Search - Original TV Soundtrack :: Lonesome Dove

Music for adventuring with Gus and Captain Call

Joseph Haschka | Glendale, CA USA | 03/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The CD of a movie soundtrack is a tricky proposition. Divorced from the visual element of the film, the music has to stand on its own merit, something that too often fails miserably. I'm happy to report that this soundtrack is a monumental success.As my Amazon review of the LONESOME DOVE video indicates, this 1989 TV mini-series is certainly the best western I've ever seen. And, it's arguably the best mini-series ever produced. The visual experience, mated to the epic score by Basil Poledouris, results in a sumptuous entertainment achievement. Listeniing to the soundtrack, it all comes back in a rush: the bond between Gus and Captain Call, the drama and perils of the cattle drive, the tragic deaths of friends and companions along adventure's way, the poignant father-son relationship between Call and Newt, the bittersweet relationships of Gus with Clara and Lorrie, the sorrow of partings from people and places likely never to be seen again, the ever present danger from desperados and marauding Indians on the frontier's edge, and the strength of a promise from a man to whom promises meant something.The impact of LONESOME DOVE, the movie, is its ability, like life, to inspire the full gamut of emotions from laughter to love to outrage to horror to weeping. As I plug this CD into my car's sound system and listen on the way to work, I am reminded how much of this soundtrack could appropriately serve as theme music to life itself. As corny as it sounds, it has that power."

Emotionally moving, a must have

Joseph Haschka | 08/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This soundtrack is for the TV-movie, Lonesome Dove, which is probably the best TV movie series *ever.* I've also read the book, and it too is phenomenal. The music from the TV movie always stuck in my head, and I bought the soundtrack several years ago - loved it, and lost it. I was glad to see that it was re-released, and there's lots of information in it about the composer and how he happened to write the music for the Lonesome Dove TV movie.This music is emotionally moving, and really just wonderful. Believe all of the people who said that they wore out their first CD - it's true. This music is perfect for background music while sleeping, or for in the car while driving...or really, just about anywhere. The ending song, "Farewell to Ladies" always makes me want to hold on tight to the one I love, and waltz around in the kitchen - it's that romantic. Not to mention there are some themes which are pulsing and exciting as you can get."

A beautiful and pastoral soundtrack

Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 12/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Basil Poledouris, known mostly for his bombastic action music, gives us an extremely well composed lush, beautiful soundtrack to Lonesome Dove. The "Theme from Lonesome Dove" which opens the score is simply outstanding and is one of the most beautiful pieces of music i've ever heard. It is a perfect setting for the open plains and vast, pastoral landscape. This wonderful theme occurs differently in several other tracks and in full force in the final track, "Goodbye Ladies/Finale". "Night Mares" contains noble fanfares for horn and various percussion effects to accompany the theme once again. Other highlights are "On the Trail" with its upbeat drive to it and the final 2 tracks that take the breath away with that main theme. Also various instruments besides the regular symphony orchestra are used in this score to represent the setting of the film, such as fiddles, banjos, accordions, and the like. You can hear these instruments in tracks such as "Arkansas Pilgrim", "The Leaving", and "Murdering Horse Thieves". I think that Basil Poledouris should compose for more films like this because his music is truly amazing and leaves you wanting more. A very good soundtrack that gets the best rating and is well deserved."