CD REVIEW - El Desperado
El Desperado
Music by Gianni Ferrio
GDM Hillside Series GDM 4105
31 Tracks 64:44 mins
This fine series continues to bring us gems of '60s and '70s Italian film music, and you know I'm just a little bit partial to the Italian Western genre, so I'm delighted to be able to bring you reviews of a couple more additions to the recorded catalogue, starting today with 1968's El Desperado, previously only available on a mono C.A.M. single, both sides of which open this disc, the typical overblown title ballad, with English vocal by John Balfour, and "Colt Contro La Luna," which presents one of the secondary theme, a catchy flute-lead effort, but ends up sadly with another piece for strings that also makes its presence felt in the score. Track three commences the complete film score in stereo with a rather mournful repeating guitar figure, which is yet another theme that features heavily in the score. The stereo version of the title song follows.
After these opening cues, it's pretty much variations on all the aforementioned themes from thereon, with many of the tracks being tense, suspenseful and occasionally mournful. Only rarely do we get anything to get the pulse racing, including a few reprises of the song and an odd upbeat instrumental variation. The disc closes with a stereo mix of the single's b-side and the backing track to the title song.
The colourful accompanying booklet features plenty of stills and artwork from the film, but unfortunately lacks any notes. Go to www.hillsidecd.co.uk to order your copy.
El Desperado
Music by Gianni Ferrio
GDM Hillside Series GDM 4105
31 Tracks 64:44 mins
This fine series continues to bring us gems of '60s and '70s Italian film music, and you know I'm just a little bit partial to the Italian Western genre, so I'm delighted to be able to bring you reviews of a couple more additions to the recorded catalogue, starting today with 1968's El Desperado, previously only available on a mono C.A.M. single, both sides of which open this disc, the typical overblown title ballad, with English vocal by John Balfour, and "Colt Contro La Luna," which presents one of the secondary theme, a catchy flute-lead effort, but ends up sadly with another piece for strings that also makes its presence felt in the score. Track three commences the complete film score in stereo with a rather mournful repeating guitar figure, which is yet another theme that features heavily in the score. The stereo version of the title song follows.
After these opening cues, it's pretty much variations on all the aforementioned themes from thereon, with many of the tracks being tense, suspenseful and occasionally mournful. Only rarely do we get anything to get the pulse racing, including a few reprises of the song and an odd upbeat instrumental variation. The disc closes with a stereo mix of the single's b-side and the backing track to the title song.
The colourful accompanying booklet features plenty of stills and artwork from the film, but unfortunately lacks any notes. Go to www.hillsidecd.co.uk to order your copy.
posted by jeffhall | 9:14 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home