An all-Italian quartet playing some of Bernard Hermann's film themes plus one dedicated to John Williams and one by Carla herself. It would have good to hear the music played alongside the film as Kansas Smitty's did last Christmas and, bearing in mind the previous post by Dave Sayer, I checked the packaging in case there were any DVDs hidden in perforated compartments but no such luck!
However, upon reflection, as I got more and more into the album I concluded that it would have been a distraction and these versions could stand tall on their own terms.
Prior to this, the only Marciano I'd encountered was the the former heavyweight champion from the '50s who many consider the greatest ever and who was killed in a plane crash. This Marciano has the same kind of musical power that Rocky had with the big difference that she knew when to back pedal and dance like Ali. Put the two together and you have an unbeatable combination whether in the ring or in the recording studio.
Yes, Marciano has both power and pathos in her playing. She stretches out to the far edges of the periphery without (if the world were flat) risk of falling off. Like her paisanos on this compelling exercise, Marciano knows how to swing. It may not be the swing of yesteryear but it's just as effective in its own way.
Despite the cinematic theme of the album, don't be deluded into thinking this is smooth/easy listening jazz. Don't order a tub of popcorn, make it a strong Americano or a double shot of Sambuca on the rocks or maybe both.
Quite an amazing album - some of the music is more hair-raising than the movies themselves were (that's a compliment by the way!)
Lance
PS: The album was released on Challenge Records in November 2020 but only just arrived the other day. YouTube.
Themes from (1 - 8); Taxi Driver; Marnie; Marnie to Twisted Nerve (original by Marciano); Twisted Nerve; Psycho; Vertigo (Prelude); Vertigo (Scene D'Amour); Homage to John Williams (Hedwig's Theme).
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