Intrada Soundtrack Forum

When I was about 13 or 14, I was already an avid listener and collector of classical music and film scores, and Jerry Goldsmith was my favorite composer. I had a few of his scores on LP and read at that time in a film book a contemporary review of the movie "Damnation Alley".

The review found the movie an expensive, mediocre B-picture with some interesting camera work, but stated the most outstanding thing about the movie was the excelling score by Jerry Goldsmith, whose music was consistently more interesting than any actually depicted scenes. Of course, I had to see this movie, and I eventually did. The score is indeed great, but I knew about the missing elements etc. and I never thought this would see the light of day. This really is... WOW.

Short, but sweet album. The newly performed synths sound good even though they can sound a bit weird layered on top of the unavoidably flawed elements we've come to expect with Silver Age Fox masters.

Playing this album continually at the moment. Still hard to believe after decades I am listening to this score. A dream come true. A score that underlines Jerry Goldsmith’s genius. Incredible he wrote a score like this for such a disappointing film.

Praise to all concerned. Leigh’s synths are incredible really. To get this close to JG is wonderful. Difficult to put into words what this music means to me.

Thank you!

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Jason Needs
Webmaster, Jerry Goldsmith Online

In the release notes, damaged orchestral masters are cited as one reason why Damnation Alley's soundtrack has been such a long-delayed release. Can this be the explanation for the muted levels on track 3, Valley of Death? Most of the orchestra sounds pinched and remote, though turning up the volume brings some detail into focus. Then the percussion goes KABOOOM and my speakers start coughing. Just curious! It's otherwise marvelous music I have been playing non-stop.