Open Web Player
Paris, Texas - directed by Wim Wenders and starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, and Dean Stockwell - is a truly astounding movie. More to the point, the Ry Cooder soundtrack is so perfectly suited to the overall gestalt of the film that it becomes a character unto itself. Cooder's haunting, solo slide guitar mirrors the immense, barren Texas landscape in a way that is spellbinding, exquisite, and unforgettable.
That said, this CD is "more hat than man" - as they sometimes say in Texas. Clocking in at an anemic 34:11, it's less than generous. The issue is compounded by the inclusion of 8:34 of dialogue - "I Knew These People." If you've seen the film, you know that this scene is the payday, the moment you've been anticipating for hours. It is one of the most riveting scenes in all film; the interplay between Stanton and Kinski is pure poetry. However, this is only true because everything up to that point has prepared you for it. Without context it is only a well-crafted speech, and including it here feels like superfluous padding.
I recently also purchased the 2-CD set, "Music By - Ry Cooder," which has bits and pieces from the 20 or so movies Cooder has scored in two decades of film work. This is a far beefier and more diverse effort, with many different styles represented. It too is primarily instrumental, very few vocal tracks - although some of the vocal tracks are extraordinary - one doesn't forget the Throat Singers of Tuva quickly! If you had to choose between the two, I'd recommend "Music" - it really has a lot to offer. If you have your heart set on the Paris, Texas soundtrack - caveat emptor - there's less here than meets the eye.
What I found was that by dropping the "I Knew These People" speech, and cherry-picking through the 2-CD "Music By - Ry Cooder" effort I had enough material for an impeccable 80-minute stroll through an "instrumental-only" view of Ry Cooder's genius, a place that is every bit as mesmerizing - and far more hospitable - than the badlands of Texas poor Travis, Harry Dean Stanton, had to endure.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Frequently bought together
$9.99
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
viroux
Le plaisir de réentendre un des chef-d'oeuvre de Ry Cooder
Reviewed in France on March 25, 2023