Romantic love music is hardly the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of the work of Alex North. One remembers the jazz influence, the harshness, the grit and the effective dissonances -- but love music? Well the producers of this album think it is worthy of our attention. I am not so sure. True, there are musical subtleties that did greatly enhance character and plot development, in the films, but they are altogether too subtle to make an enjoyable listening experience on their own as here. One comes away with the feeling of a sameness pervading the whole 12 track collection with an overuse of sweet high strings. With the notable exception of the well-known tune from Unchained and a very few other of these 12 tracks, there are no notable melodies that are essential for romance. Victor Young was far more successful in this context. For the record the scores covered are: Unchained; The Racers; Viva Zapata! (with some interesting Latin/Mexican rhythmic inflections); The Bad Seed (which is really an innocent lullaby for a monster of a child); A Streetcar Named Desire (which does have plenty of decadent atmosphere and sweet corruptness); The Bachelor Party; The 13th Letter; Stage Struck; I'll Cry Tomorrow; Les Miserables; The Rose Tattoo (better than most); and Desirée. With Journey into Fear we are back in more familiar Alex North territory - dark, snarling, gritty, relentless all adjectives that are applicable to Main Title with its death rattle vibraphone figures and staccato chords scale chords and abrasive dotted rhythms. This score reeks of malignancy and and deep dank pools of corruption with the odd relaxed reflective or romantic moment. Actually North comes up with one of his best romantic melodies in 'Loneliness'. Slow, intimate, smoochy material also makes up 'Troubled Romance' with an occasional surface tremour. 'Native mood' offers more variety - this time an exotic Arabian dance that conjures scantilly clad saying dancers dancers with their finger cymbals. Not top drawer North by any means but nonetheless a very worthwhile acquisition for North enthusiasts. The booklet notes are very good Reviewer Ian Lace	Reviewer Ian Lace Reviews from previous months Reviews carry sales links but you can also purchase from:
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