I don't know what else to say other than I highly recommend this one. The bluesy theme is throughout and the 'darker' music still captures my attention. From examining the horrible poster-style liner notes, it seems some work went into editing this score together and it flows quite well.

Now a note about the art direction for this release. It's absolutely horrible. By looking at the cover, I almost assume this must be some sort of songtrack, since no composer is listed. Oh, but wait! He is listed, way down on the bottom in almost the smallest print on the cover, on the same line after writer Paul Schrader. I can't believe the producers of this disc had the nerve to dedicate this album to the memory of Bernard Herrmann and then put his name on the cover in such small type. Also, what's with the poor quality images that look like they were lifted off of the Laserdisc?

Getting back to the music, also included are some arrangements of Herrmann's music by Dave Blume. Typically, I enjoy pop arrangements of film music, but most of these are so saturated with disco sounds that I can't listen to them.

This is a great disc, but be warned it contains a score that won't lift anybody out of depression. The sound quality is fine and probably above average for a score recorded in 1975. The suite on the Salonen disc holds up very well against the original performance and if you haven't heard any of Herrmann's music, you should check it out.

Italic text denotes sarcasm alert (or movie title )

--Brian

It's all in italics!

JL, thanks for your review. <=== not in italics

Gae NP Spartacus (Khachaturian)

quote:

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Originally posted by Graham Watt:
James, that "notes without a resolution" thing you mention rings a bell, but I think I remember it in a reference to PSYCHO. If so, that's another one for the list.

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I believe the original quote came from the late, great Christopher Palmer in his liner notes to the Seventies lp recording of PSYCHO, conducted by Herrmann.