The Getaway: Jerry Fielding: Film Music on the Web CD Reviews February 2006

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February 2006 Film Music CD Reviews

Film Music Editor: Ian Lace
Managing Editor: Ian Lace
Music Webmaster Len Mullenger

The Getaway
Music composed by Jerry Fielding
Available on Available on Film Score Monthly Vol.8, No.18
Running Time: 38:05

The Getaway marked a poignant but important chapter in the working relationship of director Sam Peckinpah and composer Jerry Fielding. Their relationship had become the stuff of legend - a tough, argumentative working methodology that would yield four legendary scores including The Wild Bunch. The Getaway was their fifth venture but the score was eventually trashed by the co–producer and star of the film: Steve McQueen!

The story is based on a dissolute, nightmarish pulp fiction novel about a jail break by Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) aided by his wife Carol (Ali McGraw), Carol arranges a deal for the release of her husband with one of the parole officers in return for a heist job that eventual goes awry and turns into a desperate cat and mouse chase across Texas as the couple flee from one sorry situation to another.

Fielding recognized the rather dark nihilistic, escapist and melancholy mood of the film and provided a rather tense and a moody score. The album starts with ‘Benyon’s World’, a country-style piece with emphasis on guitar. This jaunty beginning is soon turned around – as Fielding scores the dramatic expected Peckinpahish violence with trademark martial motifs and sustained strings. Examples include ‘The Bank robbery’, ‘Bullet Proof’ and ‘Casing the Joint’.

Some warm and dreamy riffs on harmonica bring short but well-deserved relief in ‘Texas Trash Heap’. This also marks the second reprise of the love theme heard earlier in ‘Doc and Carol’ The last track has a bonus one minute interview with Fielding himself discussing the ethics of Hollywood.

As usual, this FSM CD comes with the trademark and legendary booklet notes that go into great detail over the ousting of Fielding’s work in favour of Quincy Jones, the film’s last minute replacement. There is also a detailed discussion about how the director eventually redeemed himself and made peace with Filelding. Track by track analyses are by Nick Redman who also happens to be a great endorser of Fielding’s work. Complimenting the CD is a free bonus 30 minute DVD which houses a short documentary on Fielding with Redman interviewing his family giving greater insight into the man’s legacy as well about his friendship with this fella called ‘Sam’.

The Getaway is a treat for fans of Jerry Fielding, and a great CD to start a Jerry Fielding collection. The Film Score Monthly team have done a remarkable job on the production of this disc set.

Amer Zahid

3.5
Film Score Monthly News Release:
Sam Peckinpah and Jerry Fielding formed one of the most potent director/composer collaborations in cinema history, creating lasting works in The Wild Bunch (1969), Straw Dogs (1971) and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974). One of their efforts together, sadly, was not to be: The Getaway (1972), for which Fielding's score was replaced by an equally fine yet different one by Quincy Jones.

For years Fielding's score was known only by reputation; associate producer Gordon Dawson said it was ‘like a man in a green suit walking in a forest.’ Portions were included on a private Jerry Fielding compilation in 1992; finally, this CD features the premiere authorized release of the complete score in excellent stereo sound.

The Getaway starred Steve McQueen and Ali Macgraw as a husband-and-wife criminal team attempting to save not only their lives and their loot but their marriage. Fielding provided the requisite action and thriller strains, but keyed onto the couple's fraying relationship with gentle, melancholy colors and a sophisticated, ‘feathery’ approach.

As a special bonus, this CD package includes a bonus promotional item not for sale separately: a DVD of the half-hour documentary, Main Title 1M1: Jerry Fielding, Sam Peckinpah and The Getaway, a highly personal reminiscence by three of the women in Jerry Fielding's life: his wife Camille, daughter Elizabeth, and Peckinpah confidante Katy Haber.

(Please note: This is an ALL REGION NTSC DVD, which means it will play on an ALL REGION DVD player.)

Liner notes by Peckinpah authority Nick Redman -- who produced this album and directed the documentary film -- provide a wealth of historical detail, and exact timings for relating the music to the motion picture. This is a must-have package for fans of Peckinpah, Fielding, and '70s cinema.
Track Listing:

Benyon's World 1:35

The Water Hole 2:25

Doc And Carol 1:26

Casing The Joint 1:31

The Bank Robbery 7:47

Bullet Proof 1:30

Payoff 2:22

Bag Theft 3:31

Laughlin's 0:42

Punch It, Baby 1:20

Shall We Gather At The River 0:48

Texas Trash Heap 1:23

Hombres 1:04

Money Talks 2:28

Hotel Confrontation 4:18

End Credits 3:51

Total Time: 38:05

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The Getaway Music composed by Jerry Fielding Available on Available on Film Score Monthly Vol.8, No.18 Running Time: 38:05 The Getaway marked a poignant but important chapter in the working relationship of director Sam Peckinpah and composer Jerry Fielding. Their relationship had become the stuff of legend - a tough, argumentative working methodology that would yield four legendary scores including The Wild Bunch. The Getaway was their fifth venture but the score was eventually trashed by the co–producer and star of the film: Steve McQueen! The story is based on a dissolute, nightmarish pulp fiction novel about a jail break by Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) aided by his wife Carol (Ali McGraw), Carol arranges a deal for the release of her husband with one of the parole officers in return for a heist job that eventual goes awry and turns into a desperate cat and mouse chase across Texas as the couple flee from one sorry situation to another. Fielding recognized the rather dark nihilistic, escapist and melancholy mood of the film and provided a rather tense and a moody score. The album starts with ‘Benyon’s World’, a country-style piece with emphasis on guitar. This jaunty beginning is soon turned around – as Fielding scores the dramatic expected Peckinpahish violence with trademark martial motifs and sustained strings. Examples include ‘The Bank robbery’, ‘Bullet Proof’ and ‘Casing the Joint’. Some warm and dreamy riffs on harmonica bring short but well-deserved relief in ‘Texas Trash Heap’. This also marks the second reprise of the love theme heard earlier in ‘Doc and Carol’ The last track has a bonus one minute interview with Fielding himself discussing the ethics of Hollywood. As usual, this FSM CD comes with the trademark and legendary booklet notes that go into great detail over the ousting of Fielding’s work in favour of Quincy Jones, the film’s last minute replacement. There is also a detailed discussion about how the director eventually redeemed himself and made peace with Filelding. Track by track analyses are by Nick Redman who also happens to be a great endorser of Fielding’s work. Complimenting the CD is a free bonus 30 minute DVD which houses a short documentary on Fielding with Redman interviewing his family giving greater insight into the man’s legacy as well about his friendship with this fella called ‘Sam’. The Getaway is a treat for fans of Jerry Fielding, and a great CD to start a Jerry Fielding collection. The Film Score Monthly team have done a remarkable job on the production of this disc set. *Amer Zahid* 3.5 *Film Score Monthly News Release:* Sam Peckinpah and Jerry Fielding formed one of the most potent director/composer collaborations in cinema history, creating lasting works in The Wild Bunch (1969), Straw Dogs (1971) and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974). One of their efforts together, sadly, was not to be: The Getaway (1972), for which Fielding's score was replaced by an equally fine yet different one by Quincy Jones. For years Fielding's score was known only by reputation; associate producer Gordon Dawson said it was ‘like a man in a green suit walking in a forest.’ Portions were included on a private Jerry Fielding compilation in 1992; finally, this CD features the premiere authorized release of the complete score in excellent stereo sound. The Getaway starred Steve McQueen and Ali Macgraw as a husband-and-wife criminal team attempting to save not only their lives and their loot but their marriage. Fielding provided the requisite action and thriller strains, but keyed onto the couple's fraying relationship with gentle, melancholy colors and a sophisticated, ‘feathery’ approach. As a special bonus, this CD package includes a bonus promotional item not for sale separately: a DVD of the half-hour documentary, Main Title 1M1: Jerry Fielding, Sam Peckinpah and The Getaway, a highly personal reminiscence by three of the women in Jerry Fielding's life: his wife Camille, daughter Elizabeth, and Peckinpah confidante Katy Haber. (Please note: This is an ALL REGION NTSC DVD, which means it will play on an ALL REGION DVD player.) Liner notes by Peckinpah authority Nick Redman -- who produced this album and directed the documentary film -- provide a wealth of historical detail, and exact timings for relating the music to the motion picture. This is a must-have package for fans of Peckinpah, Fielding, and '70s cinema. Track Listing: Benyon's World 1:35 The Water Hole 2:25 Doc And Carol 1:26 Casing The Joint 1:31 The Bank Robbery 7:47 Bullet Proof 1:30 Payoff 2:22 Bag Theft 3:31 Laughlin's 0:42 Punch It, Baby 1:20 Shall We Gather At The River 0:48 Texas Trash Heap 1:23 Hombres 1:04 Money Talks 2:28 Hotel Confrontation 4:18 End Credits 3:51 Total Time: 38:05
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