Rio Conchos

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

1962, Goldsmith received his first nomination from the Academy, and young Goldsmith started to rise in fame for the eyes of the Hollywood community. 1964, Goldsmith started scoring westerns (even though he composed a few already along with some series). Yet, Rio Conchos was different because it took him to larger grounds and higher levels. And with the London Symphony Orchestra backing the work of this young voice in Hollywood, the people already new Goldsmith was here to stay in film music composing. Rio Conchos is a case in point where all the trademarks already were there, because there is the familiar great theme, the action rhythm and writing with the percussion and the basic simple fact that Goldsmith's voice now is so familiar to anybody owning at least 10 scores of him. Yet, there is something that precedes Rio Conchos on this order of the CD at least, and this is the suite that was composed for The Agony and the Ecstasy (one year later) in 1965. On the album of Intrada it starts the score in, I dare say wonderful fashion. Its a piece to get into at first but when you read the liner notes and when you hear it 2 times in a row, you understand the beauty of it. 'The Artist who Did not Want to Paint' has five sections and in a way, they all make sense but its the 2 themes that show the biggest pride, first an 8 note motif by horns, and then the main theme mostly in violin (The Wind and the Lion fashion a bit) that grows each and every time in the 12 minutes, especially the wonderful almost Star Trek wonder like of strings of the main theme around the 8th minute tingle your spine when it wonderfully flows to heights, singing off later with the 8 note motif sounding noble. Again, its not gigantic but powerful in effect that makes this piece a wonderful addition to the CD.

And then starts Rio Conchos, percussion, accordion, guitar and strings all make this main theme grow to a joyous concert performance and this theme is so excellent, its easy to fall in love with it from the first try. 'Where's the Water' has this theme supported with maraca's and 'Bandit's Ho' has it first sounding ala Small Soldiers, before some slower paced material adds up some suspense, this however explodes with a theme for the Indians (and again this sounds similar to The Wind and the Lion) yet however the action writing is similar to Goldsmith in whole. 'The River' has the theme appearing with rhythm and style, before a more darker mood unravels 'River Crossing' while at the end even Total Recall brings a wink of brilliance. The Indian motif then crops up several times, most notably in the excellent 'Wall of Fire' where true Goldsmith music is heard, horns performing the Indian motif while the main theme is hinted by trumpets over the entire orchestra's play, this continues before flutes signal the fire dissonantly as effectively. This kind of music is great, yet however this doesn't continue further, in fact more somber material crops up and you forget most of it after several times of playing. 'Chief Bloodshirt' is disturbing and unnerving, 'The Intruder' is 6 minutes of percussion, rattles and dark growling light orchestral music, its basically moody and follows this path for minutes in 'Special Delivery' yet the theme tries to build with trumpets and strings, before it finalizes the score with a dramatic strong finale. How cool the theme sounds altogether, its a shame more low key material is heard in this score because the action material is what makes Rio Conchos entertaining. Again, Goldsmith's voice is in true style to be heard here, and with the addition of The Agony and the Ecstasy, this CD makes up for a wonderful score nonetheless, with Goldsmith at that time already showing his potential.

The Agony and the Ecstasy: ***1/2
Rio Conchos: ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

The Agony and the Ecstasy

1. The Artist Who Did Not Want To Paint (12.37) Excellent Track

Rio Conchos

2. Rio Conchos (2.26) Excellent Track

3. Where's The Water (1.55)

4. Bandit's Ho (6.58)

5. The River (2.04)

6. River Crossing (4.28)

7. The Aftermath (2.01)

8. Wall Of Fire (2.20) Excellent Track

9. Lonely Indian (3.24)

10. Chief Bloodshirt (2.37)

11. The Corral (2.35)

12. The Intruder (6.00)

13. Special Delivery (6.12)

Total Length: 56.22

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

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