Morricone ownz yoo

[thehefner]

Know what's amazing? Metallica's new single is a cover of Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy of Gold," the music that played during the climactic scene of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY.*

Know what's even more amazing? It's off recently-released Morricone tribute album. Metallica are on the same album as Celine Dion, Andrea Boccelli, Herbie Hancock, Roger Waters, Yo Yo Ma, Renee Fleming, Bruce Springsteen, Quincy Jones, and others. Granted, some of those names evoke different feelings than others, but dude, it's amazing just how many people are influenced by the awesomeness that is Ennio Morricone.

And you know what's most amazing of all? Morricone's original version of "The Ecstasy of Gold" rocks way harder than Metallica's.

Well, perhaps that's not all that amazing after all.




And while we're on the subject of music, suburbfabulous reminded me that I need to tell my Warren Zevon story, if I haven't already. (If I have and totally forgotten it, a thousand apologies).

So I was listening to a Warren Zevon retrospective on the classic rock station. They played his song "Mutineer," which I shame to admit that I hadn't heard before. Utterly, utterly beautiful and moving. It instantly became perhaps my favorite Zevon song of the few I knew.

Then they played a live version. Now, for those you don't know, Warren Zevon died to lung cancer, and recorded his last album as he was literally dying. So I'm listening to this live version of "Mutineer," and was shocked, almost heartbroken, to hear how rough it was, how warbly, weak, muddled and worn it sounded. It was a little harrowing to hear, especially side by side with the original version.

When it was over, the DJ came on and said, "That was Bob Dylan doing a live cover of "Mutineer" in tribute for the great Warren..."

Yes, that's right. To my ears, Bob Dylan sounds like Warren Zevon. Dying of lung cancer.




I am so not looking forward to class tomorrow. I just do not feel confident about my pantomime and am doing my best not to sweat it, thinking, "Just do it. What's the worst they can do to you?" Yeah, keep telling myself that. Oy oy oy.


Actually, it's just the first of three climactic moments of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. No, I'm totally serious; I just tonight realized that TGTBATU is a cinematic multiple orgasm. It's that fucking good.

Comments

[charisma18.livejournal.com]

I remember Metallica's album where they were Live with the San Fransisco Symphony Orchestra, they actually used Ecstacy of Gold as their opening song.

I love that score, although in my opinion Morricone's magnum opus has got to be The Mission. "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" is one of the most radiant pieces of music I've ever heard.

Oh, and when you think about it, can't you just imagine Ecstacy of Gold being the background music for Roland approaching the Tower through the field of roses?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I've seen them play twice, and both times they played a song that I, along with everyone else there, thought was going to be "Unforgiven." Never was, and they never played "Unforgiven." A year or so later, I saw and fell in love with the Leone/Morricone films. And when I listened to the S&M album, I spazzed in Borders Books: "HOLY FUCKING SHIT IT"S THE ECSTASY OF FUCKING GOLD!!!!!!!!"

God, yes. That, "Gabriel's Oboe" and "The Falls." Beautiful.

And holy shit, man, can I ever heard that. Dear, dear lord, can I ever. Have you seen ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST? That might be my favorite Leone/Morricone film, even though fiveseconddelay gives me shit for it all the time. Next time I see it, all I'll be thinking is Dark Tower now. With Henry Fonda as Flagg.

[suburbfabulous.livejournal.com]

1. I've seen Metallica twice, on the Justice Tour and the Black Album Tour (you know, back when they were heavy, and I don't mean in terms of paunch.)
I wish they had played some Morricone, but at that time, only Guns N Roses and Faith No More were even *trying* that sort of thing. Slash plays one mean "Godfather Theme", FYI. I know it's not Morricone, but you know what I mean.
2. I like "Mutineer" a lot, but "Renegade", especially that line about "I don't want to go 'til it's too late", always catches me. Saw him when he was recording Learning To Flinch, back in 1992. Amazing. In tribute, I didn't go home for days.

[gore-whore-5.livejournal.com]

Once again, awesome story. My jaw actually dropped when you said it was Bob Dylan. Dude.

[morganashkevron.livejournal.com]

I thought you'd get a kick out of this (if you haven't seen it already).

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

A thing of pure beauty and awesomeness. Holy crap.