Cinema Musica
By Stephan Eicke

Alan Williams might be known through the quite popular Soundtracks for the IMAX films (AMAZON) from the 90s; Among Michael J. Lewis he belongs to the composers, whose works are released only as self- produced promo CDs.

Williams' music to the TV film MISS LETTIE AND ME, which was filmed in 2002 is no exception.  For this film, the composer created a quite, introvert, intimate music for small orchestra, three guitars and mandolin. The music is perhaps most comparable to Christopher Young’s rejected score for AN UNFINISHED LIFE.

The CD opens with a simple, but beautiful and effective melody for guitar- a theme which appears just one time but therefore there are new beautiful melodies in every track- a true round dance with haunting themes if you listen carefully. 

The music consists of two parts: the first half exists mostly of guitar music and if a solo for flute or oboe is put over that, you can perhaps hear a stylistic closeness to Rachel Portman.  Alan Williams sets some elements of folk music into his score, for example in track “Little Lamb.” The second half is dominated by melancholy themes for piano and orchestra, and all melodies are presented in discreet, warm colors. 

Alan Williams wrote very sensitive music for this television movie, which is so full of wonderful, brilliant converted themes that it can only be recommended to everyone who likes guitar music and romantic film music.  Music, which invites to dream and which satisfies more, than the most, what is coming from Hollywood at the moment.