Hi there David!

Got to be honest with you about "The Man Who Would Be King" - my response was tepid and one of being distinctly underwhelmed to say the least! I too love "the Jarre" so will take some time over this one....

Having seen it snaffled from under my nose on numerous occasions by ebay-last-second-lurkers, I finally managed to get my hands on a copy for $40 (quite good at the current going rate).

Yes, you can tell it's by the composer of Laurence of Arabia and Witness (orchestration and chord progression wise in a few tracks) but my heart sank a little when I read the words "Indian music written in special notation by Maurice Jarre". Fearing a droning mess of sub-Indian restaurant music what you get on CD(perhaps quite fittingly for a film about the British Empire in India) is (only) 32 minutes of Marching Band music (one main theme only really) meets rather slow-burn orchestral 'suspense' music punctuated by Indian instruments. There's a few tracks worth a listen but nothing that Jarre hasn't done better elsewhere. This lacks the thematic jauntiness of Laurence... and there's simply not enough of interest to sustain repeated listens. Plus the sound quality on the Bay Cities edition is nothing to write home about either, sounding tinny and muffled in places.

Oh, and on one track we are 'treated' to Connery and Caine "singing" (!!!). They might indeed have won Oscars for their acting, but should definitely leave this side of things to others! Best track, definitely the End Credits which dispenses with the Indian twangings and plumps for the pure orchestra.

My advice, save your cash, and sink it into tracking down "The Bride" (much better in my opinion for a fantastic sweeping theme), or something like Passage to India for themes and jauntiness. Failing that, for a cheap but excellent Jarre experience, try the Varese 2CD with Jose Nieto for concert suites of Passage..., Ryan's Daughter and Laurence.... Only $3.99 on ebay and cuts out the ethnic wanderings. Short suites (8-10 mins each) but really satisfying!

Hope this helps!

Adewatz

guvnor_watts, August 25, 2006; 10:38 PM

In short, it's traditional orchestra playing together with Indian instruments. A very good score, I wish someone would do an expanded issue of this score.

piano632, August 25, 2006; 10:59 PM

I bought the LP when the film was released in the movie theaters in the 70-s. I liked it very
much and bought the CD when that was released. Maybe my opinion of the score is coloured by
the impact movies and music had when I was still a teenager, but if you can trade it I'd
recommend you do.

chris, August 30, 2006; 1:59 PM