Six-String Samurai: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] [SOUNDTRACK]

Red Elvises, Brian Tyler

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Palm Pictures (Audio
• ASIN: B00000AEQ2
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,760 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
How can you go wrong with Russian rockabilly surfers? The Red Elvises formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1996 when three Russians from Siberia decided to put together a surf-rock group. (And you thought Yakov Smirnoff was funny?) The tunes are good but nothing spectacular; as long as you keep in mind these are Russians, you'll at least have a smile on your face. The Brian Tyler score is interspersed (along with dialogue) throughout the disc. It's a nice blend of L.A. cool, not so much in the vein of Pulp Fiction but of Destiny Turns on the Radio (pleasant yet desperate-sounding). Standouts include the warm "Relentless Sun" and the pseudo-Russian-traditional "Sahara Burn." --Aaron Tassano

From the Label
Palm Pictures first theatrical film release "SIX-STRING SAMURAI," is a rock and roll fairy tale directed and co-written by Lance Mungia. The soundtrack, also a Palm Pictures release, features an original score by Brian Tyler and songs from Russian rockabilly surfers The Red Elvises.

The "Six-String Samurai" is Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon), a mysterious and powerful hero of the post-apocalyptic future, who must fight his way to Lost Vegas if he's ever to become the next King of Rock 'n' Roll. As skilled with his guitar as with his samurai sword, Buddy is a hero who's all too willing to fill the King's blue-suede shoes. After Buddy saves an orphan kid (Justin Mcguire) in a spectacular battle, he and the kid form an unlikely team. They are pursued by Death at every turn as they make their way across the wastelands. Along the way they encounter bounty-hunting bowlers, a cannibalistic "Cleaver" family, a Windmill God, and even the Russian Army. All in a day's work for your average post-apocalyptic superhero. Winding up at the gates of Vegas, Buddy finds himself in an epic battle with Death over the child's soul and comes to realize just what it means to be King. He may be able to kill 200 Russians and play a mean six-string at the same time, but to turn an eight-year-old kid's tears into laughter is a skill harder to master.

"SIX-STRING SAMURAI" premiered at the 1998 Slamdance International Film Festival. The film is produced by Leanna Creel and Michael Burns of HSX Films. Palm Pictures has scheduled the "SIX-STRING SAMURAI" soundtrack for August release and the film theatrically in September 1998.

The soundtrack features an original score by Brian Tyler and songs by Russian-born rock'n'roll surfers The Red Elvises. Variety called Tyler's score "exceptionally compelling" and film critic Harry Knowles described the music as "magic and the essence of cool." Tyler, a Los Angeles-based film composer has scored a number of projects for the Discovery Channel, NBC-TV, Paramount Pictures, as well as several feature films. He is a member of the prestigious Gorfaine/Schwartz film scoring agency, the home of composers John Williams, James Horner and Hans Zimmer.

The Red Elvises formed in Santa Monica, CA in 1996 when three Russians from Siberia joined to create the sound they call "Siberian Surf Rock." For the past three years, the band has performed almost every day on the very populated 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. The band has developed quite a following locally and on the tour circuit with their charismatic performance style and raucous and wildly entertaining blend of rockabilly, surf and Russian ethnic music. They claim their musical inspiration to be Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and speeches by comrades Khruschev and Brezhnev. The Red Elvises were featured this July on a Vh-1 produced documentary "Behind The Music: Taking it to the Streets" and PBS is airing concert footage nationally of the band on the "Twilight Dance Series," an annual music festival based in Santa Monica, CA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rockin', February 4, 2005

By	Escushion (Monticello, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Starting off with a blast (literally) of the apacolypse, the track "The United States of Russia" plays a slow chorus with a perfect guitar note, a combination that peforms what can only be called Badass Doom. It's a very short, unmelodic track that is wonderful for beginning.

But it's not a song. The Red Elvises make that their prelude as they rip right into the soundtrack with surfer guitar tracks. There are drums and the occasional vocal in the background, but the guitars deservedly steal the show. "Love Pipe" almost seems empty, but it's too much fun not to enjoy.

The Red Elvises aren't alone on the soundtrack though. Brain Tyler scores sections as well, not very prominently at first, but he is there. "Mother's Hand/Buddy" gives a musicbox melody for The Kid, and then a gritty guitar theme for Buddy before handing things over to the Red Elvises again.

Dividing the score between the two is unfair, but appropriate, because unlike some movies where the score and soundtrack don't fit, with one dropping the load and the other stealing the show (such as for "Spider-man 2", where Danny Elfman's score outshines the lackluster songs), the songs and score for "Six-String Samurai" work together wonderfully, even though they each have their own halves (the Red Elvises dominate the first half, while the second half is mostly Brian Tyler score cues.)

Don't look for anything of granduer though. This album is set right to the film, even including dialogue snippets from time to time. The Red Elvises specialize in surf tunes, with the occasional jazzy bit here and there, while Brian Tyler takes their surfer style and matches it to the guitars used in most post-Morricone western tunes, but never does it turn into an orchestral bit. Not that orchestral bits are bad; I love them. But they wouldn't fit.

I'm tempted to call this soundtrack an aquired taste, because not everyone will enjoy this. However, most people love to have fun, and as the Red Elvises' song "Jerry's Got the Squeeze Box" evidences, that's what this soundtrack wants to promote: Have fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun movie, fun sound track, April 5, 2002

By	Txiab "txiabxyooj" (salt lake city, utah United States) - See all my reviews

the RED ELVISES are a great band. the only way to capture their music is to imagine being in a vegas style 1950's/60's lounge in modern day russia that features a band playing surfer rock.... they are great. i can't think of another band that is as much fun while being as entertaining as the RED ELVISES. the sound bytes from the movie are fun, especially if you have seen the film. if you haven't seen the film go see the movie and then buy the sound track. if you have seen the film buy this sound track and then go see the film again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie, Great Soundtrack, August 5, 2000

By	"pilferer" (VT) - See all my reviews

This soundtrack fits the movie well. Two completely different concepts combined in an explosive mix. Who ever has not seen the Six-String Samuri is missing out on probably the best indie film ever! The movie combines comedy and action in a sort of "Spinal Tap" way. The soundtrack has some of the most creative music and lyrics in a long time, "commies" playing rock n' roll, what is this world coming to