The Hustler [Soundtrack]

Producer, director, and co-writer Robert Rossen needed a score for his film, "The Hustler", that matched
its gritty, uncompromising subject matter. If you've seen the 1961 film, then you know the tone is edgy,
dark, brooding, hard, and even sad. The fine jazz score written by the great composer Kenyon Hopkins
(1912-1983) PERFECTLY captures these elements in the film. Hopkins, formerly an arranger for Paul White-
man, became well known as a composer who knew how to successfully emulate "sounds of the city". This
first-time cd issue on Cherry Red Records (out of England) is a MUCH awaited welcome to the long out-of-
print lp soundtrack. Mr. Hopkins was once called, "one of jazz's great composers and arrangers" and he de-
served it. On "The Hustler", he used seventeen of the top studio jazzmen of the day, including legendary
sax player Phil Woods, Bernie Glow, Jerome Richardson, trumpet great "Doc" Severinsen, Jimmy Cleveland,
legendary jazz pianist Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Joe Wilder. There are fifteen tracks on the soundtrack
(just like the lp), and sound fabulous on cd. Woods, in particular, is brilliant in his solo's that shine on many
of the tracks Hopkins wrote. Moreover, the whole ensemble is magnificent in capturing the intense emotions
of the characters and their scenes. In particular, oboe, flute, and English horn are effectively used at key
points to underscore the more dramatic and reflective aspects in the film. One of Hopkin's greatest achieve-
ments in film scoring, this soundtrack is a CLASSIC. Hopkins was well known for writing many film scores in
a jazz idiom, including "Baby Doll", "The Fugitive Kind", and "This Property is Condemned." He even composed
a jazz ballet called "Rooms" for Anna Sokolow. "The Hustler" soundtrack cd also contains two other additional
film scores that featured Paul Newman - "Paris Blues" from 1961 composed by Duke Ellington, and "The Long
Hot Summer" from 1958 composed by Alex North. These are fine, but the MAIN showcase here is the marve-
lous "Hustler" score by Kenyon Hopkins that sounds better than ever now on cd, thanks to the Cherry Red
label. Digitally remastered, it's a beautiful and haunting work of art. They don't make them like this anymore.

P.S. If you can find it, get the wonderful jazz-flavored, moody soundtrack
Kenyon Hopkins wrote for the 1963-64 CBS TV show "East Side, West Side",
(which like "The Hustler", also starred George C. Scott) that was set and
filmed entirely on the streets of New York City. Available on vinyl only, but
well worth seeking out if you liked "The Hustler" soundtrack. It was produc-
ed in both mono and stereo versions.

I've been looking for this for some time and have loved the music since I first saw the film upon its release. For me, it captures the "cool" feel of early '60's film jazz perfectly & Woods is perhaps at his best. The addition of Ellington & Armstrong's music from Paris Blues is pure dessert.

Regarding the, Hustler score, excellence all the way around. Not only does the music capture the story it transcends and stands on its own.