Episode 83 - Amistad - a podcast by Jeff Commings

With the beautiful mezzo soprano voice of Pamela Dillard and the stately trumpet playing of Tim Morrison in his arsenal, John Williams delivered a score for "Amistad" that feels like the Maestro wrote two different scores for one film. One part of the score features tribal African percussion rhythms accentuated by Dillard vocalizing the main theme, while the other features an Americana flavor for the theme for President John Quincy Adams. But, in the context of the film, the two sides of the same score work wonderfully. Jeff Commings is joined for the third time on "The Baton" by Brian Martell as the two discuss the scenes that feature some moving and memorable music, and highlight the song that Williams wrote called "Dry Your Tears, Afrika," based on a 1967 poem that perfectly fits the scenes for which they were written.

Further episodes of The Baton: A John Williams Musical Journey

Further podcasts by Jeff Commings

Website of Jeff Commings