The Cowboys
John Williams
" Fun and memorable themes in a short package "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The Cowboys was not the first Western John Williams scored, that honor was for The Rare Breed (if you don't count the several TV series he did for the genre before that). But The Cowboys does feel like the first for its release in 1982 on LP (and in 1994 if you count the first CD release). Anyway, the theme's a doozy and makes frequent appearances in concerts on or compilations of sorts. Showing once again Williams' dazzling talent for memorable themes. It's also this theme that dominates the entire listening experience, unfolding every rhythm and every sound this 30 minute score has to offer.
So don't be surprised it pops up from time to time, in various forms and through various instrumental performances (the notable exceptions are "Deserted", the equally entertaining "Alternate Main Title", "The Ranch", the solemn "Bedtime Story" or the moody "Rustlers"). Speaking of that alternate main title, if this would have become the main theme, I would not have felt sorry about it, because it's equally fun to listen to. If more, it demanded a much longer (more profound) performance of it during the score.
The other theme that encompasses the main theme in the main title is used more sporadically, but effective nonetheless in various tracks. It's equally capturing that good old John Williams vibe, making its appearance equally endearing in "The Ranch", "Nightfall" or the emotional "A Sad Day".
The biggest difference comes perhaps from the uneasy dissonance surrounding the playful main theme in "Into the Trap, delivering a unique flavor of emotions. The utterly fun "The Drive" and the relaxing "Summer's Over" close the score in style. In short, The Cowboys is thoroughly enjoyable and fun. In full it's not made up of enough variation. Luckily the time is on our side now, showcasing 30 minutes of delightful, playful and soft John Williams tunes like only he could bring it.
Favorite Moment - The Drive (0.01 - 1.44)
There's something about the combo of themes in this memorable cue
Track Listing
1. Main Title (2.19) Excellent track
2. Schoolboys or Cowboys (1.10)
3. Learning the Ropes (1.29)
4. Wild Horses (1.42)
5. Deserted (1.40)
6. Crazy Alice (1.59)
7. Alternate Main Title (1.29) Excellent track
8. The Ranch (2.33)
9. Overture (2.32) Excellent track
10. Bedtime Story (1.46)
11. Rustlers (1.17)
12. Stealing Back the Heard (1.24)
13. Nightfall (1.55)
14. A Sad Day (1.35)
15. Into the Trap (2.13)
16. The Drive (1.44) Excellent track
17. Summer's Over (1.29)
Total Length: 30.16
So don't be surprised it pops up from time to time, in various forms and through various instrumental performances (the notable exceptions are "Deserted", the equally entertaining "Alternate Main Title", "The Ranch", the solemn "Bedtime Story" or the moody "Rustlers"). Speaking of that alternate main title, if this would have become the main theme, I would not have felt sorry about it, because it's equally fun to listen to. If more, it demanded a much longer (more profound) performance of it during the score.
The other theme that encompasses the main theme in the main title is used more sporadically, but effective nonetheless in various tracks. It's equally capturing that good old John Williams vibe, making its appearance equally endearing in "The Ranch", "Nightfall" or the emotional "A Sad Day".
The biggest difference comes perhaps from the uneasy dissonance surrounding the playful main theme in "Into the Trap, delivering a unique flavor of emotions. The utterly fun "The Drive" and the relaxing "Summer's Over" close the score in style. In short, The Cowboys is thoroughly enjoyable and fun. In full it's not made up of enough variation. Luckily the time is on our side now, showcasing 30 minutes of delightful, playful and soft John Williams tunes like only he could bring it.
Favorite Moment - The Drive (0.01 - 1.44)
There's something about the combo of themes in this memorable cue
Track Listing
1. Main Title (2.19) Excellent track
2. Schoolboys or Cowboys (1.10)
3. Learning the Ropes (1.29)
4. Wild Horses (1.42)
5. Deserted (1.40)
6. Crazy Alice (1.59)
7. Alternate Main Title (1.29) Excellent track
8. The Ranch (2.33)
9. Overture (2.32) Excellent track
10. Bedtime Story (1.46)
11. Rustlers (1.17)
12. Stealing Back the Heard (1.24)
13. Nightfall (1.55)
14. A Sad Day (1.35)
15. Into the Trap (2.13)
16. The Drive (1.44) Excellent track
17. Summer's Over (1.29)
Total Length: 30.16