Kill Bill Vol. 1

Tarantino is the executive producer for the Kill Bill Vol. 1 soundtrack and considering his penchant for the wilfully obscure and talent for dusting off old gems, it's not surprising this overtly eclectic collection makes fascinating listening. Along with the jarring--if, thankfully, few--dialogue excerpts, comes delightful gems such as Santa Esmeralda's masterful "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". There's the slide guitar-fuelled rockabilly cool of Charlie Feathers' "That Certain Female", Spaghetti Western atmospherics from Luis Bacalov, and Wu Tang Clan rapper RZA belting out "Ode to Oren". Not for the faint eared then, but despite breaking every continuity rule in the book, it makes for marvellous listening. --Christopher Barrett

Now, to be clear, while I am hooked on that one particular song and happy to discover that the song actually goes for a whole 2:28, it is not the only primo track in the collection. The epic is a 10:30 version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"/"Esmeralda Suite" by Santa Esmeralda starring Leroy Gomez. There there is Luis Bacalov's "The Grand Duel" and then James Last & Gheorghe Zamfir and his pan flute for "The Lonely Shepherd" (4:20). Then for short bursts of fun there is Charlie Feathers' "That Certain Female," the whistling of Bernard Herrmann's "Twisted Nerve," Al Hirt's "Green Hornet," The 5,6,7,8's "Woo Hoo," and an excerpt from Quincy Jones' theme for "Ironside." Then we can mention that the whole thing starts with Nancy Sinatra doing the Sonny Bono song, "Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)."

For my money that is ten prime tracks, which for a soundtrack albums is absolutely outstanding. The only ones I have are, of course, Nancy Sinatra (my favorite female vocalist from the Sixties if you must know), and the theme from "Ironside" (I have a lot of CDs of television themes). Since this is a Quentin Tarantino film there are a few audio excerpts from the film, O-Ren Ishi's speech as "Queen of the Crime Council" and most of the final dialogue of the film when the Bride tells Sofie Fatale "You're My Wicked Life" (which you will probably find ends too soon for your tastes). But "Kill Bill" is about stunning visuals and great music rather than unforgettable dialogue in the tradition of "Pulp Fiction." In fact, if they had ditched the dialogue and added the two little bits of music that come at the start of the film before Nancy starts singing I would have been happier (being nostalgic over the "Feature Presentation" music is what happens when you get old).


Another fantastic tarantino cult soundtrack   November 14, 2003
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Once again Tarantino has created a unique film and soundtrack. In my opinion the film was everything i didn't expect it to be, it really took me by suprise. The soundtrack is also a little different compared to say, reservior dogs or pulp fiction, but its still a really cool album filled with fantastic tunes and even sound effects from the film! Once you understand that this is a film that Tarantino made for his screen character's, like Clarence and Alabama "true romance," then you can really apriciate what he has done here.


buy it!!!   March 4, 2006
J. Brennan
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

if you liked the film and are considering buying this soundtrack but are unsure then don't be. this is a fantastic soundtrack and has all the key pieces of music on here. very atmospheric music with some calming, some more loud!
one of my most played cds and i have had it a long time.
you won't be dissapointed


A work of art!   August 2, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This soundtrack is the best album I have ever purchased. Taratino made a great movie, but the soundtrack is equally as fantastic! Each song is different, yet they all follow a large oriental feel.

Even the dialogue tracks are still awesome, like Queen of the Crime Council, and You're My Wicked Life!

This album is a must-buy for any die hard Kill Bill fans out there who still dont own it! Tracks like Green Hornet and Battle Without Honour or Humanity are sheer brilliant, followed by equally awesome tracks like Dont Let Me Be Misunderstood and Flower of Carnage!

Just buy it! You wont be dissapointed!


Stunning soundtrack   July 27, 2004
Marian Mulgrew (northern ireland)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Kill Bill is another classic revenge tale that will be remembered forever. The album is wonderful, NONE of this music, is "my thing" but yet i love it all. The music in this film fits so well. When you listen to this album you will want to watch the film again and again and again. it gives you this wonderful feeling that makes you want to talk about the film non-stop. A brilliant and stunning sountrack! Take my advice and get this!