Black Hawk Down Soundtrack CD

Hans Zimmer has a certain zest for meshing genres and cultures within his scores, and BLACK HAWK DOWN is a perfect example. Ostensibly following guidelines set by Jerry Goldsmith's THE 13TH WARRIOR, where traditional Arabic scales and tones were fused with a bold neo-Scandinavian ambiance, Zimmer employs similar tactics to enhance the theme of the film. He intensifies BLACK HAWK DOWN's clash of civilizations by taking traditional Middle Eastern musical themes and blending them with distinctly Western styles of pop, rock, and even country. In addition to the Goldsmith inspiration, nods to Peter Gabriel's PASSION are evident, especially when Zimmer adds Middle Eastern vocals to the score. However, the sonic tapestry he weaves from these influences and styles is coordinated so well that the proverbial stitches are rarely exposed.

14. Minstrel Boy - Joe Strummer And The Mescaleros (film version)


Original score composed by Hans Zimmer.

Includes liner notes by Daniel Schweiger.

1. Hunger


2. Barra Barra - Rachid Taha


3. Vale Of Plenty


4. Chant


5. Still


6. Mogadishu Blues


7. Synchrotone


8. Bakara


9. Of The Earth


10. Ashes To Ashes


11. Gortoz A Ran-J'Attends - Denez Prigent/Lisa Gerrard


12. Tribal War


13. Leave No Man Behind


15. Still Reprise

Personnel: Hans Zimmer (piano, synthesizer); Denez Prigent, Joe Strummer, Lisa Gerrard, Rachid Taha, Baaba Maal (vocals); Heitor Teixeira Pereira (guitar, saz); Michael Brook (electric guitar); Craig Eastman (slide guitar, hurdy-gurdy, mandolin, violin, viola); Martin Tillman (cello, electric cello, loops); Walt Fowler (trumpet); Samantha Maloney (drums); Ali Tavalali, John Fitzgerald, Michael Fisher, Satnam Ramgotra, Brian Kilgore (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Al Clay.

Liner Note Author: Daniel Schweiger.

Recording information: Media Ventures, Santa Monica, CA; Sony Picture Studios, Culver City, CA; Sony Studios.

Photographer: Sidney Baldwin.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Mescaleros; Michael Brook.

Arrangers: Joe Strummer; Martin Slattery; Richard Flack; Scott Shields; Tymon Dogg.Entertainment Weekly (2/8/02, p.77) - "...Zimmer achieves his usual taut dramtic pitch, but with some inspired, Oscar-worthy stretches....as beautiful and compelling as anything in the film." - Rating: A-