Valiant Soundtrack CD

The soundtrack to Valiant, an animated feature based on carrier pigeons used during World War II, was largely composed by George Fenton and performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Most of the selections are standard heroic-dramatic orchestral music, in keeping with the military-aviation-fight-against-evil-power theme of the movie. Chris Dean and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra break up the pace once with Glenn Miller-styled big-band swing with "Arrival at Camp," and "End Titles -- March of the R.H.P.S." is performed by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The only track not written by Fenton is "Shoo Shoo Baby," a strange update of a 1940s-style sassy vocal jazz number with early-21st century production, performed by Mis-Teeq. Note, incidentally, that although several noted actors (including Ewan McGregor, Tim Curry, John Cleese, John Hurt, and Jim Broadbent) provided voices for the animated birds in the movie, there is no dialogue from the film on this soundtrack CD. ~ Richie Unterberger

Composer: George Fenton.

Personnel: Andy Snitzer (tenor saxophone); Tim Ries (baritone saxophone); Jeff Kievit, Tony Kadleck (trumpet); Mike Davis (trombone); George Flynn (bass trombone); Jamshied Sharifi (programming).

Audio Mixer: Dave O'Donnell .

Recording information: AIR Recording Studios, London, England; Angel Recording Studios, London, England; Right Track Studios, New York, NY.

Director: Duncan Stubbs.

Ensemble: Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

Photographer: Curtis Augspurger.

Arranger: Jamshied Sharifi.