KELLY'S HEROES

Label: FSMCD Vol.7 No.20
Date: 1970
Tracks: 30
Time = 79:02

Original soundtrack from ambitious MGM WWII comedy/adventure starring Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland. Popular Lalo Schifrin score has been to the well a few times but important FSM CD corrects numerous problems, anomalies with all earlier editions. Original 1970 LP puts emphasis on accessible songs, source material, relegates Schifrin score to back-burner. Subsequent CD issues from EMI, Chapter III perpetuate abbreviated album, add audio problems into fray. FSM corrects the injustice! Schifrin's entire score populates new CD. "Burning Bridges" still appears but amazing FSM team unearths unused Schifrin main, end titles. That's just for beginners (and endings). Amongst plethora of previously unreleased cues are challenging ideas for "Minefield" sequence, nervous drums for "Warriors on the Move", others. CD reveals unique orchestration that eschews traditional military sonics in favor of muted brass, jagged strings amongst requisite percussion. When main program finishes, original LP offerings play as bonus. FSM restores audio as well with presentation made from original 3-channel session masters. Jack Davis artwork compliments packaging, articulate notes describe events of film production, interesting changes made within. Complete text about composer, individual cues, differences between film score and original LP issue are additional assets. Magnificent production "closes the book" on seventies landmark at last. Lalo Schifrin conducts. Knockout!