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Composed by
JERRY GOLDSMITH

Rating
****

Album running time
76:55

Tracks

Stereo
1: Main Title (1:25)
2: The Hanging (3:08)
3: Escape and Pursuit (3:52)
4: The Church (1:13)
5: Journey to the Fort (3:54)
6: I Want Their Heads (1:37)
7: Cliff Fight (1:21)
8: Burn and Pillage / Retribution (5:00)
9: Burning the Stronghold / New Morning (3:56)
10: Lyedecker and Sarita (2:30)
11: Across the Plains (1:04)
12: Ready for Ambush (1:31)
13: I'll Go Back (1:33)
14: Mariachi #1 (2:04)
15: Mariachi #2 (1:33)

Mono
16: Main Title (1:25)
17: The Hanging (3:08)
18: Escape and Pursuit (3:52)
19: The Church (1:13)
20: Journey to the Fort (3:54)
21: Our String Has Done Run Out (2:12)
22: I Want Their Heads (1:37)
23: Cliff Fight (1:21)
24: Downhill Ride (5:12)
25: Burn and Pillage / Retribution (5:00)
26: Burning the Stronghold / New Morning (3:56)
27: Lyedecker and Sarita (2:30)
28: Across the Plains (1:04)
29: Ready for Ambush (1:31)
30: Eulogy for Sarita (1:28)
31: I'll Go Back (1:33)

Performed by
UNKNOWN ORCHESTRA
conducted by
JERRY GOLDSMITH

Orchestrations
DAVID TAMKIN

Produced by
LUKAS KENDALL
JEFF BOND

Released by
FILM SCORE MONTHLY
Serial number
FSM Vol 2 No 1

Artwork copyright (c) 1969 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; review copyright (c) 2002 James Southall


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100 RIFLES

Terrific western score one of Goldsmith's best
A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

Jerry Goldsmith's vast western output of the 1960s and early 70s was barely represented on CD until about two years ago, and those titles that were available were not really among his best. What happened to change this? Film Score Monthly. They almost single-handedly addressed the hole in film music albums before other companies jumped on the bandwagon until we're now in the situation where most of Goldsmith's best scores in the genre are now available for us all to enjoy.

One of the very best is 100 Rifles, an obscure film made in the aftermath of The Wild Bunch that attempted (but failed) to replicate its success. Starring Burt Reynolds and Racquel Welsh (always a sure sign of quality), the film was directed by Tom Gries. Goldsmith's score is strident, exciting and every bit as potent as the film is impotent.

The opening title theme is one of the composer's catchiest western themes and had it been in a more successful film I'm sure it would be known around the world today. The rest of the score is a well-oiled combination of Mexican elements, solid Americana and terrific, adrenaline-pumping action music that only Goldsmith could have delivered. "The Hanging" and "Cliff Fight" are fine examples of the composer's avant garde experimentations of the time but are surrounded by exquisite melodies. "Escape and Pursuit" and "Downhill Ride" are among the most thrilling pieces of action music he's written.

The album is presented in two halves - first in great-sounding stereo, then the whole thing again (plus a couple of extra cues that did not survive in stereo, including the incredible "Downhill Ride") in mono. Liner notes are as comprehensive as ever and the pictures of Racquel Welsh are both plentiful and most welcome. Unmissable album.