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Thomas Newman: Saving Mr Banks OST - an album guide
What's on the soundtrack to Saving Mr Banks, Disney's latest feel-good film based on the story of making Mary Poppins? Discover Thomas Newman's beautiful score, illustrated with stills from the film itself starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, and pictures from the premiere.
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1. Chim Chim Cher-ee
A simple twinkling piano plays the well-known Chim Chim Cher-ee tune from Mary Poppins, with spoken lyrics from none other than actor Colin Farrell to kick off the album.
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2. Travers Goff
The first original track from Thomas Newman is named after Mary Poppins author PL Travers' father, Travers Goff. Expect optimistic rhythmic piano music and an understated cheery tune to introduce the beginning of PL Travers' life in 1907.
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3. Walking Bus
The third piece on the soundtrack, Walking Bus shifts from being spirited and rhythmic to eerie and haunting in the space of one track.
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4. One Mint Julep
A jazzy interlude from Ray Charles, whose instrumental version of this well-known drinking song hit the charts in the 60s - linking to the timing of the 1964 Mary Poppins film.
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5. Uncle Albert
Plenty of strings and a flowing piano tune bring this relaxed number by Thomas Newman to life.
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6. Jollification
If there's one thing Mary Poppins does well, it's 'jollification', perfectly characterised in this snappy tune for clarinets and harps.
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7. The Mouse
Emma Thompson, Mary Poppins creator PL Travers arrives in a hotel room filled with stuffed toys, propping Mickey Mouse in thecorner and saying: "You can stay there until you learn the art of subtlety."
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8. Leisurely Stroll
The clue's in the title with this simple track from the album. A sensitive oboe hums through the textures of shimmering strings and harp.
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9. Chim Chim Cher-ee (Responstible)
When it comes to making up words, Mary Poppins does it better than most (Supercalifragilistic, anyone?) This track sees PL Travers offering her opinion on the nonsense word 'responstible' - all to the soundtrack of the well-known Chim Chim Cher-ee tune.
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10. Mr. Disney
Newman's gone all 'Big Country' in this harmonica-fuelled, horn-filled musical extravaganza. Heavy string chords and snare drums propel the music forward.
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11. Celtic Soul
A calming clarinet characterises this short piece, with a title referring to Travers Goff's Irish heritage.
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12. A Foul Fowl
Rushing piano and harp accompanied by wispy flute tunes and folky percussion, this breathless tune by Thomas Newman truly ups the drama levels on the soundtrack.
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13. Mrs. P. L. Travers
If you had to sum up the Emma Thompson's serious character of PL Travers in a piece of music, a jazzy number like this might not be top of your list. Raspy trombone slides and jaunty rhythms accompany a cheeky piano tune in this most light-hearted of tracks.
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14. Laying Eggs
There's something of a Harry Potter theme feel to this eerie track, as a trembling violin accompanies the fragile xylophone tunes.
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15. Worn to Tissue
At just under a minute long, this atmospheric track hints all may not be as it seems in the film, with bell-like piano notes cutting through the texture...
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16. Heigh-Ho
..But the mood soon picks up with this toe-tapping number from The Dave Brubeck Quartet. It's not quite the Walt Disney Heigh-Ho from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
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17. Whiskey
All the different elements from Thomas Newman's score all comes together here, as the eerie clarinet tunes, chilling harp sounds, syncopated piano notes, and jazzy bass lines combine to create an exciting tune to propel the drama forward.
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18. Impertinent Man
Plucking strings and brisk interjections from the percussion and woodwind capture PL Travers' frustrations with Walt Disney at this point in the film - but the result is still surprisingly cheery.
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19. To My Mother
A poignant track from Newman once more, making use of the theme of family connections in the film as inspiration.
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20. Westerly Weather
Simple piano harmonies and long lush strings… what's not to like? The most minimalist track on the album still packs quite the emotional punch.
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21. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
It's not quite the good old-fashioned sing-song to the well-known Mary Poppins tune you might expect. Proving the course of the 1964 film didn't always run smooth, this initial version of the song is interrupted by PL Travers - who's not such a fan of lengthy made up words.
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22. Spit Spot!
Originating from the 1964 Mary Poppins film, this slow track doesn't live up to its title: the phrase is originally used to chivvy the children along.
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23. Beverly Hills Hotel
You can almost hear the optimism in this beautifully simple track. The tune isn't exactly hummable, but it's propelled forward by bright piano music and harp melodies that burst through the texture.
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24. Penguins
Things get heated as the writers inform PL Travers that the penguins in the film will be animated. She's less than impressed, as she argues her books weren't written for children - and this bubbling frustration is captured in the music.
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25. Pears
Marking a symbolic moment in the film, PL Travers picks pears for her father, accompanied by this poignant soundtrack.
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26. Let's Go Fly a Kite
Another sing-song around the piano, as the characters test out the music for the Disney film. PL Travers doesn't interrupt this time… she even manages to muster a little dance!
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27. Maypole
Could it be that Walt Disney has persuaded the uptight PL Travers to accompany him to Disneyland?
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28. Forgiveness
After PL Travers' and Walt Disney's roller coaster working relationship, things seem to be calming down - musically at least. Think simple low strings and peaceful tunes.
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29. The Magic Kingdom
It's finally happening! The saccharine-sweet version of Mary Poppins is being brought to life, complete with animated penguins and nonsense songs. This dramatic track captures perfectly the excitement at this point in the film.
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30. Ginty My Love
The percussive piano is back, accompanied by heartwarming crunchy string harmonies, in this most epic of love themes.
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31. Saving Mr Banks
Packed full of sleigh bells and silvery percussion, there's something of a Christmas feel to the final track on this album, rounding off this festive feel good film with an uplifting flourish.
