STEWART

Composer: Chris Roe – View bio »

Release Date (digital): 30 December 2022

About the album

This is Chris Roe’s soundtrack to STEWART, the new documentary about British racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart, directed by Patrick Mark and produced by Mark Stewart and Gareth Dodds.

‘Legendary racing-car driver Jackie Stewart, who was known as “the Flying Scot” during his Formula One heyday in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, is the subject of this immersive documentary produced by Stewart’s son Mark. Stewart was born in 1939 outside Glasgow; his father was a dealer in Jaguar cars whose business contacts gave him his first professional driving opportunities. Stewart, who was branded a dunce in school due to his undiagnosed dyslexia, went on to win the World Drivers’ Championship three times – and was twice runner-up – during his nine-year F1 stint. In later years he campaigned vigorously – and successfully – for better safety provisions for racing drivers and in 2001, he was knighted for his services to motor racing. Patrick Mark’s documentary includes never-seen-before footage that will thrill the fans, but it is just as much a human story of striving, loyalty and human vulnerability.’

“The central part of Jackie’s character is a relentless drive and determination to win, despite keeping his severe dyslexia a secret for most of his life. So when Paddy and I discussed the film, we wanted the soundtrack to have a single-minded focus and energy to it, as well as moments of reflection and darkness as Jackie looses so many close friends in the racing world.

I also wanted to give a nod to Jackie’s Celtic roots, with some of the early tracks featuring harpist Olivia Jaguers, strings and celtic drums.  But then as we enter the high point of Jackie’s racing career, we had a lot of fun bringing these earlier themes into the 60’s and 70’s with incredible playing from guitarist Lewis Turner, drummer Jon Howells and bassist Mike Pratt.” – Chris Roe