Yo-Yo, Why Do You Rock So Hardcore?
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone is an amazing album. Lately I've gone on a symphonic music kick because I'm working on a soundtrack for Cadence, which I hope will quickly add a more professional and epic atmosphere to the story. Morricone is a famous Italian film composer, and Yo-Yo Ma is of course the best cello player since Eugene Jung's "Raining In LA" performance on Okay Samurai's first album. It's two masters of their respective crafts working together to produce something unique and entertaining.
Take track 12, "Ecstasy of Gold" from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. As the only piece of Morricone's I had heard before this album, it has been forever emulated and commercialized as a stereotypical western theme. Yet this new arrangement with Yo-Yo Ma playing counterpoint is fresh, exciting and accessible. No movement lasts more than five minutes, although usually several are intertwined into suites (such as the "Brian DePalma Suite" with the main theme from Casualties of War and the death theme from The Untouchables). The music is deep and complex enough that I'm still surprised by it after about two dozen listens.
Often movie soundtracks divide purists. Many will argue that the John Williams of the world are selling out, focusing on bold themes without much innovation or development. To me, soundtracks are the spiritual successors to Wagner's operas; music that tells a story to compliment visuals, but can be just as strong independently as well. Movies may confine emotions to a specific timeline, yet it's an interesting challenge for composers...I think Hans Zimmer's work on The Last Samurai fits the themes of that movie perfectly.
So yeah, Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone is an exceptional album. It's certainly not for everyone; for the most part it's slow and subtle. There are no blaring trumpets or booming timpani. But cheesy it's not. The treatment and progression of the underlying themes are well worth multiple listens. (Okay Samurai Grade: A)
Quick notes: Thanks to Nick, Jeff and Tammer for hooking me up with Akshay151...much appreciated. I just finished an editorial cartoon for Environmental Defense that should be online by early next week...I'll let you know when it's up. I'm meeting with John Verhine tomorrow, a friend from the Creative Circus (another creative school here in Atlanta), to help a little with an incredible Flash website he's working on.
Thursday, January 13 at 3:57 PM
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