While the first volume in this wonderful series focused on TV and movie themes in the Western vernacular, such as Bonanza, Gunfight at the OK Corral, et al., this second collection digs deeper into the American kitsch experience -- as envisioned through the eyes of a German family's view of popular culture in the States. There are no less than 23 selections here that vary in range and quality from Nat "King" Cole and Stubby Kaye's bizarre rough and rowdy theme song for the Jane Fonda vehicle Cat Ballou, to Jose Feliciano's rockabilly singing of "Old Turkey Buzzard" from the film MacKenna's Gold, to Glen Campbell's gorgeous "A Man With True Grit" from the film True Grit. There's a vibe that runs through all of this seemingly disparate material, and that is how the Western theme song evolved from a simple Hollywood instrumental with lots of sound effects to the aftermath of Ennio Morricone's adaptations for spaghetti Westerns by Sergio Leone to the involvement of show tune composers such as Elmer Bernstein and Dan Black in the genre. There are traditional contributors of course, such as Tex Ritter with his theme to Wichita, the Sons of the Pioneers with "Sugarfoot," and Johnny Gregory with his theme from Bronco. But there was also an era when singers like Wayne Newton contributed his silky Vegas voice to the series Stagecoach and Andy Williams and his champagne throat sang on the soundtrack for the John Huston/Paul Newman vehicle The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. Thankfully, there is also a fine rendition here from the original released soundtrack to the television program Wagon Train, and Dean Martin weighs in with "The Wind, The Wind" from the film Pardners -- yes, it was a comedy. The package, unlike other Bear Family packages, contains literally no liner notes, but the sound has been remastered expertly and the booklet includes literally dozens of reproductions of movie posters (mostly German versions!) and stills from both film and TV. This is every bit as essential as the first volume and even more off the beaten track. ~ Thom Jurek

Track list
Work of Ghosts
Speak Up
Doomsday
Not All men
Pros and Cons
Always
I Saw Him
He's Here
Teeth
Peace of God
Jumping
Boys
Nettie
Leaving

'Hans Zimmer LIVE' features more than two hours of new reimagined arrangements of some of the most popular compositions by the L.A.-based composer icon. Sony Classical is pleased to present the album as a 2-CD digipak, which contains a booklet with a personal note by Hans Zimmer and stories on how he met his fellow band musicians, illustrations, and photos.

The album was recorded during the highly successful same-named concert tour in Europe in the spring of 2022 for which Zimmer created new 'suites' from some of his most recognizable themes and melodies from the Oscar-winning scores for 'Dune' and 'The Lion King', as well as such contemporary classics as 'The Dark Knight', 'X-Men: Dark Phoenix', 'Dunkirk', 'Gladiator', 'Inception', 'Interstellar', 'The Last Samurai', 'Man of Steel', 'James Bond: No Time to Die', 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Wonder Woman 1984'.

Together with his 20 piece-band 'The Disruptive Collective' featuring a gallery of long-time musical companions, the Odessa Opera Orchestra and Choir, Hans Zimmer has created an epic musical spectacle melding atmospheric classical arrangements and electronic elements into the powerful sound of a rock band.

Track list
On the Moon Above
Mooncakes
Rocket to the Moon
Rocket to the Moon (Reprise)
Ultraluminary
Hey Boy
Wonderful
Yours Forever (Reprise)
Love Someone New
Moon Phases
It's Good to Meet New People
Family Invasion
Nighttime Conversation
Science Project
Journey to Lunaria
Consider Yourself Welcomed
This Road is a Suicide Mission
A Bonding Experience
I've Lost Everything Now
The Chamber of Exquisite Sadness
Remember when We Said Goodbye
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