An American Tail

Hit soundtrack by James Horner receives the expanded treatment! 1986 animation classic was initial production of Sullivan Bluth Studios, co-founded by Don Bluth and Morris Sullivan, creating An American Tail in partnership with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. Featured voices include Nehemiah Persoff, Erica Yohn, Amy Green, Christopher Plummer, John Finnegan, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn and Phillip Glasser as young mouse, Fievel. Don Bluth directs, James Horner scores, with Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil joining Horner for the songs. Charming tale of the Mousekewitz family chased out of Russia by Cossack cats and across the seas to America inspires Horner to fashion incredibly tuneful score, replete with color, excitement. Blockbuster central theme song, “Somewhere Out There”, anchors with haunting duets sung during the film by Phillip Glasser, Betsy Cathcart and a Billboard “Top 40” two-time Grammy Award-winning end title version sung by Linda Ronstadt, James Ingram. Horner utilized the full resources of the London Symphony Orchestra, adding additional evocative colors from balalaika, accordion and solo violin, as well as celesta and vivid usage of woodwinds. While Horner had initially planned a lavish 65-minute presentation in 1986 when the CD format was still new, MCA Records instead edited the project down to highlights, leaving a significant amount of Horner’s score unreleased… until now. Courtesy the combined efforts of Ambling Entertainment, Universal Studios, Geffen Records and UMG Recordings, Intrada is proud to feature all of James Horner’s landmark score as well as all of the songs, bringing listeners a total of 78 minutes of pure musical delight. James Horner was masterful at scoring for animated films and An American Tail stands out as one of the richest. Mike Matessino edits, masters and produces with his customary expertise. Kay Marshall assembles the beautiful package with flipper-style cover art featuring both key art campaigns while Frank K. DeWald offers detailed thoughts on the film’s production and score. Greig McRitchie orchestrates, Eric Tomlinson engineers at Abbey Road Studios. James Horner composes and conducts the London Symphony Orchestra. Intrada Special Collection CD available while quantities and interest remain!

An American Tail soundtrack page