Last year I wrote "... about 55 minutes would have been just about ideal." Well I hardly expected that a year after I wrote that there would be a freshly re-recorded disc which would have a playing time pretty close to the timing I had suggested.

A lively dancing ambience is offered by the recording locale (City Halls Glasgow). The sound is light years ahead of the distressed quality of the almost 40 year old OST. The orchestra are well up to form and by heck this orchestra has certainly cornered the film score revival market. They acquit themselves with tonal splendour and an authentic zest. Of course having the composer at the helm does help.

The brass are beyond criticism. The woodwind contributions are touching. My only grouse is that the strings do not have the amplitude of the OST disc. Even though the intrinsic sound quality is poorer the OST gives the impression of a big Philadelphia style sound of deepest velvet texture.

Choices; choices! For fanatics both discs are essential items. For the general listener I recommend this album. It has most of the explosive power of the original in sound it would be difficult to imagine being bettered.

Reviewer

Rob Barnett

See reviews of theoriginal release of The Magnificent Seven and the Return of the Magnificent Seven

Reviewer

Rob Barnett