VA - Songs Of The Silver Screen, Wild Wild West, [2001]

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VA - Songs of The Silver Screen, Wild Wild West, [2001]

Soundtrack and score composers don't often get a lot of attention, aside from the top three or four in the industry. The Western soundtrack in particular is often ignored or parodied, with little attention paid to the vast detail put into the various scores (of course, the genre is ripe for parody in part due to the glut of scores/movies that followed the main movers). To be fair, Ennio Morricone's iconoclasm and abilities have had much press over the years, and deservedly so. Surprisingly enough, in this album of Western score pieces, only one representative is sent from Morricone's substantial library, though probably his best known -- "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." Other major players from the industry are represented well however -- given more space and liner notes than is often the case. Dimitri Tiomkin's works are represented well, including well-loved pieces like "Rawhide" as well as the rule-breaking theme to "High Noon" -- instead of the bombastic, optimistic sounds of many Westerns it provides a quiet and foreboding ballad. Also heard here are the basics of the genre, such as Elmer Bernstein's "Magnificent Seven" and the Ray Evans and Jay Livingston theme to "Bonanza," but more interestingly included are a few of the lesser-heard items -- themes from the "Rifleman," from "Wagon Train," from "The Wild, Wild West." The performing orchestra is quite capable and plays each piece out well. Though the tempo seems a bit out of sorts with the mood of the pieces from time to time, the performance always pulls through admirably. For a simple, instrumental (with the exception of an overly enunciated rendition of "Rawhide") overview of Western soundtrack music, this simple collection may be difficult to beat. (AllMusic review by Adam Greenberg)

The album features recordings of classic Western themes interpreted by a range of musicians and ensembles with the following artists: 

Violin: Carl Gorodetzsky, Pam Sixfin, Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, David Davidson, Mary K. Vanosdale, Cathy Umstead, Cate Meyer » Viola: Kris Wilkinson, Gary Vanosdale, Jim Crossjean + Cello: Bob Mason, John Catchings + Bass: Craig Nelson, Liz Stewart » Woodwinds: Ann Richards (flute, piccolo, indian flute), Bobby Taylor (oboe, english horn), Lee Levine (clarinet, bass clarinet), Pat Gunter (bassoon) » Harp:Licia Jascunis » Trumpet: Mike Haynes, George Tidwell, Jeff Bailey (solo on “Bonanza®),Steve Patrick, Steve Padgent (solo on “Then Good, the Bad and the Ugly") « Trombone: Chris McDanald, Barry Green, Emie Collins (bass trombone, tuba) * French Hom: Jennifer Kummer, . Linda Patterson, Joy Worland * Percussion: Ron Sorbo, Sam Bacco, Kenneth Malone « Also featuring: Kenny Malone (drums), Craig Nelson (bass, tic-tac bass on “The Wild, Wild West”), Jerry Kimbrough (guitar), John Damall (guitar,“banjo, harpsichord, tic-tac bass), Buddy Greene (harmonica), Jeff Lisenby (accordion), Todd Yolcum (whistler), Gary Pigg (vocal solo on Rawhide”) + ‘Men's Choir; Gary Robinson, John Damall, Rick Gibson, Rod Fletcher . (from booklet back cover) (B)

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Track list

01 Various Artists - Bonanza 3:40

02 Various Artists - Gunsmoke 3:05

03 Various Artists - The Magnificent Seven 5:39

04 Various Artists - The Wild, Wild West 4:36

05 Various Artists - The Good, the Bad and The Ugly 3:49

06 Various Artists - Laredo 3:04

07 Various Artists - The Rifleman 2:56

08 Various Artists - How the West Was Won 3:48

09 Various Artists - Maverick 3:20

10 Various Artists - The Alamo 3:42

11 Various Artists - Wagon Train 3:03

12 Various Artists - Rawhide 3:56

13 Various Artists - High Noon 2:43

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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