From the Vault...

03/19/2006
#986

info
Soundtrack
"Midnight Express"


© Casablanca Records

Year of Release: 1985
Rating:

track listing
  • Chase
  • Love's Theme
  • (Theme From)
    Midnight Express
  • Istanbul Blues
    (Vocal:
    David Castle)
  • The Wheel
  • Istanbul Opening
  • Cacaphoney
  • (Theme From)
    Midnight Express
    (Vocal:
    Chris Burnett)

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    Soundtrack
    "Midnight Express"



    I never saw the movie, yet I love the music...


    The year was 1978... Disco was at its peak, and music producer Giorgio Moroder was at the height of his career. He was very successful in producing Donna Summer's hits. He would compose and produce songs for the movie Midnight Express. Based on a true story, Brad Davis plays the part of Billy Hayes, a man caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey and is thrown in a barbaric prison.


    As for the music, who cannot forget the haunting disco rhythms of its main song, "Chase." As a fellow keyboardist myself, it was just natural to try and play the notes as heard on this gripping and attention-grabbing song. "Love's Theme" is a beautiful instrumental ballad, easily heard as music for a major motion picture score. It also has the feel of another popular instrumentalist would have written or performed -- Rick Wakeman.


    A very impressive production track, "(Theme From) Midnight Express" is a great instrumental, with great musical arrangnements, and it is also right up the Rick Wakeman alley. The album's closing track is the same song, with vocals by Chris Bennett. "Istanbul Blues" is a vocal song, as David Castle handles the singing, and although it has a blues feel, it also has a broadway style. "The Wheel" is somewhat eerie, as being a movie about drugs, this short track could be used for a bad drug scene. Likewise, "Cacaphoney" showcases a track where everything is going fast forward, and no where to catch a breath. "Istanbul Opening" is another impressive Wakeman-type track, the keyboard arrangements likewise the rest, is amazing.


    The soundtrack of Midnight Express is an excellent assortment of music for the soundtrack fan. Rick Wakeman fans will also enjoy this one, as the comparison to Moroder and Wakeman are easily heard on some tracks. Most soundtracks are exceptional, with the movie as well. Since I haven't seen the movie, it makes me wonder to rent the movie and see if both the movie and soundtrack match its greatness.


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    Previous Review: #985
    Megadeth--Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!
    Next Review: #987
    House Of Love--Babe Rainbow