Music inspired by The Passion

If you were producing the movie what sort of music would you use in something like The Passion of the Christ? Since you are not Andrew Lloyd Webber, who created the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, it will probably be something moving, classical-based, of course, even symphonic, given the seriousness of the topic. And this was just what producer Mel Gibson did with his latest film, which turned out to be a huge critically acclaimed blockbuster that is even now touching the hearts of millions of people all over the world.

Gibson gave the task to the Emmy Award winning John Debney who came up with the moving score that deeply enhances the viewing experience of this extremely realistic portrayal of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ. The soundtrack album, which comes with a bonus CD containing dialogue from the film, has been released in the US of A and is also a big hit. I cannot imagine anybody not wanting a copy of this one.

Most people though do not listen to serious music as much as they did before, even if it is something that replays a movie like The Passion in their minds. So Gibson probably thought he should come up with music that is more contemporary and more accessible but will have the same effect as the original score has on the listener. So he went to his friend, music video maker Lian Lunson.

The album that Lunson came up with proved to be no less inspired. Just as every aspect in the making of the movie added up to the dramatic whole, each beautiful song and every heartfelt performance in the contemporary recordings he compiled also powerfully drives home the message of Gibson’s masterpiece. You will marvel at what recordings he found and was able to compile in the album.

How Can You Refuse Him Now, a song composed by the great Hank Williams performed here by his grand-daughter Holly Williams; Stranger in a Strange Land by Leon Russell & the Shelter People; Are You Afraid to Die by Ricky Skaggs with an intro by the Rev. Billy Graham; Please Carry Me Home by Jessi Colter and her son Shooter Jennings; Ave Maria, a masterful rendition by Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries; the Kris Kristofferson composition that never fails to move the listener, Why Me sang here by Lee Ryan;

A magical Darker with the Day by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds; Where No One Stands Alone by Elvis Presley, who is certainly at his best when he does gospel songs; Harm’s Way by The Ghost Who Walks; By the Rivers Dark, a song inspired by the journey from darkness to light in Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, composed and performed by the legendary Leonard Cohen; Precious Lord by The Blind Boys of Alabama; and Not Dark Yet by Bob Dylan.

The Passion of the Christ is the greatest accomplishment in the career of Mel Gibson and he provides the most appropriate summing up in this album: "The Passion of the Christ is historically true to its moment in time. Its eternal message though is the reason in telling it… and that message is as contemporary as the journey woven on this album. Thanks for listening."

More Divine Sounds

There are more divine sounds to listen to at this time of prayer and introspection in the latest edition of Voices. This is the third in a series of cross-label compilation albums that feature pop-classical recordings by some of the most beautiful voices of today. Every cut is also one to treasure as the acclaimed voices meet up with superb arrangements. Who wants hip hop when you can have songs such as these easing the pressures, relieving the stresses and providing you with lots of relaxing moments.

Some of the featured cuts are You Raise Me Up by Secret Garden; Show Me by Moya Brennan; Beat of Your Heart by Hayley Westenra; The Music of the Night by Alessandro Safina; O Sole Mio by Luciano Pavarotti; The Prayer by Cecilia; Eternity by Elisabeth Andreassen; Fly, Fly Away by Torhild Nigar; For the Beauty of the Earth by Anthony Way; El Condor Pasa by the Vienna Boys Choir; A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Sarah Brightman; That’s Amore by Russell Watson; Cinema Paradiso by Josh Groban; and Aine by Phil Cunningham.