The Great Train Robbery (Deluxe Edition)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In the time of classics, some scores were written for not so aging classics, and one was for The Great Train Robbery, starring Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland, directed by Michael Crichton (who returned to composer Jerry Goldsmith after Coma and before The 13th Warrior) and its about a heist on a moving train. The score was largely forgotten, due to the fact it was unreleased and only a small suite was available on the Omen compilation. Now, Varèse changes this and alongside Timeline 'Rejected' this score was released, in perfect stellar sound quality and above all, it was released to pay a special tribute to the deceased Jerry Goldsmith, who passed away not long before this score was brought on the market. Of course, back then, people would snatch up easily a newly discovered copy from the composer, and so I did too with this Great Train Robbery, to discover this is a fun lightweight piece in the style of Dennis the Menace and Gremlins 2, the more innocent tone of light comedy but never slapstick like parts of Dennis the Menace. Still, back then it was considered somewhat rare because Jerry didn't handle it that often, and perhaps therefore this copy comes at the right time. Still, the score of course has got a big advantage and that is the theme for the film, in especially wonderful playful order the way it begins and ends the album. This theme is heard first in 'Main Title' and its as fun and engaging as its meant to be for the film, in the style of Gremlins and Dennis the Menace, returning on flute the moment the cue ends. Its the most reoccurring tune you'll hear during the score, 'Breakfast in Bed' has variations on it while on harpsichord its heard in 'No Respectable Gentleman'. 'Clues' is a soft piece leading to a fine string rhythm while a waltz of the theme, as airy and light as they come is heard in 'Rotten Row', very typical Goldsmith like but cute too.

While not real action music will be spotted here, the lightweight nature of the adventure music makes up for this, 'The First Key / Bordello Raid' with its theme as a fast whirling string and brass feast', spot the Looney Tunes, Gremlins or Small Soldiers spunk of his better days. 'Kiddie Kaper' is a bit like Dennis, setting a light comedy level due to the flutes, brass and strings, while the harpsichord is again using the theme as backbone to 'Street Attack / Casting the Station', with plucky strings and brief rumbling piano. 'Over the Wall' is light suspense, but never unnerving but the light eerie flutes change the tone again in 'Night Entry'. 'Double Wax Job' is moodier with just a brief theme statement while the pumping rhythm is duly noted for the train's growing pace, its extremely cool and the theme in middle is of course then making more and more similar themes appear (like the bike music in the begin of Poltergeist), but then again, you'll hear basically Goldsmith in the theme alone. 'The Gold Arrives' is described as the track where the theme makes the most fun and impact, and that's true, with its versions on strings and brass making good but fun notes. But 'Torn Coat' has a slightly more sinister main theme version, while the whirling strings ala Poltergeist and the brass using the train's speed take on the brief action / adventure. The theme by then is so standard used you want to hear it in the mix of tracks 1 and 14, meaning its 2 best performances and that's what 'End Title' delivers, a stunning piece where the music is heard the best. You'll love it. Anyway, while The Great Train Robbery is nothing in the vein of the classics that would be composed around that era, its still quite fun to hear. Its short but to the point, lightweight but airy and typical Goldsmith in a nutshell. For the fans of the composer (aren't we all?) it comes just on a welcome moment, that we can enjoy even the not so classic scores with a big heart, the heart Goldsmith pored each time in his compositions.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (2.33)

2. Breakfast In Bed (1.48)

3. No Respectable Gentleman (2.22)

4. Clues (3.53)

5. Rotten Row (2.40)

6. The First Key / Bordello Raid (0.51)

7. Kiddie Kaper (2.02)

8. Street Attack / Casting The Station (3.07)

9. Over The Wall (1.58)

10. Night Entry (2.27)

11. Double Wax Job (2.55)

12. The Tombstone (1.11)

13. Departure (0.41)

14. The Gold Arrives (2.35)

15. Torn Coat (1.49)

16. End Title (2.58) Excellent Track

Total Length: 36.32

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

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