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Music Conducted By
Jerry Goldsmith

Orchestrations By
Alexander Courage
Arthur Morton

Recorded By
Bruce Botnick

Performed By
-

Album Produced By
Jerry Goldsmith

Label
Varèse Sarabande
VSD-5383

Previous Release(s)
-

Year Of CD/Film Release
1992/1992

Running Time
28:19

Availability
Normal Release

Cues & Timings

1 Mr. Baseball (2:35)
2 First Night Out (1:53)
3 Acceptance (1:08)
4 New Apartment (0:45)
5 The Dragons (1:07)
6 Call Me Jack / A Wise Brain (2:43)
7 Winning Streak / The Locker Room (1:09)
8 The Bath (3:07)
9 Training (2:26)
10 Go Get 'em / He's Still Got It (1:22)
11 Team Effort (2:52)
12 Swing Away (1:45)
13 Final Score (5:03)
14 "Shabondama Boogie" (performed by FAIRCHILD) (4:24)

Soundtrack Ratings

Disappointing

Functional

 Average

 Good

 Excellent

 Outstanding

Mr Baseball
 
Who would have thought that collaborating with director Fred Schepisi on The Russia House would bring such diversity to Jerry Goldsmith's filmography in the 90s. With IQ and Six Degrees Of Separation, we also have this curio; A mild comedy set in the world of Baseball starring Tom Selleck, which sees his him travelling to Japan to play. Goldsmith is called upon to write a really hokey score combining modern pop music with a small orchestral ensemble. Goldsmith's orchestration includes such things as scratching turntables, synth drums, keyboards, electric guitar, strings and lounge Jazz. Which makes Mr Baseball one of the composer's more unusual assignments.

The hook for this modest CD is without doubt the toe tapping main theme (Mr Baseball). Goldsmith opens by quoting the organ-like 6 note fanfare often heard at ball parks, before launching into a frenetic rock piece for guitar, synth drums and various electronic effects. This is then augmented with a lively secondary theme for the Japanese locale, predominantly performed by keyboards.

From here the score settles into the Japanese world and mixes the brash electronic elements with a number of beautiful solo instruments that include the Japanese pan flute. It's here Goldsmith develops the score's highlight; A really sweet love theme for the developing relationship between Selleck and his Japanese interpreter, that provides a nice contrast to the rest of the score. For the most part the music provides support to the comedy, although no 'Mickey Mousing' as such. While a brief Jazz interlude adds further contrast to the mix of east meets west before the finale game resurrects the main theme in a celebratory fashion.

Mr Baseball is one of those scores that is neither a standout work, but nor is it a bad score. It's a little off the wall, and a little different from what Goldsmith usually does, but nonetheless has a lot going for it.