Ennio Morricone - Movie Classics (CD)

All Music Guide

"The Good, The Bad the Ugly" makes you feel tough. Your eyes squint and you legs bough as an inspired coolness rises out of your belly. There is no need to laugh at the bad guys because you and they both know they are already as good as dead. The opening track carries enough emotion and energy to keep ten John Wayne's on ice for eternity. The rest of these classic soundtracks follow the same path, creating strong enough feeling in the listener that an urge to right wrong's washes over you like whorehouse perfume. The songs pulled from Western soundtracks are of the strongest on the album, but they are not the only song which stir strong emotion. Sadder more contemplative pieces show Morricone and Montenegro's range of expression. "The Ballad of Sacco Vanzetti" possesses this kind of sadness and acquires an eerie feeling with an unusual use of echoed vocals that is more familiarly used in dub reggae. The intense communication of a distinctive feeling is what draws each song into this coherent collection. As some tracks strike you with sadness others seem to inspire a hatred of cow rustlers. The collection is strong and entertaining while capturing the innovations of these two immensely talented composers.

- Matt Whalley, All Music Guide