Under Fire

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

No doubt to say that Jerry Goldsmith went further then any composer during his compositional career. During his successive period of the '80, Jerry tackled the one foreign sound after the other: Masada, The Challenge and Under Fire just in the first few years were all examples of it. And of all the luck or bad luck, Under Fire is the best and the hardest to get this time around. Since the release of The Challenge a couple of years before, real Goldsmith admirers are waiting for that special magic word, re release. But so far some are fortunate to hear it any time they can (I found it in a library, just rented it and copied it with my recorder). And like some classics of that period, Under Fire is truly an enjoyable listen. Brought to life with electronics but also with distinctive sounding instruments and orchestra, it is the flair that dominates the score of Goldsmith the most. It is filled with excellent themes and an overall feel, worthy of praise. It is of course one of Goldsmith's best in the genre, filled with exciting orchestrations and quirky moments.

Together with another South American release Medicine Man, Under Fire is a breeze to hear. The guest soloist Pat Metheny creates a mood while Goldsmith weaves the theme between it, together it becomes an entertaining score. The themes for Rafael as the one that appears in 'Fall of Manugua' are both sensational bouncy creations, having more wit then you ever imagined. 'Bajo Fuego' begins with guitar solos as the typical American style exhibits it. The style becomes distinctly clear when we hear native woodwinds in 'Sniper', reminding you easily of Medicine Man. The score overall has a bouncy mood, most likely witnessed in track 5, '19 de Julio' portraying some major moments of music. Still, there is a human touch to be found during 'Alex's Theme', supported through the piano, strings as electronics. Yet, the best moments come near the end with two divvying moments of music, first the sensational 'Fall of Manugua', it begins threatening before the best theme you ever heard probably enters the stage, a light and bouncy rhythm carries you to heaven before all the strings swell together. And the track 'Nicaragua' (found on the compilation The Omen: the Essential Jerry Goldsmith film music Collection under the name 'The Rebel March') is a truly inspiring moment of Rafael's theme.

In all the commotion, it must feel like teasing you if I'm praising Under Fire for its creativity while some simply can't get it, probably drooling as we speak. I'm sorry but still it has some outstanding moments of score, just not everything is that sensational. I mean, the score parts all sound wonderful but some are just plain good and not excellent. Still, Under Fire is probably one of the few deserving the re release, simply to give the fans a piece of good film music. Jerry Goldsmith can be the best composer on earth if he has the inspiration of the day and the movie of the year. While probably not the movie of the year, the inspiration makes up for all the flaws and lets Nick Nolte seem like the greatest dude on earth, simply because it is all what film music has to do, to create this rhythm and feel movie magic worthy. No biggie because frankly Goldsmith has been doing it all his life.

\도도/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Bajo Fuego (5.34)

2. Sniper (3.25)

3. House Of Hammocks (3.12)

4. Betrayal (4.17)

5. 19 De Julio (3.27) Excellent Track

6. Rafael (2.35) Excellent Track

7. A New Love (3.44)

8. Sandino (3.37)

9. Alex's Theme (3.39)

10. Fall Of Manugua (2.27) Excellent Track

11. Rafael's Theme (4.09)

12. Nicaragua (4.14) Excellent Track

Total Length: 44.48

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

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