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Beat Records community - English message boards => Original Soundtracks => Topic started by: djvaso on May 04, 2010, 06:51:56 pm

Title: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: djvaso on May 04, 2010, 06:51:56 pm
'Hills Run Red' (Un fiume di dollari) will be re-released on CD by Quartet Records (?!) in limited quantity of 1000 copies.
"Eagerly awaited re-edition of one of Ennio Morricone`s most sought after works: The 1966 Spaghetti-Western The Hills Run Red (AKA Un fiume di dollari). Using the same master produced by Lukas Kendall in 2008 for the MGM Treasure Box, this new edition includes a 12 pages booklet full of colour stills, the marvellous original cover art by the Italian artist Renato Casaro and a thorough commentary from the specialist John Mansell. "
Ha, ha, the master was bootleg POO vinyl.
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: Daniele De Gemini on May 05, 2010, 09:33:03 am
Uh, I was going to stock it... Do you mean it's not a good produtc vaso?
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: djvaso on May 05, 2010, 01:52:34 pm
I have never heard for this label.
It is a shame that doesn't exist better source than bootleg LP.
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: Josh Mitchell on May 07, 2010, 08:53:05 pm
I haven't heard the CD, but from the samples it sounds pretty good, especially for having been mastered from vinyl!
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: john mansell on June 01, 2010, 06:45:53 pm
I would reccomend this release, and not because I wrote the notes, its a great score, sadly overlooked and even forgotten at times, Gianna spagnola adds a certain raw and earthy sound to the proceedings as she did in Morricone's score for NAVAJO JOE....... Sound is pretty god, but as you rightly say the original release was a bootleg, and this version like the film score monthly release is taken from LP source  but still sounds very good   .JOHN M
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: john mansell on June 01, 2010, 07:02:50 pm
THE HILLS RUN RED
MUSIC BY ENNIO MORRICONE
CONDUCTED BY BRUNO NICOLAI
QUARTET RECORDS (SPAIN)
RUNNING TIME 
RATING *****
REVIEW JOHN MANSELL © 2010



Often a neglected or overlooked score even by hardened Morricone fans, THE HILLS RUN RED is in every sense of the word a classic and key work within the genre of the Italian or spaghetti western. Originally released on a bootleg LP record on the POO label at the same time as THE HORNETS NEST, the soundtrack was crying out for an official release, at last some thirty years after the release of the unofficial recording, came a compact disc issue on the film score monthly label, this was released as part of a box set of MGM scores that also included a wide range of scores from the 1960,s through to the 1970,s and coincidently  THE HORNETS NEST. Why then release the score again on a single compact disc so soon after the FSM release. Well, there were a number of collectors who missed out on the box set because of its limited production run and being a Morricone score and also a western it would be remiss not to issue this as stand alone disc as well. The score is essentially constructed around two principal themes. The central core of the work being made up of various versions of a driving and energetic piece that includes infectious trumpet flourishes which are like mini fanfares heralding the onset of the remainder of the cue which includes racing snares, choir and urgent sounding strings that segue into the main body of the theme which is performed in the main by brass supported by choir. Gianna Spagnola features prominently within the score and her distinct vocalising brings a certain earthiness and raw ambience to the work. There is no doubt that this is a classic work from the Maestro and anyone watching the movie for the first time would be aware that it was his unmistakable and individual style from the opening strains of the music in the pre credits sequence. The other theme that is present is  lighter and more melancholy in its sound and style, and is performed in vocal and instrumental versions. The vocal version HOME TO MY LOVE opens the compact disc, and is for me anyway an entertaining and uncomplicated cue, which has many affiliations with Morricones vocal themes for  A PISTOL FOR RINGO,RETURN OF RINGO and also other western ditty’s such as LONESOME BILLY etc.

This theme is utilised within the film at moments of sadness and also when the central character is returning home or has returned to his home finding it derelict and that his wife is dead and his child is missing. The composer provides us with a particularly touching music box version of the theme where he embellishes and supports the central music box feature with light and poignant strings. The vocal version also makes more than one appearance throughout the running time of the compact disc, and is heard in Italian as well as English, with a full instrumental of the cue also being included. If you were fortunate enough to get the MGM box set from FSM then maybe you are thinking I wont bother with this release, as it is the same in content and also sound quality, ok that is fair comment. But, where this release comes into its own is in the presentation department, it contains a number of rare and colourful stills from the movie, striking front cover art work and a great back cover illustration plus alternative notes to the FSM release. This is an essential purchase for all devotees of Morricone and for all fans of the Italian western genre, this is a limited edition for collectors of 1,000 discs. Highly recommended
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: eda-88 on June 04, 2010, 01:45:26 pm
John,

Thank you very much for your review!  :)
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: djvaso on September 08, 2010, 09:01:17 am
I must apologize because of my ignorance.
When I posted message I didn't know that the Quartet Records was former Singular Records
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: john mansell on September 13, 2010, 04:48:44 pm
no probs   
Title: Re: Hills Run Red CD re-release
Post by: Gary B. on December 16, 2010, 06:44:22 am
Could've fooled me, I thought the CD sounded great!  Didn't sound like it was taken from vinyl at all...  Also, QUARTET RECORDS has released some great CDs so far, especially AMORE LIBERO (FREE LOVE) and THE LIVING DEAD AT THE MANCHESTER MORGUE.  Their upcoming disc of DEDICATO AL MARE EGEO is a no-brainer for me!  Can't wait.