The Holy Mountain [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

by Don Cherry, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Ron Frangipane

Overview

While not as well-known as his iconic lysergic western El Topo, which became one of the major midnight movies of the '70s, The Holy Mountain is arguably the definitive work from Chilean/Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky, a visually dazzling and gloriously confounding story of the search for spiritual enlightenment. While it's all but impossible to describe what happens in The Holy Mountain, given its emphasis on surreal visuals over narrative, it's a cult film for the best reasons -- love it or hate it, it's a remarkable and thoroughly individual accomplishment -- and the soundtrack album, featuring Jodorowsky's original score, is an eclectic and interesting listen in its own right. The music sways from rock ("Psychedelic Weapons") to esoteric folk music ("Pissed and Passed Out") to subtle tone poems ("Violence of the Lambs") to grand-scale orchestral themes ("Christs 4 Sale"), with plenty of room for lyrical musical backdrops ("Communion"), a dash of vintage dance music ("A Walk in the Park"), and even some Tuvan throat singing ("Trance Mutation"). This music is never as trippy or engrossing as the movie it was designed to accompany, but Jodorowsky's melodic sense is sure and appealing, and it's not hard to imagine he could have become a successful composer if he'd set his mind to that goal. The Holy Mountain is most strongly recommended for fans of the film, but soundtrack collectors with a taste for the offbeat with doubtless find this rewarding. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2023
Label:	Abkco Records / Umr
UPC:	0018771212911
Rank:	35109

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Don Cherry   Primary Artist
Ron Frangipane   Primary Artist
Alejandro Jodorowsky   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Jack Douglas   Engineer
Teri Landi   Tape Transfer,Re-Release Producer
Eric Benson   Liner Notes
Rod O'Brien   Assistant Engineer
Joe Yannece   Mastering Engineer
Harry Yarmark   Remix Engineer
Allan Steckler   Producer
Don Cherry   Composer
Brooks Arthur   Mixing,Engineer
Mick Gochanour   Re-Release Producer
Alejandro Jodorowsky   Composer
Ron Frangipane   Composer
Claire Morales   Design
Dixon Van Winkle   Engineer
Russell Hamm   Engineer
Brad Phillips   Assistant Engineer