L. A. Confidential: Original Motion Picture Score [Soundtrack]

Jerry Goldsmith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 25, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 25, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00000152Z
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bloody Christmas

2. The Cafe

3. Questions

4. Susan Lefferts

5. Out Of The Rain

6. Rollo Tomasi

7. The Photos

8. The Keys

9. Shootout

10. Good Lad

11. The Victor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goldsmith back to his brilliant best, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: L. A. Confidential: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

After writing some mediocre scores for mediocre films such as Chain Reaction & Executive Decision, Goldsmith has recently got back to his absolute best with brilliant scores for films such as Air Force One, The Ghost & the Darkness, & The Edge. His work here, however, is arguably the pick of the crop. Goldsmith could hardly fail to be inspired by Curtis Hanson's masterful adaption of James Ellroy's novel, & he provides a dramatic, powerhouse score. This score is typically Goldsmithian, with harsh, attacking string rhythms, and some stormingly vicious percussive writing - most notably where the two are combined in the opening track 'Bloody Christmas'. He also makes extremely good use of percussive piano rhythms, particularly at the low end of the scale, which is very typical of this composer. The melodic base of the score is a quite wonderful theme, usually entrusted to the solo trumpet - which links the score not only to the masterful Chinatown, but also to some songs featuring the playing of Chet Baker & others. Indeed, the film features possibly the most assured use of music (including those songs) that I have ever seen - easily matching the brilliance of Scorsese. This pure score CD is a wonderful listen, unfailingly thrilling & dramatic. That Titanic won the oscar over this gem is undoubtedly a tragedy, but not surprising, given it's huge commercial success. Most of all, however, this CD makes you want to watch the film again. Which could never be bad.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, March 10, 2006

By 

Spidey "Webhead" (P.R.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. A. Confidential: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

The music is perfect, the only problem is really that the songs are too short. When you listen to it your left wanting to hear more, thats how good it is the music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Goldsmith's best scores in years, October 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: L. A. Confidential: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

During the 1990's Jerry Goldsmith's music has gone from interesting and experimental to downright ordinary (exceptions:Rudy,First Night). LA Confidential returns Goldsmith to an earlier style of writing. Harkening back to his Chinatown score, Goldsmith writes a score dripping with noir (low key jazz, and moody strings)that will convince you that you are listening to a master at work. The major detour from Chinatown is Goldsmith's use of heavy percussion (tympany) and jarring strings. This most noticably comes out in "Bloody Christmas" the opening track. Highly recommended for a 30 minute listening experience.

~D

Todd Smith