America with the London Symphony Orchestra
*Composed & arranged by Jimmy Webb The Last Unicorn (1982)
…while the songs are far more creative, daring, and eloquent than all of the cookie-cutter balladry that would eventually replace their type in future animated films. Like Watership Down The Hobbit, and even Robert Altman’s live action, Harry Nilsson-scored Popeye, this hard to find soundtrack is a gem from another age. (allmusic 4/5)
It’s fair to say that America & ‘soft rock’ are not really my thing. However, the second version of the title theme is hauntingly beautiful (other than those unnecessary harmonies @ ~1:40 and as a Jimmy Webb fan much of the soundtrack clearly has his stamp.
This is maybe John Williams´ least accessible soundtrack. And for sure his least coherent one showing a wide variety of influence from minimal music, somewhat atonal, blockbuster brass, etheric synth & vocalises to utter Kitsch.
It seems that everything got mixed up with this work from the order of tracks on the original CD to the main song in different versions (duet and female voice) to the fact that key parts of the composition such as the main titles were not present on the CD as well as album cuts are not found in the movie. A kind of completed but nonetheless still incoherent edition was published on 3CDs only 15 years after the movie containing one CD of 14 tracks again not used in the movie in this form.
To cut long story short: I love the original DVD-A version although it should be considered merely a symphonic selection inspired by the movie rather than an OST:
Regardless of your thoughts on the movie, arguably one of the best movie scores of all time. The story behind it is fascinating. Milius allegedly gave Poledouris, his UCLA friend and composer, 10% of the $10m budget to create the score prior shooting. He then directed many scenes to the score on location and on set.
The first half hour or so it’s almost entirely dialogue free and the score becomes something of a tone poem driving the narrative.
The movie itself has undergone something of a rehabilitation from shlocky nonsense to revered classic.
I love it.
Franco Micalizzi & Roberto Pregadio Il Pistolero Dell’ave Maria (1969)
Whilst I’m a big fan of Micallizzi, especially his poliziotteschi soundtracks, I actually don’t know who Pregadio is off hand, albeit I think I should.
Yup - the sounds of spaghetti western! Ballata per un pistolero
Still more Morricone & it’s the dream team w/Bruno Nicolai (conductor). Music in the style of Poliziotteschi (as if the album cover doesn’t give it away ). Visuals likely key here, so far from essential.
Ennio Morricone Milano Odia: La Polizia Non Puo Sparare(1974)
For those that have not heard of William - he’s an ambient, neo classical, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, composer & producer. He is also rather prolific!
The Waiting Room (2103)
Some gorgeous tracks on this soundtrack, despite the bleak nature of this multi-award nominated documentary.
Definitely a soundtrack of the times. The theme is iconic - a John Barry ‘special’.
As many Bruno albums that I’ve posted here…there’s still more. Here’s another of the times, but definitely not essential (as much as I love Bruno). I’d have to agree with allmusic:
It’s varied and fun in a frivolous period of fashion, but not a high point in '60s Eurotrash film music by any means. (allmusic)
Bruno Nicolai Agent Speciale LK - Operazione Re Mida (1967)
Directed by Jess Franco
Edda Dell’Orso is on two tracks, but neither memorable moments in her singing careeer.
One of my favourite JB theme songs is from the Persuaders.
That’s a very special theme. It’s a series I loved as a child when first came out and still absolutely love the series.
Isn’t it just - almost wrapped up in one album, but it’s a bit of mixed bag!
I still love the Persuaders & JB! In reality my folks would watch it, I was a bit young, but caught up with it on late night TV in my teens.
Franco Micalizzi Laure (1976)
(Forever Emmanuel)
Whilst this album is repetitive in that a large portion is devoted to themes, albeit different versions:
Laure
Mara
Emmele
They are mostly rather memorable ‘tunes’.
and as a Jimmy Webb fan much of the soundtrack clearly has his stamp.
). Visuals likely key here, so far from essential.
The theme is iconic - a John Barry ‘special’.
