Artists from around the world perform songs by the celebrated Italian maestro.
This new edition in Ace Records’ highly regarded Songwriter series is devoted to celebrated Italian film soundtrack maestro Ennio Morricone. Few composers can rival the diversity, magnitude and huge influence of his work. In addition to the 500-plus motion pictures Morricone has scored, he has arranged, conducted or written popular hits records, supplied the music for many television series and composed at least 100 classical pieces, which he describes as “absolute music”. While he is best known for his orchestral or instrumental recordings, many of his film soundtracks include actual songs. It’s songs on which this collection focuses.
The recordings here span ‘Canzone Basilisca’ by Fausto Cigliano from Morricone’s score for 1963’s I Basilischi and ‘Il Tempo Sa’ by self-styled “Queen of Popera” Romina Arena from her 2012 album “Morricone.Uncovered”. Spaghetti western buffs might recognise the melody of the latter as the iconic ticking watch theme from For A Few Dollars More. Other highlights include Milva’s spellbinding version of ‘Chi Mai’, one of Morricone’s most familiar compositions; ‘Se Telefonando’ by Mina, a record considered by many as among finest to emerge from 1960s Italy; and ‘Veruschka’ by living legend Edda Dell’Orso, whose remarkable voice can be heard in more Morricone film scores than any other. Completing the compilation are tracks by Portuguese fado heroine Dulce Pontes, folk royalty Joan Baez, Italian rock star Zucchero, singing thespians Catherine Spaak, Lisa Gastoni and Gérard Depardieu, Morricone regulars I Cantori Moderni Di Alessandroni and more, all carrying the composer’s indelible hallmark.
Ian Johnston and Mick Patrick
