Walter Murphy – Ted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) CD

Walter Murphy – Ted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) CD

Walter Murphy is not a household name, but if you're a fan of Seth MacFarlane's shows then you've heard his music. He is the staple of Family Guy along with Ron Jones, and together they provide the show with its amazing music rooted in the styles of great crooners like Sinatra. Walter Murphy has had a long and celebrated career and finally we get to hear him shining outside of the 30-minute animated sitcom. His work on Family Guy is nothing short of breathtaking. They record with a full orchestra every week and the number of scores he has homaged on that show over the year are always stylistically impressive. The song numbers they put on are also a testament to Murphy's skills. For Ted he implements all of that in a jazzy band style that wins you over emotionally as well.

The score opens with a song written by Murphy and sung by Norah Jones (who also makes a cameo in the film). This melody serves as the building block for the rest of the score. It is the emotional anchor that ties the main relationship of Ted and John together. The score is able to work emotionally even if this comes across as a vulgar comedy film. If you know Seth MacFarlane's style then you know he is able to interject a considerable amount of emotion between the laughs. Murphy's music does an impeccable job at this. The movie's sweetness would be completely gone without the score here, and without the music the ending would have zero weight. Moments feel reminiscent of Alan Silvestri's score to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but it only adds to the amazing atmosphere of it all. The rest plays out very well with a few homages here and there, but in the end we get everything tied nicely together with a happy ending.

Listening to this score is an absolutely heartwarming experience. It's an elegantly executed score about friendship with a rooted innocence behind it all. It really is a beautiful score that is as perfect as it can be. I only wish the film was a bit more developed so the score could be as well. I grew up falling in love with scores like Howard Shore's Mrs. Doubtfire and James Newton Howard's My Girl. It has this homely classic feel to the entire thing that definitely made me feel nostalgic about my own childhood. It made me feel extremely good inside and for that I love the score. It's full of character and heart, and the comedy plays very well in the film over it. You'll laugh your ass off and feel an indescribable warmth inside you once the film ends. Ted is without a doubt one of the best scores this year, and I hope more people experience it.

TRACKLIST

1. Everybody Needs A Best Friend - Norah Jones
2. The Power Of Wishes
3. Thunder Buddies For Life
4. John & Lori At Work / A Walk In The Park
5. Magical Wish
6. Rex's Party (Everybody Needs A Best Friend)
7. The Breakup
8. Never Be Scared Of Thunder Again    
9. Ted Is Captured / Raiders Of The Lost Ark
10. The Car Chase / Fenway Pursuit
11. Climbing The Tower / She's Your Thunder Buddy Now
12. Saving Ted / Lori's Wish
13. The Proposal / The Wedding
14. End Titles
15. Flash's Theme - Queen
16. Sin - Daphne
17. Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie & The Blowfish
18. Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
19. All Time High (From The Motion Picture 'Octopussy') - Rita Coolidge
20. I Think We're Alone Now    - Tiffany
21. Thunder Buddies - Mark Wahlberg & Seth MacFarlane