One of the benefits of operating a Soundtracks and Film web site is the opportunity to listen to unreleased material of a promotional variety.  Such is the case with George S. Clinton's score for "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," an original HBO film that recently aired (June - 2006) on the network.  As a producer of this site, I feel as though it's my responsibility to ensure that quality work doesn't fade off into the sunset, which can be the case when unreleased material isn't granted an official soundtrack release. 

 

Clinton's score for this film is superb.  Calling upon orchestra, choir and various Lakota contributions, the music is at once respectful and engaging.  There have been so many films based on the subject of Native Americans yet there are few scores that are truly memorable.  Part of this, in my opinion, must have to do with the preparation of writing the material.  For this effort, proper care was placed in capturing the music of not only the Native Americans but also the western influences that were prevalent during the time in history where the movie takes place.  Specifically, the use of Lakota flute and the piano as a crossing of cultures is one example of how the forces assimilation of the Native Americas is represented. 

 

The strongest track on the promotional album is the first cue, in which the opening titles introduce a strong sampling of the musical texture of this score.  The beauty of the instrumentation is well noted, as are the tragic influences that the music carries across.  Another notable aspect is the strong percussive movements that add a forceful energy to the music, which really peaks well in the opening track after a small build up. I was taken aback by how involving just this one track alone was and can say I was thoroughly impressed by it. 

 

What I also found appealing with Clinton's work here is how the music offered a peaceful undercurrent to it when it could.  Often times music can be interpreted into different representations of themes and such, and during my experience with this soundtrack, I found the underscore had a certain calmness flowing in it.  To me, this calmness represented the resolve and inner peace of the Native Americans and again goes to show just how respectfully this material was developed. 

 

In the press release, it's stated that 120 minutes of score was recorded for this film and in a perfect world, much of that material should be given a commercial release.  The promo that I heard offered nearly a half hour of music on it, which was certainly enough for me to determine that this is a high caliber effort.  Here's hoping that one of the soundtrack specialty labels latch onto this title to make it available in some capacity to all the soundtrack fans out there because it's an interesting, unique listening experience that deserves some play.