The NFL: God’s Game.
There is no better sport in the world than American football and the NFL is undoubtedly the greatest league on earth. While the Patriots and the concept of “team” have been an incredible story the last few years, The Power and The Glory forcefully reminds us that the NFL peaked in one important area decades ago. The music that was produced in the 1960s for NFL Films’ specials surpasses everything we hear today. The CD never lets us forget the golden age of Butkis, Schimdt, and Bart Starr.
There are 36 tracks on the album and the odd ones contain verbal snippets from actual NFL films episodes while the even ones contain the music. I must say the overall effect is stunning.
The voice over tracks let the players, our heroes, talk. Even though I hate the Packers, number 21 is devoted to Lombardi and deservedly so. The same could be said about “Heroes of the 60s” where you hear Dandy Don Meredith give a pep talk before a final drive. At times, it feels like you’re practically in the huddle–except you don’t get beat up.
What can one say about this music? I listened to it over and over again as a child. I used to run inside early on Sundays just to catch the highlights from the week before, even if it meant putting up with Brent Musberger and Phyllis George for a half hour beforehand. This is fanfare for the vigrous man.
Perhaps the most picturesque tune is “The Final Quest” although “Golden Boy” is a close second. When I heard “Up She Rises” at an Irish bar in 1998, I told somebody that the band stole the song from NFL films. They responded by saying NFL films stole it from Ireland. Well they were right, but what an anthem! The Raiders are the only team with their own composition and this fact is not lost on Al Davis as one can hear it on the television during simulcasts from their stadium.
The Power and Glory is worthy of Graham Greene’s title as it symbolizes the nobility of the physical life. It’s also one of the few power CDs suitable for the workplace–which is saying a lot.
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