Cherry Red Records continue to impress with
their steady flow of Classic film scores and compilations. Eva (1962)
(CASA3CD) is a welcome release that was previously available on a hard to find
Japanese CD pressing. Michel Legrand’s beautifully constructed jazz score
serves as a perfect compliment to director Joseph Losey’s charismatic images of
the films Venetian setting. Eva was a welcome departure for its lead Stanley
Baker, the Welsh actor who had aligned himself to the more heroic, muscle-bound
roles. Baker plays Tyvian, a Welsh writer living the jet set life from the
proceeds of a screenplay based on his bestseller. In Venice, Tyvian falls in love with a beautiful,
high class prostitute played by Jeanne Moreau, who ultimately destroys both his
career and life in what is a compelling example of a great 60’s drama. It is
Eva’s love of jazz music that is reflected within Legrand’s score. Legrand was made fully aware that he was actually the director’s
second choice for composer. He originally wanted Miles Davis for the project. Legrand did not let this undermine his enthusiasm and remained focused and totally committed to the project. He collaborated tirelessly
with Losey, ensuring that the rhythm of the music and cutting became an
essential part of the Eva experience. It was of course the very element that
suffered the most when the producers insisted on cutting the films running time
from 155 to 103 minutes. Losey was naturally incensed with the decision,
describing it as ‘disastrous,’ but he remained powerless, regardless of his
efforts. Moreau was apparently furious with the butchered version and
the film’s producers Raymond and Robert Hakim. So much in fact, she reportedly
chased one of them with a knife, proclaiming to reporters, ‘He closed the door
just in time; otherwise I would have skinned him.’
With the director's cut apparently now lost,
it’s hard to distinguish just how much was sacrificed in terms of score. However,
this new release is in my opinion, the best available version on the market.
Boasting among its tracks, the 2 songs ‘Willow Weep’ and ‘Loveless love’
sung by the irreplaceable Billie Holiday as well as the previously released
vocal ‘Adam and Eva’ by Tony Middleton. With audio quality and
production that sounds near perfect, it’s one of those European 60’s soundtracks
that simply shouldn’t be missed.
-Darren Allison
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