Soundtrack

Jerry Goldsmith, Pat Metheny | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Film Score Monthly
• ASIN: B00191LR6K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,097 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Goldsmith's masterful score combines several seemingly disparate elements: full orchestra, cutting-edge (at the time) synthesizers, guitar solos by the esteemed Pat Metheny, and pan pipes (actually commercial PVC piping cut to Goldsmith's specifications). The pan pipes for the indigenous peasant uprising were a bit of artistic license in that the instrument is actually native to the South American Andes, not Nicaragua. (When someone pointed this out to Goldsmith years later, he kidded, "Yes, I know that, and where have you been all these years?") Although the record does leave off some notable cues-such as the brief, low-key main title and the equivalent film version of "Bajo Fuego," no masters could be located anywhere, not even in archival sound, to expand the album. (We hope collectors don't "revolt"-ha ha.) This release features the U.S. CD debut of Goldsmith's outstanding Under Fire soundtrack album so as to put this superlative work back into circulation at an affordable price. (Existing CDs from Warner Bros. Records in Japan and Germany fetch import prices at best.) The two-track 1/2" album masters have been newly mastered for this edition, and definitive liner notes are provided by Jeff Bond and Al Kaplan featuring archival interview comments by Goldsmith, new remarks by engineer Botnick, and a breakdown of all the film cues combined for the album tracks. Bajo Fuego 5:34 Sniper 3:25 House of Hammocks 3:12 Betrayal 4:17 19 de Julio 3:28 Rafael 2:35 A New Love 3:43 Sandino 3:36 Alex's Theme 3:38 Fall of Managua 2:27 Rafael's Theme 4:10 Nicaragua 4:14

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential Goldsmith score, July 14, 2002

By 

scifiman5 (San Mateo, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Fire (Audio CD)

Some might say Goldsmith's best is Star Trek, some might say Patton, some might say Chinatown, and some might even say The Omen or Poltergeist or Alien. Some people that value originality over merit might even choose Planet of the Apes (I forgot, I'm not supposed to insult that 'classic'). But for me, while a few other scores will come close, I must say without a doubt that Under Fire is the quintessential Goldsmith score. For years this soundtrack was only available as a Japanese import priced at over [$$$]. Now Under Fire is back for the public to enjoy, at a fraction of that price.

And though I credit Bill Conti as having at least a little talent, and I won't even go into how much I admire John Williams and Return of the Jedi, I would have to say that this score takes the cake as the best score of 1983. This is one of the few scores that I can listen to multiple times all the way through without becoming even the slightest bored. Under Fire, the movie, wasn't all that bad, in fact it was rather good, but Jerry Goldsmith's score is without a doubt far beyond it. Under Fire stands along The Empire Strikes Back, E.T., Out of Africa, Agnes of God, Hoosiers, and Glory as the very best of the 80's. Buy this before it goes out of print. You WILL NOT regret it. This score stands as a testament to the magnificent genius that Jerry Goldsmith has displayed in small bits throughout his long prolific career (which we all hope will continue till his very last hour). ...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among Jerry Goldsmith's best works., March 20, 2002

By 

William J. Finn "wjf88" (Sarasota Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Fire (Audio CD)

This music has a long history. Written for Roger Spottiswoode's 1983 film, it was a unique challenge for the composer. The film was set in Central America, but Goldsmith was asked to use the sound of Andes flutes in his orchestra - to which he complied.

The guitar of then newly rising jazz virtuoso Pat Metheny was also added to the mix. Adding some of his own synth touches as well, Goldsmith created what is arguably one of the finest film scores of his long career.

To top it all off, the original LP was considered to be one of that years's audiophile quality releases.

But it has never been released on CD in the USA. There was an older reissue from Japan, and now this one from Germany. Still, in the pricy area, this is a must-have CD for any real Goldsmith afficianado.

Some of the music on the album was not in the film. The Baja Fuego for instance, but the album is just so compelling on it's own, that you really do not need to see this movie. A tradmark of all great film soundtracks.

Pat Metheny was ill the day of the recording sessions and came in a day or two later to add his own parts, according to some sources. You just would not know that after listening to this CD.

All in all, a brilliant, transparent recording of this classic film score. Orchestra, guitar, Andes flutes and synths, all in perfect synchronicity.

Absolutely recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bajo El Fuego Del Maestro Goldsmith, December 7, 2004

By 

Luis M. Ramos "Soundtrack and Film Freak" (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under Fire (Audio CD)

"Under Fire" may not take place in Venezuela, but I feel so impressed by how Jerry Goldsmith created what I consider to be one of his greatest works. In order to convey that Latino feeling -at times, Mexican -, Goldsmith used castanets and a guitar, played by the gifted Pat Metheny.
'Bajo Fuego' is the main theme of this album, and you can notice how the guitar and other Latino instruments are played in a somewhat relentless rhythm, with a quiet bridge. This theme is repeated to good effect in 'Sandino'. The love theme is so beautiful and touching. And, in my opinion, Goldsmith wrote one of his best themes ever for this movie: the theme for Rafael is a great epic piece that arouses the Latin spirit that is in me, especially when it's heard in the end credit track 'Nicaragua'.
Listening to "Under Fire" makes me feel proud of being a Latino, and it also makes me sad because this is one of my favorite Jerry Goldsmith scores, and he is no longer with us. Muchas gracias por su música, Maestro Goldsmith.