One Little Indian
Jerry Goldsmith
" charming little score "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
In the vast career of Jerry Goldsmith, there have been works one could distinguish immediately, and some that were rather obscure. And yet I think no one asked around for a score like One Little Indian that was missing for about 35 years. And yet Intrada just dug it up, as part of their special collection volumes. The funny thing is, One Little Indian may not be one of Jerry Goldsmith's best, it holds qualities many of today's albums simply lack.
There's nothing more charming by having a theme to hold on to. And there's nothing better to have multiple themes to hang on to as well. And even for a so called smaller movie in the career of Jerry Goldsmith, he was able to write a theme that surpasses most themes today. It is distinctly written in the Goldsmith style, it is catchy and it works its charm from top to bottom.
It opens "Escort the Prisoner" in the typical rambunctious yet playful style we have gotten to know of Jerry in western mode. And it may be a very easy theme to remember today, it is just one of the 100's that Jerry came up with during his career. The problem however with One Little Indian is not the theme, or the lack thereof. No the problem lies that this isn't a gun ho action western score, more an intimate character drama with moments of gun ho in it.
The soft "He's White" gives us a soft version of Mark's theme, but this theme is so much more during "Thirsty Boy" when suddenly the typical strings of Goldsmith give it wings. Suspense is what dictates the pace in "Outwit the Posse", though all still remarkably lighthearted. There's room for some comedic material too, most notably in "Camel Trouble", while Lawrence of Arabia's theme performs a hefty doses of pastiche in "Thorny Landing" and "Saddle Sore".
The long "No Choice" is a calm track full of statements of either the main theme or Mark's theme, warming you up for the undeniable charm of Goldsmith's creative voice. In "End of the Line" Mark's theme is as charming as always, while we couldn't be more happier with such a main theme performance like in "Hot Fire". Oh and "Go After Him!" is awesome as well. The lovely "A Free Man" is the final track with all the themes, and it contains a simply classic finale.
As said, One Little Indian was one of the most forgotten titles in the grand career of Jerry Goldsmith. Not only because it never received a CD release, and not only because it didn't receive a bootleg or whatsoever, but also because it barely aired on Television, making it perhaps one of Goldsmith's most obscure releases in a while. That didn't stop all those Goldsmith knacks to get themselves a copy of what is essentially a lovely score with lovely material, but a smaller one nonetheless. One Little Indian will remain little due to that, but not forgotten anymore thanks to Intrada and Douglass Fake's infinite quest for classic scores.
Tracklisting
1. Escort the Prisoner (4.32)
2. He's White (2.28)
3. Thirsty Boy (4.32)
4. Camel Trouble (2.50)
5. Outwit the Posse (5.30)
6. Thorny Landing (0.57)
7. Saddle Sore (1.00)
8. New Friend (1.20)
9. What he Needs (1.33)
10. No Choice (7.23)
11. End of the Line (3.18)
12. Hot Fire (3.27) Excellent track
13. Necktie Party (4.16)
14. Go After Him! (2.21)
15. A Free Man (5.29) Excellent track
Total Length: 50.46
There's nothing more charming by having a theme to hold on to. And there's nothing better to have multiple themes to hang on to as well. And even for a so called smaller movie in the career of Jerry Goldsmith, he was able to write a theme that surpasses most themes today. It is distinctly written in the Goldsmith style, it is catchy and it works its charm from top to bottom.
It opens "Escort the Prisoner" in the typical rambunctious yet playful style we have gotten to know of Jerry in western mode. And it may be a very easy theme to remember today, it is just one of the 100's that Jerry came up with during his career. The problem however with One Little Indian is not the theme, or the lack thereof. No the problem lies that this isn't a gun ho action western score, more an intimate character drama with moments of gun ho in it.
The soft "He's White" gives us a soft version of Mark's theme, but this theme is so much more during "Thirsty Boy" when suddenly the typical strings of Goldsmith give it wings. Suspense is what dictates the pace in "Outwit the Posse", though all still remarkably lighthearted. There's room for some comedic material too, most notably in "Camel Trouble", while Lawrence of Arabia's theme performs a hefty doses of pastiche in "Thorny Landing" and "Saddle Sore".
The long "No Choice" is a calm track full of statements of either the main theme or Mark's theme, warming you up for the undeniable charm of Goldsmith's creative voice. In "End of the Line" Mark's theme is as charming as always, while we couldn't be more happier with such a main theme performance like in "Hot Fire". Oh and "Go After Him!" is awesome as well. The lovely "A Free Man" is the final track with all the themes, and it contains a simply classic finale.
As said, One Little Indian was one of the most forgotten titles in the grand career of Jerry Goldsmith. Not only because it never received a CD release, and not only because it didn't receive a bootleg or whatsoever, but also because it barely aired on Television, making it perhaps one of Goldsmith's most obscure releases in a while. That didn't stop all those Goldsmith knacks to get themselves a copy of what is essentially a lovely score with lovely material, but a smaller one nonetheless. One Little Indian will remain little due to that, but not forgotten anymore thanks to Intrada and Douglass Fake's infinite quest for classic scores.
Tracklisting
1. Escort the Prisoner (4.32)
2. He's White (2.28)
3. Thirsty Boy (4.32)
4. Camel Trouble (2.50)
5. Outwit the Posse (5.30)
6. Thorny Landing (0.57)
7. Saddle Sore (1.00)
8. New Friend (1.20)
9. What he Needs (1.33)
10. No Choice (7.23)
11. End of the Line (3.18)
12. Hot Fire (3.27) Excellent track
13. Necktie Party (4.16)
14. Go After Him! (2.21)
15. A Free Man (5.29) Excellent track
Total Length: 50.46