The collaboration Daniele Luppi-Danger Mouse, ‘Rome’ is an NPR ‘exclusive first listen’, and right away, with the opening track ‘Theme of Rome’, you are plunged in a Morriconesque ambiance with slow progression of chords and female chanting vocals.
The album combines many of the surviving performers of the famous Ennio Morricone soundtracks with Norah Jones and Jack White’s vocals on many songs.
The compositions are full of lush strings and nostalgic orchestral arrangements with the typically recognizable Danger Mouse’s influence, more concerned about recreating a certain classical atmosphere than anything else. The numerous short interludes and the instrumentals work as widescreen cinematic visions that obviously will make your memory wander around the famous soundtracks for these 60s Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns.
Jack White’s vocals sound a little bit like an anachronism in the middle of this large open soundtrack and spacey arrangements where I keep seeing Clint Eastwood despite White’s high-pitched vocals. Norah Jones’ smoky voice works better, but were they supposed to be movie characters? I am not sure…
Luppi and Danger Mouse spent several years on the project to gather the original orchestra and choir who recorded many of the original soundtracks of the genre. However, I don't know if I completely understand what the whole thing is about, an homage? A tribute to Ennio Morricone? A soundtrack to a movie still to be made? Let’s say it is a sort of exercise, very well done and produced, but will the majority of you listen to it more than once? I doubt.
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/09/136094599/first-listen-danger-mouse-and-daniele-luppi-rome