As the years go on, it seems that artists want to expand and explore beyond the usual music they create. However, seldomly do we see anything quite as creative as the solo album that Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH) released on April 11th, 2014, that was, in essence, a soundtrack to a book, The Life and Times of Scrooge by Don Rosa. I, for one, wish there were more soundtracks to books out there, so I am a big supporter of “Music Inspired by The Life and Times of Scrooge,” which celebrates its 10th anniversary today!
So, upfront, I’m going to just say that I consider this album to be a complete masterpiece that everyone who loves stories and music should know. If you’re a fan of old Donald Duck/Scrooge McDuck stories, The Life and Times of Scrooge is a must-read, as it is often considered one of Don Rosa‘s crowning achievements in art and storytelling, as these books completely explain why Uncle Scrooge is the old, greedy grump that he’s become known for (he is named, after all, after Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol). It’s a very heartfelt, tragic, and beautiful tale, which easily explains why Finns have always been so fond of it.
This album was also noteworthy for its guests: Johanna Kurkela‘s voice can be heard throughout, though most prominently in “A Lifetime of Adventure,” which is perhaps where I first heard her and fell in love with her voice. Tony Kakko of SONATA ARCTICA can be heard in “Cold Heart of the Klondike,” while Alan Reid can be heard in “Go Slowly Now, Sands of Time.“ Furthermore, NIGHTWISH multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Troy Donockley contributes alongside the METRO VOICES choir and the LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, so there’s quite a lot of talent on display. What I hadn’t known before writing this article, however, was that, for example, Johanna Iivanainen and her husband Mikko Iivanainen are also featured on this release (you may know them from ALTAMULLAN ROAD, where Johanna Kurkela also sings), and that there are vocal roles for these singers. For example, Johanna Kurkela is in the role of Scrooge’s love interest, Glittering Goldie O’Gilt; Johanna Iivanainen is Downy O’Drake (and a narrator); while Alan Reid is in the role of Scrooge himself. It’s also worth mentioning that Don Rosa himself did the artwork for this album, which really makes it that much more special!
The album opens with “Glasgow 1877,” which should tell you that Scrooge McDuck grew up in Scotland, if you didn’t already know. The song is almost an intro track, since it is largely in spoken word, though Johanna contributes some lyrics in Gaelic as well and it is quite long for an intro… perhaps it’s closer to an opener? It has a bombastic and encouraging build-up that continues to roll and expand as it moves forward. Tuomas has shown time and time again that he’s a master at ebb and flow in music, and the gorgeous violins are the icing on the cake.
“Into the West” has a wonderful spaghetti western feel to it that really draws me into the frontier feeling of someone traveling to the new world to make their own way in life. Scrooge is known for having grown up wealthy in Scotland but he wanted to make his own fortune, and so made his way to the Klondike and much of his initial wealth was made in the gold rush. However, before then, he had numerous travels and adventures, among which was some time spent as a cowboy in the wild west. I couldn’t imagine a better song to represent that feeling.
“Dual & Cloudscapes” has always been a personal favorite for the way it gets me really amped up… the song has the feel of a tense, climactic scene from a movie or game score, building up fiercely and ominously, while “Dreamtime,” unsurprisingly, has a more dreamy and esoteric feeling to it. Tony Kakko acts as the storyteller in “Cold Heart of the Klondike,” which mentions Scrooge’s love interest and hints at a letter lost in the snow… I don’t want to spoil the book, so just know that it’s heartbreaking.
“The Last Sled” is perhaps the track where that heartbreak hits its climax, which has a lot of magical vocal lines from Johanna Kurkela, as well as some more intense, not-quite-harsh moments as well. Then beautiful piano lines take the lead in “Goodbye, Papa,” while “To Be Rich” focuses on the more heartfelt and tragic moments, almost mournful in nature at times, with heartbreaking vocal lines that reference the face in the moon seen in the album art, though it does change to a more hopeful and joyous atmosphere by the end.
“A Lifetime of Adventure” was the lead single for the release, which works well to deliver the feel of the album, considering it has a lot of the elements of the whole album: tender vocals, beautiful piano lines, sleighbells, and a focus on the importance of adventure in life. The album then wraps up with “Go Slowly Now, Sands of Time,” which you may have been lucky enough to hear live performed by the Johannat during the ALTAMULLAN ROAD shows earlier this year. The vocals are accredited to Alan Reid again, which allows for a lovely tenderness as he sings “home is the sailor… the hunter is home from the hills.”
On the whole, I truly have absolutely zero complaints about this album. It’s perfect. From start-to-finish, Tuomas has created an astoundingly beautiful homage to a wonderful story. It speaks universe that Don Rosa himself loved this album and was willing to do artwork for it, saying it brought tears to his eyes. So don’t trust my assessment, trust his! This is an album you absolutely should not miss for any reason.
Tracklist
- Glasgow 1877
- Into the West
- Dual & Cloudscapes
- Dreamtime
- Cold Heart of the Klondike
- The Last Sled
- Goodbye, Papa
- To Be Rich
- A Lifetime of Adventure
- Go Slowly Now, Sands of Time
