City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In 1991, Marc Shaiman contributed to the movie City Slickers, which became a hit movie of its generation and put audiences to light with its western based comedy effort. Marc Shaiman's score was no small part a credit to that success since he wrote the most insane over the top (and therefore fitting) music to the picture with a main theme to proof it. And luckily that main theme is back again in full force with City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, the score which followed the same cast after a 4 year break. Shaiman isn't known for his comedy writing since people see him as an emotional composer with too little of a big composer to proof it. Well, I can say that Shaiman proved his part when he wrote both the City Slickers scores as the Adams Family one's in a matter of years, following to write others in its genre. What sets this score alight is of course the main theme, yet also the high energy and sudden spoofs of Hollywood material. And it simply all works in the mix, it is then also simply a slight disappointment that I can't enjoy this score more when I hear it. It is such an album you have to be in the right mood for, and when you're not for even 5 percent close, you seem to miss the ultimate experience of it. There isn't a hare on my head that I believe many people will enjoy it immensely, but there is a key ingredient missing which is called overall interest and not occasional as appearing here.

Of course the interest is high when the main theme appears. And it appears from the first to the last track. In the first 'Mitch's Dream' it appears first strong and then subdued, but in track 2 alias 'Main Title' the theme receives its first real high point. It follows actually a series of bombardments, from the crazy energetic sound effects you can still hear in Tom and Jerry to a screaming voice over a short dash of noise, it nonetheless explodes with light supporting choir. It really makes the best performance a main theme can get. While then the more slapstick and silly humorous music appears, it all stays enjoyable to a degree, The Adams Family is all over the place in track 4. 'The Map is Real ..., And on Fire' is a highlight because for 1 minute and 20 seconds it actually brings more then even some 10 minute tracks can bring. It is out of control and just on the fun that An American Tail: Fievel goes West brought, a score it owes a lot too. Another great moment is 'Let's Get that Gold!', a mix of typical Western based country music and actual jazz a la Sister Act. It nonetheless is an inspiring mix of styles and proves that the main theme in an alternate version can sound so genius all the same.

But the actual highlights are those that capture the theme in their fullest potential. And other moments which carry the theme in that form yet can't bring the climax are simply a bit forgettable. A moment which should have been a highlight is actually not one and that is sad for 'The Stampede', a 7 minute track full of adrenaline and an opening minute capturing the main theme but the track just doesn't sound interesting to me, even with its good ideas it can't bring the ultimate finish. Same for various others and the underscore from the middle section also doesn't seem to bring much new to the fore. 'Jackpot!' on the other hand brings a satisfying climax with another riveting main theme performance. City Slickers 2 is a good enjoyable score but the sole fact that it doesn't conclude the overall listening experience with a bang makes me kinda sad, since it does have the potential in doing so. Perhaps a sign that you have to be in the exact mood the score requires or that something is missing of key ingredient to fully please me and perhaps others. Western loves of movie scores who enjoyed the Horner duo pack of An American Tail and enjoy overall the music of Shaiman will no doubt find the main theme as its highlights a hoot but sadly for me it doesn't bring the climax to an overall listening experience which could have been more, at least to me. Its just that various tracks will at least please even the least interested in the score, which makes it a recommendation onto itself.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Mitch's Dream (2.34)

2. Main Title (2.49) Excellent Track

3. Found: One Smile (1.13)

4. Discovering The Map (1.50)

5. Oh! Brother (1.23)

6. Gold Diggers Of 1994 (0.46)

7. The Map Is Real ..., And On Fire (1.28) Excellent Track

8. On The Trail (0.47)

9. Real Men (0.47)

10. Let's Get That Gold! (1.48) Excellent Track

11. Duke Saves The Day (2.44)

12. Come And Get Me! (2.20)

13. The Stampede (7.19)

14. Look Who's Bonding Too (1.57)

15. Over The Buffalo's Back, Under The Frozen People (2.24)

16. To The Bat Cave (2.44)

17. There's Gold In Them Thar Hills (4.56)

18. A Box Full Of Lead (5.36)

19. Jackpot! (3.39) Excellent Track

Total Length: 49.39

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=== Link to Composer Site: Marc Shaiman ===