Bandolero!

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Goldsmith was still early in his career planning when he wrote Bandolero!, another one of those typical Western moves of the '60. Even though Ennio Morricone was equally writing music for Westerns as Fistful of Dollars, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and others, also Goldsmith was doing his thing in the Western genre. And you have to say, a part of the dark nature of Rio Conchos and Hour of the Gun surpassed onto Bandolero! But what is also noticeable is his continuation of themes, and again here he introduces 3 at least themes or motifs, and again the main melody is never fleshed out like it would be the best version ever to grace the score, but at least its another catchy entry in the business nonetheless. This special edition came just months after Goldsmith's death and Intrada has made it their business to re release one of his efforts, but now in its full version. Intrada released a first CD release of Bandolero! (a movie starring Jimmy Stewart, Dean Martin, George Kennedy and Raquel Welch) around 1993, but soon went out of print and now after years, and due to the untimely death of the legendary composer, Intrada reissued a full version of it, with it containing the original album (which ran for about 28 minutes), 2 demo versions and the full release (which amounts up to 44 minutes). Naturally, its only logical to listen only to the full version, because it are the same yet extended and at times unreleased tracks of the same score. So in that case, you can quickly patch up Bandolero! for a couple of times. Why? Because its Goldsmith toying with instruments, and putting one theme after another in a different disguise. Luckily for us, again the liner notes pinpoint many ideas for you to hear each version being used. So it starts with 'The Saloon', using the main theme in a typical bar western piano tone with harmonica and banjo.

To hear the quality again of its theme, meaning how fun it sounds is noticeable in 'Main Title', sprightly with comical tones like out of The 'Burbs and while one part states itself by bells, flute, accordion or guitar, it is the more orchestral version that makes the second part sound heroic, and therefore truly Goldsmith like. 'Procession to the Gallows' is a darker piece, based around the Rio Conchos darker mood, but 'A Bad Day for Hanging / The Kidnap' uses the main theme with its variating instrumental work out, always toying between the 2 parts, its in the end almost comical in its effect but equally pleasant to actually hear. The Mexican transover in 'Across the River' is only followed by the longest track, 'Bad News / He'll Cross It / The Bait', stating soft versions of the theme, the Sheriff motif over marimbas and near the end softly Maria's theme on guitar. It remains subdued listening but even in the quiet parts, Goldsmith throws in subtle variations. What about the bad guys motif which crops up from time to time, in 'El Jefe' or in 'Ambushed', played besides the Sheriff's theme and heard between harmonica and whatever instrument really. 'Sabinas' states nicely the main theme on horns and again the bandits and Maria's motif briefly appear. Further, the jumpy comic Burbs in 'A Bag of Money', the subdued and dark 'Dee's Proposal' lends Maria's theme almost with an Italian romantic flavor on guitar while the morning darkness in 'A Better Way' changes to a brief but optimistic and orchestral version of the main theme at the end. Also watch out for the demo version of the main theme on organ, which especially is cheesy fun. While not containing those memorable themes as Rio Conchos or Hour of the Gun, its the quality of Goldsmith's toying with ideas and instruments in a soft subdued setting that makes Bandolero! quite fun for a while. And naturally because of the themes he keeps bringing in and out, with another fun main theme in the center of it all. It makes it not that memorable, but a worthy special addition for the loyal Goldsmith fan, naturally already sold out in the outcome. Bandolero that!

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Tracks

Single Disc

Complete Album

1. The Saloon * (1.33)

2. Main Title (2.01)

3. The Imposter * (0.47)

4. Procession To The Gallows * (2.58)

5. A Bad Day For Hanging + / The Kidnap * (4.10)

6. Across The River (1.04)

7. Bad News * / He'll Cross It * / The Bait + (8.58)

8. The Trap (2.28)

9. El Jefe (0.54)

10. Ambushed (4.06)

11. The Violator * (1.19)

12. Sabinas + (3.07)

13. A Bag Of Money * (1.20)

14. Dee's Proposal (5.35)

15. A Better Way + (3.47)

Bonus Tracks

16. Maria's Theme (Demo) * (1.58)

17. Bandolero! (Demo) * (1.36)

Original Album

18. Main Title (1.59)

19. The Trap (2.25)

20. El Jefe (0.52)

21. The Bait (2.13)

22. Ambushed (3.07)

23. Sabinas (2.52)

24. Dee's Proposal (5.30)

25. Across The River (1.02)

26. A Bad Day For Hanging (3.02)

27. A Better Way (3.35)

* Previously Unreleased

+ Expanded Track

Total Length: 75.50

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===