Quincy Jones has been a legend in the music industry for so long that it is often easy to forget that it was his soundtracks to high profile films that helped him gain his reputation. Among his outstanding achievements: scoring The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of the Night and The Anderson Tapes. Writer Michael Gonzales pays tribute to the master musician in an insightful article. Click here to read
Prometheus Records has released a 3 CD tribute to composer Dimitri Tiomkin's magnificent score for John Wayne's epic The Alamo. The new set is performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Nic Raine. The set will feature performances of Tiomkin's complete score, including previously unreleased material. There is also an abundance of bonus extras. For more info and sample audio tracks click here
The one-season wonder The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. is generally regarded as a bad idea, poorly executed and one that helped speed the demise of its superior big brother series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. However, the series did benefit from a charismatic cast - Stefanie Powers, Noel Harrison and Leo G. Carroll- and a fine musical score. The soundtrack, with music by Dave Grusin, is available on CD - and it features a bonus track: Jerry Goldsmith's Man From U.N.C.L.E. theme. Click here to order from Amazon.
Film Score Monthly has released a 2 CD special edition soundtrack of the MGM Cinerama classic The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm with music by Leigh Harline. As a bonus, the set includes the first ever release of Harline's music from the early Steve McQueen comedy The Honeymoon Machine. Click here to order
Released this week (Feb 8th) in time for this
weekend’s Valentine Day activities, Silva Screen’s My Twisted Valentine (SILED4495) is a superb anti-Valentine
compilation of film music for the more cynical amongst us.From neurotic Marnie,
blood sucking Dracula and all-out war
of the sexes in Kill Bill to ‘train
wreck’ mentality of Betty Blue and the ‘bunny boiling’ Fatal Attraction, this CD has a great mix of movie themes. What I found most gratifying about this release is that it contains certain themes that I really like - but not quite
enough to make me want to purchase the original soundtrack CD just for the one title
track. Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
and London Music Works, films featured include: Psycho, La Dolce Vita, Marnie, Eyes Wide Shut, Bram Stoker’s
Dracula, Bonnie and Clyde, Thelma and Louise, Fatal Attraction, Betty Blue,
Lolita, Rosemary’s Baby, Brokeback
Mountain, Vertigo and Twilight.
It’s worth buying just for the themes to Marnie, Rosemary’s Baby, Vertigo
and the La Dolce Vita suite, alone.
Go on, give it to the one you don’t
love on Valentine’s Day – they’ll love
you for doing so!
John Williams' terrific soundtrack to the 1977 classic thriller Black Sunday has been issued as a limited edition CD by Film Score Monthly. The film was directed by John Frankenheimer and starred Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, Marthe Keller and Fritz Weaver. For more info click here
Kritzerland Records has released a very limited edition (1,000 copies) CD of Ernest Gold's classic soundtrack for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The CD is a remastering of the original vinyl album along with bonus tracks never released before. This will sell out quickly! To order click here
Clint Eastwood’s son Kyle, a well-respected jazz musician in
his own right, has collaborated with Michael Stevens to produce a terrific
score for Invictus. However, ‘Dad’
lends a hand, and the opening song ‘9,000 Day’s was written by Eastwood Sr
along with Stevens and even has lyrics by Dina Eastwood (Clint’s wife) – talk
about keeping it in the family! The result is a highly impressive CD soundtrack
release. This is a magnificent score, and unlike Eastwood’s previous forays on Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Changeling and Gran Torino - which were dramatic, dark and moody - this music,
like the film itself, is really uplifting. There are several songs in the film,
all performed by Overtone a South African acapella band that was discovered by
Dina Eastwood, who saw them in a show in Cape Town while her husband was
filming Invictus. The soundtrack is a
blend of traditional South African music mixed with an almost tribal chant/drum
beat sound and orchestral overtures. It’s powerful stuff, with vocalist
Yollandi Nortjie sounding very much (on ‘9,000 Days’) like Jamie Cullum’s song
for Gran Torino , with  similar jazzy, bluesy vibes. As in previous
films, Clint Eastwood delivers one of his simplistic piano-based themes but
this time (in ‘Invictus Theme’) it is accompanied by a wonderful trumpet
underscore which, for this writer, is so reminiscent of the legendary Chet
Baker, and is a joy to hear. Kyle Eastwood and composer Michael Stevens have,
once again, produced a great sounding score – this time one that perfectly blends
a beautiful haunting cinematic theme with that of South African traditional
music. Highly recommended – and one of my favourite Eastwood scores to date.
It’s that time of year when everyone seems to have a ‘Ten Best Films of the Year’ list. As
this is the last year of the decade, we can also count on being
deluged with ‘Best Films of the Decade’ lists (mine will be coming; be
patient). Before I started writing about classic films for Cinema Retro,  I primarily wrote about motion picture and television music.
So, for a change of pace I humbly offer ....
“Bruce’s Baker’s Dozen of Great Film Music: 2000-2009â€.
1.   A Scanner Darkly – Graham Reynolds
The
best score of the decade is a dazzling, haunting work from newcomer
Reynolds. The Austin based composer/performer brings all his
considerable skills to bear– he performs and composes jazz, rock, and
classical music- in this wholly original score. To date this is his
only major Hollywood assignment. If it were up to me, Reynolds would
be getting plum assignments like
Watchmen , The Incredible Hulk and 2012 instead of the  bland , faceless composers who seem to score film after film. Wake Up Hollywood!
2.   The Road To Perdition – Thomas Newman 3.   Milk – Danny Elfman
4. & 5.  A.I. - Artificial Intelligence &  Minority Report John
Williams earns ‘Composer of the Decade’ for these two rich, evocative
scores. Director Steven Spielberg and Williams also teamed up
successfully for yet another science- fiction epic, the spectacular War of the Worlds. Incredibly, John Williams is still producing great music in his mid seventies!
6. Lassie -Â Adrian Johnston This
faithful and moving adaptation of the children’s classic barely
received a theatrical release in the UK or USA. Just as shameful, is
the lack of a soundtrack album. A beautiful score.
7. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – Hans Zimmer This
overlooked and underrated animated film from DreamWorks is as good as
anything Disney or Pixar released (with the possible exception of Wall-E ). Along with the terrific score, it also contains the ‘Best Song of the Decade’, “ Sound the Bugleâ€Â performed Bryan Adams.
8. Miracle – Mark Isham This
inspiring and exciting sports film contains ‘The Most Memorable Musical
Moment of the Decade’ ; the walk to the ice by the USA Olympic hockey
team for their momentous match with the USSR. If this doesn’t give you
goosebumps, see a doctor!
9. Cast Away - Alan Silvestri The
score for this amazing film totals only 15 minutes yet makes a powerful
impact. Just goes to show you do not have to plaster wall-to-wall music
on every film.
10. A Beautiful Mind - James Horner 11. Thirteen Days -Â Trevor Jones 12. Rabbit Proof Fence - Peter Gabriel 13. Cold Mountain- Gabriel Yared
Intrada has released Jerry Goldsmith's score for the 1966 WWI epic The Blue Max as a 2500 limited edition CD for $19.95. The company gained access to elements of the score not previously released. For sample tracks and to order, click here. (Thanks to subscriber Rory Monteith for the head's up!)Â
For the first time ever, Alex North's soundtrack from William Wyler's 1961 film The Children's Hour has been released. The film starred Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn in one of the first major movies to deal overtly with the subject of lesbianism and the consequences of intolerance. To order the limited edition CD and read about the interesting way it finally came to be released, click here
La-La Land Records has released Les Baxter's score for Ray Milland's 1962 Cold War thriller Panic in the Year Zero. Milland directed and starred in the low-budget, but effectively made look at how one family takes desperate measures to survive after nuclear conflict has broken out between America and its enemies. This is a limited edition CD. Look for an article about this film in a future issue of Cinema Retro. Click here to order the CD and to play sample tracks.Â
This week Varese Saraband is releasing a limited edition CD of Jerry Goldsmith's score for Escape From the Planet of the Apes. For order info and sample tracks click here
Movie
fans familiar with Ernest Gold’s magnificent music from Otto Preminger’s film Exodus (1960) will be pleased to hear
that the entire score, which has never been released before, has been
re-recorded and is now available as a Special Limited Collectors Edition 2-CD
set. Although the original RCA soundtrack album was a huge success in its day,
and won a Grammy Award for “Best Soundtrackâ€, it was not complete, and suffered
from poor sound quality. This CD by Tadlow Music is the first to feature Gold’s
entire score, reconstructed from his original sketches (including unused cues
and bonus tracks). Recorded with The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and
conducted by Nic Raine, it really is (pardon the pun) “music to my ears†as I
listen to it over and over again whilst designing the next issue of Retro
magazine here in my office. The reason why it is a 2-disc set was because
producer James Fitzpatrick realized there was too much for one CD, but not
enough to fill two, so he added tracks (by Gold) from It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Ship of Fools, and Judith. There are also Bonus sections,
including a suite from the hit TV mini-series QB VII (Jerry Goldsmith), two tracks from Schindler’s List (John Williams), and two tracks from Cast A Giant Shadow (Elmer Bernstein).
All are re-recordings. Another bonus is two video sequences showing the
orchestra during the recording sessions! Distributed by our good friends at
Silva Screen Records, this CD is available in all good music stores now, or go
to www.tadlowmusic.com who will ship
it anywhere in the world post free for just £16.95!
Composer Lalo Schifrin is releasing his soundtrack to the 1976 adventure film Sky Riders on his own label, Aleph Records on July 28. The movie is a largely forgotten, but very under-rated, top-notch action saga with Robert Culp as an American industrialist living in Greece, whose wife (Susannah York) and young children are kidnapped by terrorists who hold them in a virtually inaccessible mountaintop retreat. When police efforts to rescue them fail, Culp turns to his wife's eccentric former husband, a soldier-of-fortune played by James Coburn, who devises an audacious plot to penetrate the terrorist lair using his team of hang-gliders. The film affords some spectacular aerial photography over Greece, and the action is complimented by one of Schifrin's best (but least-heard) scores of the 1970s. The Maestro combines invigorating action themes with traditional Greek music to give the CD a unique quality. Now if we can just convince Fox to finally release this worthy movie on DVD...To order the soundtrack, click here
La-La Land Records has released Elmer Bernstein's immortal score for the classic comedy hit Airplane! The CD comes complete with a 20 page collectible booklet containing comments from the filmmakers. Click here for more details and to hear sample tracks - and don't call me Shirley!Â
Composer Ron Grainer's soundtrack to the 1971 sci-fi movie The Omega Man has been reissued by Film Score Monthly due to popular demand. The CD had been issued by the company years ago as a limited edition and quickly sold out. In the ensuing years, that release has commanded big dollars on the collector's circuit. It has also spawned a number of bootleg editions of the soundtrack. Film Score Monthly says that's one of the reasons that spurred them to remaster the soundtrack and reissue it. The film was an adaptation of Richard Matheson's classic sci-fi novel I Am Legend which had previously been brought to the screen in 1964 as The Last Man on Earth starring Vincent Price. Charlton Heston starred in The Omega Man and, more recently, the story was the basis for Will Smith's hit film I Am Legend. Ron Grainer's score for The Omega Man is superb on all levels and represents the kind of motion picture soundtrack that is all too rare today. To order click here
UK customers: click here to order from Movie Grooves
Aleph Records will be releasing the final Dirty Harry Soundtrack The Dead Pool on January 13th 2008. This was the fifth and final film of the Dirty Harry series. Lalo Schifrin, who composed the soundtracks for Dirty Harry, Magnum Force and Sudden Impact, wrote the original music. Aleph Records has released the soundtracks for the first four films, including The Enforcer, which was composed by Jerry Fielding.
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Also released this month from Harkit records is the first ever release of Lalo Schifrin's Return from the River Kwai soundtrack and John Barry's The Dove also makes its debut release on CD. (Full reviews of both will be featured in issue #13 of Cinema Retro)
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If you are looking for some great little retro stocking fillers for the holiday season, check out these releases from the Vocalion label, Favourite TV themes and Favourite TV themes Vol. 2Â (originally released 1973 and 1975 respectfully) that appear for the first time on one CD, performed by Ray Martin and his orchestra. Containing 28 themes from both the US and UK, it is sure to provide some wonderful trips down Memory Lane. Also from Vocalion are another doubled up set of classic albums from 1959/60, Great Movie Hits Vol.1 and 2 containing some great musical moments from the Golden age of cinema including Three coins in a fountain, Secret Love, Limelight, The Harry Lime theme and a whole lot more. Nicely covered by Cyril Stapleton and His Orchestra, these re-releases of classic retro albums are certainly proving to be very popular with modern audiences.
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Finally from Vocalion, a genre that doesn't quite get the exposure it fully deserves: library music. When it comes to library music, they don't really come much better than KPM. The music produced for these collections were pre- recorded and used for radio, film and TV. The sound originated from London's Denmark Street, which was known as 'Tin Pan Alley' due to the high proportion of music publishers and record labels whose offices were situated there.
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KPM boasted a large number of fantastic composers including Alan Hawkshaw, John Scott, Keith Mansfield, Chris Gunning and Dave Gold. The music was stylish, dramatic and funky. Imagine a classic scene from 'The Sweeney' in the 70's or maybe a light funky groove from a classic TV drama and you’re immediately transported back in time via a super collection that is well worth checking out.  - Darren Allison
Italian 45 rpm of Dionne Warwick's hit single of the theme from Valley of the Dolls. American releases were more prudish at the time and would not have allowed this image of Sharon Tate, clad provocatively in a bra, about to engage in a bout of drug abuse.
The thing we miss about vinyl LPs and 45 rpm soundtrack records is the fact that they were often graced by terrific cover images, usually photos or unique artwork from the film. As every country put out its own version of each record, cover images varied widely. We've uncovered a fun site that pays tribute to the great old soundtrack sleeves of yesteryear. To view click here
Scorenotes is a superb web site that will be of great interest to movie music lovers. The site describes itself thusly:
ScoreNotes.com: Your home for Composer Interviews in Audio, Online Suites,
Soundtrack Reviews and more!
In fact, the site boasts a great archive of interviews with music critics and composers as well as the ability to play tracks from both vintage and new soundtrack albums. Check out the site by clicking here
Original British Quad poster (Courtesy Darren Allison Collection)
Harkit Records has done it again by releasing John Barry's long-sought soundtrack from the madcap Victorian comedy The Wrong Box starring John Mills, Ralph Richardson and Michael Caine. We're proud to say that Cinema Retro's music critic Darren Allison has contributed extensive liner notes for the 20 page collector's booklet included in the CD. The booklet is packed with rare stills. Darren is continuing his collaborative efforts with Harkit and is preparing a special collector's booklet for their forthcoming Lalo Schifrin soundtrack from Return from the River Kwai. There is very limited availability of The Wrong Box. To order click here
Harkit Records have released John Barry's score for Boom! The late 60s film was a debacle for stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor but Barry's score has emerged unscathed from the wreckage. The film was based on an poorly-regarded Tennessee William short story and despite the star power (Noel Coward was also in the movie), the film laid a colossal egg at the box-office. The CD, however, is a welcome addition to any collector's library and features liner notes by our friend Kimberly Lindbergs who runs the great Retro site www.cinebeats.com
(Cinema Retro music critic Darren Allison will have a detailed review of the CD in the next issue of the magazine, #12).
Composer Lalo Schifrin's company Aleph Records has released his score for the 1983 Dirty Harry movie Sudden Impact starring Clint Eastwood. Here is the official press release:
FEATURING: Original score by Lalo Schifrin.
Entire original score never been released, only excerpts on LP.
For Lalo Schifrin, a decade had passed since his own last encounter
with Harry Callahan. … Lalo reported for duty in 1983, fully aware that
times—and musical tastes—had changed, and that he had to retain the
spirit of Harry while making him a more modern invention: a product of
a techno-age, where everything in movies seemed, bigger, louder, and
generally larger than life. With BULLITT in 1968, and DIRTY HARRY in
1971, Lalo had defined the sound of San Francisco. The glittering
canyons and raking tarmac hills had pulsated to hip grooves: a jazzy,
snazzy, bass-fueled back beat that was so cool you couldn't believe you
were hearing it, so much as dreaming it, living it, so deep into your
consciousness did it penetrate. … Ten years on, Lalo figured, Harry was
older, maybe wiser, maybe mellower. Maybe he was more studied, took his
time, thought things through. In SUDDEN IMPACT the score doesn't push
or propel, but supports, keeps Harry rooted, anchored, detached from
the madness surrounding him. And additionally, in keeping with the
subject matter, it's a tad gentler, and yes, even romantic at times.
Perhaps this would be Harry's last go-round. Find love with Jennifer
and hang up the big artillery. Sit back, take it easy, have a brew. –
Nick Redman
Aleph Records, has also released the scores for the first
three films of the series, DIRTY HARRY, MAGNUM FORCE, and THE ENFORCER.
The complete soundtrack to SUDDEN IMPACT makes its debut for the first
time to CD. With only excerpts released on the first DIRTY HARRY LP,
this is the complete score plus additional bonus tracks that has been
remixed from the original multi-track masters.
TRACK LISTINGS:
SUDDEN IMPACT
Sessions September 1983
At Warner Brothers, Burbank – Scoring Stage 1
Conductor: Lalo Schifrin
1 Main Title 3:20
2 Murder By The Sea 2:32
3 Too Much Sugar 1:36
4 Frisco Night 2:52
5 Target Practice 1:35
6 The Road To San Paolo 1:46
7 Remembering Terror 6:50
8 Cocktails Of Fire 2:20
9 Robbery Suspect 2:15
10 Ginley’s Bar 5:56
11 Another Victim 1:21
12 You’ve Come A Long Way 3:46
13 Darkness 4:12
14 Crazy 1:44
15 Hot Shot Cop 1:23
16 Alby And Lester Boy 2:03
17 The Automag 1:39
18 Unicorn’s Head 3:03
19 A Ray Of Light 1:02
20 Stairway To Hell 1:01
21 San Francisco After Dark
(End Titles) 3:24
Intrada has released a limited edition (1500) CD of composer Jerry Fielding's score for director Michael Winner's 1972 Gothic chiller The Nightcomers, a prequel to Henry James' classic ghost story The Turn of the Screw. Marlon Brando and Stephanie Beacham starred in the atmospheric film that raised eyebrows for its provocative sexual content. Here is the description of the CD from the Screen Archives Entertainment site:
World premiere of complete original soundtrack from intense Michael
Winner prequel to Henry James' "Turn of the Screw", starring Marlon
Brando. Jerry Fielding makes rare foray into horror genre, spotlights
dynamic contrast between pastoral exterior of tale, violent interior.
Elegant brass & woodwinds assist in former, strings are heart of
latter. Fielding balances accessible harmonies for gentle scenes with
dark, cerebral ones for perverse behaviors, violence, then finally
turns score inside out with cold, atonal finish playing in total
opposition to prim & proper beginning. Brilliant! Intrada CD
presents entire score in sequence from original stereo session masters
in superb condition. Authoritative notes from Nick Redman, dramatic
graphics from Joe Sikoryak complete package. Jerry Fielding conducts.
Special Collection release limited to 1500 copies! - Douglass Fake,
Intrada producer
1. 1M1 Main Title 2:45
2. 1M2 The Smoking Frog 2:08
3. 2M2 Bedtime at Blye House 3:03
4. 3M1 New Clothes for Quint 0:36
5. 3M2 The Children’s Hour 1:22
6. 3M3 Pas De Deux 1:26
7. 3M4A Like a Chicken on a Spit 0:57
8. 4M1 All That Pain 0:59
9. 5M1/6M1 Summer Rowing 2:04
10. 6M2 Quint Has a Kite 1:01
11. 6M3 Act Two Prelude: Myles in the Air 0:55
12. 6M4 Upside Down Turtle 1:36
13. 7M1 An Arrow for Mrs. Grose 0:32
14. 7M2 Flora and Miss Jessel 1:12
15. 7M4 Tea in the Tree 1:02
16. 7M5 The Flower Bath 2:22
17. 8M1 Pig Sty 1:38
18. 9M1 Moving Day 0:55
19. 9M2 The Big Swim 3:32
20. 9M4/10M1 Through the Looking Glass 2:42
21. 10M2 Burning Dolls 2:07
22. 10M3/10M4 Exit Peter Quint, Enter the New Governess; Recapitulation and Postlude 2:01
Total Score Time = 37:53
BONUS TRACK
23. 6M5 Pub Piano 2:13
TO ORDER FROM SCREEN ARCHIVES CLICK HERE
(For an extensive interview with director Michael Winner about the making of The Nightcomers, see Cinema Retro issue #2 in our back issues section.)
Following up from my review of This Island
Earth / The Day of the Triffids in Cinema Retro # 11, I’d like to also
highlight some other CD releases from excellent Monstrous Movie Music label.
The Blob (and other creepy sounds) 1958
(MMM1955) marks the world premiere release of Ralph Carmichael’s classic
soundtrack. The film is rightly regarded today as a piece of great sci-fi
hokum, and is particularly memorable for starring the very young ‘Steven’ McQueen.
The music stands up amazingly well, considering the tight budget aligned to the
picture was mostly devoured by the cost of color
cinematography. Carmichael certainly squeezed
every ounce of life from his relatively modest 27 piece orchestra and the resulting score remains a
real testament to the composer's talent. To capitalize on the film's intended teenage audience, producer Jack H. Harris insisted upon a pop theme song to
open the film. What emerged was the campy, if somewhat memorable, The Blob (written, believe it or not, by Burt Bacharach and Hal David!), recorded by ‘The
Five Blobs’. They were, in
truth, a simple gathering of session musicians lead by vocalist Bernie Nee. Nevertheless,
the song worked and helped contribute to the film’s general success, but not entirely
without negative consequences. The cheesy song negated some of the more effective technical aspects of the movie and put it firmly in the "guilty pleasure" category for all time. Fortunately, Carmichael’s
unused original main title ‘Violence’ is also included on the disc. With the inclusion of some Blob bonus material, the entire score for the
main feature runs for some 37 minutes and is undoubtedly a thoroughly enjoyable
listen. There is, of course, so much more to this CD than first meets the eye. With
almost 40 mins more devoted to such horror and B movie classics as The
Green Slime, Terror from the year 5000 and The Brain that Wouldn’t Die, there’s
certainly enough here to keep the most ardent of horror fan satisfied.
Incorporating works of such legendary composers as Roger Roger, Angelo
Francesco Lavagnino and Mario Nascimbene this is a must-have for any Blob-ophiles and other sci-fi and horror fans.
CLICK HERE TO REVISIT CINEMA RETRO'S COVERAGE OF THE 2007 ANNUAL BLOBFEST!
The Intruder
You’d be forgiven if the early William
Shatner / Roger Corman collaboration The Intruder (1961) (MMM1956) had passed you
by unnoticed. It’s a film that is rarely seen these days, perhaps due to its politically incorrect theme centering on racism. Nevertheless, Shatner’s performance as the bigot Adam Cramer is regarded today as one of his finest. An unusual and
somewhat rare ‘serious’ film from Corman, it received critical acclaim upon its
release only to be handled like a disease when it came to the film’s distribution.
It’s a great shame in many ways, as this probably contributed to Corman giving
up on the idea of serious storytelling and returning to the relatively safe
surroundings of the his highly profitable exploitation movies.
Thus, it's a real treat be able to enjoy Herman Stein's score to the film. Best known for his scores for Universal horror films such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Incredible
Shrinking Man, It Came from Outer Space, The Land Unknown, Revenge of the
Creature and Tarantula, his work outside of the genre has until now been sadly
overlooked. Stein’s score opens dramatically alongside the introduction of the
film’s central character - a cue that immediately suggests a sense of menace. Yet Stein’s score
is as rich as it is diverse, and the composer makes clever use of woodwind to
illustrate Cramer’s disturbed state of mind. Stein utilizes
strings and a weary clarinet to draw on the tension between Cramer and
his subsequent relationships. The result is a refreshingly unpredicatable element to the score that evokes comparisons to Bernard Hermann's chilling work on Psycho and Cape Fear.
Cramer’s introduction is particularly chilling, and while it lacks the intensity of a Hermannn score, it succeeds on its own merits. (I confess to conjuring up images of Robert Mitchum's Max Cady from Cape Fear as this track played.) Bonus material on this well-produced
disc includes the composer’s complete score for Career for Two (1951) and an
additional selection of unused main titles and underscores. Considering Stein’s almost exclusive association with horror and sci fi scores, Monstrous Movie Music deserves credit for releasing this forgotten gem that amply showcases the composer's diverse talents.- Darren Allison
CLICK HERE TO HEAR AUDIO TRACK SAMPLES AND ORDER FROM MONSTROUS MOVIE MUSIC'S SITE
Soundtrack label Intrada hit the headlines
again this month when the arrival of Jerry Goldsmith’s previously unreleased 1985
soundtrack Baby: Secret of the Lost
Legend sold out within 24 hours. Regular readers may remember that Intrada were
heavily criticised in September 2006 after releasing a 2 CD set of Goldsmith’s Inchon.
Focus fell specifically upon its limited pressing of just 1,500 units which instantly sold out, leaving collectors frustrated and reliant upon profiteers who sold the CDs on Ebay at greatly inflated prices.. Despite doubling the number of pressings to 3000 for
Baby it seems that the demand for the
great composer’s work has again been seriously underestimated. Baby has emerged in many bootleg forms
over the years and remained high on the wanted lists of Goldsmith collectors
the world over. Early indications have shown once again that a great many
fans have lost out and will no doubt have to pay highly inflated prices via Internet sites such as Ebay in order to complete their collections. While soundtrack
consumers have recognised and praised the label’s efforts, there remains anger over the practice of opportunists who continue to buy up large numbers of limited edition CDs in order to exploit genuine collectors. The message is clear: as soon as a limited edition CD is announced, fans should place their orders immediately. -Darren Allison
Film Score Monthly has released a magnificent, definitive soundtrack collection for the four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve. The boxed set also includes the music from the Superman animated series as well as alternate takes, source music and a 160 page illustrated collector's booklet. Limited to only 3,000 copies.
Intrada has released the motion picture soundtrack to the modern western Comes a Horsema as a 1500 unit special edition. The film starred Jane Fonda, James Caan and Jason Robards. Michael Small is the composer. Here is the description from Screen Archives Entertainment:
World premiere of original soundtrack from Alan J. Pakula 1978 western
set during 1940's, starring Jane Fonda, James Caan, Jason Robards.
Michael Small creates dynamic large-scale Americana score with plethora
of round-ups, action sequences. In balance is gentle main theme that
plays as heart of score. Through cooperation with MGM, Intrada CD
presents nearly-complete score in full stereo from 1/4" master tapes
maintained by composer's estate. (A few very short, repetitive pieces
were discarded by Small during original mixing sessions.) Action
setpiece ("Oil Vs. Cattle"), unused in finished film but heard here for
first time, is a powerful highlight. Dramatic flourish at close of "End
Credits" another previously unheard highlight. Informative liner notes
from Jeff Bond, colorful graphics from Joe Sikoryak complete package.
Michael Small conducts what might be his most impressive work! Intrada
Special Collection release limited to 1500 copies. - Douglass Fake
Intrada has released John Barry's score for Mary, Queen of Scots which starred Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan and Timothy Dalton. The release is limited to only 3,000 CDs. Here is the official press release:
World premiere CD release of original soundtrack from Hal Wallis
production starring Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan,
Timothy Dalton. Academy Award-nominated score by John Barry anchors
with incredibly gentle "Mary's Theme" for harpsichord, strings. In
contrast is dynamic secondary theme for brass that heralds 16th century
setting. Powerful idea spotlights trumpets with rhythmic idea using
two-part harmony while French horns impose powerful, angular theme
underneath. Bravura Barry! Varied score also takes dramatic turn with
dark material, James Bond-ish ideas plus lovely melody for Vanessa
Redgrave to sing ("Vivre et Mourir".) While mono-only scoring elements
made rounds for recent Universal DVD presentation, Intrada licensed
precious original Decca stereo album masters housed in UMG vaults.
While additional music was unavailable for release, Intrada proudly
offers entire 1971 stereo album as produced by composer. Program offers
music both haunting & powerful, results in one of Barry's all-time
greats. Authoritative notes by Jon Burlingame illuminate film
production & scoring. John Barry conducts. Special Collection CD
limited to 3000 copies! - Douglass Fake, Intrada producer
Film Score Monthly has released the original soundtrack from the terrific 1960s action adventure Dark of the Sun (released in the UK as The Mercenaries) starring Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Brown and Kenneth More. Here are the official release details:
What
decade would have a great score by a French composer for a violent
English film done in Hollywood style set in Africa? The 1960s, of
course -- and you can find the CD on Film Score Monthly’s Silver Age
Classics.
Dark of the Sun (1968) starred Rod Taylor and Jim Brown as
mercenaries (the film is also known as “The Mercenariesâ€) on a mission
in war-torn Congo of the early 1960s to retrieve refugees and an
expensive cache of diamonds before they can fall into the hands of
Simba rebels. The film becomes a “Heart of Darknessâ€-style tale plagued
by violence, betrayal and murder—and it has a corker of a score by
French composer Jacques Loussier, famous for his “Play Bach†jazz
albums and largely French film and TV assignments such as the theme to Thierry la Fronde.
Loussier’s score to Dark of the Sun matches the offbeat
melodic invention of Ennio Morricone and the brassy inflections of John
Barry’s James Bond scores while remaining the very personal work of its
composer. The main theme consists of three layered ideas: a plucked
pulse, a jazzy, syncopated bass line for piano and harpsichord, and a
distinctly European minor-mode melody often voiced by strings. The
score expresses the tragedy and subtext behind the violence of the
on-screen images, while acknowledging the action explicitly in several
jazzy action cues.
The Dark of the Sun score somewhat defies description
except that it abounds with the kind of invention and melody that
marked 1960s film scoring (such as that of Barry, Schifrin, Legrand,
Goldsmith, Morricone and others) and has long been a favorite of
soundtrack collectors. Loussier never again scored this kind of
mainstream adventure film but he provided a winner in this premiere
effort.
FSM’s definitive CD of Dark of the Sun features the
complete score (less one brief cue which was lost) in stereo,
containing all of the music from the previous MGM Records LP (and
Chapter III CD) -- and much more -- in improved sound quality. Liner
notes are by Didier C. Deutsch, Alexander Kaplan and Lukas Kendall
incorporating new comments by the composer.
Composer Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack for the 1969 western 100 Rifles starring Jim Brown, Raquel Welch and Burt Reynolds is available as a limited edition CD from Film Score Monthly. Here is their official description of the soundtrack:
It's that time again, for us to make available our latest limited
edition soundtrack CD from the glorious "Silver Age" of film music,
roughly defined as the late 1950s through the mid-1970s. This is an
explosive Jerry Goldsmith western score from the 20th Century Fox
archives, 100 Rifles (1969), commercially unavailable -- until now!
Hopefully, longtime Goldsmith fans will be drooling at the mere mention of the title, 100 Rifles.
For the uninitiated, this is a South-of-the-Border adventure starring
Burt Reynolds, Jim Brown and Raquel Welch. The score takes Goldsmith's
western style from Rio Conchos, Bandolero! and Hour of the Gun
and elevates it to a new level of excitement and aggression, with
Goldsmith's avant garde sensibilities blending brilliantly with Mexican
gestures.
Original French release poster
The
main title alone is a robust tune for horns counter-balanced by
mariachi rhythms and effects that ends in an audacious brass flourish.
The rest of the score maintains the energy level and should be pure ear
candy for Goldsmith aficionados: it flows with memorable melodic
nuggets at the same time as it rattles with prepared piano, unusual
percussion and even an Indian sitar. Goldsmith fans are well aware of
the composer's genius for using instruments in weird ways and in the
extremes of their ranges, especially brass; 100 Rifles is full of such bellicose outbursts.
This FSM release presents the 100 Rifles
score not once but twice: first in stereo, with all but three cues
(which were lost) newly remixed at 20th Century Fox; and then in mono
(complete) from the original mix made for the film. Yes, this sounds
silly, but if it was totally stupid we wouldn't be doing it. Each mix
has its pros and cons: the stereo mix is, obviously, stereo, but the
mono mix contains nuances and sweeteners (not to mention the three lost
cues) which are no longer unavailable. Rather than switch back and
forth between sources, we have decided to give all of the mixes to you,
to decide which you prefer. It's sort of "200 Rifles"!
It's
not often that we say, trust us, you'll like this CD, but this is one
heaping helpin' of Mexican morsels that will fill you with delight.
It's a complete Jerry Goldsmith score (twice!) from his glory days of
the late '60s, and both mixes of the score are in excellent sound
quality. The 16-page booklet features photos from the 20th Century Fox
archives and liner notes by Jeff Bond, Doug Adams and Lukas Kendall.
The good folks at Monstrous Movie Music have done it again with the release of a unique soundtrack album for a cult movie classic. In this case, it's the soundtrack to the 1958 sci fi classic The Blob starring Steve McQueen (or "Steven McQueen" as he is known in the credits). The soundtrack not only provides every cue relating to the movie, including the immortal rock song composed by Burt Bacharach, but also alternative tracks and music not heard in the film. An additional bonus is material from other sci fi movies. Here is the official press write up:
The Blob (and other creepy
sounds) features the complete original Ralph Carmichael soundtrack from
the 1958 cult monster movie starring Steve McQueen. The CD features
every cue from the movie as well as music not heard in the picture,
totalling about 37 minutes -- all in original, gorgeous monophonic
sound. Of particular note is the unused “Main Title,†which was
replaced by the Burt Bacharach/Mack David novelty song. The original
orchestral cue is an outstanding piece that perfectly prepares you for
the unfolding horror of the movie – as opposed to the humorous approach
the song took. Both opening cues are included in this release.
The remainder of the CD is packed with almost 40 minutes of horror,
suspense, and atmospheric cues from the Valentino Production Music
Library, including pieces used in The Green Slime, The Brain That
Wouldn’t Die, Terror From the Year 5000, as well as in the collectible
album “Attilio Mineo Conducts Man in Space with Sounds.†Film composers
represented include such distinguished figures as Angelo Francesco
Lavagnino, Roger Roger, and Mario Nascimbene. To order click here
Dimitri Tiomkin's score for the epic film Land of the Pharahos has been released on CD by Film Score Monthly as a 3,000 unit limited edition set. Here is the official press release:
One of the greatest epic scores of the 1950s comes to CD in complete form: Dimitri Tiomkin's Land of the Pharaohs (1955), for Howard Hawks's mammoth spectacle set in ancient Egypt.
The composer, in a press interview at the time (transcribed to illustrate his Russian accent), explained the film's story:
"Pharaoh
gung build pyramid. Needs harchitect. Harchitect say OK, I gung build
pyramid... if you sat my pippel free. Lots pippel dyink, all over the
picture... Pharaoh say OK, I sat your pippel free, you build nice cozy
pyramid. Harchitect say OK... Pharaoh don't understand why big chariots
all over the place. Pippel dyink. Harchitect a fine man. All this
hoppen long time ago."
In
addition, there is a delightfully campy romantic plot in which a sexpot
princess (played by a young Joan Collins) acheives her quest to become
Queen of Egypt -- but with a deliciously dark twist.
The
film remains a curious blend of jaw-dropping spectacle and drawing-room
scheming, with the international cast also including Jack Hawkins,
Alexis Minotis, James Robertson Justice and Sydney Chaplin. Perhaps
Hawks himself best summed up his creative dilemma in making the
picture: "I don't know how a pharaoh talks."
But the music! Tiomkin:
"Why
you think top producer spend more moneys on music for picture than for
A picture? Music can help picture. I should know. I work mostly in
medium mediocre pictures... I have spashil script. Not regular script.
Spashil script. Script don't sayink 'Close-up on Tootsie' only, scripts
I got sayink 'Close-up on Tootsie, she very sad.' That way, I can write
the good music... Work to within third of second. Third of second
important. Third of second enough time to go boom-de-boom. Boom-de-boom
important sometimes."
Boom-de-boom only begins to describe the greatness of the Land of the Pharaohs
soundtrack. Huge choral setpieces dominate the first half of the film,
as the Egyptians perform songs to honor their dead and to accompany
their decades-long endeavor to construct the great Pyramid; in the
second, Tiomkin accompanies the romance and treachery of Collins's
villainous princess including several action scenes.
But
it is emblematic of Tiomkin that at the most unexpected moments -- such
as the main title -- he goes "small" instead of big, with his beautiful
melodies carried by solo instruments. In other scenes, Tiomkin seems to
be setting a musical freight train underneath dialogue, churning with
the emotional undercurrents of the drama.
The score to Land of the Pharaohs
was conceived almost like that for a silent film, in that the music
virtually never ceases. The complete score (presented over FSM's 2CD
set, with alternate and additional selections closing disc 2) has been
painstakingly assembled from the monaural mixdowns saved in the Warner
Bros. vaults. (Although recorded in stereo, the score survives only in
mono; however, the use of separate tracks for percussion, chorus and
other solos has allowed several passages to be reconstructed in stereo
-- including huge set pieces like "Pharaoh's Procession.")
Intrada has released composer Jerry Fielding's score for the Charles Bronson western Chato's Land on CD. The release is limited to only 1500 units. This is the first soundtrack to be made available from the 1972 film directed by Michael Winner. Here is the official press info:
World premiere release of complete Jerry Fielding 1972 original
soundtrack from Michael Winner pursuit & revenge western with
Charles Bronson, Jack Palance. Fielding responds to savage tale with
intense strings, blazing brass, harrowing percussion. Blistering
landscape of story inspires plethora of subtle percussion figures,
demanding woodwind solos while fierce violence incites vicious brass
motifs, dollops of thundering snare, bass drum. Fielding divides time
between imposing flamenco-ish main melody & ever-winding secondary
menace melody. Two themes jockey for supremacy throughout score like
movie's on-screen adversaries. In stroke of brilliance, Fielding
declares landscape the final winner, closes not with either melody but
with ferocious display of percussion instead. Impressive highlight:
"Titles" bookends with florid trumpet statement of main theme,
spotlights twisting woodwind variants in between. Another rousing
highlight: Building rhythm of "Indian Rodeo" becomes wild display for
virtuoso French horn, trombone & trumpet. Entire score presented
for first time from MGM master elements in stereo. Dynamic recording
made by Richard Lewzey at CTS Studios in London. Colorful graphics,
notes from Winner/Fielding authority Nick Redman complete package.
Jerry Fielding conducts. Special Collection release limited to 1500
copies! - Douglass Fake, Intrada producer
1. Titles (4:38)
2. Peeping Tom in the Bushes (0:42)
3. Mind Your Ma; Whiskey and Hot Sun (1:26)
4. Coop Falls (1:22)
5. Pain in the Water Bags; Burning Rancheros 1 & 2 (4:44)
6. Peeping Tom on the Ridge; First Stampede (3:01)
7. Indian Convention (1:32)
8. The Snake Bite (1:18)
9. Chato Comes Home (1:50)
10. Indian Rodeo; Chato Bags Horse (2:18)
11. Junior Blows the Whistle (0:39)
12. Fire and Stampede; Joan of Arc at Stake (3:52)
13. Mr. & Mrs. Chato Split; Massas in the Cold Cold Ground (1:24)
14. Hot Pants (2:43)
15. Rainbow on the Range (0:55)
16. Ride Like Hell (0:48)
17. Big Stare Job; Here-There-Everywhere (2:16)
18. Attack in Gorge (1:51)
19. One Big Pain in the Neck (2:33)
20. Lansing Scalped (1:43)
21. Elias Gets the Snake; Malechie Gets Shot; Finis (5:02)
The original soundtrack by Tito Arevalo for the 1969 cult horror film Mad Doctor of Blood Island has been issued by Elysee Productions as a limited edition of 1,000 CDs. Mastered from the original session tapes, the package also includes an 8 page collectors booklet. To order click here
Screen Archives Entertainment has released an exciting double-bill soundtrack CD consisting of the original scores for Klute and All the President's Men. Here are the official release details:
Two of the best scores of the 1970s come to CD at last: Klute by Michael Small and All the President's Men
by David Shire. Both films were produced by Warner Bros. and directed
by Alan J. Pakula -- the respective films, and scores, are among the
most lauded of the decade.
Klute (1971) starred Jane Fonda (in an Oscar-winning
performance) as a New York call girl being terrorized by a sadistic
ex-client, with Donald Sutherland as the private detective (the title
character) looking for a friend whose disappearance may be related.
Part neo-film noir, part sophisticated, adult drama, the film is a
fantastic character study as well as a gripping thriller, modern
feminist classic and a fascinating journey through the New York City of
the sexual revolution.
Klute's score by Michael Small -- his first Hollywood
assignment -- was groundbreaking in its use of an avant garde chamber
orchestra (piano, percussion and voice -- a creepy female "siren song")
compared to symphonic or jazz approaches of the past. Such a style had
never been used in a Hollywood thriller and it was an instant hit,
leading to Small scoring other '70s classics like The Parallax View and Marathon Man. The score also includes a melancholy "pop" love theme for trumpet and eclectic source cues for the 1970s urban setting.
All the President's Men (1976) was the brilliant film adaptation of the book by Washington Post
journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, chronicling their historic
investigation into Watergate and President Nixon. Robert Redford and
Dustin Hoffman played the reporters in one of the best films about
journalism and politics ever made -- a crackling true-life mystery with
global implications.
In the mid-1970s, no composer was as renowned as David Shire for
finding exquisitely subtle musical solutions for demanding and unique
films like The Conversation, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Farewell, My Lovely and The Hindenburg. When Shire was first screened All the President's Men,
he asked if the film needed any music at all, but director Pakula
suggested that music could remind audiences of the "human heart"
beating in the characters. Shire crafted a brief and understated score
that never sacrificed melody or musicality, with a memorable theme
speaking of the journalists' resolve to untangle the mystery.
Klute has circulated for many years as a "promotional" or
bootleg LP from which numerous unauthorized copies have been made; the
original soundtrack to All the President's Men has never been
released. This definitive CD features both scores remixed from the
16-track master elements for optimal stereo sound quality. Liner notes
are by Kyle Renick.
One of our favorite Charles Bronson's films is The Mechanic, directed in 1972 by Michael Winner. The plot has Bronson as a master assassin for hire who is training his protege, Jan Michael Vincent - until a bloody series of double crosses begins to wreak deadly havoc. Jerry Fielding's score is now available in a definitive version from Intrada Records. The CD is a limtied edition of 1500. Here is the text from the product description:
Original Italian release poster
World premiere 1972 release of complete Jerry Fielding score for
Michael Winner thriller takes all 27 minutes of music from earlier
albums, then offers additional 50 minutes of music previously
unreleased! Fielding takes cue from methodical hitman played by Charles
Bronson, creates incredibly complex work for orchestra. Chilling tone
clusters for piano, knife jabs for brass, startling percussion... and
cold, cerebral strings spell Fielding at his most intense! But composer
is calculated, adds tiny wisp of warmth, keeps everything just out of
balance. Intrada CD presents entire score from original multi-track
stereo session masters, courtesy of MGM. CD also includes exciting big
band source cues composer wrote for film plus alternate end titles.
Authoritative text from director/composer expert Nick Redman plus
musical analysis from FSM's Lukas Kendall illuminates every complicated
moment! Arguably Fielding's most dramatic work! Jerry Fielding
conducts. Intrada Special Collection release limited to 1500 copies! -
Douglass Fake, Intrada Producer
Cinema Retro readers have been giving us a very enthusiastic response to correspondent John Exshaw's recent coverage of the Italian western festival that took place at the Venice International Film Festival. Among the films covered by John was Navajo Joe, a rather run-of-the-mill 1966 spaghetti western that is distinguished primarily by the presence of leading man Burt Reynolds, still several years away from superstardom. As with many of the Italian westerns, even those of the lowest denominator in terms of quality generally boasted worthy musical scores and Navajo Joe is no exception. Film Score Monthly has issued the most complete soundtrack of Ennio Morricone's original compositions ever released. (Curiously, Morricone had to adopt the Ameircan nom-de--plume "Leo Nichols" on the film's credits!) For more info and to order click here
For reports on the Venice Film Festival's tribute to Italian westerns, see John Exshaw's columns.
Composer Jerry Goldsmith's classic score for Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi blockbuster Alien has been released by Intrada as a 2 CD set. It includes virtually every note Goldsmith composed for the film including material not heard in the final cut. The set also includes a remastered version of the vinyl LP soundtrack issued at the time of the films release as well as a deluxe collectors booklet. To order click here
Percepto Records is issuing Randy Newman's soundtrack for the vastly underrated 1971 comedy Cold Turkey that starred Dick Van Dyke and Bob Newhart in hilarious tale about a small town that has a chance to be awarded a fortune if every resident can succeed in giving up smoking for 30 days. Percepto has issued the first ever soundtrack album to the film from the archives of Randy Newman himself. Per the high quality standards we've come to expect from this label, it is accompanied by a collector's book with insightful notes by Jeff Bond and an assortment of rare stills. This is limited to only 1,000 editions. Order today by clicking here
It’s also been a while since we touched
upon the genius of British composer John Barry, so I thought I’d recommend The
Last Valley (1971) (Intrada Special collection vol. 46). In a time
where epics were still very popular with cinema going audiences, John Clavell’s
Todd-AO production faired rather disappointingly at the box office, despite the
popularity of Michael Caine and some positive critical acclaim. Fittingly
enough, Barry’s score is the epitome of the word epic, as has been the wait for
it to finally emerge on a digital format. Intrada’s release is a straight
forward issue of the film’s original and hard to find album, without the luxury
of any bonus material. Saying that, I’m sure I read somewhere, long ago that
the masters for Barry’s majestic score were thought to be lost but
unfortunately I can’t confirm any such comments. However, listening to Barry’s
work today I can confirm that it remains both compelling and enthralling and
among the high points of his 70’s work. Naturally inspired by the film’s
incredible cinematography, Barry’s journey takes us from the delicate, pastoral
moods of a ravaged, war torn village to the mammoth choral pieces set against
the bloody and traumatic battles of the Thirty Years War. While it’s always
nice to have the composers original working of a score, occasionally there are
some very fine exceptions from which some interesting comparisons can be made.
Regarding The Last Valley, I should
also mention Nic Raine’s complete re-recording from Silva Screen, a very nicely
worked CD with the highest of production values. Significantly though, it is
Raine’s version that contains some 20 minutes more music, including a beautiful
love theme, which was subsequently dropped for the original LP release. It was
a puzzling yet common enough occurrence, as it is today, that often left
collectors both unsatisfied and asking the question why? Whichever version you
may choose to go with I’m sure you’ll be delighted.  (To order Intrada’s John Barry score click
here)-Â Darren Allison
Recently released from Digitmovies is the
excellent double soundtrack from a composer whose work continues to impress me,
Franco Micalizzi. Sei lellato amico hai incontrato Sacramento / I due volti della Paura (both 1972) CDDM088, are both incredibly good scores and presented
for the first time on CD. Sacramento, A Spaghetti western starring American
actor Ty Hardin, arrived hot on the heels of the very successful They call me Trinity (1970), from which
Micalizzi also produced an impressive score. It’s fair to say that Sacramento is not too far
removed in its style to that of Trinity.
It has all the attributes of the genre. Micalizzi makes intelligent use of his
instrumentation incorporating firm favourites such as Spanish guitar, harmonica,
trumpet and Jews harp, all of which are wrapped up within very polished
arrangements. Dell’Orso is inevitably at hand once again (was this amazing
woman ever out of work?) if only to add spice to an already beautiful flavour.
Rounding off this CD is an equally good score, I due volti della Paura.
Another slice of impressive Italian giallo, the film stars George Hilton and
the beautiful Luciana Paluzzi. The music is woven with romantic themes; crafted
suspense and some great beat ‘n shake pop cuts that practically have you hooked
from their opening chords. It doesn’t take long, in fact by track 3; I was
asking the question, why on earth has this soundtrack taken so long to surface?
It’s packed with undiscovered gems, Gimkan’
being one of the best beat tracks I think I have heard in a very long time. At
just under 30 minutes, it’s one hell of a bonus and makes for a stunning double
feature. Neither of these 2 Micalizzi scores received a release outside of the
promotional LP market, which only adds further to their appeal. Audio is of the
highest quality. Attention to detail through informative liner notes coupled
with and an awesome display of original artwork and campaign posters makes this
particularly appealing on the eyes as well as the ears. It’s a combination that
leaves little reason as to wonder why Digitmovies are the market leaders in
Italian film music today. www.digitmovies.com
- Darren Allison
Screen Archives is releasing CDs of the score from two classic sci fi/fantasy films: Mysterious Island and Farenheit 451. Both feature William Stromberg conducting the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, as no soundtrack albums had been issued in conjunction with the films' original releases. For info click here
John Williams' soundtrack for the film Monsignor has been released by Intrada. The score had previously been available on a vinyl LP when the movie, starring Christopher Reeve, was released in 1982. Williams has revised the soundrack for this initial CD release, eliminating three minutes of music from the LP version but adding ten minutes of music that never made it into the final cut. The release is limited to only 3,000 CDs. For more info click here
Screen Archives has issued another major soundtrack CD, this time consisting of the scores for five major western classics: composer Dimitri Tiomkin's The Unforgiven, David Buttolph's The Horse Soldiers, Elmer Bernstein's Guns of the Magnificent Seven, David Raksin's Invitation to a Gunfighter and Gerald Fried's Cast a Long Shadow. Of these titles, only The Unforgiven and The Horse Soldiers had soundtrack albums issued for their theatrical release and the new CD was constructed from the surviving masters for those albums. We're particularly excited about the inclusion of the magnificent scores for these two drastically under-rated films. The Unforgiven (not be confused with Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven) was directed by John Huston and released in 1960. The director virtually disowned the movie, thinking it was an awkward and unsuccessful attempt to combine a message about racism with a traditional action film. Audrey Hepburn stars as a young woman who finds that she had been abducted as a baby from an Indian tribe and raised as white by a loving family. When the scandal is discovered many years later, the Indians demand that she be returned. Her adopted family refuses despite the urging to do so by their neighbors and friends. This sets up a tense conclusion in which the stubborn family battles alone against an overwhelming force of Indians who beseige their cabin.
Italian poster for The Unforgiven
While The Unforgiven is not a classic, it is clear that Huston was far too harsh on his own film. The movie is moody and atmospheric with some fine performances, though it is badly flawed by the miscasting of Hepburn who seems to have strolled out of Tiffanys showroom. She's far too erudite for a pioneer girl. Nevertheless, the film is quite suspenseful and boasts a great supporting cast including Audie Murphy, Lillian Gish, Joseph Wiseman and Doug McClure. It also features a haunting score by Dimitri Tiomkin that is clearly one of his best.
John Wayne and Constance Towers in The Horse Soldiers
The Horse Soldiers is an equally underrated John Ford film starring the powerhouse teaming of John Wayne and William Holden The 1959 film is based on a daring raid into the deep south by a Union cavalry troop. Ford soured on the film midway through when he blamed himself for the death of a stuntman. Still, it stands as one of his best late career films even though critics were inexplicably lukewarm to it. The score by David Buttolph is a clever use of Civil War standards and original compositions.
This CD is limited to only 1500 units. To order click here
Cinema Retro music editor Darren Allison takes a look at four interesting Italian movie soundtracks.
Fin de Siecle Media of Sweden are proving to be one great
label and consistently releasing a wealth of superb cult movie scores. Little
known Italian composer Luciano Michelini’s excellent action-orientated score
for the low budget film L’Isola Deglil Uomini Pesce (FDS22) was directed
by Sergio Martino in 1979. While Michelini’s name may not be instantly
recognizable, his music certainly deserves to be up there alongside the top
flight of Italian film composers. Making full use of his orchestra, Michelini
successfully balances a fine blend of classic orchestration with modern
elements such as synthesizer and guitar, resulting in a fusion of varying
styles. The score is laced throughout with wonderful use of strings and some
rich symphonic passages. Romantic themes such as ‘Cosa Resta Dell'Amore’
and action orientated tracks like ‘Fuga tra gli Alberi’ are both lush
and thrilling in their delivery. While remaining typically Italian to the ear, Michelini
works through the entire spectrum of moods including solemn tribal drums and
haunting percussion as examples of the scores purest minimal form. Previously
released on vinyl by the renowned label Comenta, the score has been beautifully
restored and presented for its debut on CD including original artwork, stills
and notes by John Mansell.
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
Darren Allison reviews the long-awaited original soundtrack release for the third Dirty Harry thriller.
I have to admit I really couldn’t imagine this fabulous Jerry
Fielding score ever seeing the light of day, and yet, Lalo Schifrin’s Aleph
records have seemingly pulled off the impossible. After basking in the glory of
both Schifrin’s Dirty Harry and Magnum Force soundtracks, I was doubtful there
would ever be a release of the score for the third Harry film, The Enforcer
(1976) - because it's the one film in the series Schifrin did not score. When
he was unavailable at the time, Jerry Fielding was brought in to bridge the gap
in the series until Schifrin was free to return and complete the remaining two
scores in the Dirty Harry legacy (Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool). Fielding’s
entry in the series is undoubtedly jazz orientated, a fresh and lightweight style
in comparison to the gritty and hard edged urban feel that dominated the
previous two scores. Not that there’s anything wrong with Fielding’s approach.
The Enforcer (Aleph Records 038) is, after all, an entirely different movie.
The ‘Main Title’ is a great opener, full of energetic big brass horns.
‘Warehouse Heist’ is a good example of Fielding’s familiar tension-building
that we’ve all become accustomed to, opening with subtle percussion while
harsh, randomly plucked strings summon the arrival of the terrorists and their
quest to locate an arsenal of deadly weaponry. ‘Rooftop chase’ (one of only
three previously released tracks) is a long and frantic funky jazz piece
consisting of brass, sax, keyboards and flute, all which work off each other to
great effect.
I’ve always believed that Eastwood originally intended to
end the series with The Enforcer, long before the franchise became a bartering
tool between him and Warner Brothers. Callahan appears a defeated man, not in
terms of his job, but perhaps on a far deeper and more poignant level. This is
evident in Fielding’s score via some rather moving pieces. ‘Code Blue’ in
particular represents the death of Callahan’s long-standing friend and college
Frank DiGiorgio (John Mitchum) and perhaps more significantly, the solemn and
remorseful ‘Elegy for Inspector Moore’ which centers on the demise of his
partner Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly). As Callahan’s record shows, it’s not
the first partner he’s lost, but the score closes with an almost overwhelming
and concluding sense of both sadness and grief. Was it the end of a developing
personal relationship between Callahan and Moore? Was it that she sacrificed
her own life to save that of Callahan’s? Had Harry finally succumb to his
limitations? Whatever the reasons, Fielding’s score perfectly captures the
essence of Harry and remains both a terrific and vital entry in the 70’s Dirty
Harry saga. The Enforcer is available direct from www.schifrin.com
To celebrate the forthcoming release of the new book The Alamo: A Visual Celebration of John Wayne's Classic Film
from Sundown Entertainment Company, Spy Guise Entertainment has
reissued - by popular demand- musician Mike Boldt's acclaimed 2004 CD, The Alamo: A Musical Tribute to John Wayne's Epic Film.
The CD features Mike's versions of Dimitri Tiomkin's classic score -
plus original songs inspired by the motion picture. The CD also offers:
Alamo experts and scholars reading actual letters from the real Alamo heroes, Davy Crockett and Col. William Travis
Illustrated collectible booklet detailing the making of the film
Ultra rare, original radio spot commericals for the movie not heard since its release in 1960.
The good folks at Intrada have released the long-awaited original soundtrack CD of Jerry Goldsmith's magnificent score for the 1975 adventure classic The Wind and the Lion starring Sean Connery, Candice Bergen and Brian Keith. This is the ultimate experience for Goldsmith fans: it will be a 2 CD set with virtually every variation of the score recorded for posterity.
Here is the news release from Screen Archives:
Spectacular 2 CD set offers complete score to legendary Academy
Award-nominated Jerry Goldsmith 1975 score for epic John Milius
adventure with Sean Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith. CD 1 has
complete 63-minute score in film sequence presented from Warner
Brothers three-channel master mixes. Highlighting new tracks are
magnificent Americana fanfare for Roosevelt's afternoon ride, dynamic
new variants on Raisuli main theme, complex music for the Blue People,
much more! CD 2 has original 38-minute program newly-remastered from
Arista two-track album mixes. Both CD mixes, sequences yield different
listening experiences. Also included is all source music prepared by
Alexander Courage during recording sessions. Every note of Goldsmith's
genuine masterpiece is now available! Presented with lavish booklet
featuring notes, score analysis by Jeff Bond & FSM co-producer
Lukas Kendall, who also oversaw restoration efforts through Warner
Brothers. Jerry Goldsmith conducts Graunke Symphony Orchestra. Two full
hours of excitement! To order click here
