Lush, full-blooded orchestral scores seem relatively scarce these days. Or perhaps its just the inevitable uptick in slick, modern elements that makes it seem that way. Regardless, it's hard for me not to be nostalgic for the 1990s, which was unquestionably a great era for big, tuneful symphonic scores. I'm happy to announce (albeit a few weeks after the fact) that just such an album has recently come to light. The Intrada label has finally released Joel McNeely's sweeping score for
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, a 1994 live-action epic from the Walt Disney Company, and it was my happy assignment to do the liner notes. It's one of McNeely's best works ... a bold, adventuresome score, filled with color and melody. Fans of the composer should be very pleased, as should anyone with an affection for this particular period in film music history.
