stations to view, whether it be cable, satellite or terrestrial (whatever that may mean these days with digital channels through your aerial!), and frequently find myself drawn to Babylon 5. Its not my regular fare, nor have I ever seen more than a few minutes of an episode, but I am always intrigued by the fantastic images of alien creatures and bizarre sets, and stay for just a few moments for it to register in my psyche. However, to be honest, the bubble bursts once some ludicrous creation, cross between lizard and hammerhead shark, quite obviously Homo sapiens in rubber suit starts speaking mid-Atlantic drawl. I flick onwards. But next time, I think I'm going to hang around and check it out! The soundtrack to The River of Souls, by Christopher Franke has quite simply got me thinking. Composed especially for this episode (OK I know there are references to the main Babylon 5 theme tune), it is a tour de force. Superb interplay of conventional "straight" orchestral arrangements, using the Berlin orchestra, and the more contemporary sounds of Mr Yamaha and Co are simply inspiring. Using synthesized sounds to paint a soundscape can be a hazardous occupation, these textures quickly start to sound dated, what is this weeks "cool sound" can overnight become embarrassingly twee (take a listen to an old Rick Wakeman album to see what I mean). Christopher Franke' s selections seem to me to be spot on. The mental imagery and emotional tides certainly carried this reviewer downstream on The River of Souls. Mind you, I'm a sucker for a good Hammond Organ sound, the sleazy, bluesy tracks conveying a space brothel bought a chuckle to my lips. But why Mr Franke can we not have had a real drummer and bass player? I know that with a machine you only have to punch the information in once, but I missed the human touch. All in all, this CD is a fascinating selection of moods and thrills, competently written and superbly played and arranged. This particular episode features the talents of Ian McShane, Martin Sheen and Richard Biggs, a benchmark of talent and quality. Reviewer 'Two-Names'	Reviewer 'Two-Names'
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