Ennio Morricone — Paura- A Collection Of Scary & Thrilling Soundtrac

Paura- A Collection Of Scary & Thrilling Soundtracks is a recent CD that brings together 72 minutes, and twenty three tracks – dipping into both Morricone’s film & TV soundtrack work. The release also comes in a vinyl version, that only takes in 13 tracks- I’m reviewing the CD version.

The CD comes monochrome, basic four panel digipak- with no booklet. So this is fairly bare-bones release, so really all you have here is the music it’s self, which thankfully is nicely varied showing the many sides of this master soundtrack composers work.

We move from the tight & dramatic "Copkiller" from the 1983 Harvey Keitel & John Lydon(!?) of the same name- with it’s tense throbbing bass, sudden discordant piano hits, and taut piano melody. Onto sprightly yet moody blend jazzy strings, simmer guitar, piano stabs of  the main theme from 1974’s Il Trio Infernale. Through the prime gothic church  organ runs of ornate-ness  & simmering moodiness of "Orazione" from 1974’s diplomatic thiller Le serpent- which brought together Yul Brynner, Henry Fonda, and Dirk Bogarde. Onto the angular, sinister & disorientating "Diario Di Un Pazzo" with it's hovering female vocalising, dieing horn simmer, whisper & chattering voices, evil female bays, and playful ‘n’ macabre  blend of scuttling strings & guitar work  recorded for 1977’s TV series Drammi Gothic.  Though-out the compilation nicely keeps you on your toes with shift in pace, instrumental variety, and of course  Morricone’s ear for a great melody &  flair for sonic invention.

So in conclusion Paura may not be the most information heavy, or plush looking of compilations. But the selection & running order of the tracks are good, and quite a lot of this I hadn’t heard before,  making this worth picking up for any  fan of Morricone’s work.