I was introduced to the alternative side of Ennio Morricone (November 10, 1928-July 6, 2020) in the late ’90s. Most people have heard at least one of his compositions or an homage to his work. The most recognizable and influential soundtrack was The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood. His unabashed technique utilized unusual elements such as whistling and yodeling to resemble a coyote, and human voices with no intelligible words, just wailing sounds. He set the pace for all future soundtracks of the Western genre.

Another favorite for American fans of art-house films was the film music for Cinema Paradiso. It’s a film about relationships, camaraderie, and patience. The music is one of the most beautiful scores of all time. There is a repeated theme throughout the film, with slight variation. His son, Andrea, collaborated with him on this particular soundtrack.

My friend, Mark Cuadrado, introduced me to Maestro’s lesser-known films and worked with international pop artists. My musical world immediately grew another size. The sultry moans, dramatic swells, and builds were over the top! New Order, Stereolab, Broadcast, Air, and countless bands and artists are inspired by his work. Some of my favorite artists are “Se Telefonando” by Mina, “Funny World” by Astrud Gilberto, and “Deep Down (Diabolik 1968)” by Christy. I’ve linked these three below.

My Mother is a recent Morricone convert and affectionately refers to him as “Ennio.” She’s always finding new pieces from him and making playlists to listen to while painting. She often recounts her experience with the latest music and is still so happy she is discovering new music well into her 70s.