Christopher Young's score to The Shipping News -- the tale of a widower who rebuilds his life by moving with his daughter and aunt to Newfoundland -- has an appropriately pure, rustic feeling, thanks to its heavy use of uilleann pipes, pennywhistles, harps, fiddles, and hurdy gurdys, as well as strings, guitar, and piano. For the most part, as on the title track, "The Gammy Bird," and "Killick-Claw Harbor," this translates into a mellow, earthy prettiness; although pieces like "Deep Water Down," "Mooncussers," and "Death Storm" have a more sinister bent; while "Dutsi Jig" and "Seal Flipper Pie" have a more lively, Celtic feel. Despite its length and somewhat lulling tone,
The Shipping News has enough diversity and engaging moments to make it work equally well within or without the confines of the film that inspired it. ~ Heather Phares