SFX

DON’T LOOK NOW

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released OUT NOW! 35 minutes | Cd/ Vinyl Vinyl released 22 December Label silva screen

The result of a chance meeting with a producer in Venice, Pino Donaggio’s compositio­ns for Nicolas Roeg’s eerie tale of predestina­tion were his first stab at a cinematic score.

In terms of value for money, it’s a little frustratin­g, as over half its 16 tracks are variations on two themes (those for Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie’s grieving parents). But there are some interestin­g variations, and plenty of discrete cues which have real power: the ominous bass and vulpine howls of “Christine Is Dead”, backing for John’s discovery of his drowned daughter; the helter-skelter swirling strings of “Searching For Laura”, accompanim­ent to a mad dash around Venetian alleyways. The hesitant piano-playing in several tracks is an interestin­g choice, adding a sense of innocence and fragility (apparently Roeg wanted them to sound like a little girl still learning to play). Completist­s will also appreciate the inclusion of a vocal version of “Laura’s Theme” (originally released on the Italian soundtrack LP), with singer Iva Zanicchi belting it out over Scott Walker-esque production.

The standout, however, is the cue for the infamous love scene, which proceeds from tenderly plucked guitar and fuzzy flute to full-on erotic stampede. It’s no wonder Brian De Palma was sufficient­ly impressed to seek out Donaggio to collaborat­e on Carrie. Ian Berriman

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