RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - The Sheltering Sky [Original Soundtrack]

A varied soundtrack album that manages to weave in a little variation from the traditional type of motion picture scoring indulged in here by Sakamoto. Part of the reason for the variation is that only twelve of the album's 21 tracks are by Sakamoto -- several are source music, others were composed by Richard Horowitz. The diversity thus makes for a more interesting album than might have been had from variations on the main minor-key "Sheltering Sky" theme (presented here in orchestrated and piano-based versions.) It also breaks away from the sound of Sakamoto's recordings, strong material that suffers from a certain digital harshness in the strings.

Horowitz' part in this is in stepping away from traditional Western scoring and using Middle Eastern elements for score structures -- something that's very effective indeed on "Fever Ride" with its blend of Moroccan and Spanish elements. Where Sakamoto easily sketches panorama with his music, Horowitz sketches in mystery. The local source music, too, adds to this, giving the album a grounding in the real world that completes the overall structure. An excellent album that can easily be recommended for more than just soundtrack aficionados. by Steven McDonald 
Tracklist:
The Koran
1 The Sacred Koran  0:43
Spoken Word
The Sheltering Sky, film score
2 The Sheltering Sky Theme  5:19
Ryuichi Sakamoto
3 Belly 1:27
Ryuichi Sakamoto
4 Ports' Composition  1:23
Ryuichi Sakamoto
5 On The Bed (Dream)  1:38
Ryuichi Sakamoto
6 Loneliness  1:30
Ryuichi Sakamoto
7 On The Hill 6:12
Ryuichi Sakamoto
8 Kyoto  1:04
Ryuichi Sakamoto
9 Cemetery 1:27
Ryuichi Sakamoto
10 Dying  3:31
Ryuichi Sakamoto
11 Market 1:42
Ryuichi Sakamoto
12 Grand Hotel  2:06
Ryuichi Sakamoto
13 The Sheltering Sky Theme (piano version) 4:20
Ryuichi Sakamoto
14 Je Chante  2:45
Charles Trénet
Ryuichi Sakamoto feat: Charles Trénet
15 Midnight Sun  3:18
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
Ryuichi Sakamoto feat: Lionel Hampton
16 Fever Ride (for the film The Sheltering Sky) 3:51
Richard Horowitz
Ryuichi Sakamoto feat: Richard Horowitz
17 Chant Avec Cithare (arr. & used in the film The Sheltering Sky)  0:45
Burundi Traditional / Traditional
18 Marnia's Tent (for the film The Sheltering Sky)  3:03
Richard Horowitz
19 Goulou Limma 5:48
Anonymous
Ryuichi Sakamoto feat: Chaba Zahouania
20 Happy Bus Ride - Zarzis (arr. & used in the film The Sheltering Sky)  1:43
Tunisian Traditional / Zarzis
21 Night Train (for the film The Sheltering Sky)  1:57
Richard Horowitz
Ryuichi Sakamoto feat: Richard Horowitz

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - The Sheltering Sky [Original Soundtrack] 

[1990] Virgin / CBR320k / scans