Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: A Gringo Like Me (A Tribute To Ennio Morrecone - Thunderosa and Friends)
 | I don't know if this is a legitimate release, or just a project committed to mp3. Either way, it's ambitious and overall very listenable, spanning several genres, based in spaghetti western for the most part. 13 instrumentals, some particularly interesting. There's even a superb vocal treatment of "A Gringo Like Me" by my absolute favorite spaghetti western band, The Hellbenders! |
Picks: Elmer Bernstein - El Guapo, Ennio Morricone - Una Pistola Per Ringo, Man With A Harmonica, Riz Ortolani - Memories Of Selena, Los Plantronics - Dia De Los Muertos, Thunderosa - For a Few Tacos More (el Guapo), Los Muertos, The Surfer's Bossanova
Track by Track Review
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Elmer Bernstein's "El Guapo" is a cinematic marvel of arranging and drama. It's really hard not to appreciate this for what it is. There is almost as much drama here as the music from "Victory At Sea." Exceptional.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Tweaky spy fluff done as if it was really art, and via the instruments of Blue Hawaiians, that's what it is. Well developed and slushy smooth.
Our Man Flint Orchestral Spaghetti (Instrumental)
Yup, it's big orchestral jazz with marching band leanings. Thoroughly uninteresting.
Our Man Flint Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
What do you say about Hugo Montenegro? I've always thought of his work as big orchestra cheese, like mall organ with horns. dare I say he does not disappoint!
Orchestral Spaghetti (Instrumental)
Orchestral lushness with crystalline guitar and movieland chorus. The melody is superb and the pomp undeniable. Sweeping and visual.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Dissonant harmonica, almost orca-like, reverbs in the distance to set an eerie mood. Quite a ways from melodic, but very effective scenically. The main riff is carried by a heavy fuzz guitar over the dramatic haunting backtrack. "Man With A Harmonica" is really quite big.
From Once Upon A Time In The West.
Jazz (Instrumental)
"Memories Of Selena" is an easy flowing acoustic number with lovely phrasing and superb engaging sound. It's jazz with some cool bass lines and occasionally noodly guitar lines, yet it is engaging and pleasant.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
A sad and vibratoed guitar opens above a distant moodiness, which endures throughout like the dramatic film score it should be, chorus and all.
For a Few Tacos More (el Guapo) Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
This is a lovely and dramatic track, with classic spaghetti elements like bells and trumpets. Big drama from the drums, and a lovely sad melody that will connect right away. Elmer Bernstein's "For a Few Tacos More (el Guapo)" is a grand track!
I, Raj, Spy Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
"I, Raj, Spy" is a slightly exotic spy number like you'd find in many films. It's entertaining, but I didn't find it to be particularly memorable.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
This is a short interlude with haunted harmonica and orchestral drama. Way too short, but quite nice.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Elliott Fisher's theme from "Our Man Flint" is done in a more sympathetic fashion than most covers I've heard. Even so, it's not a melody I particularly like, but I respect the arrangement a lot.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
I'm not sure why this is called "The Surfer's Bossanova," because there's little here to suggest surf, aside from the use of tremolo on the guitar. That said, this is a very nice track with an orchestral film majesty about it. very nicely done.