Search - Elmer Bernstein :: The Comancheros [Original Motion Picture Sountrack]

A Bernstein Banquet!

William F. Flanigan Jr. | North Potomac, MD USA | 12/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the three of you who are not (yet) Elmer Bernstein (EB) enthusiasts, a few words on background. EB created scores for a score of western films. But THE COMANCHEROS was the composer's first film score (the first of many) for a John Wayne oater. The film was released in 1961; not until now do we finally have the OST (original sound track) score on a CD. This is a limited-edition release presented by the noted print/pixel publication, FILM SCORE MONTHLY / ONLINE. The sound and sound field are great except for the disaster on tracks 21 and 22. These tracks contain previously unreleased (you'll know why the second you play them) songs found (and should have been left) on the score's master tape. They have nothing, zero, zilch to do with EB's superb score. Take a close listen to track 19. At first blush, it sounds like the orchestra is at war with itself. On closer inspection, you will hear two themes simultaneously dueling. On screen there are two well-armed opposing forces fighting it out. This cue, I believe, is unique in the world of film scores. I have never heard another quite like it! The CD booklet is simply outstanding. Typical of all FILM SCORE MONTHLY OST releases, the booklet is rich in narrative and photographs. It's written by Jeff Bond, a long-time principal contributor to FILM SCORE MONTHLY. If listening to this recording doesn't notch up your blood pressure significantly, then you must be on life support (or dead). This is stand-alone, flat-out exciting film music. Be prepared for film-score nirvana!



William Flanigan, Ph.D."