DON’T LOOK NOW
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