As most Nicolai fans probably know, much of the music in SHANGHAI JOE was originally composed for BUON FUNERALE AMIGOS...PAGA SARTANA (1970). However, the film also recycles music from at least three other westerns and one war film scored by Bruno Nicolai:
UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE... UN GRIDO DI MORTE... ARRIVA SARTANA (1970) aka Light the fuse... Sartana is coming.
UN UOMO CHIAMATO APOCALISSE JOE (1970) aka A Man called Apocalypse Joe.
ARIZONA SI SCATENO´... E LI FECE FUORI TUTTI (1970) aka Arizona Colt returns.
LA BATTAGLIA DEL DESERTO (1969)
After watching the film again and listening to the Shanghai CD & the soundtrack to BUON FUNERALE (as on the Beat CD), my assessment of the tracks listed below is as follows:
Track 2 "La Partenza" is from UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE... this track does not appear in Shanghai Joe.
Track 3 "Sfida" & track 7 "Il giuramento" are both used in the film. They have the same echoey "sound" to them (the style/mood of the music is similar as well), and therefore probably the only original pieces composed for Shanghai Joe. I do not recognize them from any other Nicolai score.
Track 10 "Remoto" belongs to APOCALISSE JOE - not used in Shanghai Joe.
Track 11 "Alternativa" is from UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE - reused in Shanghai Joe.
Track 12 "Saloon" is from APOCALISSE JOE - reused in Shanghai Joe.
Track 13 "Attimi" is again from UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE - reused in Shanghai Joe
All the other tracks on the CD, tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 15, are from BUON FUNERALE note that track 9, 15 and part of 8 are exclusive to the Shanghai Joe CD and not included on the SARTANA CD. Track 5 "L'allegro becchino" is not used in Shanghai Joe though. The film features many other tracks from BUON FUNERALE, including some unreleased ones. I also recognized the use of a couple of brief cues from ARIZONA SI SCATENO´... and one short piece from LA BATTAGLIA DEL DESERTO which is used several times throughout the film.
I also watched BUON FUNERALE recently and I can tell you that it contains lots of unreleased material. Without doubt it's one of Nicolai's best scores for a spaghetti western and it's a bit surprising that we haven't seen an expanded CD yet.
The CD bonus track "Abissale" is an edit of some brief segments from APOCALISSE JOE - not used in Shanghai Joe.
In conclusion, the music in SHANGHAI JOE is almost totally recycled from earlier scores.
The main title from Buon funerale/ Shanghai Joe was also used in ( God in Heaven) Arizona on Earth. So the rest is probably recycled, it been a while since I watched it.
I saw shanghai Joe at the cinema, loved the music, got the LP. It was only later once I got Have a good funeral did I realise was lifted. Actually I think Lionel woodman tipped me off about it.
The main title from Buon funerale/ Shanghai Joe was also used in ( God in Heaven) Arizona on Earth. So the rest is probably recycled, it been a while since I watched it.
Yes that's right, all recycled music from BUON FUNERALE, UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE, GLI FUMAVANO LE COLT and ARIZONA SI SCATENO´...
Die Blutigen Geier von Alaska (1973), originally from L'Alpin L'È Sempre Quel (1970), Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970), I Corvi Ti Scaveranno La Fossa (1971) and probably others.
Violenze Erotiche in un Carcere Femminile (1973), originally from La Battaglia Del Deserto (1969) and other films.
Domani Passo a Salutare la Tua Vedova... Parola di Epidemia (1972), entire score is the same as Arizona Si Scatenò... E Li Fece Fuori Tutti (1970).
Equinozio (1971), curiously it contains many themes from the expanded CD release from Un Bianco Vestito Per Mariale (1972), but mostly themes unused in the that film grouped at the end of the CD. Could it be that Digitmovies messed up and that this CD also contains the score to Equinozio (1971) instead of so-called unused tracks?
Dio in Cielo... Arizona in Terra (1970), mostly from Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970).
Dracula contro Frankenstein (1972), mostly from Justine (1969) and Il Conte Dracula (1970).
Casa d'Appuntamento (1972), mostly from Tutti I Colori del Buio (1972), La Coda Dello Scorpione (1971) and Eugenie de Sade '70 (1970).
America Così Nuda Così Violenta (1970), this one has some new music, but also uses themes from Eugenie de Sade (1970) and Paolo e Francesca (1971).
Ah, I still have the CD. Point Records: Il Mio E' Shangai Joe paired with I Giorni Della Violenza (that's one long suite), I don't think I've listened to it for around 20 years. As I remember Shangai Joe sounds awful, like it was being played on a cheap system in a vast tile warehouse, now I've found it, it'll be interesting to give it another listen, I don't remember Giorni at all. When I was looking for it I also found Indio Black, I haven't listened to that for years either.
Other recycling from Bruno Nicolai Equinozio (1971), curiously it contains many themes from the expanded CD release from Un Bianco Vestito Per Mariale (1972), but mostly themes unused in the that film grouped at the end of the CD. Could it be that Digitmovies messed up and that this CD also contains the score to Equinozio (1971) instead of so-called unused tracks?
Slint, you seem to forget that the tracks which you call "unused" and which in your opinion could only be found at the end of the expanded Digitmovies CD had also already been released on side B of the Gemelli LP from 1975: https://www.discogs.com/de/release/2695302-Fiorenzo-Carpi-Un-Bianco-Vestito-Per-Mariale The expanded Digitmovies CD only added a lot of alternate takes for those pieces which were really part of the BIANCO VESTITO score and film like "Mariale`", "L´appuntamento", "Garden Party" etc. One of the tracks on side B of the Gemelli LP was even called "Equinozio" and it is therefore quite obvious that this track came from the EQUNOZIO film from 1971 also scored by Carpi/Nicolai. Here are the first 7 minutes of the EQUINOZIO film - I don´t know the complete, very rare movie - and the "Main Title" is indeed that "Equinozio" track on the BIANCO VESTITO LP and CD whereas at about minute 3:30 you can then hear the track "Beni perduti" which was B1 on the LP (and track 27 on the CD):
In my opinion it could therefore be that almost the complete side B had been taken from the EQUINOZIO score - written just one year before BIANCO VESTITO - to fill up the LP as not sufficient thematic material was available for BIANCO VESTITO. And as I wrote above, what is new on the Digitmovies CD are only alternate versions of already well-known tracks from the LP, but no new themes at all.
Other recycling from Bruno Nicolai Equinozio (1971), curiously it contains many themes from the expanded CD release from Un Bianco Vestito Per Mariale (1972), but mostly themes unused in the that film grouped at the end of the CD. Could it be that Digitmovies messed up and that this CD also contains the score to Equinozio (1971) instead of so-called unused tracks?
Slint, you seem to forget that the tracks which you call "unused" and which in your opinion could only be found at the end of the expanded Digitmovies CD had also already been released on side B of the Gemelli LP from 1975: https://www.discogs.com/de/release/2695302-Fiorenzo-Carpi-Un-Bianco-Vestito-Per-Mariale The expanded Digitmovies CD only added a lot of alternate takes for those pieces which were really part of the BIANCO VESTITO score and film like "Mariale`", "L´appuntamento", "Garden Party" etc. One of the tracks on side B of the Gemelli LP was even called "Equinozio" and it is therefore quite obvious that this track came from the EQUNOZIO film from 1971 also scored by Carpi/Nicolai. Here are the first 7 minutes of the EQUINOZIO film - I don´t know the complete, very rare movie - and the "Main Title" is indeed that "Equinozio" track on the BIANCO VESTITO LP and CD whereas at about minute 3:30 you can then hear the track "Beni perduti" which was B1 on the LP (and track 27 on the CD):
In my opinion it could therefore be that almost the complete side B had been taken from the EQUINOZIO score - written just one year before BIANCO VESTITO - to fill up the LP as not sufficient thematic material was available for BIANCO VESTITO. And as I wrote above, what is new on the Digitmovies CD are only alternate versions of already well-known tracks from the LP, but no new themes at all.
Thanks Stefan. I completely forgot that those tracks were also on the original LP release.
I have seen the full EQUINOZIO film and I agree that the full B-side of the LP is essentially the EQUINOZIO score. In addition to Equinozio and Beni Perduti, Leggenda and Pensiero Romantico are certainly also heard in the film. I think the LP is missing a few cues heard in the film as there is a lot of music in EQUINOZIO.
Die Blutigen Geier von Alaska (1973), originally from L'Alpin L'È Sempre Quel (1970), Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970), I Corvi Ti Scaveranno La Fossa (1971) and probably others.
Dio in Cielo... Arizona in Terra (1970), mostly from Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970).
Hi Slint,
Die Blutigen Geier von Alaska additionally reuses some themes from Una nuvola di polvere and La battaglia del deserto. And there's also a very nice theme that is heard in several different versions but I haven't managed to identify it. Probably an original theme or an unreleased piece from L'Alpin L'È Sempre Quel?
And for Dio in Cielo...Arizona in Terra; we can add the reuse of themes from UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE, GLI FUMAVANO LE COLT and ARIZONA SI SCATENO´...
Die Blutigen Geier von Alaska (1973), originally from L'Alpin L'È Sempre Quel (1970), Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970), I Corvi Ti Scaveranno La Fossa (1971) and probably others.
Dio in Cielo... Arizona in Terra (1970), mostly from Buon Funerale Amigos... Paga Sartana (1970).
Hi Slint,
Die Blutigen Geier von Alaska additionally reuses some themes from Una nuvola di polvere and La battaglia del deserto. And there's also a very nice theme that is heard in several different versions but I haven't managed to identify it. Probably an original theme or an unreleased piece from L'Alpin L'È Sempre Quel?
And for Dio in Cielo...Arizona in Terra; we can add the reuse of themes from UNA NUVOLA DI POLVERE, GLI FUMAVANO LE COLT and ARIZONA SI SCATENO´...
slint, I identified a few more reused themes in "Casa d'Appuntamento" (1972); a couple of pieces from "Paolo e Francesca" and a track from "Les cauchemars naissent la nuit" (1970). I wouldn't be surprised if there's more.
I found one more reused piece in "Casa d'Appuntamento"; the catchy dance number "Veglia" from "El Cristo del océano" (1971), although on the CD it's missing the choir overlay for some reason.
Thanks guys for this interesting thread. Since I got in the meantime Adriano Bassi's book, this induces me to make additions to the filmography, for instance I can write down that DIE BLUTIGEN GEIER VON ALASKA reuses music from various movies (and a logical choice it is to select tracks from L'ALPIN... another snow movie) and that I therefore don't have to expect any release of the soundtrack. By the way, this movie directed by Harald Reinl is presented in the book with its Italian title only, LA LUNGA PISTA DEI LUPI. There are many unknown titles (at least to me) in Nicolai's filmography. And speaking of adventure movies alone, does one of you know for instance if he wrote new music for the movie UN CAPITANO DI 15 ANNI (based upon Jules Verne's novel) ?
And speaking of adventure movies alone, does one of you know for instance if he wrote new music for the movie UN CAPITANO DI 15 ANNI (based upon Jules Verne's novel) ?
Most of the music comes from L´ALPIN L´È SEMPRE QUEL - you can hear one of the main themes from there immediately at the beginning. At the end of the movie a track from JUSTINE can be heard. Otherwise I have noticed a suspense piece from ANDO MUCHACHO, SPARA which has been used a few times in the movie. Therefore everything has been recycled from previous Nicolai scores.
And speaking of adventure movies alone, does one of you know for instance if he wrote new music for the movie UN CAPITANO DI 15 ANNI (based upon Jules Verne's novel) ?
Most of the music comes from L´ALPIN L´È SEMPRE QUEL - you can hear one of the main themes from there immediately at the beginning. At the end of the movie a track from JUSTINE can be heard. Otherwise I have noticed a suspense piece from ANDO MUCHACHO, SPARA which has been used a few times in the movie. Therefore everything has been recycled from previous Nicolai scores.
Thanks a lot Stefan. It seems that various titles from his filmography can be eliminated. Do you think this had to do with his hectic schedule or that he possibly decided at one stage to use the Edipan catalogue in order to illustrate movies ?
Thank you very much mikael488 for your meticulous work !
All the other tracks on the CD, tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 15, are from BUON FUNERALE note that track 9, 15 and part of 8 are exclusive to the Shanghai Joe CD and not included on the SARTANA CD. Track 5 "L'allegro becchino" is not used in Shanghai Joe though.
I'm trying to compare all of these tracks on the Shanghai Joe CD with those on the Buon Funerale CD but I have a hard time finding the exact matching tracks on the latter for Track 1 (Il Mio Nome), Track 5 (L'allegro Becchino) and Track 6 (Nubi). Unfortunately, some tracks from Buon Funerale on the Shanghai Joe CD seem to have some sound quality issues (Nubi, Richiami D'Amore and Caccia All'Uomo in particular).
I also watched BUON FUNERALE recently and I can tell you that it contains lots of unreleased material. Without doubt it's one of Nicolai's best scores for a spaghetti western and it's a bit surprising that we haven't seen an expanded CD yet.
Very true. A great score that absolutely deserves an updated/more polished album.
Thanks a lot Stefan. It seems that various titles from his filmography can be eliminated. Do you think this had to do with his hectic schedule or that he possibly decided at one stage to use the Edipan catalogue in order to illustrate movies ?
I think that a lot of this recycling had not only to do with Nicolai´s hectic schedule during the early 70s, but also with the fact that those B and C movies were produced more and more cheaply and shot within a time of maybe only 2-3 weeks. Just look at Jess Franco´s filmography from that time around 1972 or 1973. He directed about 10 movies per year which is sheer unbelievable. So there was both a very small budget for these cheapies and they were also made within such a short time. How much time or how much money would there remain for the compositon of a new score? Of course, almost none, which is the reason that often music from former scores was reused. It is obvious that Nicolai recycled quite a lot of tracks which he had composed during previous years. For example, also Jess Franco´s prison drama LOS AMANTES DE LA ISLA DEL DIABLO (French title: QUARTIER DES FEMMES) made in 1972 - but only released in 1974 - seems to offer only Nicolai stock music, this time mainly from LA BATTAGLIA DEL DESERTO, but nothing new: https://ok.ru/video/2138686949949
