Customer Reviews

The Legendary Italian Westerns

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Regardless of whether or not you think you have, everyone has heard some, probably lots of Morricone's western music in their day.(or at least a parody and/or knock off of it) If you haven't heard of him, just try and imagine some western movie music you've heard. There's a very good chance that his is what you're thinking of. If you like that, you definitely want this.

This collection has over 70 minutes on 31 tracks and is quite compelling from beginning to end. There are a few excessively atmospheric tracks here and there, but they work well in the context of the album, and it never goes too long with out having something a bit more direct. Stylistically, it's got over the top and cheesy but still enjoyable gunfighter ballads, epic main themes, minimalistic, tension-building pieces and, my personal favorite, grandiose, showdown themes, usually driven by a solo trumpet.(And some stuff that doesn't quite fit in any of those categories) The only song that I actively dislike is March of the MacGregors, which I find rather annoying. Everything else is at least decent and listenable, and far more often than not in the very good to excellent range.

Stand out tracks are hard to pick, as it is so consistent. Of the ballads, Lonesome Billy is my favorite. Very schmaltzy and over the top, but fun in it's own way.(Angel Face probably comes in second in that category) Overture, from A Fistful of Dollars and For A Few Dollars More are quite similar, and the best of the classic western main themes. Great whistling in each of them, and they each have a very distinct mood and atmosphere. As I said before, my very favorite tracks are the ones with the lead trumpet, typically backed by acoustic guitar and choir. For A Fistful of Dollars is simply astounding, and is perhaps the most archetypal of the bunch. It has absolutely staggering emotional power as does The Massacre, a similar piece which nearly equals it. Sixty Second to What? perhaps surpasses either of them, combining the powerful trumpet solo with an extremely eerie, minimalist introduction and a rather unexpected Organ interlude. Another brilliant piece, perhaps the single best on the album. From Man to Man is another standout, largely because it is a fairly unique piece, with odd chanting and sorta native feel to it. Man with a Harmonica is excellent as well. Another extremely powerful piece, with great use of the electric guitar and some of the most frightening, desolate harmonica you're likely to hear. I'll cut my self off now, and suffice to say I could go on about the specific tracks like this for some time.

I don't know what else to say about this. It's hard to describe, so if you really haven't heard anything like it I'm probably not gonna be of any help. The only conceivable flaw in this compilation is that it hasn't got anything from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, so it doesn't quite give a full overview of Morricone's best known western film music. But that is, of course, readily available, unlike mush of the music here, so it's not a total loss. (Obviously, you should pick up that soundtrack as well.) Anyway, that's it. Great music here. Get it.

I had always loved the old "spaghetti westerns", especially "Once Upon A Time In The West". I'm not really sure why I bought this cd, but it is one of the best decisions of my musical life! At first I just zipped around to the more familiar titles, then began to listen to the whole thing. This music is so beautiful, romantic, sweeping, eerie, suspenseful, sad, and sometimes comical, the scope and genius of this music is incredible. I am not a big soundtrack fan, but I play this cd constantly. Everyone I have played it for, having all kinds of musical tastes, liked it on first listen (at the very least). If you like classical, spanish, or the movies that they are from, buy this cd, you won't regret it!

I picked this up originally because the original soundtracks of "Fistfull of Dollars" and "For a Few Dollars More" were not available on CD. I don't know if this is a remaster of the original, or a remaster of another recording. What I do know is that all the sound and feel of the originals are here, but they are in crystal clear stereo, and sound incredibly good. Better, in fact, than the original soundtrack recording. This is a MUST HAVE for fans of the music.

Ennio Morricone reaches the best of his creative talent by writing the music for otherwise mediocre Sergio Leone films(except Once upon/the west).His music takes the listener to unexplored musical lands inspiring his/hers innermost feelings and imagination, stimulating the romantic side.Never before the relation between the vaste american western landscape and film score has been fullfiled so magnificently...

I'm a huge fan of film soundtracks, and upon listening to this CD I remember why. Many of the songs are pure atmosphere, where you can feel the tension in the air and be sent to a world where violence wasn't the problem, it was the solution.

Some of the ballads were downright hysterical, and I dare anyone to listen to "A Gringo like me" without cracking up. The only down side in the lack of anything from "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", but you might as well get the entire soundtrack for that, as it's probably one of his best works.

I enjoy the vast majority of songs on this CD and those that I am familiar with sound to me like they are the original songs from the movies. In fact the only thing I want to know is what happened to The Legendary Italian Westerns: The Film Composers Series, Vol. 1? I certainly can't find it here at Amazon. Ennio Morricone was a composer for all types of music, but by far his music for the Spaghetti Westerns was unmatched. It gave it that boost to make it live beyond being a B grade Western to cult status. Clint Eastwood made a name for himself and developed a silent tough squinting cowboy style that has never been beaten and I am sure he is grateful that Morricone wrote the music for his Italian movies. I don't think without the exceptional music they would have been quite as popular.

CA Luster

This compilation of Ennio Morricone'swork is right on target. He is one manthat understands the western music as itis and was. The western plains begs forMorricone's touch and his music deliversjust that!

I love all of the music from Spaghetti Westerns, and the master of the genre was without a doubt, Ennio Morricone. The music on this CD is the actual music heard in the movies. Some of the westerns are more well known than others, but all of the music stands up and it is great "mood" music.

My friend has been looking for a spaghetti western CD for over a year. When I found this CD I knew I had struck gold. I'm not a big fan of the spaghetti westerns but I have to admit I really enjoy listening to this CD. But more important my friend, who is a huge fan of spaghetti westerns LOVES this CD. It may be one of the best gifts he has ever received. If you or someone you know is a fan of the spaghetti westerns then this is a must have.

Almost all of the Spaghetti Western themes that are so hard to getout of your head are included in this fairly comprehensive album. Detracting from the overall quality is the omission of music from the movie "The good, the bad and the ugly" as well as the inclusion of meaningless interlude music. However, overall there are enough classic Morricone pieces to keep your interest with judicious use of the next track button.