Search - Ennio Morricone, Edda dell'Orso :: Ennio Morricone Happening - Acid Sides of the Maestro

Happening - Ennio Morricone

D.L.J.Mann | UK | 02/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sad truth is Morricone CDs are getting harder to find, at least at a price that is reasonable on the pocket. El are, as far as I know, the first and only UK record label to release Morricone's material from what many fans would consider his most eclectic and experimental period. 'Happening' collects 25 tracks from more than 10 individual scores recorded between 1968-72. Some feature the wordless vocals from Morricone's favourite singer Edda Dell'Orso whose contribution to the history and development of Italian soundtracks is monumental enough to warrant El & others to release compilations of her work recorded for Morricone and other Italian composers.



Quite whether or not one would describe these tracks as 'Acid' is debateable - there are most certainly sounds that would not seem out of place on an Iron Butterfly record but equally there are sounds that could just as easily be found on a compilation of lounge music. Although experimental in places - Qui Ci Scapa (from Forbidden Photos) for example is an uneasy listen for anyone unfamilar with Morricone's free form styles that he used for many of his Giallo scores, most of it is structured, accesible and at times surprisingly catchy.



Highlights include: 'Quemada Secondo' (from Burn)- psychedelic guitar & voodoo drums meet church organ and choir. The organ groovy swank of man about town 'Ballabile No 1, 2 & 3' (from La Cosa Buffa); the delicious pop of Terraza Vuota and the sitar creep of Ric Happening (both from Metti Una Sera A Cena); not forgetting Erotico Misto (from Maddalena)- a 9 minute plus tour de force of ecstastic moaning by Edda Dell'Orso backed by primal drumming and church organ.



Sound wise it's not A1 but El do not have the means or budget for re-mastering. Sleeve notes are perfunctory. A great purchase for anyone wishing to sample the highs of Morricone's late 60's work."