Mystery Train [Original Score]

The soundtrack to Jim Jarmusch's excellent film about various intersecting characters in the underbelly of Memphis is divided between vintage Memphis rock-soul and John Lurie's atmospheric score. The classics by Elvis Presley, Junior Parker, Otis Redding, Roy Orbison, Rufus Thomas, Bobby Blue Bland, and the Bar-Kays are certainly good, though for the most part easily available elsewhere. Most of Lurie's compositions are delicate miniatures built around spare, reverbed guitar lines that evoke a haunted, late-night Delta vista. There are much better tasters of either Memphis rock-soul or John Lurie, but for someone who just wants a bit of the flavor of the movie and isn't worried about building serious collections, it's not bad at all.