Search - Phillip Johnston :: Music for Films

Phillip Johnston
Music for Films
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Soundtracks

Track Listings (32) - Disc #1
1. Hymn Of The Souls Who Are Passing
2. Pozzi Winning
3. Willie's Room
4. Pozzi Losing
5. Walking To The Hotel
6. Discovering The Body
7. The Contract
8. Atonal Hillbilly Music
9. The Last Poker Game
10. Drawing 1
11. Waiting 4
12. JSG Boggs
13. Money
14. The Four Just Men
15. Carmen's Fantasy
16. Traveling Music
17. Carmen Robs The Bank
18. Eternal Rendezvous
19. Prologue
20. First Typhoon
21. Last Umbrellas
22. Storm Rising
23. Closing Umbrellas
24. Last Umbrellas 2
25. Raising Umbrellas
26. Drawing 2
27. Life's Other Mystery
28. Carmen's Fantasy 2
29. Carmen's Romance
30. Werner/Gabriella Theme
31. Carmen's Waltz
32. Drawing 5

CD Details

All Artists: Phillip Johnston
Title: Music for Films
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Tzadik
Release Date: 6/16/1998
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Soundtracks
Style: Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 702397751021

Synopsis

Amazon.com

The most well-known film on this collection is the 1993 adaptation of Paul Auster's novel Music of Chance, a title that aptly describes the tracks that make up its score. The lush, forlorn violins found on "Hymn of the Souls Who Are Passing" turn into dribbled tobacco juice and menacing banjo pluckings in "Atonal Hillbilly Music"--only to slurped up by "The Last Poker Game," which buzzes with guitar howls reminiscent of the noise the Birthday Party used to kick up. Other highlights include giddy gypsy-lounge elements found in the score from Geld and tender flute and harp duets from Umbrellas. An excellent chance to hear Johnston away from his bands the Microscopic Septet and the Transparent Quartet. --Michael Woodring

CD Reviews

Almost Zorn, but more Accessible

pzmolek | Cape Girardeau, MO United States | 12/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of John Zorn's film series will immediately feel comfortable here: short ideas that intermingle widely varying musical worlds. Romantic old world cellos; niteclub jive; the jazz overtones of French noir detective cinema; Middle Eastern folk dance; Grand Ole Opry violins; shattered glass electric guitar; the circus sound from Fellini films; New Orleans' funeral dirge...It's all there but something is missing; I feel vaguely unsatisfied. It just isn't as dense as Zorn. Or as wonderfully manically schizophrenic. I know it isn't fair to compare; the music should be taken on its own terms without being subjected to comparison but it is almost impossible to listen to this CD without realizing the influence that Zorn has had on fellow composers. This is a quality collection of music with excellent musicianship but I would rather listen to one of John Zorn's six million different CDs. There are some really nice pieces here that aren't as demanding on the listener; a good transition compilation to ween your mate off of easy listening into the world of difficult music. A good CD to listen to when you want something interesting without being overly demanding or intrusive."