Rollercoaster - O.S.T.

by Lalo Schifrin

Overview

This was the soundtrack for a late-period entry in the disaster film cycle that focused on a mad bomber who terrorized California's amusement parks by bombing their roller coasters. Since much of Rollercoaster took place at amusement parks, the soundtrack required a complex mix of conventional thriller music and believable source music for the parks' attractions. Thankfully, composer Lalo Schifrin served up a score that managed to deliver on both counts. A great example is the album's opening cut, "Prologue, Montage": This medley of cues from the score, artfully merged with carefully mixed crowd noises, takes the listener through chamber music, funk, carnival-style calliope music, pop/rock, and conventional orchestral film music in just over five minutes. However, the resulting soundtrack album isn't a consistent listen despite Schifrin's skill as a composer and arranger: Source music cues like "Penny Arcade" and "Children's Ride" ideally suit the film's needs but their novelty music style ensures they don't hold up to repeated listens. The score-based music is much more interesting: "Another Side of Harry" is an atmospheric, saxophone-driven jazz piece that effectively conveys the melancholy mood of its titular character, and "Calliope of Death" cleverly weaves suspenseful strings into its carnival-style keyboard motif to create a dazzling cue for one of the film's suspense set pieces. Fans of Schifrin's funkier work a la Enter the Dragon will also be pleased with the title cut, a barnstorming funk instrumental that layers wild flute and guitar solos over a rumbling bassline. All in all, Rollercoaster lacks the cohesiveness of the best soundtrack albums, but it is a solid showcase for Lalo Schifrin's multifaceted musical skills and is guaranteed to please his fans. ~ Donald A. Guarisco

Product Details

Release Date:	02/13/2001
Label:	Aleph
UPC:	0651702634224
Rank:	100926

Tracks

1. Prologue, Montage
2. Portrait of Harry
3. Rollercoaster
4. Reflections in the Window
5. Penny Arcade
6. Movement from String Quartette
7. Magic Carousel
8. One Track Mind
9. Cotton Candy
10. That's Him
11. Tension Rock
12. Merry-Go-Round
13. Calliope of Death
14. Another Side of Harry
15. Apple Turnover
16. Persistance
17. Children's Ride
18. The Chase
19. Stars and Stripes Forever
20. Magic Carousel

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lalo Schifrin   Primary Artist,Conductor

Technical Credits

Theresa Eastman   Design,Art Direction
John Philip Sousa   Composer
Lalo Schifrin   Composer
Bobby Bee   Mastering
Kurt Weill   Composer
Ogden Nash   Composer
Kim Wilson   Composer