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This is a comments thread about FSM CD: 100 Rifles
 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 7:00 AM   
 By:   Jim Phelps   (Member)

It's positively insane that this rhythmic and delightfully melodic score is still available! Either pay $19.95 for it today or upwards of $60.00 should it ever go the way of FSM's other sold out titles.

I got this as in 2001, buoyed by FSM the magazine's unending enthusiasm for all things Goldsmith. It was pretty early in my newfound interest in film music and learning about Jerry's many top quality scores was a constant, unfolding joy. He was so much more than Star Trek and Rambo, thank goodness.

"Escape and Pursuit" is a prime example of Jerry in his (unequalled) action mode...

 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 9:09 AM   
 By:   ToneRow   (Member)

100 RIFLES is the earliest cinematic collaboration between director Tom Gries and Jerry Goldsmith, a director/composer relationship which does not receive as much attention as, say, Joe Dante & Goldsmith.

Out of all the Westerns Goldsmith scored, the 2 directed by Tom Gries are my most favorite Goldsmith Western soundtracks - BREAKHART PASS and 100 RIFLES. I even heard the music of 100 RIFLES used in THE LAST HARD MEN, when I saw that on a UHF rerun - that's how good it is.
Perhaps the less-than-ideal reputation of 100 RIFLES hurt its soundtrack sales, as many younger/newer collectors may not be familiar with its content. Maybe it's the mono tracks which deter? Even though I love it, 100 RIFLES is flagrantly Latin - and ethnic-sounding music seems to have fallen out of favor with film-makers over the past few decades. Only the wailing Middle Eastern woman seems to be acceptable to the politically-correct 21st century ... roll eyes ...

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 10:30 AM   
 By:   Graham S. Watt   (Member)

Here's a little story. I absolutely love this score. It's dynamic and imaginative and propulsive, and just a sheer joy from start to finish. But about 15 years ago I picked up the only available version, on the "Best" label, and of course it sounds like it was recorded through the wall from the neighbour's TV set. But I loved the music. And I still haven't picked up the FSM copy, simply because there's always something totally new, never previously issued etc, to spend my small allowance on. My wish list is longer than a very long arm. I want to get BUSTING, PROPHECY, SADISMO etc etc etc etc.... and because I've got that damned "Best" ("Worst") release, I always keep pushing the purchase date further into the future. I even held off for years before getting THE ILLUSTRATED MAN, just because I had the beermat version. Now, you logical people will say "No freakin' way, man, these old muddy boots are rubbish, how can you listen to them?" and my answer is "I don't" - but having 100 RIFLES in its terrible former incarnation is really stopping me from getting the FSM one for the moment. I will regret the day it has gone forever. Actually, I wonder if a solution to the problem would be to just chuck out the old beermats and thus force myself to get the real Doc McCoy - even at the expense of staving off Les Baxter, Billy Goldenberg and Leonard Rosenman for even longer.

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 10:47 AM   
 By:   betenoir   (Member)

It was my first FSM CD, and still one of the best FSM releases.

 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 10:55 AM   
 By:   Jim Phelps   (Member)

Graham: Break the bootlegger's chains, man! FREE yourself! big grin

Remember what I told you on Devil's Island:

"Me they can kill. You they own."

I don't think the presence of the mono 100 RIFLES is a problem, considering the fact that we also get the stereo version with those subtle nuances mentioned in the liners.

An absolutely gorgeous cue in this score is "Lydecker and Sarita." Go on, kids--listen to it!

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 11:04 AM   
 By:   Graham S. Watt   (Member)

Actually Jim, I was thinking of taking William Crum's advice and TRULY freeing myself, which would be chucking absolutely ALL my CDs away and then diving off a high cliff in the hope that I can swim to the nearest raft made out of coconuts and grin up at you all with brown teeth.

 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 11:11 AM   
 By:   ToneRow   (Member)

My wish list is longer than a very long arm. I want to get BUSTING, PROPHECY, SADISMO etc etc etc etc....

Hope you know there's a crime-busting 1956 Ealing film called "The Long Arm"! smile

It has the first film score by Gerard Schurmann.

Leonard Rosenman's PROPHECY also surfaced on a b**tleg years before the FSM edition.
Maybe you can put Les Baxter further down on the waiting list, and get both 100 RIFLES and PROPHECY. I'm sure you'd love both of these FSM titles!

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 11:20 AM   
 By:   Graham S. Watt   (Member)

I'll let you know if I jump off a cliff instead. I'm still here, you bastards!

 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 12:31 PM   
 By:   ToneRow   (Member)

I'll let you know if I jump off a cliff instead. I'm still here, you bastards!

Shall we look for you under the name "Papillon"?

 
 Posted:   Jan 8, 2011 - 12:38 PM   
 By:   Mr. Jack   (Member)

Superb score, full of some of Goldsmith's most raucous action cues (sadly, the best of the bunch -- Downhill Ride" -- was one of the few mono-only tracks frown) and infectious mariachi-isms. Plus, it has one of the best "under-the-CD" photos in FSM history. big grin

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 1:15 AM   
 By:   Tall Guy   (Member)

I'll let you know if I jump off a cliff instead. I'm still here, you bastards!

I for one am almost glad you are!

I don't have 100 RIFLES, but I do have 10 TO MIDNIGHT and 1000 AIRPLANES ON THE ROOF, so I reckon that more than makes up for it.

 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 3:39 AM   
 By:   MusicMad   (Member)

...
I don't have 100 RIFLES, ...


No? You do surprise me, knowing your love of Mr. Goldsmith's western scores ...! smile

For me, it is very much I love it - it's okay - I love it dependent upon my mood. The main theme is glorious but too much of the remainder comes over as OTT. I know that many others enjoy the way he varies the arrangements (in other scores, too, not just this one), giving tantalising glimpses of the theme (I'm sure there are proper musical terms for such) but it often leaves me cold ...

I'm reminded of a phrase uttered by Barbara Flynn's Jill to James Bolam's Trevor (in The Beiderbecke Affair) re: (his love of) jazz ... "notes in search of a tune". As the music becomes frenetic I just long for that theme to burst out.

And yet on other occasions I can take the whole score without thinking Come on, hurry up, I want to listen to something else!

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 11:23 AM   
 By:   Graham S. Watt   (Member)

I went ahead and ordered it. Now I'm torturing myself about what I didn't get. I'll still hang on to the old "Best" release - we never have enough beermats in my house.

Tall Guy - thanks for being happy that I'm not dead. I can't quite recall if I'm able to e-mail you... Can you maybe e-mail me?

 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 12:18 PM   
 By:   Jim Phelps   (Member)

For me, it is very much I love it - it's okay - I love it dependent upon my mood. The main theme is glorious but too much of the remainder comes over as OTT. I know that many others enjoy the way he varies the arrangements (in other scores, too, not just this one), giving tantalising glimpses of the theme (I'm sure there are proper musical terms for such) but it often leaves me cold ...


BANDOLERO! is another one that has plenty o'main theme and variations, but just like 100 Rifles, it works well within the film itself, which is of course its primary purpose.

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 12:28 PM   
 By:   ANZALDIMAN   (Member)

For me, it is very much I love it - it's okay - I love it dependent upon my mood. The main theme is glorious but too much of the remainder comes over as OTT. I know that many others enjoy the way he varies the arrangements (in other scores, too, not just this one), giving tantalising glimpses of the theme (I'm sure there are proper musical terms for such) but it often leaves me cold ...


BANDOLERO! is another one that has plenty o'main theme and variations, but just like 100 Rifles, it works well within the film itself, which is of course its primary purpose.



And just marvel at that amazing family resemblance between James Stewart and Dean Martin who are supposed to be brothers in the film.

 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 12:31 PM   
 By:   Jim Phelps   (Member)

And just marvel at that amazing family resemblance between James Stewart and Dean Martin who are supposed to be brothers in the film.

A case of "a brother from another mother"?

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 1:32 PM   
 By:   ANZALDIMAN   (Member)

And just marvel at that amazing family resemblance between James Stewart and Dean Martin who are supposed to be brothers in the film.

A case of "a brother from another mother"?


It sure as hell looks like it! big grin

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 4:23 PM   
 By:   ANZALDIMAN   (Member)

Great FSM release by the way.

I'm proud to have it in my collection.

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 4:30 PM   
 By:   riotengine   (Member)

I really need to get this.

Greg Espinoza

 
 Posted:   Jan 9, 2011 - 8:25 PM   
 By:   Holly   (Member)

Now Playing...



...and one of my favourites.

 
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