Sorcerer (1977 Film)

I used to use the Opening Sequence for the Soundtrack for a Hallowe'en Haunted House. The first time I heard it, at high volume, in the spooky foyer, I wanted to run outside...and it was MY Haunted House!!

.... as Yogi Berra might have said. It's hard to believe that Tangerine Dream could compose music so absolutely "spot on" for the film Sorcerer without having seen the movie but, as pointed out by other reviewers that is exactly what happened. I recommend you see the movie FIRST. Then, consider buying this CD which is at once captivating but definitely creepy! Filmed on location in the heart of a Dominican Republic rain forest, Sorcerer is NOT for the faint of heart. Although the film and the music are both thirty years old, both compare favorably with the music and plot of any contemporary soundtrack or movie plot. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED by a listener who is NOT fond of Tangerine Dream!

Of all the albums Tangerine Dream released in the 1970s, this 1977 score for the film Sorcerer is undoubtedly the scariest. In fact, even the photo of the three band members (Peter Baumann, Edgar Froese, and Chris Franke) depicted in the liner notes is somewhat disturbing and menacing. Interestingly enough, William Friedkin's liner notes indicate that the music was written without any of the band members actually having viewed any footage. This is an even more impressive achievement when you consider that Freidkin felt that the film and the soundtrack were virtually "inseparable". The CD is approximately 45 minutes in length and the music is spread across twelve, uncharacteristically short tracks. Each track is dominated by loads of analog synthesizers including instruments by Moog, ARP, and Oberheim. Mellotron use (including the large Mark V) is also very heavy and should please most mellotron fans. Although I really enjoy this album, the only minor complaint that I have is that the tracks are just too short - just when I start being drawn into a piece it rather abruptly ends. However, the compositions all convey the same brooding and menacing mood, so the momentum is only slowed a tiny bit during the pause between individual tracks. All in all, I would have to highly recommend this album to all general electronica fans and Tangerine Dream fans. Excellent stuff.