The Wind and the Lion

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In the time of powerful epic adventures several composers were highly in business. Maurice Jarre with classics as Lawrence of Arabia and Jerry Goldsmith with one of those other typecast genres such as The Wind and the Lion. In fact not much has changed from Goldsmith if you compare The Wind and the Lion (1975) with The Mummy (1999). Both pack an amazing pace when Goldsmith starts delivering the frenzy action and all encompass a romance in the mighty desert. Just the style of listening to a '90 composition and one of the classic era. So people will feel more connected to one specific time but both Goldsmith scores deliver the fun when listening to them. I would prefer The Mummy above this effort but don't deny the pleasure when Jerry starts weaving that main theme in his frenetic action writing. The true value of The Wind and the Lion lies in both the themes, the heroic in 'Main Title', 'Lord of the Riff' and 'Something of Value' and the romantic one, in 'I Remember' including other ones. It is this ongoing jump from one mood to another that successfully changes the feel about listening to such a score and it is the guilty pleasure lying between the orchestrations and sounds of this exciting if what short listen.

As I felt with The Mummy, I could listen to more of this kind of music because Jerry knows exactly what to bring of diversity and interest. It is no shame to admit that Jerry might excel better then any other in this genre, to create this pace with an unseen thematic brilliance and a powerful mix of quality and quantity. The bolder you get the sound, the better I like it in The Wind and the Lion, thanks to miracle Jerry. Serving as any true film music legend, it are the classics that bring the fun on occasions. I admit to have more fun with his modern style of composing but such classics still maintain to bring the excitement, even after all those years. No point to deny that true Goldsmith devotees have and will find The Wind and the Lion the perfect match between the pace of The Mummy and the adventure of The 13th Warrior. If you're crazy for such types of soundtracks and you feel your up to a classic then there are thousands of names to choose from, with this score being one of the best in the business. After repeated listening you grow with each tone and you respond better with each sound, making classics like these the classics in collection and quality. Recommended for Goldsmith frenetics dying to hear frenetic Jerry once more in tip top form.

\ЕЕЕ1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (1.26) Excellent Track

2. I Remember (Love Theme From The Wind And The Lion) (2.40)

3. The Horsemen (3.07)

4. True Feelings (2.29)

5. The Raisuli (2.08)

6. The True Symbol (2.31)

7. Raisuli Attacks (3.12)

8. Lord Of The Riff (2.39) Excellent Track

9. The Tent (1.44)

10. The Palace (2.25)

11. The Legend (3.57)

12. Morning Camp (3.16)

13. The Letter (2.30)

14. Something Of Value (3.48) Excellent Track

Total Length: 38.46

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

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