When I think about the American New Wave, I’m always traveling through the vast open roads of North America, its forever-changing landscapes and mythical American dreams, with all its bittersweet promise. Sonically speaking, I’m in that space, too. So much of the New Hollywood cinema is vast Americana; Death Valley and desert-hot gas stations, the ultimate nihilistic road movie. But so much of it is everywhere else too; sleek Manhattan apartment blocks, the old Wild West, and the outer regions of space. In my head it’s a mixtape of philosophical and artistic ideas, one of cinema’s counter-culture melting pots where more questions are raised than answered and the plot is not driven by a desire for resolution.
This mix was dreamed up as a mixtape: driving across state lines, re-adjusting the radio station on the dashboard as the trip moves further towards a destination that is unknown. A trip of many atmospheres, some of the period’s classic songs and scores are nestled beside thundering synths and unsettling ambience. It's impressive to look back on the sonic innovation and imagination that soundtracked this period of cinema, and so, The New Hollywood Mixtape is a celebration of all that was exciting, daring and unique from the forever influential New Hollywood era.
1. The moon landing news announcement (edit)
2. Aram Khatchaturian, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), "Gayne Ballet Suite (Adagio)"
3. Gerald Busby, 3 Women (1977), "The Dream"
4. Wendy Carlos, The Shining (1980), "The Rocky Mountains"
5. Jerry Goldsmith, Chinatown (1974), "Love Theme From Chinatown (Main Title)"
6. Tobe Hooper & Wayne Bell, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), "Untitled" (edit)
7. Tobe Hooper & Wayne Bell, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, "Untitled" (edit)
8. Pearl Kaufman, Five Easy Pieces (1970), "Chopin: Prelude In E Minor, Op. 28-4"
9. The Chieftains, Barry Lyndon (1975), "Women Of Ireland"
10. Pauline Kael on film (edit)
11. Lalo Schrifin, THX 1138 (1971), "First Chase / Foot Chase / St. Matthew Passion* (End Credits)" (edit) (*Bach)
12. John Carpenter, Dark Star (1974), "Music, Sound And Dialogue Excerpts Part 2" (edit)
13. Denny Zeitlin, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1978), "Angel Of Death"
14. György Ligeti, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), "Atmospheres"
15. Lalo Schrifin, THX 1138 (1971), "Room Tone / Primitive Dance" (edit)
16. Excerpt Badlands (edit)
17. John Carpenter, Halloween (1978), "The Evil Is Gone!" and Nino Rota, The Godfather, "The Godfather Waltz" edit
18. David Shire, The Conversation (1974), "Dream Sequence"
19. Excerpt Bonnie & Clyde (edit)
20. Pino Donaggio & Kate Irving, Carrie (1976), "Born To Have It All"
21. Giorgio Moroder, American Gigolo (1980), "Night Drive (Reprise)"
22. Stewart Copeland & Stanard Ridgway, Rumble Fish (1983), "Don’t Box Me In"
23. Pink Floyd, Zabriskie Point (1970), "Heart Beat, Pig Meat"
24. Leonard Cohen, McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), "The Stranger Song"
25. Excerpt Kramer vs. Kramer (edit)
26. Cat Stevens, Harold & Maude (1971), "Trouble"
27. Crosby, Stills & Nash, Hardcore (1979), "Helpless"
28. Vangelis, Blade Runner (1982), "Love Theme"
29. Pauline Kael on film (edit)
30. Kris Kristoferson, Fat City (1972), "Help Me Make It Through The Night"
31. Robert Altman on film (edit)
32. John Williams, The Deer Hunter (1978), "Cavatina (Stanley Myers)"
33. Excerpt Siskel & Ebert on Night Moves (1975) (edit)
34. Simon & Garfunkel, The Graduate (1967), "The Sounds Of Silence"
35. Excerpt A.O Scott on Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) (edit)
36. Bo Harwood, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976), "No One Around To Hear It"
Part of our on-going series, Notebook Soundtrack Mixes.