Caldera Records bring us a collection of highlights of cellist and composer Ernst Reijseger's music for the films of Werner Herzog. For 15 years, Herzog has worked with Reijseger on movies including The White Diamond, My Son My Son What Have Ye Done, Cave of Forgotten Dreams and, most recently, Fireball. Is it world music? Is it jazz? Is it avant-garde? Does it matter? It’s unlike anything you have ever heard...

Ernst Reijseger's music for the films of Werner Herzog are central characters to the movies. And, when listened to on their own merits, it's quite clear how well structured and multilayered they are.

Pieces like 'Rainey Season' from My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done, are hauntingly beautiful, building layer upon layer as the track slowly unwinds. While tracks like 'Tungunska' from Fireball, illustrate perfectly how intricate Reijseger is prepared to venture in the quest for perfection.

I know it sounds a little cliched, but these pieces do sound organic, spontaneous and feel like they're beautifully improvised by musicians at the top of their game.

This album transcends the usual "soundtrack" label to deliver something on another level entirely. Reijseger has the god-like ability to make you smile, wince as well as bring you to tears. This is an artist who clearly knows how to wield music as an emotional weapon. Do yourself a favour and add this to your music library.

There's also a fun, short interview with Herzog, who tells an amusing story about the first track on the album.

Track listing:

01. Shadow (9:18)
from Cave of Forgotten Dreams

02. Gretchen am Spinnrade (Voice From Another World) (6:02)
from Rescue Dawn

03. A Una Rosa, Voche e’ Notte Antica (10:16)*
from The White Diamond and Salt & Fire

04. Still Life/Leaving Your Earthly Possessions (7:15)
from My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

05. Brontosaurus (2:19)
from Nomad – In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin

06. Ombra (5:13)
from Nomad – In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin

07. Too Soon (4:41)
from Salt & Fire

08. Rainy Season (5:46)
from My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

09. Tungunska (5:49)
from Fireball

10. Muen Bwebwe (1:45)
from Family Romance, LLC

11. Ave Maria (5:41)*
from Fireball

12. Heaven On Earth (4:40)
from My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

13. Landscape of the Soul (2:27)
from Salt & Fire

Bonus:
14. Interview with Werner Herzog (5:39)

9

Darren Rea