HERRMANN CBS YEARS VOL 1 - THE WESTERNS

Label: Prometheus PCD 152
Dates: 1957-1961
Tracks: 24
Time = 68:51

Great album! Bernard Herrmann fashions ultimate "minimalist" scores mostly for CBS TV library use (not tailored for specific episodes). First volume features cues intended for variety of westerns: HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL includes pilot score (10:19); GUNSMOKE includes "The Tall Trapper" episode (9:24). Album also offers assorted cues grouped as "Western Suite"; "Indian Suite"; "Western Saga". With small ensembles, unique orchestration, Herrmann covers vast territory. Most suites scored solely for brass plus tympani, one uses woodwinds plus harp, one augments with strings. No shortage of colors, however - Herrmann takes small brass ensemble, expands it with variety of muted effects, playing techniques. TV fans will recognize myriad cues from other shows as varied as TWILIGHT ZONE, PERRY MASON, RAWHIDE - all part of vast CBS musical treasure chest assembled during 1950's by Lud Gluskin. Brief downward triplet figure on trumpet highlights intense, jagged HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL main theme, becomes important motif throughout episode score ("Three Bells to Perdido"). Subsequent cues display Herrmann's ability to create devices that anticipate popular "minimalist" style yet to come. Genius at work! Clean mono sound, beautifully assembled presentation, authoritative liner notes. Bullseye!