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Music Reviews:

The Wicker Man - Music and Songs by Paul Giovanni

Silva Screen Records – 2010

I've had this soundtrack for a while now and I've had some trepidation about writing this review.  The reason is because I saw the film once many years ago and don't know that I loved it as much as it's strong cult following.

I do remember overall liking the movie and I never did forget a couple scenes, especially the ending.

This soundtrack is made up of 11 songs and 5 incidental music tracks from THE WICKER MAN.

"Corn Rigs" sets the folk stage that is the base of the entire movie.  The softness of this tune is almost the opposite feel of what goes on within the malevolent town seen in the movie.

It sounds like "The Landlord's Daughter" was recorded in a bar, where the patrons took turns singing.  I don't know why but "Gently Johnny" has a creepiness to it because you know the tender tune has the underbelly of perversity.

Speaking of eerie, there's something always peculiar about healing children's voice in a horror soundtrack.  "Maypole' continues along this line with Walter Kerr supplying the main vocals. 

The girl's choir in "Fire Leaf" produces the same spooky ambiance because of the innocent voices.

It's great to hear Christopher Lee use his powerfully distinct voice in "The Tinker of Rye."

"Willow's Song" is just a smooth love song.  The little instrumental circus comes to town with Procession."  There is a snid-bit clip of instrumentation in "Chop Chop."  The tenth track "Lullaby" is even shorter not quite reaching a minute in length.

The last song "Festival/Mirie It is/Sumer Is A-Cumen In/Sunset" features the Wicker Man Ensemble & the Wicker Man Chorus performing their collective talents.

The five incidental music tracks are not at all what you would hear normally in a horror film.  The music is all on the softer side with live instruments in featured roles.  None of the doom and gloom with stingers you hear mostly today.  Instead there is a festive atmosphere of joy and celebration.

THE WICKER MAN is an odd, certainly unusual CD for the music in a scary movie.  This soundtrack stands all by itself as a one of a kind treasure.

www.silvascreenmusic.com