Guns for San Sebastian

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Film Score Monthly never released an Ennio Morricone score before, shocking that may sound it was true. Was, because they corrected that now and with the release that deserved it the most, at least for me. Guns for San Sebastian was released a long time ago but it was not only a short release but it was containing as well such weak sound quality that enjoying the score wasn't difficult, only because the music was of such great quality. Now as said that fault is corrected and because quality matters now, we are witnessing the corrected and amazingly sounding release of one of Morricone's most enjoyable western scores. Intriguing but true, Guns for San Sebastian offers more in the end than some of Morricone's most beloved western scores, and especially now will people discover that I may not be crazy after all. Merely 3 years after one of his ever first classics (Fistful of Dollars), Morricone came with another Western treat, mostly because he had such a unique flair in doing it. The choral touch that spiced up the beef, the solo voice of Edda dell'Orso, the wacky creative tones, they were all there. And Guns for San Sebastian delivers it now in a release worth craving about. Beginning with 'Overture', you immediately realize how lovely the quality of the sound truly is, its amazing they can change a tone so easily now today, and I'm glad for that part we're living in the digital age, because the voice of Edda dell' Orso suddenly never sounded better, so is the softer yet so beautiful choral backup. Of course people already spotted this in the normal release, and perhaps more now but Alan Silvestri somewhat stole this idea for The Mexican and made the most of it. The longer 'Prologue / The Chase' is benefiting too from the new sound, now the guitar, western feel with the choir and the percussive rhythm (with added flutes and angry trumpets) make somewhat more sense. 'The Long Trek' is indeed the longest track yet one of the weaker, because the begin is mostly sinister and only the ending with the variations on the love theme make a noticeable appearance. New tracks such as 'Church Music / Sneaking Away' or 'The Attack' remain more in the sinister sense of the score, 'The Bandits / Leon Tied / Bleeding Statue' recovers that way by a more relaxing variation on the theme at first, while more sinister and darker music changes the pace of the cue later on.

Dell Orso brings forward her mesmerizing voice in 'Love Theme (Kinita's Plea)' and shows just how lovely the theme sounds. 'Teclo Shamed / Surveying The Fields' is one of the better new tracks, with the secondary theme on soft choir and guitar. The hymn too is new in track 10 while 'Leon Fights Teclo' raises the suspense up with a nerve wrecking brass and string feel. The more subdued 'Love Theme (Leon Tells his Love)' suddenly is more believable because the clarity makes sure you notice the music easier. And this love is expanded in 'Love Theme (Leon Leaves Kinita)', one of the score's most spine tingling tracks of the theme. 'Army March / Yaqui Camp' is another new track and opens with a feisty brass march, before native instruments take over. And its amazing how music blossoms open with improved sound quality, like 'The White Stallion' because its terrific how choir, trumpets and Dell Orso battle and win over your appreciation. The somber 'Gift' is new yet not terribly exciting apart from its mood setting and 'Gift Returned / Leon's Mass / The Attack' is completely the opposite, with an attacking native chant and marching action cue, innovating guitar music and the moment where Dell Orso shows what she's made of in singing alongside the action whirls of the brass, truly inspiring. The on edge tone for 'Teclo's Death / Victory' is only salvaged from its suspense tone because of the second part's victory moment. And the big finish is for 'End Credits' where the main theme shines for the last reprise. What's keen to notice is, that apart from the brilliant new sound clarity, the actual expanded material means something, its not just added main theme versions, suddenly darker yet new fresh material makes the experience more worth it. And suddenly the score also offers 26 minutes more of it. Actually this makes release worth it, Film Score Monthly really paid homage to the real Morricone classic and its not just a boring TV thriller like he composed so many later on. So I guess you can all agree that Guns for San Sebastian is now virtually a brilliant re release that brings forward Morricone's music in the best possible sense. Rediscover the magic if you will.

\도도/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Overture (3.47) Excellent Track

2. Prologue * / The Chase (2.50) Excellent Track

3. Church Music * / Sneaking Away * (1.48)

4. The Long Trek (5.15)

5. The Assault * (1.31)

6. The Bandits * / Leon Tied * / Bleeding Statue * (2.49)

7. Love Theme (Kinita's Plea) * (2.02) Excellent Track

8. Restoring The Village * (1.10)

9. Teclo Shamed * / Surveying The Fields * (2.06)

10. Building The Dam / Hymn For San Sebastian * (1.28)

11. Leon Fights Teclo * (1.57)

12. The Burning Village (2.38)

13. Love Theme (Leon Tells His Love) (2.54)

14. Love Theme (Leon Leaves Kinita) (2.57) Excellent Track

15. Music At The Governor's Dinner (1.53)

16. Army March * / Yaqui Camp * (1.43)

17. The White Stallion (1.35) Excellent Track

18. The Gift * (3.25)

19. Gift Returned * / Leon's Mass * / The Attack (3.36) Excellent Track

20. The Villagers Prepare To Blow Up The Dam (1.28)

21. Teclo's Death / Victory * (1.58)

22. End Title (4.08) Excellent Track

23. The Chase (Alternate) * (1.56)

24. Love Theme (Leon Tells His Love) Album Version * (2.51)

* Never before released

Total Length: 58.51

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Ennio Morricone ===