BY DARREN ALLISON
“The Silencers†– Elmer Bernstein
It’s
always great to see a classic soundtrack album receive its debut on CD, and
Elmer Bernstein’s stylish Matt Helm score The Silencers (CDLK4573) is no
exception. Dean Martin’s campy but hugely enjoyable spy capers were made during
a successful period of spy-time, when Bond, Flint and numerous other secret
agents were dominant in cinema entertainment. Bernstein’s jazzy, cool and
deliciously infectious score ticks all the desired boxes. Bernstein fills the
soundscape with big brass and fast percussion, most of which are laced with a
hip, Latin beat. The composer provides plenty of swing, but it’s never without
an underlying sense of fun, a playfulness throughout which perfectly mirrors
Helm’s on screen exploits. Aside from Bernstein’s score, the two vocal tracks
sung by Vikki Carr (co-written by Mack David) ‘The Silencers’ and ‘Santiago’
also offer a sassy sense of relevant glitz. Vocalion has provided a beautiful,
clean production, perfectly in keeping with their usual high standards of
mastering.
On
the downside, this is unfortunately, just a straight forward release of the original
album, which, in typical 60s fashion, consists of just thirteen tracks and
lasts a little over 31mins. I was also a little surprised that the accompanying
booklet consisted of just a 2 Panel (4 page) insert, which contains the
original LP sleeve notes along with the three supporting B&W photos. It’s
just a little disappointing, knowing Vocalion’s usual high standard of
packaging. One has to remember, this is the CD debut of what is (effectively)
an Elmer Bernstein classic. The Silencers is a cult, genre favourite, and perhaps
a few pages containing some new writing, might have given greater cause to
celebrate its emergence on the CD format. There is also the running time;
again, locking off a CD at just 32 minutes is not what we have come to expect
from Vocalion, it’s simply not their style. Considering the amount of crime
jazz compilations that appeared on budget label LPs at the time, it would of
arguably been nice to see one of these tagged on to the CD, it certainly
wouldn’t had felt out of place. Vocalion have a proven track record in taking
these budget releases of the past and providing them with a new lease of life.
I can’t help but consider if their loyal fan base would have appreciated a
little more meat on the bone.
Whilst
The Silencers arguably remains an essential purchase, if only in order to
upgrade from that ageing piece of vinyl, there will always be a niggling sense
of disappointment in regards to its overall content. It’s undeniably great, but
sadly, it’s all over far too soon.
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