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A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

This Stephen Frears drama about a few con-men in New York (produced by Martin Scorsese) inspired one of Elmer Bernstein's more experimental scores.  Probably for the first time in a drama score from the composer, electronics play a relatively major part, being integrated with the orchestra through the majority of the score.  Bernstein has frequently gone on record to say that the use of electronics has virtually ruined film scores, and he does have a point (composers don't need to compose any more, they can sit at a keyboard and a computer will do most of it for them), but he shows here how they can be used to really elevate things onto the next level, when done correctly and for the right film.

"The City" introduces the score's main theme is an insanely catchy, jazzy piece written in Bernstein's unmistakable style.  It crops up frequently through the score.  It's light and breezy and yet powerful and memorable at the same time.  Elsewhere, the music is a mixture of very moving chamber pieces (such as the flute-dominated "Troubadour Race", which is truly beautiful), action music ("To the Hospital", "Chase"), almost comedic material (sections of "Bobo", "School for Grifters") - though it's always only light comedy, never the kind of riotous stuff Bernstein was writing through much of the 1980s - and more eclectic electronic material (some of which is composed by Bernstein's longtime associate Cynthia Millar).  There is also some considerably darker, more dramatic material (the finale, "Endings", is particularly strong), and there's even a piece of dance music ("Carhumba").

I've always felt that Bernstein's strongest scores have come when he has written for a chamber ensemble for serious drama, as is the case here.  The album is probably a little too schizophrenic to be entirely satisfying and be considered alongside his very best works, but even so this is a strong score bolstered by the composer's typically touching orchestrations and some rare branching out into different territories for Bernstein.  Recommended.

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Tracks

1. The City (3:32)
2. The Racetrack (1:46)
3. Roy in Trouble (1:23)
4. School for Grifters (2:48)
5. To the Hospital (3:56)
6. Troubadour Race (2:24)
7. Lilly's Argument (1:45)
8. Bobo (5:01)
9. Carhumba (2:22)
10. Roy Gambles (1:54)
11. Madness (2:11)
12. Myra's Blues (1:08)
13. Roy and Lilly (2:20)
14. Chase (2:27)
15. Fright and Flight (4:04)
16. Endings (4:42)
17. Credits (3:30)
18. Do Ya, Do Ya Love Me? Dream World (3:16)