Customer Reviews

Soundtrack

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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). ...

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.

"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.

Composer Jerry Goldsmith's 1983 score for "Under Fire" was an immediate classic and should have won the Academy Award. After languishing in obscurity for several years, the original soundtrack finally is available on compact disc. Though not among Goldsmith's best-known compositions, "Under Fire" is a superb recording that demands repeated listenings.

Deceptively average at first listening since the main theme is repeated on several tracks (though in varied ways), this score grows on you quickly to the point that the music will be playing in your head continuously. It is perhaps the only score I have listened straight through, for an extended period. I revisited the movie and found some of the cues ommitted from the album but this does not take away from the power of this score. In fact, the selections make the album a superior listening experience. And while I do miss the cue where Nick Nolte's car crashes and he is pursued by the government soldiers, the substituted concert arrangement of "Bajo Fuego" holds its own as a complete piece of music, rather than a section of a score (I do miss the short harpsicord passage from the movie, though). I also found my listening pleasure greatly increased after viewing the movie, especially the music segueing from Activity in the Rebel Camp to the staging of Rafael's photograph, and the cue where this photgraph is used to rouse the civilian population. I made a cassette of the album and have been listening to it in my car non-stop since I bought it here on Amazon. I found myself rewinding side one of the 90 minute tape so often that I erased the music I originaly recorded on side two and replaced it with highlights from the album plus The City of Prague Philharmonic's 15-minute "Under Fire" Suite from "The Essential Jerry Goldsmith Film Music Collection" album...something else to put on your "to buy" list.

Este Cd es una joya de gran calidad y una de las mejores bandas sonoras compuesta por el maestro Jerry Goldsmith. Todo el Cd es muy, muy bueno, y es un autentico placer escucharlo. Quiero destacar que en el Cd hay algunos temas como Rafael y Sandino que son, simplemente, impresionantes. Este Cd demuestra, una vez mas, la gran calidad de las composiciones de Jerry Goldsmith. Sin olvidarnos, por supuesto de la genial colaboración de Pat Metheny!!!
Este Cd no puede faltar en la audioteca de cualquier aficionado a las bandas sonoras, es, simplemente, genial y una autentica obra maestra...!!!

This has to be one of Goldsmith's best work, yet it has gone unnoticed by many. When will Goldsmith get the recognition that guys like John Williams, James Horner, and Hans Zimmer are getting. I am not saying that those guys are bad, but Goldsmith has done some amazing things with his career and it seems like he hasn't been awarded the same as those other guys. So far I have over fourty Goldsmith scores, and am working on getting more, and each one is unique and wonderful with very little borrowing of his own work, like Horner or Zimmer and a little bit of Williams. If I could I would give Goldsmith a life time achievement award for all his work. Thank you Jerry Goldsmith for your wonderful work!

I am a devoted Jerry Goldsmith fan, so I have listened to most of his work. "Under Fire" is truly one of his best movie scores, which is saying a lot being that he is the greatest film composer. I highly recommend this masterpiece to anyone who loves inspiring, lush, and romantic music.

Warner Brothers Records - 1983 - Jerry Goldsmith - Songs Include : 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

for those of you that are soundtrack collectors or just enjoy movie theme type music then this one deserves a listen. its smooth,yet intense. makes you feel as though you were there. may i suggest the movie as well, they are both worth having in your collection. my sincere thanks, randy of massaro productions.