Tombstone

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Probably not being an enormous expert on western scores, Tombstone can still satisfy me in general. Bruce Broughton's sometimes gritty score with the expected dissonance still has two extremely good themes and mix them and vary theme and they work just fine in entertaining you. This 66 minute running time score, released by Intrada (Broughton is one of their favorite composers) is entertaining when it counts but forgettable when the atmospheric build up arrives. Of course, I have heard his classic score Silverado and there it received a sometimes bolder sound at times but this is somewhat sad for the overall enjoyment nonetheless. It is consistent but not fully pleasant listening when these moments appear. Nonetheless with its better opening material and rather dull middle part, it all ends with bangs, clangs and fireworks when the theme really starts to show itself, in full Broughton grandeur.

The first tracks are rather pleasant, light and enjoyable; for instance the little hint towards the action theme in 'A Family' is interesting and its fullest performance first is followed in the next 'Arrival in Tombstone'. The main love theme, which is sparsely used is one of those themes which pleases me more then other love versions of other composers. First in 'Josephine', later with a full emotional body in 'Fortuitous Encounter' and 'Morgan's Death' and reprised in the last track. The middle part loses my interest really good, when dissonance is heard on occasions, gritty underscore is built and low suspension is unraveled, it is really hard to follow the pleasure in its tone. Of course what Broughton does by composing it for the movie is understandable but still, this is not good music. For instance the 14 minute duo track 8 and 9 offers nothing remotely interesting to hear and are easy expendable to the soundtrack's purpose. Still, what trill awaits you with 'Finishing It', this is were the action theme is represented by the entire orchestra and by doing so making it a highlight of energy and pace.

The last track 'Looking at Heaven', an 8 minute cue is such a perfect example of compilation worthy, it has the main love theme is almost waltz grandeur and the action theme performed more then once. Intrada's release is nothing but extremely satisfying for the fan: it has 66 minutes of music and the sound quality is really top notch, you hear the bang and the clang really good and when Broughton allows it the thrill of his themes. But by adding so much material (including the lesser part of that composition), it becomes a bit dull in ways. The begin and the end offer all what makes Western scores so magical in its outcome but the middle has music (mostly even the longest tracks) that hardly do something to arouse me. So, cowboy freaks which got a healthy doses of fun of Silverado will surely see the gritty and powerful score of Broughton more then a winner. And even as a listen, Tombstone has the amount of material which makes it interesting for a casual spin once and a while.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Cowboys (3.50)

2. A Family (2.04)

3. Arrival In Tombstone (2.15)

4. Josephine (1.30)

5. Thespian Overture (0.45)

6. Gotta Go To Work (1.10)

7. Fortuitous Encounter (5.17)

8. Street Standoff (7.08)

9. The O.K. Corral (7.35)

10. Aftermath (1.30)

11. Cowboy's Funeral (4.30)

12. Morgan's Death (2.13)

13. Wyatt's Revenge (3.52)

14. The Former Fabian (1.34)

15. Brief Encounter (5.38)

16. Finishing It (3.56) Excellent Track

17. Doc And Wyatt (2.47)

18. Looking At Heaven (8.45) Excellent Track

Total Length: 66.45

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Bruce Broughton ===