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Forever Knight by Fred Mollin
01/12/2006 . Source: Sue Davies 
CD: GNP Crescendo GNPD 8043. 22 tracks 76 minutes. Price: $12.98 (US- if you buy direct off them). Buy Forever Knight in the USA - or Buy Forever Knight in the UK  check out website: www.gnpcrescendo.com/
This is surely some challenge. Listen to a soundtrack from a show I've never seen. I didn't even know about it till recently and all because it never made it to terrestrial television. So here is a complete album of tracks to tempt my senses into making the big decision to purchase the Region One DVDs. Will it work?
The main reason for this release is to showcase the talent of the composer Fred Mollin. This remarkably prolific composer has produced several cult scores such as the new version of 'The Outer Limits', 'Tek War' and 'Beyond Reality'. He's also a producer working with Jimmy Buffet and recently, Michael McDonald.
'Forever Knight' was shown in the US in 1992 to 1996. Cancelled after two seasons, fan power got it another season. Some shows would kill for an audience like that. The premise of the plot is that Nick Knight (actor Geraint Wyn Davies) is a repentant vampire who seeks to atone for his sins by joining the police force and working a permanent night shift. After all, the sun is rather bad for his skin.
There are some interesting comparisons to be made between this and another vampire show. The hero is a good-looking and penitent vampire. His desire for redemption and to be made human leads him to work for the forces of law. He has a master in this, played by Nigel Bennett, who continually reminds him of what he is. There is even a bar where the vampires go. It's all sounding a little familiar and I am feeling guilt for thinking that 'Angel' was a completely original show. But all TV feeds off itself. I will wait to see the show before making any further judgements.
It's all about the music here and already I am hooked by the orchestral scores, the ballads and the occasional vocal interjections by Nigel Bennett. The music makes much use of Kurzweil music systems which seems to be a digital piano which gives orchestral scope without all the pesky expense of paying an orchestra. Whatever, it works and makes the music feel much richer than it might have been.
The album starts with the main theme which is only 1.29 seconds and not much time to make an impression. Songs are performed by singer/songwriter Lori Yates and tracks are 'The Hunger', 'Black Rose', 'Touch The Night' and 'Dark Side Of The Glass'. She has a pleasant voice and the songs have interesting lyrics. The balance of the album is made up of tracks from different episodes. Geraint Wyn Davies plays 'Nick's Piano Theme' which is a very short intro into 'Forward Into The Past'.
This is a selective soundtrack. This album goes part way through season two. There is another soundtrack album already released which probably covers to the end of season three. It states on the cover notes that these are 'loving overview' of the 44 episodes of the series.
Overall, the music holds up well to repeat listening. There are various styles but it does well to give a flavour of this as a memorable drama series with the added bonus of some vocal tracks that lighten the mood somewhat. The spoken interludes by Nigel Bennett are excellent and you can imagine him wringing his hands and sharpening his fangs. For fans of the show, this is a nicely put together CD with some good cover notes. Those like me, coming to it as a new show, might have needed some more background details to the various shows that were selected for the album.
Here are some strange facts for you. The impossibly well-spoken Nigel Bennett is from Wolverhampton, just up the road from me. Geraint Wyn Davies is from Swansea and is no relation to me. Shame he might have sent me the DVDs, if you're passing lads...
Sue Davies
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