Search - Various Artists :: Music for the Movies of Clint Eastwood

Play Misty For Me

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 12/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nearly an hour and 20 minutes of "Music For the Movies of Clint Eastwood". What fan wouldn't be happy with this CD? 23 Tracks, and a great compilation. From the early TV days, the "Theme from Rawhide"(this was about the time I fell in love with Clint, I think I was about 8)performed by Frankie Lane, and Spaghetti Western, the "The, Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"(does anyone REALLY know the words to this one, and does it really matter?)to the romantic Doe Eyes"(the love theme from "Bridges of Madison County", the music will have you reliving the great moments from great films that just say Clint!



The first half of the album features both Clint's own works and the fabulous talented composers he has worked with. Ennio Moricone's oh so recognizable style("The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"), the moving music of Lennie Niehaus("Pale Rider"), the haunting sounds from Lalo Schfrin("Dirty Harry Theme", where you will relive Clint doing the, "Do you feel lucky punk?" speech), and some other wonderful musicians including the great Civil War and Western sounding "Theme from Outlaw Josey Wales", by Jerry Fielding, and Erroll Garner's"Play Misty For Me", a gorgeous piano rendition. Some of Clint's own works, included are "Claudia's Theme" from "Unforgiven" "Kate's Theme" from "Absolute Power", "Big Fran's Baby" from "A Perfect World", and of course the mesmerizing and above mentioned "Doe Eyes".



Second half is a 10 part instrumental suite, "Clint Eastwood, An American Filmmaker Suite". This is music composed and conducted by Lennie Niehaus for the PBS "American Masters" documentary " Eastwood: Out of the Shadows" The music tells Clint's story musically, and it flows beautifully and emotionally.It has a little of everyting, including some great jazzy numbers. The orchestration and the musicians capture the journey wonderfully. For list of all 23 track titles, see buying info. You can also listen to samples from there.



The quality of the CD is excellent. A pamphlet with some production notes, and the tracks is included. There are some great pix of Clint as well. It doesn't have ALL his films included. Hopefully the music form "Kelly's Heroes"("Burning Bridges) and "The Beguiled"(more from Lalo Schifrin) will make the sequel album!



Take it in your car and listen to it when you are stuck in traffic, and it will take you somewhere else for a while.Just say "Play Misty For Me" and hit track 8. Highly recommended for the Eastwood fan. And for those that can't get enough, I would also recommend the soundtrack to "Bridges of Madison County". One of the most romantic albums I ever heard.



"Head 'Em Up, Move 'Em On....Keep Them Doggies Rollin...Rawhide!"



Enjoy....Laurie



"

EASTWOOD IS ALSO A GREAT SONGWRITER

Terry D. Robertson | Asheville, NC USA | 06/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a "semi" career spanning CD (and the only decent one in existence) of the movie themes from some great Eastwood movies. The earlier pieces are from his days in TV and transition to movies. The more mature work with Lennie Niehaus displays Clint's artistry, no not only as an actor, award winning director, but great composer. My only complaint is the disc is missing the off-beat and totally original jazzy "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" from THE GAUNTLET.



The disc does contain his wonderful A PERFECT WORLD and THE UNFORGIVEN. Why Eastwood never won an Oscar for some of his original scores is a mystery to me. He is more celebrated as a director than as an actor only because he won more awards in that category and his acting style was known for it's low-keyed and reactionary style. But the Clint Eastwood the musician cannot be dismissed and here is that more than proves his versatility. A known jazz lover, for fans of that genre, give a listen to WHY SHOULD I CARE from "True Crime", another great Eastwood composition.



The remainder of the disc is a salute to Eastwood and his work with a heavy emphasis on the jazz.



First rate. I've been a fan since his directoral debut in PLAY MISTY FOR ME. Little did I realize what a great composer he would turn out to be.



A must for any fans as there are no single soundtacks available from his movies featuring his work."