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How the West was won [sound recording] original motion picture soundtrack / [music by Alfred Newman ; associate, Ken Darby].

By: Contributor(s): Material type: MusicMusicPublisher number: R2 72458 | Rhino Movie MusicPublication details: Los Angeles, CA : Rhino Movie Music : Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Co., p1997.Description: 2 sound discs : digital, chiefly stereo. ; 4 3/4 inISBN:
  • 1568267576
Uniform titles:
  • How the West was won (Motion picture)
Subject(s): Production credits:
  • Liner notes and production by Didier C. Deutsch.
Performed by various artists featuring: the Ken Darby Singers, Debbie Reynolds; MGM Studio Orchestra, conductor, Alfred Newman.
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Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult CD Adult CD Main Library CD SOUNDTRACK How the West was Won Checked out 06/10/2024 33111009539251
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This double CD has generally superior sound to the 1992 Sony Music release, but its more than two-hours of music may be a classic case of overkill. The essential problem is that How the West Was Won is rooted in two separate bodies of music, the Alfred Newman instrumental and orchestral material (including the rousing main title theme), spiced with a few traditional (i.e. folk) and traditional-style tunes; and the songs sung by Debbie Reynolds in her various set pieces as an entertainer, principally "Home in the Meadow" (adapted from "Greensleeves"). The Alfred Newman material generally recalls Aaron Copland's musical Americana (especially the "Lincoln Portrait") at its best and most accessible, and the folk songs handled by the choir or Dave Guard's Whiskeyhill Singers come off well -- but then there are those numbers done by Reynolds, which sort of break the spell. It's not that she's a bad singer, it's just that her voice doesn't fit within the surrounding musical settings. One guesses the producers had no choice but to give full play to this part of the score, but one wishes there'd been a way around it. The annotation is very thorough, the photographs (including some behind-the-scenes shots of co-director John Ford) are a nice treat, and anyone who likes the movie or Newman's music is sure to enjoy this. ~ Bruce Eder

This release is an expanded soundtrack containing previously unreleased supplemental material.

Liner notes and production by Didier C. Deutsch.

Performed by various artists featuring: the Ken Darby Singers, Debbie Reynolds; MGM Studio Orchestra, conductor, Alfred Newman.

Recorded ca. 1961-1962.

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