I've always loved this film (I love westerns) and I always remember liking the music, but having rewatched it today I had forgotten how well it worked in the film and if there was a release of it I'd snap it up. The foreboding theme for the Preacher that makes an appearance throughout is ace, but it's filled with lots of nice moments. I don't think it would be too long a CD, though, it seems like lots of short cues. Was their ever a CD? Anyone else like it?
I've always loved this film (I love westerns) and I always remember liking the music, but having rewatched it today I had forgotten how well it worked in the film and if there was a release of it I'd snap it up. The foreboding theme for the Preacher that makes an appearance throughout is ace, but it's filled with lots of nice moments. I don't think it would be too long a CD, though, it seems like lots of short cues. Was their ever a CD? Anyone else like it?
As far as I know there is only one cue/track released on a Clint Eastwood compilation CD but that`s it so count me in too regarding a score release.
I haven't seen the film for years, but it's a good one. Can hardly remember the score though. I do remember thinking that Lennie Niehaus was still very much working in the immense shadow of Jerry Fielding back then. All that percussion was a Fielding trademark of course, and Niehaus was one of his habitual orchestrators. But the score (from what I recall) never seemed to let loose in the way I wanted it to, and in the way Fielding would have done in a film not directed by Eastwood.
I've never quite understood Eastwood and Niehaus together. Here we have a connoisseur of jazz working with one of the true jazz greats, and it's always as if Eastwood is putting a lid on him. In all the films Niehaus did for Eastwood, I can scarcely remember a note, and there were opportunities to let it rip. Even in THE GAUNTLET, Fielding's fantastic score was written to be heard loud, and yet it was so dialled down in the mix as to be virtually ineffectual. But we're moving into much-explored territory there (Eastwood as composer etc).
But I'm prepared to be surprised. As I say, I haven't seem PALE RIDER for a long time. But I did see it at an age when I was getting super-aware of music in films, and nothing in that one stuck.
I actually find this score quite distinctive and interesting. The emphasis on the tritone chord in the Trombones always seemed very ominous and moody. The ethereal choir with those impressionist chords also were unique and very atypical for a western. I'd personally love to see a soundtrack release of this score.
I actually find this score quite distinctive and interesting. The emphasis on the tritone chord in the Trombones always seemed very ominous and moody. The ethereal choir with those impressionist chords also were unique and very atypical for a western. I'd personally love to see a soundtrack release of this score.
Hmm, yes, you and the Wanderer have sparked my interest. Maybe it washed over me back then because it was, as you say, "unique and atypical". I think I maybe found it unnecessarily discreet - as if it wasn't serving any purpose at all (that was my gripe with other Niehaus/ Eastwood collaborations) - but I'm willing to change my mind. Grudgingly so, at my age, but I do at least realise that I shouldn't be so square.
If the score ever comes available, the label can take my money. very good film too, a different sort of western, all the actors/actresses are quality cast. 9/10.
I have the JFC-1 mastered off Jerry's home estate.. it sounds very-nice.. I would still buy another release though, a great score, Fielding done well here.
Just watched this film again. Great movie. I watched it back-to-back with Unforgiven and would give the latter a bit of an edge (I never cared for the girl's love interest with Eastwood's preacher, it was a little creepy and uncomfortable).
Would love to hear Niehaus' score for the whole film. I have one track off an Eastwood compilation which features the End Credits but there's other nice material that I'd love to hear. The Ravelian choral stuff is terrific and that trombone theme is foreboding and atmospheric.
As we saw with the Dirty Harry scores, Eastwood is prepared to do a deal so maybe this score will get a release. Warner Brothers picture so maybe one for Varese.
Yes it is, and it's neither Coplandesque nor Morriconish. All the writing from Rozsa through Bernstein and beyond is assimilated in that one piece. People CAN do new things, or use the clichés in original ways.
Yes it is, and it's neither Coplandesque nor Morriconish. All the writing from Rozsa through Bernstein and beyond is assimilated in that one piece. People CAN do new things, or use the clichés in original ways.
Yes it is, and it's neither Coplandesque nor Morriconish. All the writing from Rozsa through Bernstein and beyond is assimilated in that one piece. People CAN do new things, or use the clichés in original ways.
Well put. I can understand how some people wouldn't like Niehaus' approach but it's pretty consistent for Eastwood films. The music doesn't function as emotional manipulation but more as a background providing a mood and setting. It's also consistent with Eastwood's directorial style as far as his actors goes as well. Not a lot of overblown histrionics. I like that about his films.
Despite this, I find the use of the Preacher motif (the trombone I to flat II tritone chord) to be more musically involved than other Eastwood films such as Unforgiven where the score almost has a song-like nature to it playing in the background. The repeating use of the Preacher motif from Pale Ride in various scenes, varied here and there, was more akin to traditional scoring approach.
I really like this score too. I vaguely remember one scene being scored in a way that mimics a piece by Jerry Fielding (possibly from Outlaw Josey Wales). An obvious piece of temp track love from Eastwood.
I really like this score too. I vaguely remember one scene being scored in a way that mimics a piece by Jerry Fielding (possibly from Outlaw Josey Wales). An obvious piece of temp track love from Eastwood.
Scroll up to my post from just over two years ago, Kev. Not that I'm the centre of the universe or anything, but we can still put 2 and 2 together (and get 5).
Aye Graham, you do allude to Niehaus sounding similar to his mentor Fielding. But there's a scene in this where it's more than licks n ticks. It's pure emulation. I was never good at maths, but you're still the centre of my universe.
